Example Charts

This is the practical heart of the book: Frawley takes thirty-two real horoscopes and reads each one step by step, so the reader can see the rules of the earlier chapters actually operating on a life. His own framing of the exercise is emphatic — we cannot learn astrology theoretically; we must examine as many charts as we can. The rules do work, but not rigidly or mechanically; the real art is to find the predominant factors that outweigh the others and so determine the chart's overall effect (AoS ch.15, p266). [modern: Frawley]

The charts are mainly of famous or notorious people — "rather dramatic charts," he warns, not the murky ones one usually meets. He deliberately includes many spiritual teachers (to show what is astrologically helpful for higher consciousness), several evil individuals (the opposite pole of human nature), and a range of political and intellectual leaders, while avoiding the usual fixation on entertainers (AoS ch.15, p266).

For each person he prints both the basic Birth chart (the Rāśi Chakra) and the harmonic-ninth Navāṁśa, but not the House (Bhāva) chart — because important positions used in the readings, such as angular-house placement, would not show up in a Bhāva chart anyway. He also gives the sequence of Major planetary periods (Mahā Daśās). To follow the readings, he asks the reader to track the major aspects between planets by the Vedic rules, the houses each planet rules and its meaning as a house lord, and dispositorship (a planet projects the influence of any planet sitting in its sign). Watch how often planets fall in their own signs, exalted, debilitated, or prominent in angles (AoS ch.15, p266).

One caution about the subtle chart: harmonic-ninth positions (and the period dates) vary slightly with the Ayanāṁśa used, so they may differ a little from other books. In the Navāṁśa he usually reads the self-indicator — the Ātmakāraka, the planet with the highest degrees in any sign — or the Moon, since birth times are rarely exact enough to trust the Navāṁśa Ascendant (AoS ch.15, p267).

The reader should note throughout: most of these diagrams are South-Indian square grids, where the twelve signs occupy fixed cells (Pisces top-left running clockwise) and the planets are written into whichever sign they occupy; the Ascendant is marked Asc. The glyphs are the standard planetary symbols plus ☊ (Rāhu) and ☋ (Ketu).

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Chart 1 — Mahatma Gandhi (Political and Religious Leader)

Mahatma Gandhi — Rāśi Chakra (left) and Navāṁśa / Harmonic Ninth (right). Born 10-02-1869, 07:33 a.m. L.M.T., 21°N44 069°E33, Ayanāṁśa 20°33 (p267).

Gandhi shows the social and political impact of a strong, idealistic Libra Ascendant seeking to reform the world by spiritual values. There are many strong angular planets giving power of action; balancing them, austere Saturn in the Second house gives renunciation and control of diet and senses (Second-house matters). The Sun in hard-working Virgo, in the Twelfth house of loss, makes a self-abnegating, virtuous nature. The Moon in the Tenth house of career, with Rāhu on the Midheaven, gives power to influence the masses — and because Rāhu and the Moon are not too close, the Moon is not darkened by it; the Rāhu Major period brought Gandhi into public prominence. Jupiter in the Seventh gives a benefic nature in relationship and communication and reformist zeal, as lord of the Third and Sixth (houses of energy) (AoS ch.15, p267–268).

Note how Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter overcome and transform Mars, turning it into a benefic force: Libra Ascendants love truth when these three combine, and Gandhi typified that love of truth in his Satyāgraha ("those who hold to truth") movement. The positions from the Moon are also strong — Jupiter in the Tenth from the Moon as lord of the Ninth (religious) sign from it, and the Libra planets Fourth from the Moon showing an idealistic mind. In the Navāṁśa, the Moon as soul-indicator (Ātmakāraka) sits in Pisces, in an angle from Jupiter in its own sign Sagittarius — a very Sāttvic, devoted, Moon-Jupiter soul (AoS ch.15, p268).

