Although there are more books coming out on the fixed stars
these days, none that I know of treat portents (novas, comets,
and meteors). We adopt a somewhat Chinese view of the Heavens
with the stars as the principal seats of power or energy in the
Celestial Empire with the constellations representing the
provinces or nations, the planets as their governors, and the
portents as special messengers, agents, and the decrees they
bring.
Novas, as a study of history shows, represent paradigm shifts.
The shorter term novas, such as 1975 Cygni, are often associated
with small but important breakthroughs and major shifts in
political fortune. Longer term novas, especially supernovas, are
more often associated with massive shifts in consciousness and
organization. The earthshaking changes associated with the
supernovas of 1572, 1604, and 1987 support this view.
As we begin to consider Great Changes, time and the study of
history in light of astrology becomes the key factor. Our
approach to the philosophy of history and that suggested by
cycles of aspects between any two bodies, is neo Hegelian.
Thesis, Antithesis, Synthesis resulting from the cyclic
interaction of any two factors. This is also close to the
alchemical view of 3 basic elements (Mercury, Sulfur, and Salt)
and the Celtic emphasis on 3 forces as symbolized in the
triskelion.
Stars, Comets, and Novas
These factors are beginning to interest astrologers again. The
ancient Greeks, Ptolemy, and the Arabs all used them. The
medieval and renaissance European astrologers used them. Today
they are a mystery or a research item. In my experience, they
are critical elements and need to be resurrected and
reconsidered. I became interested in them after reading an
article in the 1973 edition of Almanac Chacornac, a French
astrology magazine. Later I found references among horary
astrologers and then discovered Robson and finally Johndro. Now
there are a number of books on fixed stars but none that I know
of on portents (comets, novas, and meteors), and none that
address both theory and practice.
Fixed Stars
The fixed stars, like our Sun radiate energy and are sources of
energy. A few of them, like Algol for example, are effective by
aspect as well as conjunction. The strongest conjunctions are
occultations, cases where the planet and the star share
approximately the same latitude. But conjunctions by Right
Ascension and by Ecliptic longitude are effective even though
the difference in declination may be very great. When there is a
large difference in declination, some stars may form aspects to
the ecliptic as a whole - the only possible conventional aspects
are 0,30,45,60, and 90 degrees. This means that a third
dimension exists in the celestial sphere which sometimes relates
a star or comet to the entire zodiac. Johndro felt that 15 and
75 degree aspects were also of importance as connectors. Johndro
thinks in terms of an hour series (360 / 24 = 15 degrees) of
aspects. He also was of the opinion that conjunctions formed on
or across the ecliptic are epileptic and those formed on or
across the equator have a quality of "right action", are
perceived as righteous and correct.
Note that the stars are characterized by their planetary nature
and their constellation. In addition to this their types also
tell us something of their natures. Binary stars are similar to
Uranus and incite to revolution, sudden events and upheaval.
Multiple (optical doubles, clusters, nebulae, etc) stars are of
the nature of Neptune and indicate eye problems, sometimes
blindness, and usually multiple effects - two careers, twins,
double lives; as well as some mystery. Variables are similar to
Pluto and indicate intense qualities that wax and wane and often
erupt somewhat volcanically. Single stars are steady energy
sources and simply amplify or depress the factor they are with
depending on compatibility as do all stars. Also note that the
fixed stars are a factor in the dignity of a planet in an horary
or mundane figure.
There are some other ways in which fixed stars may figure in a
chart and I will discuss them later. Current usage employs only
the conjunction and sometimes the opposition. The fixed stars
also indicate locations by correspondence of their coordinates
with the surface of the earth. They can also be useful when the
stars of a birth latitude or a city are studied. Transits and
directions to these points are always interesting.
The main point, however they are used, is that the stars supply
the energy, or, using Johndros analogy, the signal as in a radio
or video signal. The planets are like receivers which accept the
signal and then retransmit it to us giving it a context or form
in the process. The planets are of considerable importance but
the energy originates with the stars.
The best sites for fixed stars are Anne Wright's The Fixed Stars
and Dianna Rosenberg's The Fixed Stars and Constellations . I
don't find myself in complete agreement with everything on the
sites but these are the most comprehensive I've seen. My
intention on this site is to use them, explain them, and promote
their use rather than to catalog them.
Novas
Novas are the deaths of stars, When a star dies it contributes
the chemical elements it has manufactured during its life and
during its death process to the cosmos, thus participating in a
cycle of renewal. At this point the energy pattern of the galaxy
in which the star dies changes, new patterns become possible and
some disruption ensues. For a thourough but not too technical
discussion of this see John Gribbin's Stardust. Astrologically a
nova is an eruption of force and a breakthrough. The detailed
nature of this change is shown by the figure for the first
appearance of the light of the nova (first detection in this age
of powerful telescopes and amateur observers) with effects
lasting as many years as the nova was visible for days. While I
haven't calculated it exactly, I suspect that the nova of 1604 (Keplers
Star) is still in effect but is close to expiration. This method
of determining the period of effect of a nova is based on the
fact that the Sun is also a star and directions of a day for a
year are generally effective in predictive work. After the nova
fades, the point of it's appearance in both longitude and
declination remains a sensitive point until the effects expire.
