How to Be a Great Astrologer: The Planetary Aspects Explained

By James Braha

HOW TO BE A GREAT ASTROLOGER
This book is a highly specialized analysis of all 300 planetary aspects used in Western astrology. Planetary aspects — conjunctions, squares, oppositions, trines, and sextiles — are the most important and consistently accurate feature of astrology, and are at the core of Western horoscope analysis. The aspects formed at the time of one's birth reveal the behavioral and psychological tendencies of each individual soul.
Also included is an elaborate section describing the Moon's Nodes in all of the signs and houses. The Moon's Nodes, which are often neglected in astrology texts, are the number one feature revealing a person's life purpose and destiny.
This book is the product of deep, intense research. Written by James Braha, a renowned astrologer versed in both Western and Hindu/Vedic astrology, it is clear, accessible, and authoritative.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jun 17, 2019
• ISBN: 9780935895117

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Hermetician Press / Longboat Key, Florida

Other Books by James Braha:

Ancient Hindu Astrology for the Modern Western Astrologer

How to Predict Your Future; Secrets of Eastern and Western Astrology

Astro-Logos; Revelations of a Hindu Astrologer

The Art and Practice of Ancient Hindu Astrology:

Nine Intimate Sessions from Teacher to Student

Living reality; My Extraordinary Summer with Sailor Bob Adamson

JAMES BRAHA

HERMETICIAN PRESS 680 Fox St

LONGBOAT KEY, FLORIDA 34228

How To Be A Great Astrologer; The Planetary Aspects Explained

© 1992 Copyright James Braha

© 2019 eBook Copyright James Braha

All rights reserved. No part of this text may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means — graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, mimeographing, or information storage and retrieval systems — without written permission from the publisher. A reviewer may quote passages.

I.S.B.N. # 978-0-935895-11-7

Library of Congress Catalogue Card Number: 9-65831

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to express my gratitude to the following individuals. To my editor, Patrick Bosold for his expertise and valuable suggestions. To Vashti Braha, Howard and Shane Dugan, Rebecca Buckley, Jane Tobal, Laura Walz, Lauren Braha, Emmett Walz, Sheppard Root, Kevin Quarterone, and my brother Herb.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

QUOTE BY BABAJI

HOW ASTROLOGY WORKS

THE MOON’S NODES

THE MOON’S NODES IN THE SIGNS AND HOUSES

PLANETARY ASPECTS

ASPECTS TO THE SUN

ASPECTS TO THE MOON

ASPECTS TO MERCURY

ASPECTS TO VENUS

ASPECTS TO MARS

ASPECTS TO JUPITER

ASPECTS TO SATURN

ASPECTS TO URANUS, NEPTUNE, AND PLUTO

SERVICES OF JAMES BRAHA AND HERMETICIAN PRESS

GREAT QUOTES

INTRODUCTION

There is no such thing as a definitive, absolute interpretation of an astrological aspect. By the grace of God, humankind is granted the experience of free will united with justice — the opportunity to reap the consequences of, and thereby learn from, all our actions. If, in past lives, a person has greatly misused aggressiveness (the Mars energy), he or she may be born this time around with a Mars–Saturn opposition, indicating significant restrictiveness and a built-in check on the desire nature.

The Mars–Saturn opposition can clearly, even systematically, be defined through personal observation as well as proper analysis of the core meanings of the two planets; nonetheless, the miracle of human life is that we possess, at every instant, the freedom to act as we choose regardless of planetary influences. How then can any aspect be interpreted in exact, all-conclusive terms?

One may ask, If this is so, why does this text treat each aspect so authoritatively? Quite simply, I made this choice because nearly all conventionally-written, modern-day Western astrology books on planetary aspects leave readers desperate for a VISCERAL EXPERIENCE of astrological knowledge. The style of this text parallels the writings of the ancient sages of the Hindu, or Vedic, predictive astrology of the East. I purposely chose this style because it delivers the most potent presentation of pure, essential, archetypal information.

I consider this work to be traditional and conventional. In order for practicing astrologers to utilize the interpretations properly, however, it is crucial to bear in mind the reason that I wrote this book. Otherwise, the delineations here may be taken as some form of gospel truth, which is not my intent.

For example, one typical description in this book reads as follows: If the Moon is square or opposite Mars the person is selfish. He thinks of himself before anyone else… Does this mean that all individuals possessing this astrological configuration act so crudely? Of course not. However, this description does reveal (hopefully) the essential symbolism of the aspect. Whether the person possessing the aspect behaves as indicated is a matter of several different considerations.

