In this video presentation we continue our exploration of each of the five pillars, this time focussing on the Part of Spirit and its role in the natal chart Paul Newman. The Part of Fortune and Part of Spirit are referred to respectively as “the ascendant of the Moon, and the Ascendant of the Sun”. Vettius Valens has this to say as to why, “For the Moon being cosmically fate and body and breath produces something of a like kind as it is the lady of our body. The Sun, being cosmically mind and spirit through its own activity…,since it arouses the souls of men for undertakings, is established as a cause of action and motion”. Join discussion...

I was recently talking to someone about the history of “grunge” rock and I found myself interested in the Kurt Cobain story, especially in relation to “The Five Pillars of Fate” and our ongoing discussion of fate, fortune and fame. Join discussion...

The death of Paul Newman provides the ancient sky with a compelling and powerful story of fate for examination using Five Pillars techniques. In this video illustration I continue my discussion of the the Part of Fortune’s function as an ascendant. This, and the usage of a whole sign chart, provides the foundational outline of the Five Pillars of Fate technique. Don’t forget to register and download chapter one of the book, if you haven’t already at http://ancientsky.com Join discussion...

The Five Hidden Pillars of Fate, Excerpt from the first chapter: Fate & Fortune The distinction between fate and fortune are intertwined, often sharing the same definition. If fate represents “binding apportionment,” then fate could be the binding aspect and fortune, the portion received. A person's fortune is dictated by fate. Robert Schmidt confirms this by saying that the planets are the instruments of Moira. Even the vastly powerful Olympian gods fear the Three Fates. Even the gods! Our modern astrological focus has traveled along the trajectory of Marc Edmund Jones, in which “character is destiny” and possibly one of the wisest things Jones ever wrote. Through this particular technique, we can show how character is destiny. Jones was trying to step away from the deterministic view, and taking astrology into a more psychological direction, by using astrology to reveal inner motivations. Yet, at this point, we astrologers have as resources, the required psychological knowledge and foundations. We have Freud and Jung to provide the insights from the point of view of analysis. But, we haven't really been looking at how the chart can show us the fate, or the portion that we must bear in each part of our life, which may then beg the question: "Who is fortunate?" I once worked in an upscale gym where membership dues were a monthly $1200. It was high class. All the paying members received an evaluation and were set up with a special trainer. It was their questionnaire that was memorable. One of the questions was: "How would you rate your support system? Would you say you have a strong support system?" When taking the questionnaire I answered without hesitation, "Absolutely yes, I have a fantastic support system." I couldn't even believe that it was a question. And then I asked the resident expert, "Does anyone ever say no?" She responded by explaining that a majority of the clients declared for themselves a sorry support system. So then followed the question again: "Who is fortunate?" Was it I, the poor, struggling artist working there at the front desk for eleven dollars an hour handing out towels, at these people's disposal for eight hours, then going home to a fabulous support system? Or, was it the wealthy, influential people who could use their power, wealth and influence at their whim and disposal but without a support system and nobody upon whom they could depend or consider an ally? I clearly felt that I was the more fortunate in that comparison. They were more fortunate than I for their disposable wealth, but I was more fortunate in the "good will towards men" department of life. That was an instructive moment. Join discussion...

I have always been interested in magic of all kinds: charms,spells,talisman,etc. In the mid-90’s I discovered electional astrology and the power of choosing an auspicious time to create planetary talismans. I was fascinated by many of the talisman designs that I saw and decided,at 36,to get my first tattoo. My first tatto was a Mercury talisman(Mercury is on my ascendant)and I elected a time when Virgo was rising and Mercury was in Gemini in the 10th house with Venus,Saturn,and Mars. I lived in Thailand for two years and heard often about Buddhist magic tattoos that were performed by monks and holy men with special powers. These tattoos are called “Sak Yant” and can be found all over Southeast Asia. I returned to Thailand after a two year absence, during which time I had been reading a very interesting website called www.sak-yant.com for about a year. I was ready for my next tattoo. I’m going to write more about my sak yant experience on travel.ancientsky.com, so be watching for that, but I wanted to talk a little about the astrological synchronicity on that day. The chart information is below. March 1 2008 3:30 pm Bangkok, Thailand What was amazing about March 1 is that the Moon was approaching my ascendant all day long. In traditional astrology both the ascendant and the Moon represent the body. The Moon was approaching an opposition to Mars. Mars rules sharp objects,stabbings,piercings and the pain that results. Jupiter, my natal chart ruler is at the end of Gemini where Mars was transiting. Gemini rules the shoulders,arms and hands. I should mention that I was originally going to have the sak yant done on Monday March 3,but the Ajarn(teacher)agreed to do a special session for me. If the tattoo had been done that day, the abovementioned transits would no longer have been in effect. As you can see from the above image,sak yant tattoos are performed with a long metal rod into which is inserted a sharp bamboo point. The person receiving the tattoo is repeatedly poked,prodded and jabbed with this instrument. It is much more painful than the tattoo artists’ machine. The first tattoo for all who receive sak yant is called “Gao Yod” or nine peaks. It acts as a beacon to attract the deities and spirits. The Gao Yod tradtionally goes between the shoulder blades. So, we have the Moon(the body) on my Sagittarius ascendant(the body) opposed by Mars(sharp objects)in Gemini(the shoulders). I can’t think of an experience that is more descriptive of the planetary indicators. I must admit that I was worried about what the Moon/Mars opposition would bring, being right on my ascendat/descendant axis. Another point of interest: All of the classical planets in this chart except Saturn are within 5 degrees of my natal placements. The Sun is on my natal Saturn. Jupiter is on my natal Sun. Mercury and Venus are on my natal Venus. And Saturn? He’s actually exactly on the ascendant of the chart for my first tattoo!. I couldn’t have planned things better if I had sat for hours trying to find an election. You can see some of the pictures of the sak yant process at my Flickr account. You’ll also be able to see pics of the rest of my travels so far. http://flickr.com/photos/24081049@N07 Join discussion...