Chart 2 — Adolf Hitler (Political Leader)

Adolf Hitler — Rāśi Chakra and Navāṁśa. Born 04-20-1889, 06:30 p.m. L.M.T., 48°N15 013°E03, Ayanāṁśa 20°52 (p268).

The same Libra Ascendant that lifted Gandhi shows here its lower, dark side — fanatical, self-righteous, egoistic idealism that can sway the masses. Hitler perverted the idealism of the human mind with his super-race idea and his distorted use of the Hindu term Aryan and its symbol the Svastika (AoS ch.15, p268–269). His chart strongly shows Rucaka Yoga, the Mahāpuruṣa ("great person") yoga of Mars: Mars in its own sign Aries, in an angle, aspecting both the Ascendant and its lord Venus. Mars is the dispositor of Venus and also defeats it in a planetary war (being just ahead of it in the same degree), so Mars imposes a violent, martial, Pitta (fiery) constitution on the Libra field of action (AoS ch.15, p269).

The Sun exalted in the Seventh (partnership), at its very maximum degree of exaltation, gives leadership and adds to Mars's fire — the makings of a great general; the Sun and Mars dominate Mercury and Venus, making even those aggressive (contrast Gandhi, where the gentler planets prevail). A Seventh dominated by Mars is good for military power but ruinous for relationship — a controlling, manipulative man with no real friends. Mars's strength and Saturn at the chart's highest point give a Tāmasic (dark) nature; both aspect Venus (the Ascendant lord) and dominate the chart. Saturn in the Tenth confers Rāja Yoga (it is the natural Rāja Yoga planet for Libra), but Saturn alone in the Tenth raises people only to bring them down. Ketu with Jupiter in its own sign Sagittarius in the Third boosts Jupiter and that martial house (Ketu always raises the power of planets it joins in their own signs) — bringing out Third-house prowess. The lord of the Tenth (the Moon) does not do well in the Third (a house of impulse), said to cause rash action and downfall (AoS ch.15, p269–270).

In the Navāṁśa, Mars and Ketu dominate alongside the Ātmakāraka Venus, all in the harmonic subdivision of Scorpio — another wrathful sign — showing Hitler's vindictiveness on the inner level. His whole rise and fall fell within the Rāhu Major period (illusion and worldly power), which drove him to overextend until collapse; the Jupiter Minor period brought him to power in 1933, the Ketu Minor period saw him start the war in 1939, the Moon Minor period saw Germany's collapse in 1945. Frawley adds a method point: in the Tropical chart Hitler has Mars in detriment (Taurus) and Jupiter in fall (Capricorn) — read by Tropical astrologers as evil and materialistic — whereas the Vedic/Sidereal chart shows planetary yogas, own-sign and exalted planets in angles. The Vedic idea is that martial and political power need a strong Mars, not a weak one; Hitler's evil is read by Mars and Saturn dominating the chart, not by their being weak (AoS ch.15, p270). [modern: Frawley]

Chart 3 — Paramahansa Yogananda (Spiritual Teacher)

Paramahansa Yogananda — Rāśi Chakra and Navāṁśa. Born 01-05-1893, 08:38 p.m. L.M.T., 26°N47 083°E23, Ayanāṁśa 20°54 (p271).

A great yogi, among the first to bring Yoga to the West. Enlightenment is hard to read from a chart, but the charts of enlightened people show strong indications of spirituality. As a monk, Yogananda shows strong signs of renunciation: the Moon in the First house, as lord of the Twelfth (loss and negation), gives a noble self-negation (and it is exalted in the ninth harmonic). Saturn in the Second is one of its best placements for renunciation — detaching from wealth and work, and by aspect on the third sign from it, from home and emotions (Fourth house); here it also aspects Venus (sexuality) in the Fourth, and Saturn in discriminating Virgo is especially good for self-control and asceticism (AoS ch.15, p271–272).

