BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH
Spatial Astrology: The Influence of Astrology On The Earthby Angel Z. Thompson
The world was given to us in motion and the forces of natural evolution keep it in motion. It is the responsibility of the stellar geographer, or astrologer, to keep an eye on that motion, to call our attention to that motion and to give shape to that motion through the use of charts and maps. A traditional horoscope is a study of movement through time. It is a symbolic representation of the planets as they are arranged in the heavens at a specific time, and is connected to the earth by the longitude and latitude of a specific place. Placement colors the phenomena of time and space because where you are determines what you are able to see. Change the place, and the time will change. Change the time, and the horoscope changes. For example: At 9:00 AM in California, the sun appears to be rising and a horoscope cast for this time and place will have the sun in the l2th house. At the very same moment in New York, it is 12 noon. The same sun that was rising in California is now high in the New York sky and a horoscope cast here will position the sun in the tenth house. When the longitude and latitude change, the connection to earth changes. The chart reflects the differences.Astrology gives meaning to time.
It is an abstract discipline of the mind that conceptualizes the complexities of the human spirit, and objectifies cyclical patterns of behavior. However, life is organic, the human experience is subjective, and the chart is subject to modification based on placement. As a result, astrology doesn't always work the way we think it should. Even as we struggle to fit the concept to the individual, symbols on paper distance us from planetary energy. With our head in the stars, we miss the power of the planets at our feet.Spatial astrology gives shape and meaning to planetary power as it is expressed on the earth.
It offers us the opportunity to experience directly the forces that give shape to destiny. And since the most profound wisdom is learned without teaching this experience shows us how to accentuate or diminish planetary energy at will, making us co-creators of fate and astrology a moveable feast. No matter where you go, there you are. Yes, the birth chart is set for a specific time and place and will always be the primary vibration of the life. Yet, when the location changes, the vibration changes, shifting our perception and stimulating latent potential. We experience life a bit differently. In New York, we get that 'New York State of mind'; in Los Angeles, the sun and sea help us to relax and unwind. One place may be lucky while another place is not; tragedy happens to a tourist on holiday, wedding bells ring for another; the conservative librarian dances on the table, while the party girl is sick with the flu. Is it the place or is it the planets? It is both.Relocation
The astrological technique of RELOCATION offers us the opportunity to see what life might be like in a location different from our place of birth. Change your latitude, change your attitude." A relocated chart modifies the radical chart; it does not replace it. To calculate it, use the longitude and latitude of the alternate location and adjust the time to compensate for any difference. (PST at 9am is 12 PM EST) This does not change the sign or degree of the planets but it can change the signs and degrees of the house cusps, Because the angles change, planets can gain or lose power and influence. Some astrologers use this technique to find the perfect place to experience their solar return; others use it to understand the influences surrounding the life in the new location. However, there are times when we just don't know what place would best serve our needs. When that happens, an Astro*Carto*Graphy map can help you discover where in the world is best for you. Astro*Carto*Graphy is an ancient technique perfected by Jim Lewis. Instead of a wheel with signs, planets and houses, an A*C*G map is a flat map of the world, with vertical lines drawn through it. Each line marks the places on earth where each planet reaches maximum angularity or where each planet is on the first, fourth, seventh or tenth house cusp. The angles are the most powerful spots in the chart and planets positioned on them have maximum expression, and manifest in the world of physical phenomena. Their expression is strong, active, and visible. However, a complete and comprehensive understanding of the natal chart is essential in order to determine what will happen when a planet comes to an angle. Activate a strong planet and many good things can happen. Activate a poorly placed or severely stressed planet and the problems of that planet are magnified. For example: A woman with heart problems, born in Chicago at Central Standard Time, had Mars placed in the physically weak l2th house. She relocated to PST, in Portland, Oregon, where Mars was conjunct the physically strong ascendant, and her heart condition disappeared. Sometimes, it is better for a planet to be off the angle. For example: President John Kennedy had a fortunate and safe chart in Boston. In Dallas, Texas, potentially dangerous planets came to the angles and he was assassinated. An individual born in San Diego had the Sun and Jupiter in the angular fourth house and was completely dominated by his mother. When he relocated to Boston, the Sun and Jupiter moved into the third house, he was able to reclaim the powerful energy previously projected onto the mother and became a world famous psychic. If there is no possibility to relocate or if a planetary line goes through an undesirable or inaccessible place you can use the law of correspondence to bring the place to you. Say your Venus line runs right through Siberia but you have no desire to go to Siberia. Listen to Russian music, eat caviar, drink vodka, watch Dr. Zhivago, and can bring Siberia to wherever you are.Local Space Astrology