Question: Sorry to ask you this, but can anyone see whats going on with my transit chart? I am in a complete mess with money. I have had to sell off possessions to pay bills, and i soon have to sell my car, which is not worth much anyway. I have had to buy food on my credit card a few days ago to feed me and my son aged 9. Payment from his father has stopped over a month ago (begin jan). and my daughters' benefit has stopped since sept due to her leaving home. I cant find a job, although i am trying. Along with this I think i am recieving psychic input from where? ( i not sure if from spirit or my conciousness) same thing isn't it? I've had one flash vision which was not very nice....i saw a man outside my house, pouring petrol from a plastic container, he had a black hood or balaclava on, ( i have taken an injunction out against my long ago ex for harassment, and am due in court in april 2nd). I have had other spiritual stuff, but it will sound crazy if i tell you! Although i do have pisces moon and ascendant, with pisces in chiron and other intuitive stuff on my natal chart i think ...(DOD 8-8-1960 - 9.17pm london england). Can anyone pleeeeaaaase tell me when this money probs will ease and when will legal battle with my ex be over. Answer From Ancientsky: Hi, I'm answering this query with a horary chart using the question: What's Going On? 23:09 pm Penang,Malaysia Asc 25Scorpio28 Moon 29Libra16 Unreliable Scorpio rises, and more importantly, late degrees of Scorpio are rising. 25 degrees isn't quite late enought to say "It's too late to make a judgement" (maybe there isn't ever a time to say that), but I will say that this cycle has run most of it's course. This is confirmed by the void of course Moon and the late degrees of the ruler of Scorpio,the chart ruler, Mars. Very little can happen right now that will bring new energy to the situation. Debt and alimony are definitely what this situation is about, with maybe an ugly tax bill for a nice turd frosting. Mars is in the 8th house,2nd from the 7th,your husbands' money and the house of debts and settlements. We can tell that the lawsuit is probably marriage related because the 7th house of contentions and lawsuits is 25 Taurus, on Algol, ruled by the lady of marriage herself,Venus. Your husband and his money (Venus and Mercury) are together, but ,unfortunately, your husbands' money is moving away from the lawsuit, and maybe moving away from him as well.It looks like there will be something of a protracted battle, with you getting your due at the bitter, bitter end. The timing is 9 months or years(could that be possible?). Venus, your husband's significator is in a fixed sign, so he isn't budging unless he has to. This chart is so descriptive. Your money is ruled by Jupiter in his fall of Capricorn, clearly showing the problems. However, I didn't write this piece merely to confirm your worst suspicions and to rub your difficulties in your face, I actually wrote this piece to tell you that you're sitting on a new career! The clue came with your statement, "Along with this I think i am recieving psychic input from where?" Both the VOC Moon and Mars, the chart ruler, are moving out of the signs they are in and into their respective falls, Moon in Scorpio and Mars in Cancer. Both of these signs are water signs, which are highly sensitive. Most importantly, Scorpio, the ascendant, represents the head and the Moon's entrance into this sign highlights this sensitivity - sounds like trance mediumship or psychic visions. The Moon is the ruler of the 9th, the traditional house of auguries and prophecies. Scorpio,ruler of the genitals, represents things hidden from view, the unseen or "occult". The 9th house is the joy of the Sun, who also represents auguries and prophecies, and he is probably close to your natal Solar degree in empathic Pisces. The Sun is ruler of the 10th of career and reputation. He is leaving an opposition to Saturn and is moving towards Jupiter, ruler of your 2nd of money, and the exaltation ruler of the 9th(Cancer). A new way to make money? I think so. Let's pretend that all of this will be over in 9 months and,meanwhile, you'll be using that 9 month period to develop your psychic gifts and start making money from it. There's probably mediumship in your future. Maybe find the nearest Spiritualist Church in your area and start receiving and giving psychic messages. They will probably have some kind of program for development which seems to me the most viable way for you to make money in the short and long run. Good Luck, Antoine Join discussion...

Written for a precious metals site, this article explores the many ways that horary astrology can help speculators and investors. Join discussion...

In my previous post, "The Current Pluto Transit For Sagittarius Ascendant," I wrote about the ascendant, its often overlooked connection with the physical body and health, and my hip problem. I thought I would look at my natal Jupiter, the ruler of Sagittarius, for a more in depth picture of Pluto’s transformational effect. Join discussion...

While writing my former post "Pluto Transiting Sagittarius Ascendant: More Thoughts," something strange but fabulous happened. Join discussion...

Pluto has been travelling over the last 5 degrees of Sagittarius for quite some time now. I have a 27 Sagittarius ascendant, and Pluto’s transformational influence is affecting many areas of my life. As the ascendant rules the body,and Sagittarius the hip, an old hip injury has escalated to a chronic sciatica condition and I am now at the position where I’ve decided to undertake a very disciplined yoga regime to try to transform and strengthen it. Thus, concentrating on the hip is transforming my relationship to my body and to physical activity as well. Join discussion...