Jupiter, the religious planet, is the final dispositor of the chart, in the profound, occult Eighth house in its own sign — high intelligence and probing insight; it dominates Mars and gives strong will for spiritual work. The Sun (Ascendant lord) in the benefic Fifth in religious Sagittarius shows good religious karma and a spiritual temperament. In the Navāṁśa, the Ātmakāraka Venus is well placed in mystical Aquarius with Jupiter — his devotional nature. Rāhu (significator of foreigners) in the Ninth brought him before the public and to teach in a foreign land. Finally, Mars, lord of the Fourth (mother) from both Ascendant and Moon, sits in the Eighth (death), with Saturn aspecting Mars, the Fourth, and the Venus there — so Yogananda lost his mother early, in the Venus Major / Mars Minor period (AoS ch.15, p272).

Chart 4 — Ramakrishna (Spiritual Teacher)

Ramakrishna — Rāśi Chakra and Navāṁśa. Born 02-18-1836, near dawn L.M.T., 22°N55 087°E58, Ayanāṁśa 20°03 (p272).

Obviously a highly spiritual chart. Aquarius is often a very spiritual Ascendant — strong faith, power of worship, surrender — and here it holds both Sun and Moon, a "triple Aquarius," so planetary factors affect all three Ascendants (Lagna, Sun, and Moon). The lord of all three, Saturn, is exalted in Libra, the Ninth house of religion, bringing both Divine grace and spiritual discipline to all of them (AoS ch.15, p273).

Jupiter in the Fifth (intelligence) in airy Gemini gives high intelligence and good religious karma. Mars exalted in the Twelfth (negation) gives power of spiritual work, service, and renunciation. Venus exalted in the Second (livelihood), as dispositor of separative Saturn and Rāhu, gives detachment and religious devotion — not a seeking of wealth and comfort (lower Venus) but a love of chanting and ritual to the deities (higher Venus). The chart is dominated by air-sign planets — the soul's capacity to move beyond this world. Crucially, Jupiter's aspects from the Fifth onto Saturn in the Ninth and onto the Ascendant counter Saturn's lower side; but this same neglect of the body gave him a shorter life than otherwise indicated. In the Navāṁśa, Aquarius again holds Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury, and Rāhu — the religious bent on the inner level; as a dark Saturnian sign it relates to Kālī, the dark Divine Mother he worshipped. His Ātmakāraka is Mars, and in the Navāṁśa Mars sits in Leo, the sign of the soul — the insight that let him pierce his devotional images to the Divine Self behind them (AoS ch.15, p273).

Frawley returns to Ramakrishna under Chart 22 (J. P. Morgan), who shares the Aquarius Ascendant and exalted Venus and Saturn — a deliberate contrast of a saint's chart with a worldly one.

Chart 5 — Albert Einstein (Scientist)

Albert Einstein — Rāśi Chakra and Navāṁśa. Born 03-14-1879, 11:30 a.m. L.M.T., 48°N30 010°E00, Ayanāṁśa 20°42 (p274).

Naturally an intellectual chart. Gemini is an intellectual Ascendant and most planets are in Mutable signs — flexibility and curiosity. Most notably, Mercury (Ascendant lord) has its debility cancelled — it is both angular (in the Tenth) and with an exalted Venus in Pisces — so it functions even better than if exalted, letting Einstein probe the deeper mind where intellect opens to higher cosmic intelligence. Venus is within a degree of maximum exaltation, and as lord of the Fifth (creative intelligence) gives a love of knowledge; his four planets in the Tenth make him world-renowned. The mutual reception of Saturn and Jupiter (lords of Ninth and Tenth) wins him recognition and the respect of leaders (AoS ch.15, p274–275).

