Category Archives: Birth chart

Ask Real Astrologers: What Is the Significance of a Cardinal Cross?

This week’s question comes from Anya in the United States:

Hello and thank you for your kind work. I have been told that I have a cardinal cross in my chart, and am wondering what that means, if it is so. I appreciate your time and consideration of this question.

Libra ponders . . .Neith’s response:

Anya, a cardinal cross in your chart means you have four planets, one in each cardinal sign (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn) aspecting each other. A grand cross has four 90° angles and two oppositions and it is a powerful but stable pattern.

Because it is in the cardinal mode, you most likely are very good at initiating action and may be a natural leader. However, unless you have other planets and angles in either fixed or mutable signs for balance, finishing what you start may be a problem.

A grand cross also means you have four planets evenly spaced around your chart wheel, and whenever transiting planets are in the cardinal signs you will have one corner of the cross being conjoined, squared or opposed. The Sun will conjoin each planet in the grand cross four times during the year, and this can be a great learning tool for you, since the Sun’s transits are brief.

If you wish to learn more about your chart, you can get a free chart at Astrodienst. You can also get some interpretations, but they are computer-generated and no substitute for a reading from a real astrologer. Either Pat or I can give you more feedback, if you wish to order a report. Astrology is a wonderful tool to learn more about who we are and why we do what we do.

Aquarius expounds . . .

Pat’s answer:

Anya, this is a great question. Since you didn’t supply any birth data, we will assume that you indeed have a cardinal grand cross in your chart, but let me just comment that, to be technically a grand cross, the planets forming the cross must be among the eight planets (yes, Pluto counts!) plus Sun and Moon. Chiron and the asteroids don’t count, nor does the Ascendant or Midheaven. In my chart, for example, three planets are in the early degrees of Taurus, Leo, and Scorpio, with my Aquarius Ascendant directly opposite. But this is still just a T-square, not a grand cross.

So with that caveat, the classic interpretation of a cardinal grand cross in the natal chart is just as Neith describes. Of the three types of grand crosses — cardinal, fixed, and mutable — this is the easiest to have in your chart. You may be very dynamic and active, but it’s easy to just spin your wheels and not get anywhere unless you have an outlet for all this wonderful energy. To discover where your best outlets are and how to take advantage of them, look for sextiles or trines to the planets forming the grand cross.

As Neith noted, a reading with one of us is a good way to determine how these planetary configurations operate in your life and when they may be activated. I currently am not accepting new clients, although my schedule is starting to lighten up, so anyone who would like a reading with me, stay tuned…

Wishing you much love and luck, Anya, and thanks for taking the time to write.

Got a quick question? Click here to contact Ask Real Astrologers.

Ask Real Astrologers: Is a New Start Coming?

This week’s question comes from Bruce in Philadelphia:

I am recently divorced, and have dealt with a variety of 12th house transits (Aquarius). The progressed Moon is coming to my Ascendant and Saturn is in the seventh house. I am wondering if new start is coming.

Libra ponders . . .

Neith’s response:

By mid-September, Bruce, you should be feeling like moving forward because by that time, the progressed Moon will have crossed your Ascendant and Saturn will have moved past your progressed Sun in Virgo.

As someone whose Sun is conjunct Uranus and Venus and sextile Jupiter, you probably see change as a positive means to an end – especially with Uranus-ruled Aquarius Rising. Your natal Moon is in Aquarius recently was conjoined by the progressed Moon, pushing emotional independence as a theme in your life. The transit of the progressed Moon over your Ascendant in the first half of August will incline you to announce your internal changes to the world at large.

Saturn transiting your seventh house is a time of learning to take partnerships seriously and also gaining understanding about what you will and will not put up with in your relationships in general. Around August 19, Saturn will conjoin your progressed Sun. Don’t be surprised to find yourself feeling blocked around that time. However the transit will past by the end of the month, and your outlook is bound to improve!

Saturn’s lessons may be tough, but when we gain understanding about ourselves as a result, they are worth it. Best wishes on finding your new direction to a better and happier life.

