Radix Asteroids in Practice: 360 degree Wheel
After reviewing the traditional chart factors, tenancies, rulerships and whatever in your usual manner, the asteroids can be entered around the chart, with sequences and groupings registered as you proceed. If needed, a brief phrase about the asteroid can be noted to prompt or augment interpretation. To facilitate recognition and delineation of aspect patterns, an “aspectarian” or 360 degree “dial” can be superimposed on the chart (as is shown on the example chart below) and rotated to any degree in the chart. The addition of a multitude of asteroids (along with the traditional chart factors and transneptunians) requires information management techniques, and this 360 degree aspect “dial” is an excellent one. It allows you to focus on the pattern of any factor in the chart—with the dial visually highlighting factors that are in aspect; use it also for midpoint pictures, if desired.
Example chart conventions: There is a hash mark for each degree of the zodiac; the signs are shown and circled at the 15 degree mark, with lines indicating each five degree increment of the signs. Observe Saturn at 15 Capricorn to confirm how points are entered. The cusps are Placidean; all factors shown are natal. Illustrated is the chart of John F. Kennedy, Jr., November 25, 1960, 12:22 am EST, Washington, DC (source: Rodden.)
Large Image – takes time – pressing ‘Reload’ will take longer!
For the example, the aspect dial has been turned to focus on the Ascendant-Arachne of the chart. Observation shows us that Arachne/Pluto = Ascendant-Node, and we might have thoughts about how “feeling trapped because of huge (mass attention) events or through being singled out because of whom he knew and associated with” were some of the complications in his daily life. We might think too that Arachne-Pluto could lend a dose of paranoia (because Arachne can manifest as forms of “stalking,” and Pluto indicates the potential for “obsession” or radical results.) If we think of Pluto as inheritance, and Arachne as dealing with details and complexity, that too attends his persona.
Now use the aspect dial to see other influences on the coping style and mechanisms of the Ascendant. Maybe you scanned to the sextile of Neptune and Mercury (and the asteroids Orpheus and Apollo.) Now you’re thinking that the Ascendant’s response has also been shaped by such things as: loss of a sibling, and Uncle and a water incident, mysteries associated with deaths, (Orpheus-Apollo) repeated deaths, sorrows that recur, instances of death or loss through tempting the fates, deaths associated with water and/or vehicles.
If you move to the waxing square of Hera in 13 Sagittarius, you add the idea that much of his observable life is shaped first by the relationship of the parents, and then by his own search for a relationship that still allows him to “be” himself (but you note that his Ascendant = Arachne/Pluto so you know that EVERYTHING about it is complicated by money, power, the need to be aware of others’ motives, and a reserve of complex psychological drives and needs. Maybe in noting the Hera square, you glanced up and saw that a retrograde Psyche is also in square to the Ascendant. Hera/Psyche, Rx = the Ascendant; relationship models where there is much emotional hurt and pain that isn’t expressed is part of what constitutes and shapes his life.
Next, perhaps you include the trine of the Venus, Saturn and Tantalus. Now you’re including themes such as (Ascendant) having his daily regimen and reactivity marked by “love of or for a father,” and yet the Tantalus offers the insight that there is some testing of what is really known about the father. The grouping also suggests separation in love because of failure to appreciate, and much testing of what is professed as affection, along with a fear that “love” will be “yanked away” (just as the father was.)
And you could proceed around the aspect dial choosing major or minor aspects to include in your assessment of his Ascendant as is your preference. Space here limits what can be discussed, but I hope even these brief comments illustrate both the usefulness of asteroids in delineation, and the way the addition of so much information can be effectively managed.
[ THOUGHTS ]