Mars exalted in the Eighth in an Earth sign gives scientific, mathematical, inventive ability (Eighth-house faculties in Vedic astrology), strengthened by its association with Rāhu. Jupiter in Aquarius in the Ninth gives the humanitarian, socially-concerned disposition he was known for, and Jupiter is also strong in its own sign in the Navāṁśa with the Ātmakāraka Venus, the Moon, and Mars in humanitarian Aquarius. The Moon's fall is cancelled (because Mars, ruler of the Moon's sign Scorpio, is exalted in Capricorn), so the Moon gives profound intelligence and service capacity, helped by an angle from Jupiter. Ketu adds insight by aspecting the Second (intellect) and its lord the Moon, and also Mercury and the Tenth-house planets (AoS ch.15, p275).

Chart 6 — Sigmund Freud (Founder of Modern Psychoanalysis)

Sigmund Freud — Rāśi Chakra and Navāṁśa. Born 05-06-1856, 06:30 p.m. L.M.T., 49°N38 018°E09, Ayanāṁśa 20°21½ (p275).

A strong, idealistic Libra Ascendant bent on changing the world with new ideas. Ketu rising gives introversion and sharp perception. The Seventh house (relationship, sexuality) is very strong with an exalted Sun, Venus, and Rāhu — a personality fixed on those domains; the close Venus–Rāhu conjunction (Rāhu being the indicator of the unconscious) gives sensitivity to the sexual responses of the collective mind, and the exalted Sun illumines those regions. The Seventh is also aspected by its lord Mars in the Twelfth, giving Kuja Dosha; with strong Seventh-house planets this shows trouble in marriage and extramarital affairs, and Mars in the secret Twelfth indicates probing — sometimes harshly — into the unconscious of puritanical Virgo. Jupiter in the Sixth (health) in Pisces shows his service work in mental health (AoS ch.15, p276).

The Moon, exalted with Mercury in the Eighth (sex and mystery), gives ongoing preoccupation with the unconscious; from the Moon-sign his Aries planets fall in the Twelfth of the hidden. In the Navāṁśa, the Ātmakāraka Sun sits in sexual Scorpio opposite Venus in its own sign Taurus — again the mind's fixation on sex. Frawley's spiritual diagnosis: Freud was blocked by analyzing the outer Venus energy and could not reach the deeper psyche, though he often brushed it; Saturn in the Ninth gave a skeptical, materialistic bent that held him down. Behind sexual desire, Frawley adds, is the natural bliss of consciousness wrongly externalized — that bliss, not sex, is the primary creative force (AoS ch.15, p276–277). [modern: Frawley]

Chart 7 — Lord Byron (Poet)

Lord Byron — Rāśi Chakra and Navāṁśa. Born 01-22-1788, 02:00 p.m. L.M.T., 51°N31 000°W06, Ayanāṁśa 19°20 (p277).

Frawley uses Byron to illustrate that Mars is a dangerous planet for Gemini Ascendant, since it rules two houses of violence — the Sixth and Eleventh — on top of its violent nature. Here Mars is in the Ascendant and aspects Mercury (the Ascendant lord) by its seventh aspect; Ketu, who is like Mars, joins these aspects; and from the Ascendant Mars also aspects the Eighth (longevity), where the Sun (another fiery planet) sits. Adding up these fiery, violent influences: Byron was killed in battle in Greece, by a head wound, at thirty-six — in the middle of the Ketu period, known to bring death in battle or collective catastrophe when malefically placed, as it is here. An impulsive, idealistic Gemini nature contributed (Gemini gets more accidents and injuries than any Ascendant), placing itself dramatically in the line of fire — the Romantic spirit Byron epitomized (AoS ch.15, p277–278).

For poetic skill: Gemini is favorable as an intellectual sign; the full Moon in its own sign Cancer in the Second (speech) gives expression; Mercury strong in the Seventh gives power to communicate to the other; Saturn and Venus strong in the Ninth give high idealism and humanity (Saturn in its own Aquarius, Venus ruling the Fifth of creative intelligence); the Sun in the Eighth gives a profound but troubled character. Mercury is the Ātmakāraka and has an exchange with Jupiter in the Navāṁśa, further energizing the mind (AoS ch.15, p278).