One of the most important factors astrologers have in their analytical favor is the orb of influence. Put simply, an exact conjunction will act far more powerfully and genuinely than, say, one which occurs within five or six degrees. In hopes of expressing the purity and essence of each aspect, the configurations have been described as if they occur at a point of extreme intensity, i.e., exact or within one or two degrees. The purpose of this writing, I say again, is to give the astrologer a visceral experience of astrological information. This should give astrologers who are dealing with a certain feature, a workable understanding from which to begin.

Modern Western astrology is not essentially a predictive, event-oriented system. Unlike the interpretations of the ancient Hindus, our deciphering of the star language deals more with the genetic, inborn behavioral patterns, which give rise to the actions and circumstances of one’s existence. In a culture where a peanut farmer can grow up to be president, it is fitting and proper that our astrological system should support the glory and magnificence of free will. This text is not an attempt to deny or distort such a natural, indigenous cultural heritage; however, it could appear so because of the factual writing style I have used.

Most importantly, knowledge means power. Therefore, if this book succeeds in expressing highly potent astrological descriptions, the work can be used to profound advantage or destructiveness. The text is direct, candid, and forthright. It has been composed, as the title indicates, for astrologers — those whom I see as the healers and counselors of the new age. Some professionals may wish to read portions of this work directly to their clients. However, great care should be taken, especially in the case of the hard aspects (the squares and oppositions).

Non-astrologers hearing blunt, authoritative descriptions of their own hard aspects could be psychologically harmed or damaged. If these pages are ever to be read aloud verbatim, I recommend giving the client an explanation of free will, or asking the client to read this introduction, before hearing his or her particular aspect descriptions.

Another important point regarding proper use of this book concerns the variable effects of aspects. Having practiced astrology for some time now, I am only too aware that trines do not always produce good effects, and squares and oppositions do not absolutely generate negative effects. I strongly recommend that the reader consider the conjunction as the main aspect of each series.

For example, when attempting to comprehend a Moon–Venus square or Moon–Venus trine, please read the description of Moon Conjunct Venus first. This will help enormously by providing a sense of the natures and compatibilities of the two planets involved. And, because conjunctions are neutral in nature, they will generally render the most accurate and reliable descriptions. (Experience reveals that the hard and soft aspects are more subject to the free will factor, i.e., how the person decides to use his or her energy and talents once aware of them). Furthermore, always remember that each delineation in this book represents the SYMBOLISM OF AN ASPECT, not necessarily a person.

As for the way I have treated each planetary aspect as an end unto itself, as an almost major life directive, an explanation is in order. Clearly, there can be no real precision and accuracy in an astrological interpretation until the entire birthchart, with all its multitudinous factors, is considered. However, there is also a marvelous phenomenon, which nearly every seasoned astrologer has experienced, that occurs when one particular feature is understood in totality. It is as if by tuning in to one distinctly personal aspect of a person, the whole of the being can be known. This miracle of a sort occurs by way of synergy and it is profoundly useful to practicing counselors, psychologists, and astrologers. The planetary aspects in this book have been written with such a concept in mind.

I am pleased with this text. However, I do wish to apologize to female astrologers for the use of the masculine gender throughout the work. Putting myself in the place of a woman reading the aspects, I feel a subtle sense of pain, a sense of being somewhat ignored or neglected. At one point, I tried to write using both genders, but to no avail. The problem is that to use the term he or she approximately 5,000 times would not merely be extremely tedious, it would dilute the simplicity, directness, power, and potency of the knowledge. That would defeat the entire purpose of the book.

I therefore beg the readers’ forbearance and pray I have not committed a major indiscretion. For the time being, I ask readers to insert she and her for female clients where the text reads he and him.

Knowledge of the star language is a profound blessing. It is a sublime and wonderful way to serve and assist humanity, and make a real difference in the world. We are truly privileged. In the words of Isabel Hickey, one of the Western world’s greatest astrological authors, Godspeed and God Bless.

October 1991

QUOTE BY BABAJI, A HIMALAYAN GURU

Love and serve all humanity. Assist everyone.

Be cheerful, be courteous.

Be a dynamo of irrepressible happiness.

See God and good in every face.

There is no saint without a past.

There is no sinner without a future.

Praise every soul.

If you cannot praise someone, let them pass out of your life.

Be original, be inventive.

Dare, dare, and then dare more.

Do not imitate. Stand on your own ground.

Do not lean on the borrowed staff of others.

Think your own thoughts. Be yourself.

All perfection and all virtues of the Deity are hidden inside you — reveal them.

The savior also is already within you — reveal Him.

