Infrequent astrological phenomena such as retrogrades, eclipses, and transits are modifying agents only and amount to a mere fraction of a complete system of checks and balances.
However, objectively paying attention to these cosmic events can provide heightened perspective and allows you to grasp the cyclical nature of life.
It’s easier to track celestial goings-on through visual graphs, such as with the following bar graph (click to enlarge).
Tips for interpreting the content in the above bar graph:
- ♈ Aries, ♉ Taurus, ♊ Gemini, ♋ Cancer, ♌ Leo, ♍ Virgo, ♎ Libra, ♏ Scorpio, ♐ Sagittarius, ♑ Capricorn, ♒ Aquarius, ♓ Pisces
- See this blog post for information about eclipses: https://scottpetullo.com/2012/05/supermoon-and-beware-two-eclipses-may-june-2012/
- See this blog post for information about Mercury retrograde: https://scottpetullo.com/2012/03/mercury-retrograde-3-12-2012-to-4-4-2012/
- See this blog post, about 2/3 down the page, for information about other retrogrades: https://scottpetullo.com/2010/01/the-cyclical-nature-of-life-reflected-by-various-minor-astrology-factors/
- Also see the blog post linked directly above for much more information about transits, planets, signs, and other astrology basics.
Additional Considerations For Those Who Want to Know More
Warning: the information below may seem overwhelming at first, but mastering it is one of the many keys to furthering your overall awareness through authentic astrology.
Although dignity (potency) of rulership or exaltation by sign is not mentioned in the above-linked posts, there are various ways to assess a planet’s strength at any given time. Rulership is slightly more potent than exaltation.
As you can see in the above bar graph, the heavenly bodies regularly change signs as they transit through the zodiac.
At least by sign, Saturn has held extra potency this year (dignity of exaltation by sign), but then it moves into the sign of Scorpio in October. Despite Saturn having a reputation as a negative planet, a very strong Saturn can be a positive indication.
Dignity of Rulership or Exaltation by Sign
Sun (exalted) and Mars are dignified in the sign of Aries
Moon (exalted) and Venus are dignified in the sign of Taurus
Mercury is dignified in the sign of Gemini
Jupiter (exalted) and Moon are dignified in the sign of Cancer
Sun is dignified in the sign of Leo
Mercury is dignified in the sign of Virgo
Saturn (exalted) and Venus are dignified in the sign of Libra
Mars is dignified in the sign of Scorpio
Jupiter is dignified in the sign of Sagittarius
Mars (exalted) and Saturn are dignified in the sign of Capricorn
Saturn (according to ancient astrology) is dignified in the sign of Aquarius
Venus (exalted) and Jupiter are dignified in the sign of Pisces
Pluto (according to modern astrology) is dignified in the sign of Scorpio
Uranus (according to modern astrology) is dignified in the sign of Aquarius
Neptune (according to modern astrology) is dignified in the sign of Pisces
My advice is to use both ancient and modern methods, with more emphasis on ancient methods.
Extremes are more easily identifiable. For instance, a planet in detriment, the opposite sign in which it is dignified, such as Mars in Libra, along with Mars being retrograde (another affliction), alerts you to the potential of a very toxic Mars. Finding additional problems with Mars could equate to major emblematic challenges. Mars won’t be in detriment and retrograde at the same time in 2012.
Alternatively, Neptune in the sign of Pisces, as it is now, is a more potent Neptune than usual by sign, yet it is also retrograde, 6-4-2012—11-10-2012.
Please note: The outer planets (Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto) aren’t part of traditional dignity and debility, so it’s better to avoid trying to squeeze them into the existing, ancient system. Although I believe Neptune is generally more agreeable in the sign of Pisces instead of the sign of Virgo, for example, it’s not legitimately dignified (by sign) in Pisces, despite what modern astrology tenets dictate.
It’s always best to weigh any universal considerations such as those in the above bar graph with the patterns in your personal configurations.
Reducing your personal and business related risk is assured when you’re more conscious of universal cyclical timing trends and how they relate to your personal comprehensive charts.
Copyright © 2012 Scott Petullo