Chart 8 — Henry Miller (Novelist)

Henry Miller — Rāśi Chakra and Navāṁśa. Born 12-26-1891, 12:30 p.m. L.M.T., 40°N38 073°W56, Ayanāṁśa 20°53 (p278).

A headstrong Aries Ascendant, Cardinal and Rājasic — the more mental side of Mars energy. Miller was an independent, revolutionary writer (the only American, Frawley says, who could hold his own with the great European artists), with an undeserved pornographer's reputation owing to his harsh language, though he was something of a mystic who studied Yogic teachings. His Moon–Mars conjunction in social Libra in the Seventh shows his many wives and relationships; his Kuja Dosha is very strong, and some women react against his male-oriented writing. Mars aspects the Second (speech) and its lord Venus — the sharp mind and biting sarcasm — magnified by Rāhu in the Second. Venus, lord of the Second (speech), in the Tenth in Capricorn, shows his focus on the earthy, sexual side of life and his recognition for it. His Sun–Mercury conjunction in philosophical Sagittarius in the Ninth (dharma) reveals his deeper nature, and Jupiter in Aquarius his broad humanitarianism; Saturn in the Sixth in Virgo gave discipline in writing (AoS ch.15, p278–279).

In the Navāṁśa the Ātmakāraka Moon is also in Aries with Mars and Jupiter, reinforcing his self-focused, expressive Aries Ascendant ("Aries people often love to talk about themselves"). His Mercury Major period brought out his best writing, after suffering and poverty under Saturn; only in the Venus period (its Tenth-house influence) did he gain the recognition he deserved (AoS ch.15, p279).

Chart 9 — Lord Rama (Avatar)

Lord Rama — Rāśi Chakra only (no Navāṁśa is printed for this chart). The seventh incarnation of Viṣṇu, said to have lived in the Tretā Yuga, c. 4000 B.C. (p280).

An exceptional chart — five exalted planets, four in angles and one in the Ninth (the best Trine), from both Ascendant and Moon. It is very Cardinal, a strong-willed nature that can accomplish any goal — the Divine will in incarnation. Mars and Jupiter (lords of the Ninth and Tenth) in mutual aspect give a strong Rāja Yoga. Malefic Sun, Mars, and Saturn dominate the angles and could make a cruel disposition, but Jupiter's aspect balances them — though they still led Rama into a great war. Mars in the Seventh caused separation from his wife Sītā; the aspects of Saturn and Rāhu on the Tenth caused the temporary loss of his kingdom; Venus exalted in the Ninth gives a strong devotional nature; Ketu in the Twelfth gave him liberation (AoS ch.15, p280).

The wealth combinations are very strong: the lord of the Eleventh (gains, Venus) is exalted in the Ninth; the lord of the Ninth (fortune, Jupiter) is exalted in the First; the lord of the Second (income, the Sun) is exalted in the Tenth; the lord of the Fifth (prosperity, Mars) is exalted in the Seventh; and Mercury, lord of the Twelfth (loss), in the Eleventh (income), shows the charitable nature behind it. Some consider this an imaginary chart, but it agrees with Rama's life and character — and the lunar emphasis matches his epithet Rāmacandra, "Rama of the Moon" (AoS ch.15, p280).

Chart 10 — Ramana Maharshi (Spiritual Teacher)

Ramana Maharshi — Rāśi Chakra and Navāṁśa. Born 12-30-1879, 01:15 a.m. L.M.T., 09°N55 078°W10, Ayanāṁśa 20°43 (p281).

