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Author Topic:   Emphasis on a planet does not make it strong
Kannon McAfee
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Posts: 5092
From: Portland, OR - USA
Registered: Oct 2011

posted May 02, 2023 04:07 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Kannon McAfee     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
This is a concept that a few years ago I would not have been able to get at. Western astrological thinking is not very good at assessing planet strength in the natal chart. And that's what I'd learned — the standard pop western astrology (as seen in texts like The Only Way to Learn Astrology by McEvers-March).

Saturn is conjunct and parallel the Sun in my chart and it is trine to the Moon and my Asc. So Saturn gets featured, emphasized by the conjunction and parallel to the Sun, especially, but it is not strong in my chart.

The learning curve of planetary energies can stretch across many, many lifetimes. Emphasis in the birth chart on a particular planet can indicate that the person is needing to learn its energy precisely because it is not as strong as other planetary energies. These are the things we consider between lives and the reason for planetary sojourns (as mentioned by Edgar Cayce and by Vedic astrology's planetary lokas). Those can be seen in the birth chart by the sidereal decan of the luminaries and/or by what planet is closest to the Asc or MC.

A strong Saturn, for example, will show as wisdom and strength. A weaker Saturn emphasized in the birth chart will lean a person to inhibition, fear, even a sour or depressive outlook. Saturn is not a killer of optimism, but the wisdom of experience and willingness to accept challenges.

Mars can be emphasized in the birth chart, but the person may still not enjoy competition or be an athlete. It may be precisely for those reasons the person needed Mars emphasized — to learn to be comfortable in that environment and with those energies within themselves. I've got that situation in my own birth chart. Tried to be an athlete, but did not have the physical constitution for it.

The Moon may be emphasized in the birth chart, but that does not give it strength. For example, my wife has Moon up high in the 9th and conjunct the MC. That placement is near the lowest strength positionally for the Moon, which is strongest down in 4th/at IC. But emphasis on the Moon like that can bring more awareness to one's feelings and the specific nature of those feelings by a greater openness to the emotions of others in the world at large, thus helping develop the Lunar nature and its receptivity.

Real planet strength (of the 7 traditional planets) is found most accurately in the six-fold composite rating system from Vedic/Jyotish known as Shadbala. You can see all the factors it covers here: http://www.dirah.org/shadbala.htm -- It is not a perfect system, but it contains more considerations and is more deep and reliable than any other system I've seen.

Planet strength cannot be reliably understood by considering just house, sign, and aspects.

I won't be able to answer any questions about the Vedic/Indian thinking given in Shadbala. I can offer some criticism related to how declinations are used, but it won't be of any practical use.

Our experiences, lifetimes, sojourns are all for learning each of the planetary energies so that we can access all of them in a balanced way. The aim is balance for fullest expression of the Soul as a creator. Life is an adventure, but we are engaging in a creative process in this dimension, learning as we go along.

Generally speaking, the energies are learned in order of their importance to life, starting with the luminaries and proceeding with the inner planets outward to Saturn and the trans-personals. Some astrologers speak of a 'skipped step' in the birth charts of some people (usually indicated by a planet square the Lunar Nodes). That may happen because the incomplete learning process over lifetimes left an imbalance that needs to be filled in.

Some people are surprised to find that a particular natal planet of theirs is low in strength in their birth chart. Let's take Mercury for example. Specifically, let's use the Albert Einstein as an example. Mercury rates lower in strength than all planets in his birth chart but Saturn (with which it is basically equal in strength). There is at least one clue as to why Mercury is low in strength in Einstein's chart: the close conjunction to Saturn. Mercury's nature is rather dual: it is receptive on a mental level, but also involves written and verbal communication. So Saturn's conjunction to it suggests Einstein's prior use of the Mercury energy focused too much on outward communication or speaking before understanding well enough. (Look at its placement in Aries.) So that aspect emphasized Saturn's discipline of Mercury for more internal purposes of deeper deliberative thought. You might call it problem solving. So you see, it is all about soul development and how a Soul can tap into their innate potentials to make a positive contribution to humanity.