Aquarius expounds . . .

Pat’s response:

Bruce, as you may know from reading our blog, I always start with transits to the natal chart before moving to the progressed chart. As Neith noted, Saturn’s entry into the seventh house can be a heavy time for close relationships. I can’t tell you how many clients I’ve seen who got divorced when Saturn was in their seventh house or the seventh house of their partner.

But Saturn’s crossing the Descendant also is a time of new beginnings. In the 29-year Saturn cycle, the years between Saturn’s transit of the Descendant and the Midheaven are the highest-growth period of your life. This is good news.

As for your progressed Moon on the Ascendant, this confirms that your “new beginning” indeed has to do with relationships, but mostly because you are growing and maturing and, as a result, are experiencing intimacy in a different way than you used to. Your Aquarius Moon doesn’t like a lot of emotional complications (one well-known astrologer once quipped that Aquarius doesn’t tolerate any more baggage than will fit in the overhead compartment), but true intimacy and commitment are messy, there’s no getting around it.

Wishing you much courage. Stay in touch and let us know how you’re doing.

Got a question for Neith and Pat? Click here to contact Ask Real Astrologers.

Ask Real Astrologers: Pluto on Progressed Ascendant

This week’s question comes from Fumi in the UK:

My Progressed Ascendant is going to be conjunct the full moon in Sagittarius in June, and transiting Pluto is going to retrograde back to and station on my Progressed Ascendant. My Progressed AC will also trine my progressed Uranus. I would like to know your opinion of what this is all likely to mean.

I also have my progressed Jupiter conjunct my progressed 2nd house cusp, as well as transiting Pluto trining my natal and progressed Uranus. After Pluto’s intense 12-year period in Sagittarius, I am seriously meditating on bringing about a major positive breakthrough in my affairs in total.

Libra ponders . . .

Neith’s answer:

Fumi, the experience of Pluto conjunct the Ascendant, whether progressed or natal, often has to do with becoming aware of how we express power and control over our environment and the people in it. Pluto transited your natal Ascendant from 1994 to 1995, during which you went through the first phase of learning these lessons.

Now, as Pluto is finishing his stay in Sagittarius, I suspect that you are in the final stages of assimilating what he has to teach. As one who has been down this road (I also have Scorpio Rising), I found the key is staying neutral and not diving into the nearest power struggle, because it’s very easy to become lost in the obsessions that way.

Since Jupiter rules your Sun, the progressed Ascendant, and Pluto in Sagittarius, I can see why you are paying attention to these transits! You are right in feeling that you are on the verge of a major breakthrough. The key may be doing your best to avoid placing specific expectations on what that will be. With Uranus forming trines, it will be easier to find the path of least resistance to your destination.

If I may make a suggestion on how to maintain a sense of centeredness, it would be to practice some type of moving meditation like Tai Chi. Sagittarius folk do better in motion than sitting still.

Aquarius expounds . . .

Pat’s Answer:

Fumi, I tend to look at transits to the natal chart first – just as I rely on the 10 planets (yes, Pluto is one) before exploring Chiron, the asteroids, lunar nodes, and other factors that I consider as supplemental information. If the basics don’t reveal what we need to know, then I start exploring beyond them. Put another way, I don’t use the progressed chart to explain things that are readily apparent in transits to the natal chart.

Since Pluto already has crossed your natal Ascendant, my take is that you’ve already been there, done that (as Neith suggests) and that you’re moving on to new lessons. These lessons have to do with what you value. Material assets are one component of your resources, so changing how you go about managing your resources is part of this transformation.

I also see that Pluto is squaring your natal Moon. He got close earlier this year but went retrograde before making a direct connection. That will happen early next year. All the power struggle issues that Neith describes will be evident in your life, and then some…

As for Jupiter, he has been in your natal second house since late November 2007, and Jupiter and Pluto conjoined in this important financial sector of your chart on December 11. Many people I know, myself included, experienced a breakthrough related to this transit, but it didn’t happen until months later, due to all the complicating planetary aspects that were happening at the time (Mars out of bounds and retrograde, for one).