Perhaps the most famous enlightened sage of modern India, a great jñānī, who realized the Self spontaneously at seventeen while meditating on death. Jupiter (indicator of spirituality) is strong in the Fifth (intelligence and past karma) in the spiritual sign Aquarius, aspecting both Ascendant and Moon, and is Ninth (religious) from the Moon. The Moon is strong — a day after full, in sensitive Gemini, in the Ninth from the Ascendant — and as lord of the Tenth (recognition) gives fame as a teacher. The Sun in the Third (discipline) in religious Sagittarius, with the lunar nodes elevating the luminaries (Rāhu raising the Sun, Ketu deepening the Moon) in Mutable signs and Cadent houses, shows self-knowledge, illumination of the mind, and much time in meditation and seclusion (AoS ch.15, p281–282).

Mars aspects the Ascendant and Second, giving a high, piercing intelligence; Saturn in the Sixth (service) gives asceticism. Mars is especially strong — angular and in its own sign (Rucaka Yoga), and in its own sign in the Navāṁśa too — yet the ascetic side of Mars came out, not the military, because of Jupiter and the Ninth house; Ramana was held to be an incarnation of Skanda/Murugan, the deity of Mars, who inwardly represents knowledge and asceticism. The Ātmakāraka Moon is vargottama (same sign in both charts) in Gemini in the Navāṁśa, in an angle from benefic Jupiter in Pisces, with Mercury (lord of the Moon) in the ninth sign from it (AoS ch.15, p282).

Chart 11 — Sri Aurobindo (Spiritual Teacher)

Sri Aurobindo — Rāśi Chakra and Navāṁśa. Born 08-15-1872, 05:00 a.m. L.M.T., 22°N36 088°E24, Ayanāṁśa 20°36 (p282).

A major figure in the Indian independence movement before Gandhi, who renounced politics to become a great yogi. Mars and Jupiter rising in Cancer are a strong political combination and potential Rāja Yoga (Jupiter lord of the Ninth, Mars lord of the Tenth); Mars has cancellation of debility in two ways — being in the Ascendant and with an exalted Jupiter. This world-changing orientation Aurobindo applied to his Yoga, becoming a revolutionary in that field — striving to bring stronger Divine grace into human life and the physical body itself. Ketu's aspect on the Ascendant gave him the capacity to reverse himself in life (AoS ch.15, p282–283).

The Sun, Mercury, and Venus in the Second in Leo is a good poetic combination — Aurobindo was a great poet, linguist, and prolific writer; these planets are also Ninth (spiritual) from the Moon, showing the philosophical character of his writing. Saturn combined with the Moon gives detachment and spirituality in Sagittarius and, in the Sixth (service), gives Karma Yoga, helping make him a great philosopher. Jupiter and the Moon (lords of First and Ninth) are in mutual reception, an overall spiritual nature; with so much Cancer influence he was, unsurprisingly, a great devotee of the Divine Mother. He died at the end of Jupiter's period, perhaps under the malefic Saturn whose period was about to begin (AoS ch.15, p283).

Chart 12 — Theodore Bundy (Mass Murderer)

Theodore Bundy — Rāśi Chakra and Navāṁśa. Born 11-24-1946, 10:35 p.m. B.S.T., 44°N29 073°W12, Ayanāṁśa 21°43 (p284).

After the spiritual charts, Frawley turns to one showing the darkening of the mind — a mass murderer of young women, a chart saturated with violence and sex, the darkest Scorpio influence. Five planets are in troubled Scorpio. Most noticeable is the debilitated Moon, malefic as just past new; before it in Scorpio is a conjunction of three fiery planets — Mars, Ketu, and the Sun — and Mercury, by its Mutable nature, takes on and magnifies Mars. The Fourth house, the Moon, Mercury, and the lord of the Fourth (Mars) are all severely afflicted — a deranged mind and emotional nature; the Moon also carries Saturn and Pluto (which it rules in Cancer), and the Sun (Ascendant lord) is strongly afflicted too — Mars energy at its worst (AoS ch.15, p284–285).