Assessing planet strength is probably best understood by scaling it with the terms 'low strength' to 'high strength.' I think we need to be careful in our language on this because I don't want people getting stuck in a belief of "... my Mercury is 'weak' ... so I'm not smart, etc, etc." Mercury alone is not a indicator of total intelligence as you can see from the example of Einstein. Einstein's intelligence was not of the rational mode of linear logic, but of imagination (Neptune). Then there is the fact that no one is limited by what is in their birth chart. Clearly Einstein — who had trouble with mathematics and was a bit 'slow' in his younger years — did the work to develop his intelligence by pushing through his difficulties.

So remember, this is not comparative with others, but about achieving a relative balance among your own planet strengths. If Mercury is low compared to your other planets, it can be boosted or helped along by the traditional Mercury gems Emerald, Peridot, or Green Tourmaline. There may be others, but those are the traditional three used in Indian Jyotish for this. This is why I wear Peridot — because it is one of my three lowest planets (along with Moon & Saturn). Peridot benefits my mind and clears out mental irritations better than anything else. After I began wearing it daily I was able to delve deeper into astrological studies and research than I ever could before.

The priorities for planet strengths start with the Sun. If you have Sun in Libra and it is down low in your chart (2nd - 5th house areas), then it will rate pretty low. So your sense of self, will power, and confidence are going to benefit from boosting it, at least with some discretion, some of the time. Remember, Sun energy is core ego energy and needs to be increased gently to maintain its balance and benefic qualities. There are options for doing that: Ruby is the strongest (except for maybe Gold). Zoisite with Ruby inclusions is a gentler way of boosting Sun's strength, especially for sensitive people. Sunstone (especially from Oregon), Red Spinel, Rhodolite, and Garnet are other traditional options for boosting Solar energy in the native. For those who are more delicate and handle change more slowly, Rhyolite (which is what I use) may be a better option for someone with a low to moderate Sun strength.

The Earth sphere contains numerous material representations of all the planetary energies in this solar system because it has been designed first by a consciousness template to do so. Earth is school, so don't you think it would contain the learning materials we need to succeed?

Peace and healing,
Kannon

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The Declcinations Guy
Soul Stars Astrology Gemstone Readings for energy balance and healing
Expert birth chart rectification

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PlutoWasHere
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posted May 03, 2023 03:59 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for PlutoWasHere     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thank you, Kannon, that was a very interesting read.

Maybe I overlooked, but how would you see a planets weakness or strength in context of personal and spiritual growth? Would you consider a strong planet as an indicator of a talent that supports you this lifetime? And a weak planet is something that still has to be developed? And would that make a weak but highlighted planet something that is on your curriculum for this lifetime?

How do you see this play out for your own highlighted (but weak?) planets, like Saturn? And doesn’t Saturn, the karmic teacher, always indicate some kind of lesson? Would that make a strong Saturn a talent you own or a lesson that will be “in your face”?

When you use gemstones to promote(?) a certain planet, do you use it as a tool to gain consciousness and help you learn more effectively or is it a way to “negotiate with the gods” to make the curriculum lighter?

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StoneMoon
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posted May 03, 2023 08:23 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for StoneMoon     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
You said that so well and helped me to put into words something I had been thinking. To use your example above, I also have Saturn conjunct Mercury, in fire sign (Leo) and I have been wondering lately if Saturn is trying to help me slow down and think, receive, and listen more than just blurting out responses and thoughts.

Not worrying about weakness or strength, I have always felt like we are positioned at birth with all the tools we need to evolve. Those challenging aspects are gifts in our charts, we just have to receive them as such.

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Kannon McAfee
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Posts: 5092
From: Portland, OR - USA
Registered: Oct 2011

posted May 03, 2023 02:05 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Kannon McAfee     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by PlutoWasHere:
Thank you, Kannon, that was a very interesting read.