Let his grace emancipate you. Let your life be that of a rose.

Through silence it speaks in the language of fragrance.

There is no saint without a past. There is no sinner without a future.

HOW ASTROLOGY WORKS

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard."

THE 19TH PSALM

The following is an explanation of how and why astrology, the star language, works. It is not a proof, it is merely food for thought. Within existence there is, necessarily, language. Within language there is, always, existence. The two actually cannot be separated. This precept is now being consistently expounded in philosophical circles. Bear in mind that what is meant by language is not merely words and symbols, but also the underlying function — the ability to distinguish. This point is crucial.

That the existence of a thing depends upon language, or the ability to distinguish, may be easily grasped by considering different cultures. For example, there are cases of less-civilized tribes who have been shown photographs but have seen nothing other than a piece of paper, because they were not yet educated to the concept of photography. The same natives cannot see themselves in a mirror because there is no word (distinction) for mirror in their language.

Quite simply, without language, or the ability to distinguish, there is no existence. One of the best illustrations is the case of Helen Keller. She writes, Suddenly, I knew not how or where or when, I awoke to language, to knowledge of love, to the usual concepts of nature, of good and evil. Of her life before linguistic ability she says, For nearly six years I had no concepts whatever of nature or mind or death or God. There was not one spark of rational thought… I was like an unconscious clod of earth. Helen Keller’s entire experience of existence was based on language, her ability to distinguish.

Another example of the significance of language can be seen by considering picture puzzles. One of the most famous of these involves two silhouettes, which upon closer examination reveal a vase hidden within the picture. Most typically, a person sees either the vase or the silhouettes. The person does not perceive both until told to examine the picture more closely. For the person experiencing only the silhouettes, the vase does not exist until it is created through language, until it is distinguished.

For those familiar with Sanskrit, the language of the Vedas, the intertwining of language and existence is no surprise. Sanskrit is known as a name and form language where there is literally no difference between the symbol (word or vibration) and the object it describes. Some believe that the perfected yogi’s supernatural power to materialize objects at will is connected to the yogi’s ability to PURELY speak a Sanskrit word and thus invoke its actual form. Also, according to Vedic philosophy, there is the special mantra OM, the primordial sound continually reverberating through the universe, considered to be the vibratory power behind all energies.

If existence for humans is based largely, perhaps entirely, upon language, and if a human is a microcosm of the universe, then what logically must the universe also require for its existence? Language, of course. Now we see a reason for astrology, an actual purpose for the cosmos to speak, to distinguish. For that is what the star language does — it distinguishes who and what we are. In the same way humans get to enjoy existence because of language, so does the universe have its own similar way of functioning.

Understand, however, that since the cosmos does not have awareness of itself in the same way that humans do, the universe can only experience its existence by distinguishing or languaging beings capable of returning the communication. How do we humans respond back to the cosmos? By either accepting the dictates and prophecies the cosmos has made about our lives (via the stars), or by using our free will, our own languaging ability to live as we choose. Thus, what ultimately occurs is a kind of continual dance between nature, or the cosmos, and individuals.

Most fascinating is the fact that the communications from the universe come to us in the form of fate or predestiny, while we recipients must necessarily possess the experience of free will, or the universe would lose its enjoyment of existence. This is how free will and predestiny exist side by side without infringement upon each other. Indeed, one could not even exist without the other.

The question then becomes, If our free will is every bit as vital as the fateful communications of the heavens, why are the stars so accurate in their distinguishing of our lives? How is it that astrological predictions and personality descriptions often come true with such startling accuracy? Do the planets and stars cause these effects? Not in the sense of heavenly bodies being physically connected to our lives. Quite simply the universe languages, or distinguishes, certain features of our existence with such precision, such extreme definitiveness and clarity, that in these realms we are essentially unable to create ourselves differently.

What occurs is a kind of conversation between the individual and the cosmos, in which the universe sometimes speaks louder, clearer, and with greater certainty. The best way to grasp this concept is to consider how human behavior changes in the presence of different people. Brilliant children may become dullards when around relatives who see them as such. Extremely capable people become inept around critical, fault-finding individuals. This is simply the interplay of two beings who are simultaneously creating a reality.

So it is with the human being and the cosmos. Nature distinguishes who we are, and what will happen to us, and we feel free to choose and create our own reality. Our lives depend upon whose distinguishing power (or languaging ability) predominates at any given point in time.

There is no darkness without the possibility of light. One is not a mother without a child. Likewise, there is no free will without predestiny. The two are dependent upon each other. The universe, by distinguishing communicative beings, gets to exist. If not for human choice, the language of the heavens would be pointless. If not for astrology, the element of fate, our experience of free will would cease to exist. The universe exists by virtue of the star language.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God. And the Word was God.