With Jupiter in practical Capricorn, it makes all the more sense that you are building a strong material foundation. The Big Guy currently is retrograde but turns direct with Pluto on September 8. Major breakthroughs are possible after this date, so use this energy well. 

Thanks for writing, and best of luck to you!

Got a question for Neith and Pat? Click here to contact Ask Real Astrologers.

Visualizing Taurus

Did not! Did so!I got a kick out of this photo in the news headlines on Wednesday. Not only did it appear just as Mercury and the Sun were on the threshold of entering Taurus, but it perfectly depicts one of the most well-known keywords for the second sign of the Zodiac:

Stubborn.

It takes a lot to get a rise out of Taurus (or someone with strong Taurus in his chart). If you’re trying to get a particular action out of them or to convince them that you’re right and they’re wrong, good luck! Taurus not only is stubborn but has unlimited patience. Chances are, you’ll get frustrated and give up way before your Taurus opponent does — unless you’re a Taurus, too. Then you may find yourselves like these two, eyeball-to-eyeball and locking horns. 

Some other keywords for Taurus are artistic, creative, practical, dependable, short-tempered, argumentative, and materialistic.

Of course, keywords don’t apply universally across the board. They are learning tools only and a shorthand method to use in synthesizing the energies in a birth chart. You are far more than your Sun sign, as you know if you’ve had your chart done or if you’re a serious student of astrology.

Mercury enters Taurus on Thursday, April 17, at 2:07 p.m. on the West Coast of the United States. The Sun enters the sign of the Bull on Sunday at 9:51 PDT.

Peace and love,
Also a fixed sign and known to be a wee bit stubborn :-)Pat

Photo credit: Lee Jin-man for The Associated Press.

Looking for a Sign of Love

Liza with a ZResearchers in the UK have just released the results of a study showing that facial features reveal whether someone you’re interested in just wants to have a good time or is looking for a long-term commitment.

“Lots of previous studies have shown that people can judge a lot about a person from their face, including things like health and even some personality traits like introversion,” says Dr. Ben Jones of the University of Aberdeen’s Face Research Lab. “But this really is the first study to show that people are also sensitive to subtle facial signals about the type of romantic relationships that others might enjoy.”

Well, Dr. Jones, a good astrologer could have told you that and a lot more! And we wouldn’t have drawn the same old gender-based conclusion that women look for a lasting relationship, while men just want a good roll in the hay (they actually pay people money for this?).

Your physical appearance is reflected in your birth chart, especially your Ascendant, also called your Rising sign, which can literally represent the face you present to the world. Does that mean that all Rising Leos look alike? Of course not. The interplay between your Sun, Moon, Rising sign, and planets near the Ascendant is complex and very individual. But there are detectable patterns.

I have a friend with a lot of Aries in her chart. Her profile almost resembles a sheep, with a straight, barely protruding nose. I met another Aries at a party once and immediately pegged him as a Ram. He had two spots on either side of his broad forehead where you could almost see the horns sprouting.

You can tell a Scorpio or Rising Scorpio by the eyes. They’re unusual in some way, whether by the size or color or by the intensity of their gaze. Pisces or Rising Pisces often has large eyes and “fish lips.” My all-time favorite example is Liza Minnelli (born March 12, 1946).

According to the University of Aberdeen study, men with more “masculine” looks are out for a good time, while those who are more feminine are more likely to want some type of commitment. They qualify that this applies to young people, implying that at some point, facial features are no longer a consideration. That certainly was true for Charlton Heston, the quintessential Hollywood manly man. As Neith explained in her recent post, his birth chart strongly indicated a preference for commitment.

A research project called Astrofaces is attempting to draw correlations between people’s Sun, Moon, and Rising signs and their facial features. Frankly, I put more stock in this research than in an academic study that attempts to quantify dating behavior and reinforces outdated notions that men want sex while women want love.

= tall, dark and gorgeousPat

Don’t know your Moon or Rising sign? Get Pat’s Bare Essentials Sun-Moon-Rising report!