Another technique that places planets on the earth is called "Local Space Astrology"; Local Space Astrology gives meaning to space and helps maximize the potential of your planets. Created by Michael Erlewine, a Local Space Chart has no signs, houses, or aspects. Using azimuth and altitude to calculate their location, the planets are placed around a 360-degree circle. . This gives a map of the horizon surrounding a birthtime or an event; in which all the planets are arranged around a compass and North, Northeast, East, Southeast, South, Southwest, West, and Northwest become the arenas where planetary energy is expressed. To activate or access a planet, position yourself, your furniture, equipment, or objects on the line. For example, placing a telephone on a Pluto line assures you peace and quiets because the telephone never rings. On a Mercury line, the telephone may never stop ringing. If a planetary line is not accessible or is in an inappropriate place, for example a Sun line that runs through a closet, do not panic. The directions hold for 45 degrees, so exactitude can be sacrificed for effect. And you may be able to extend the planetary influence to a more suitable location. In addition, directions extend along a continuum and North eventually becomes South, Northeast becomes Southwest and so on. Rather than sitting on a planetary line, facing the direction of the line also activates it. For example, you want to place your dining table on a Venus line but the Venus line is in the north and the dining area is in the South. Place the table in such a way that the head chair faces North and you have Venus energy 'in your face'. Also, by using the law of correspondences as we did in A*C*G, we can bring any planet to us by using the appropriate colors and objects. If the dining room table is on the Saturn line and cannot be moved copper accessories, silvery blue colored linens, or other Venus items added to the table will emphasize Venus qualities and create a more harmonious dining experience.Each Horoscope Is Unique
A word of caution: Each horoscope is unique. In some charts, Venus can be light-hearted and cheerful while in other charts; it could be indulgent and lazy. Study the horoscope carefully to determine the strengths and weaknesses of each planet. To try this technique you must use a local space chart, not your natal chart. A computer generated local space chart is the most accurate though you can draw one yourself using the, "eye-ball method."- Divide a 360-degree circle into eight segments, each with 45 degrees.
- Then, using your natal chart as a reference, start with the Midheaven, which is due south and the only point in the horoscope aligned to space. From this point, segment the circle into eight distinct areas, each with 45 degrees. This will give you a compass like circle.
- Now, using your horoscope as a reference, place the planets in their approximate direction. This is about 70% accurate but since each direction spans 45 degrees, it is close enough for 'field work' or when a computer report is not available.
Maybe you want to live in a state where the sun line is prominent, or
find a gym in your hometown located on your Mars line, or go to a school near
a Mercury line. You can use your local space chart to discover where places
where your planetary lines are most active. To do this, place your local
space chart over a map of the world, over a specific country, state, or town.
To discover the effect of your planetary lines in your home or office
place your local space map over a diagram of an entire building or house,
aligning the local space chart with the direction of the entry. To
determine the direction of the entry, stand in the main doorway, looking out.
Use a compass for accuracy, and check the direction your nose is pointing
to. This is called the "facing direction" and from it, you can determine all
the other directions.
- For example, if the entry door faces SOUTH, place the local space map within the interior and align South of the map to the South of the entry door.
- If the entry faces West, align the West Point of the local space map with the entry door. Now discover the rooms or spaces within the rooms where each planetary line finds expression.
How Feng Shui Can Help
To refine these techniques, Feng Shui, the ancient Chinese art of placement offers some help. Feng Shui is a study of energy and how it affects the spaces we occupy. The eight directions are used to define eight specific areas of life. Each direction is associated with an element, a planet, a color, a shape, and many other correspondences. All eight directions must be included in every space. Otherwise, some areas of life may be lacking. When this occurs, then objects, colors, images and shapes can be used to compensate for the missing directions. In addition, functions and forms work best when they are placed according to their directional correspondence. For example, the South ruled by Fire, and represents fame and popularity. To activate the South, and your potential for fame, place pictures of yourself here and use Fire colors -- flame-like shapes and fire objects -- such as lights and candles. Placing Water colors, shapes and objects on a South wall can diminish your popularity in the same way rain clouds shroud the Sun. Of course, if you need privacy, adding Water to the South can hide your light. Poised between Heaven and Earth, we can be conduits of planetary energy. No longer victims of our horoscope, the techniques of spatial astrology enrich our understanding of the power of place. Planets on the earth help us enhance every area of life and offer us the opportunity to change our destiny and make astrology a "moveable feast".For more information on this subject, as well as a listing of certified A*C*G distributors and practitioners, check out our web site at Continuum ACG