Jupiter and Venus at the end of Libra form a cross-sign conjunction with the Scorpio planets — such a close, murky grouping (especially in Scorpio) confuses the planetary rays. The benefic Venus–Jupiter in Libra, with the warm Leo Ascendant, let him appear a nice person and attract women; yet in the Third (a martial house) that pair is impulsive and kept him preoccupied with sex. Saturn in the Twelfth (loss) shows his negative fate and time in prison. Such a person hides a very dark character behind an outwardly friendly, affectionate face, thriving on the drama of deception (Frawley: the inflated Leo ego's need for drama plus the Scorpio love of deception). Bundy was executed January 24, 1989, during the Moon Major / Jupiter Minor period — Jupiter being lord of the Eighth (death) and in the Twelfth (the house of endings) from the Moon (AoS ch.15, p285).

Chart 13 — Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Musician)

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart — Rāśi Chakra and Navāṁśa. Born 01-27-1756, 08:00 p.m. L.M.T., 47°N48 013°E01, Ayanāṁśa 18°51 (p285).

At first sight a weak chart for health and psychology. The Sun (Ascendant lord) is very weak, in the Sixth (disease) with malefic Saturn and combust Mercury, aspected by Mars. The Moon is debilitated in Scorpio, isolated and hemmed by malefic aspects — a troubled mind, a propensity to alcoholism or delusion; it is also in close conjunction with Pluto (suggesting Mozart may have been poisoned), and he died in the first year of the Moon Major period. Rāhu on the Ascendant in Leo magnifies but disturbs his personality; the many Sixth-house planets compel him to be a servant of others; Saturn is the final dispositor of all the planets, giving lifelong hardship — and stern Saturn shapes his classical sense of order and harmony (AoS ch.15, p285–286).

Jupiter is the Ātmakāraka and vargottama (same sign in both charts) — mainly responsible for his musical genius, since Jupiter is the planet of music in the Vedic system; it sits in the Second (self-expression) in orderly Virgo (his last, greatest symphony was, not coincidentally, the Jupiter), and Jupiter in the Second raised him to fame in youth, with the Ketu and Venus periods of youth favorable. Mars (the mathematical planet) aspects the Second (intellect) and its lord from both Ascendant and Moon, giving a strong mathematical-musical mind and powerful memory (he composed whole symphonies in his head), and also aspects the Fifth and its lord Jupiter — though this Mars-on-the-Second also shows his famously crude speech. Mars in the Eleventh (lord of the Ninth) and Jupiter in the Second (lord of the Fifth) gave income potential, but the Sixth-house planets made him overwork and overspend. The Navāṁśa is much stronger than the birth chart — exalted Mars in the Fifth and Mercury in its own sign in the Tenth from the Ātmakāraka Jupiter in Virgo (AoS ch.15, p286–287).

Chart 14 — Napoleon Bonaparte (General and Emperor)

Napoleon Bonaparte — Rāśi Chakra and Navāṁśa. Born 08-15-1769, 11:30 a.m. L.M.T., 41°N55 008°E40, Ayanāṁśa 19°03 (p287).

Frawley uses Napoleon for chart rectification: his exact birth time is unknown, but by Vedic rules he must be Libra Ascendant, because only that Ascendant on that day shows the potential to create an emperor — it demonstrates several Rāja Yogas; the time is probably near noon, which brings the yogas strongly into play. For Libra, Saturn is the main Rāja Yoga planet (ruling a Trine and a Quadrant, the Fourth and Fifth); here it sits in the Tenth, giving great power. The Moon (lord of the Tenth) can also make Rāja Yoga for Libra, and Saturn and the Moon are in mutual reception — stronger than each in its own sign, because the mutual aspect reinforces. To these is added Mercury, lord of the Ninth (the other great Libra benefic and Rāja Yoga planet), strengthening Saturn and preventing the quick fall Saturn alone in the Tenth would bring. Three strong Rāja Yogas in the strongest angles — hard to imagine a stronger combination for political power (AoS ch.15, p287–288).