The results of the nova often produce a new item such as a black
hole, a much dimmer star, a neutron star, or a white dwarf or
sometimes a pulsar. There is still something at the point of
release but the important point is that it is the point of
release whose energy has changed the matrix, shifted the
paradigm, broken open the box. As this transformation proceeds
the cosmos becomes a different place, the landscape alters and
until the process is complete ( the period of effect) the point
remains sensitive and influential.
Comets
Comets are remnants of the creation of the system which have
been dislodged from their usual path to more unusual paths which
closely approach the Sun on a periodic basis. They come to us
from the far reaches of the system for the most part, from the
Kuiper belt out by Neptune or the Oort Cloud at the furthest
reaches of the system. Some of the short period comets originate
around Jupiter, but unless they are bright, usually don't have
much influence. The amount of light they reflect is small as
they are small bodies, but as they approach the Sun, his heat
enkindles them. Most are hardly noticeable if at all, but others
rival the planets in their brightness and display spectacular
tails. The brighter they are, the longer their period, and the
nearer their perihelion is to a bright or significant star, the
more pronounced will be their effects. Those effects are not
those of the planets who reflect the light of Sol and transmit
the energy of the stars, nor are they the same as those of the
stars which radiate their own light. The effects of comets are a
rearrangement and a disruption like a fire in part of a city or
the lighting of a signal beacon. They show new connections and
alliances, new patterns in trade and commerce, sometimes
conflict. They have some similarity to Pluto in that they
catalyze alchemical rearrangements. The ancient Chinese viewed
them as messengers delivering the new decrees of Heaven and this
seems apt - they are couriers from the fringes of the system
announcing new arrangements and sometimes shifts in the
paradigm. Occasionally one strikes us as was the case, it is
thought, in 1500 BCE (see Julian Jaynes Bicameral Mind book) and
causes massive and direct adaptation to violently changed
conditions.
Although some astrologers see comets as a very temporary
influence concentrating on the transit positions during the
period of visibility, the points stressed by the ancient Greeks
and found most useful in modern experience are the point of
appearance (in modern times, of detection) and the perihelion or
closest approach to the Sun. The point of appearance shows the
effects of the comet from appearance until perihelion and the
point of perihelion for the period of effect which is given as
1/8 of the comets period. By this rule Halleys Comet at its most
recent perihelion in February 1986 at around 20 Aquarius, was in
effect through August of 1995 which is 1/8 of it's period. The
chart for perihelion gives details as to the nature of the
message brought by the comet, use of the perihelion as a
sensitive point during its period of effect shows how the
message is received and implemented.
Traditional Notes on Comets
According to most astrologer's, comets' influence are thoroughly
malefic. We have to remember that astronomically comets have no
fixed orbit, and so seem to come and go as they please - rogues
in the cosmic picture of the Platonist influenced ancients. In
that sense, they carry with them extra-solar energies or
influences, for they often come from the fringes of our solar
system. Also, according to some scientists comets are
responsible for introducing new genetic material to Earth
(interstellar dust) and are major agents of evolution. Again,
scientists have noticed
that major disease outbreaks are synchronous with the passage of
comets near our Earth. The Black Death for example and other
epidemics.This theory is possible but the first large scale
outbreaks of the Black Death in 535-540 CE can be traced to
disruption in climatic patterns due to the eruption of a massive
volcano near the island of Java, a comet could have been
involved but we have no evidence of this at present ( see
Catastrophe : A Quest for the Origins of the Modern World by
David Keys).
Links to books mentioned in the article and others of interest
appear at the end of the article.
Shapes and Colors of Comets
The color, brightness, and positions of appearance and
perihelion are most important astrologically. The comet's period
determines its duration of effect and of course, the longer the
period, the more important and influential the comet.
Some of these shape and color combinations were probably in part
due to atmospherics and it is obvious that such a system was
based heavily on direct observation. Division into 9 types
suggests attribution to the visible planets and the nodes. This
inclusion suggests some influence from India. The following
correspondences by planets (the supenals have been added) may
shed some light on the above categories. Colors for the supenals
from Sepharial and astronomy.
Sun : rose, mixed or streaked with silver; very bright and round
without tails. Deaths of great men, deliverance of prisoners,
mutation of things, establishment of a better order.
Moon : brown; white; crown and wreath with branches; large and
extreme types Deaths of kings, queens, and princes; laws
undermined and damaged; long illnesses among the masses.
Mercury : waxy or orange. Public discussions. minor or guerilla
war in the place of the sighting of the tail.
Venus : yellow. Repeal and reversal of ancient laws, change of
customs, establishment of the new.