The Bible

THE MOON’S NODES

The Moon’s nodes are the single most important feature of a Western astrological birthchart. The South Node reveals a person’s past (previous incarnations) and the North Node indicates a person’s future (where he or she is headed). Most significantly, the North Node represents the purposes, intentions, and objectives of an entire lifetime. Individuals who follow the path symbolized by their North Node are the most fulfilled, content, and self-actualized of all people. The beauty and profundity of the nodes are that they serve as a primary explanation, a genuine solution and answer, to every person’s essential question in life: What, specifically, am I here for?

Whereas all other birthchart aspects reveal behavior, tendencies, or events likely to occur, the nodes function as a marvelous guidance system. Not only do the nodes advise what realms of activity to pursue, but the South Node reveals the reason for such interests. The nodes are always exactly opposite each other. If the South Node is in the third house, the person has already learned and mastered teaching, debating, detailed analysis, skepticism, etc.

With the North Node in the ninth house (the house opposite from the third), the person must now develop faith, intuition, religion, and philosophical knowledge. Those who, through laziness or fear, pursue the easy, comfortable ways of their South Node (past-life) inclinations remain frustrated, discouraged, and disappointed with life. South Node activities carry no vital challenge, growth, or meaning. If the person engages in South Node endeavors in any significant way (especially the negative attributes of the South Node house and sign symbolism), there will be disturbance and suffering.

Despite all this, some astrologers consider the nodes meaningless, and disregard them in their birthchart interpretations. How can such a dichotomy exist in such an experiential discipline as astrology? The answer is simple. The nodes function as a pair, and only one of them (the South Node) reveals actual behavior. The South Node, through its sign and house position, indicates the tendencies, characteristics, and affinities that the person is born with. These are readily discernible traits.

The North Node, however, does not confer anything. It merely POINTS THE WAY to fulfilling, evolutionary activity which the person may undertake if he or she desires. The North Node does not indicate likely or probable behavior. Unlike planetary aspects and planets in signs and houses, there is no great pressure or compulsion to enter North Node realms. Each person has, of course, a natural, intuitive sense about the areas of life that will bring the most fulfillment, those activities that are the right things to do. However, North Node territory, being new and untested, is often scary or intimidating. Thus, some people never succeed in reaching their North Node directives.

Astrologers looking for proof that the North Node causes anything will not find it. Ten different people with the North Node in Pisces will not necessarily appear similar in any Piscean behavioral way. However, validation of the North Node in a sign (or house) is easily ascertained: simply describe the particular meaning of the North Node position to each individual and note how well the explanations match the person’s innate sense of purpose and intention. Astrologers who ignore the nodes or overlook their vast importance and magnificence make a grave error.

There are always two segments of information revealed by each node: 1) its sign placement, and 2) its house position. Therefore, these obviously must be blended. For example, if the North Node is in the tenth house (career focus) and in the sign of Pisces (selfless, sacrificial, healing activities, etc.), then the person may wish to be devoted to a powerful medical career. Or the path to follow may be an intense spiritual mission.

If, however, the North Node is in the tenth house in a different sign, say Aquarius (fads, original creations, activities which are ahead of the times, etc.), then the person may wish to focus on creating inventions for the good of society. The sign and house placements of the nodes must both be taken into account.

The most arduous of all node positions occurs when the house and sign of the North Node are diametrically opposed. For instance, if the North Node is in the sign of Aries, but it is also in the seventh house (as in the case of Richard Nixon), a difficult situation exists. The North Node in Aries means that the person must let go of relationship dependency and develop his or her own personality. The individual must not be too influenced by the partner’s desires. However, the North Node in the seventh house means the exact opposite. It indicates that the person has been selfish or very self-directed in past lives, and must now pursue a deep, meaningful love relationship where extreme compromise and pleasing the spouse is the order of the day.

In delicate node cases such as this, the object is to strike a balance. What makes the task extraordinarily difficult is that the person must, alternately, pursue both paths. This is like walking a tightrope, where the person runs into trouble if he or she goes too far in either direction. If one course is followed to the exclusion of the other, there will be quick retribution and suffering. Both ways must be cultivated, as the person has incarnated to learn equilibrium between the two spheres symbolized.

The Western astrological method of analyzing the nodes is entirely different from the method employed in Hindu predictive astrology. I must issue a crucial warning to all Hindu astrologers, especially to those who are now using my text, "Ancient Hindu Astrology for the Modern