Maybe I overlooked, but how would you see a planets weakness or strength in context of personal and spiritual growth? Would you consider a strong planet as an indicator of a talent that supports you this lifetime?


Yes, not necessarily what I'd call a 'talent' but an energy that can be used towards effective living. A genuinely strong planet comes from internalizing, absorbing it in soul development so that it flows well naturally without self-conscious effort.

quote:

And a weak planet is something that still has to be developed?

Yes.

quote:
And would that make a weak but highlighted planet something that is on your curriculum for this lifetime?

Yes, depending on the aspect/other planet involved.

quote:

How do you see this play out for your own highlighted (but weak?) planets, like Saturn?

Overcoming inhibitions, fears, conserving energy for longer-lasting purposes, anchoring/controlling ego.

quote:

And doesn’t Saturn, the karmic teacher, always indicate some kind of lesson?

Yes.

quote:

Would that make a strong Saturn a talent you own or a lesson that will be “in your face”?

No, not necessarily in your face. A strong Saturn generally indicates that you came in with substantial wisdom exercised in past lives that you've put into practice. It shows capacity to deal with challenges, setbacks, delays, etc. It allows one to play the role of teacher for other human beings, at least in time once human maturity has been reached.

quote:

When you use gemstones to promote(?) a certain planet, do you use it as a tool to gain consciousness and help you learn more effectively or is it a way to “negotiate with the gods” to make the curriculum lighter?

A tool to develop the corresponding planets' energy within self. The use of a gem/crystal is a much more direct way of boosting the corresponding planetary energy so that it can be absorbed into natural, seamless functioning of the Soul as a human personality. There is an art form to it, some sensitivity and intuition needed.

As I see it, it's not a negotiation with anyone except maybe yourself.

Thanks for your interest and questions.

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The Declcinations Guy
Soul Stars Astrology Gemstone Readings for energy balance and healing
Expert birth chart rectification

We were born for these times. We agreed to be here.

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Kannon McAfee
Knowflake

Posts: 5092
From: Portland, OR - USA
Registered: Oct 2011

posted May 03, 2023 02:06 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Kannon McAfee     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Well said, StoneMoon.

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The Declcinations Guy
Soul Stars Astrology Gemstone Readings for energy balance and healing
Expert birth chart rectification

We were born for these times. We agreed to be here.

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PlutoWasHere
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From: The Nether World
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posted May 04, 2023 04:43 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for PlutoWasHere     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Your answers are very much appreciated, Kannon.

I don’t know the strength of my Saturn based on shadbala but it does have a prominent position in my chart. It’s conjunct Mars, my 7th house ruler, in detriment in Cancer but angular in my 10th house. It’s contra parallel my Neptune.

I’ve been very responsible my entire life, getting a good education, a decent job, helping out family members, saving money and being selective about my inner circle. But I’m having a hard time loving myself because most of the time I’m very focused on “others”. Currently Saturn is transit my 5th house and opposite my Virgo Moon. I strongly feel that I need to learn to enjoy my life more and give myself the love I missed as a child due to my mother’s mental health issues. In a way, I feel I need to “mother” myself right now. It’s difficult though because it requires me to be vulnerable and honest about my pain instead of soldiering on. There have been lots of tears this past month trying to embrace my inner wounded child and all the repressed emotions.

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GoldenSword
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posted May 19, 2023 09:11 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for GoldenSword     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I think having NN conjunct Sun and Jupiter makes it easier for me to follow which part of the chart I should go after and put my efforts to. I have a Kite configuration in Water signs... But I won't let that strong configuration lead my way. I will use it as a vehicle to achieve NN Sun Jupiter conjunction.

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Randall
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posted June 01, 2023 04:13 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Randall     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Bump!

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SimplyLuna
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posted June 04, 2023 01:21 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for SimplyLuna     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
haha I'm so glad you used Mercury as an example. Its nice to see astrology in this way. As a whole picture

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