Mars : red or orange. Drought, war, famine, terror; darkness and
uncertainty; damage to trees and orchards.
Jupiter : silver. Abundance of expendable and mediocre life and
fruits.
Saturn: black and yellow. War, deaths of great men;
constrictions, a great setting in order.
Uranus : blues and sparkling colors Strikes, riots, revolution;
emergence of a new order; coups, suicides, damage to industry
and rail and air transport.
Neptune : pastels, especially greens. Disturbance in religion,
episodes of spiritualism and vice; new drugs but also
poisonings.
Pluto : black and crimson, smoky shades. Propaganda, sorcery,
psyches, mass death, transformation; rise of charismatic and
dangerous leaders.
Dragon's Head : dull red foil. Much argument, destruction of
fruit trees.
Dragon's Tail : misty or obscure, a divided column with two
tails. Death of great men, great malignance, drought and
dissension
Note that there are also clues to the natures of stars based on
color and that there are possibilities for combinations. The
usefulness of this approach in modern times is questionable.
There is considerably more light at night and more particulate
matter in he atmosphere. Comets usually appear by telescopic
detection rather than naked eye observation and astronomy photos
are often shot through various filters or from space. These
correspondences may still be useful when thinking in terms of
the dispositor at perihelion or planets aspecting the perihelion
position. There also seems to be some correspondence to events
during the period of effect by transit and direction.
The sign in which the comet first appears gives information
about it's nature. Aspects with planets and fixed stars must
also be studied. Hale-Bopp for example appeared in Taurus, (and
reached perihelion in the same sign but not in the vicinity of
Algol) conjunct the malefic Caput Algol, a nasty omen. According
to John Frawley, this was related to cattle, and genetics (Dolly
the cloned sheep:and mad cow disease among other things).
Other Fixed Star Contacts
There are two other uses of fixed stars which should be
mentioned. The star parallel and the promissor.
Star parallels
When a planet is conjunct a star that is in the same declination
as a star conjunct another planet or in the same declination as
another planet; there exists a parallel which acts as a mild
conjunction between them (the two planets or points connected by
the stars). An example might be Mars conjunct a star at 20N
declination with Neptune at 20N, this creates a star parallel
between them. Another variation is to have say Mars conjunct a
star at 40N and Venus conjunct a star at 40N, then Mars and
Venus have a star parallel. This connection acts as a mild
conjunction and is of the nature of the two bodies being in the
same energy field, on the same wavelength you might say.
Promissors
When a star rises, sets, or culminates exactly as a planet
rises, sets, or culminates during the 24 hours preceding the
time of the chart, that star is a promissor and shows events in
the nature of the planet with which it is so connected by later
transit or direction to the promissor star. For example Mercury
is exactly rising a few hours before birth and the fixed star
Aldebaran is exactly culminating (on the Midheaven or directly
overhead) this makes Aldebaran a promissor of Mercurial events
in that chart when it is transited or when planets reach it by
direction. This star is a promissor even if in the natal chart,
no planet conjuncts it and it is not on an angle.
Summary
In summary there are four relationships or means of contact of
the stars in any given chart. The conjunction or other aspect,
the star parallel, birth latitude stars, and promissors. The
parallel does not really connect any new stars to the chart but
rather shows additional internal connections which may otherwise
have gone unnoticed or have seemed mysterious. Portents are
interpreted based on the chart of their appearance or, in the
case of comets, their perihelion and have a defined period of
effect during which their characteristic point (location for
novas, perihelion for comets) is a sensitive point and shows
their subsequent action by transit and direction.
These factors - the fixed stars, novas, and comets (comets,
meteors and novas are often collectively referred to as
portents) are most useful in mundane charts - those having to do
with weather, politics, and natural and human disasters; but
they are also useful in natal charts and, when connected with a
significator or an angle, in horary charts.
Comets have some similarity to Pluto, novas to Uranus, meteors
to Saturn, and the mysterious (like UFOs, mass visions, and
such) to Neptune.
The techniques outlined have been tested in practice and the
theory is primarily based on the astronomical features of the
phenomena and its astrological implications. Apologies to non
astrologers for any technical references which may seem opaque.
To follow, a list of comets and novas in effect and a few
expired with their periods of effect; and an e-book containing
this information and more. Comments are welcome via the contact
page.
Some authors on mundane astrology and some on fixed stars
mention the effects of comets and novas as being similar to
eclipses and give the lists of expected mundane effects of
eclipses by sign. There is some merit in this view but it is not
adequate.
As we begin to consider Great Changes, time and the study of
history in light of astrology becomes the key factor. Our
approach to the philosophy of history and that suggested by
cycles of aspects between any two bodies, is neo Hegelian.
Thesis, Antithesis, Synthesis resulting from the cyclic
interaction of any two factors. This is also close to the
alchemical view of 3 basic elements (Mercury, Sulfur, and Salt)
and the Celtic emphasis on 3 forces as symbolized in the
triskelion.