Jupiter in the Ascendant gives an aggressive, expansive nature as lord of the Third and Sixth (houses of power). The Sun and Mars in Leo in the Eleventh (gains) show a dominating personality, leadership, generalship, and the capacity to win kingdoms; Venus (Ascendant lord) well placed in the Ninth gives luck and fortune. A charismatic, idealistic leader who could sway the masses. He fell from power mainly from the rash influence of Jupiter (who, incidentally, "stands for the British" as ruler of the Sixth house of enemies). His periods: Rāhu raised him to power, Jupiter caused his downfall — though the fall was really due in the Saturn period; his impulsive invasion of Russia overextended his resources, a product of the egoism that began in 1804 when he proclaimed himself emperor. Still, Frawley sees an idealistic, noble person — quite unlike Hitler's negative Mars–Saturn combination (AoS ch.15, p288).

Chart 15 — H. P. Blavatsky (Occultist)

H. P. Blavatsky — Rāśi Chakra and Navāṁśa. Born 08-12-1831, 02:17 a.m. L.M.T., 48°N27 035°E01, Ayanāṁśa 19°59 (p289).

A great occultist and prolific author, source of much of the modern Western occult movement (through followers such as Annie Besant, Rudolf Steiner, and Alice Bailey). The chart shows a strong Mercury influence — Ascendant and Moon are in Mercury's signs in both charts, with intellectual, communicative Gemini rising. The Moon with benefic Venus in the Fourth (mind) gives a creative, sensitive, spiritual mind and the capacity to write many books; Venus is both lord of the spiritual Ninth from the Moon and of the Fifth (creative intelligence) from the Ascendant, and its debility in Virgo is cancelled by angularity from both Ascendant and Moon — so it functions better than exalted, dominating the chart and giving broad intellect, occult perception, knowledge of subtle worlds, and compassion (the deeper Venus) (AoS ch.15, p289–290).

Mercury has powerful conjunctions in both charts (exalted in the Navāṁśa); in the birth chart it is with Saturn, lord of the Ninth (dharma), and Ketu in the Ninth gives deep insight; her strong Third-house planets give curiosity, will, a critical mind, and strong vital energy, and the Sun in the Second gives powers of speech. Jupiter is doubly the significator of the husband for Gemini women (naturally, and as lord of the Seventh), and her Jupiter is poorly placed in the difficult Eighth, in its fall in Capricorn — the corrupt, materialistic upper-class Russian men she dealt with; she had two short, difficult marriages. There are no obvious yogas, but the cancelled debility of Venus in effect gives its Mahāpuruṣa yoga (as if exalted) — working, as cancelled debility often does, on a more inward and subtle level (AoS ch.15, p290–291).

Chart 16 — Annie Besant (Occultist, Social Reformer)

Annie Besant — Rāśi Chakra and Navāṁśa. Born 10-01-1847, 05:30 p.m. L.M.T., 51°N30 000°W05, Ayanāṁśa 20°14 (p290).

Important both in the Theosophical movement and the Indian independence movement (she gave Gandhi the title Mahatma, and was the spiritual mother of J. Krishnamurti). A highly energetic, communicative chart with predominantly angular planets in Mutable signs. The Moon conjunct Jupiter (Ascendant lord) in communicative Gemini in the Fourth (mind) gives compassion and a strong sense of humanity; spiritual Jupiter is vargottama (same sign in both charts) and her Ātmakāraka — she did tremendous work expanding grace and knowledge while enjoying her life. The Seventh is very strong (Sun, Rāhu, Mercury, Venus) — many relationships and affairs; she was attractive, charming, communicative (AoS ch.15, p290–291).

Venus has its debility cancelled by association with exalted Mercury and angularity from both Ascendant and Moon, and Mercury becomes most prominent, giving Bhadra Yoga (its Mahāpuruṣa yoga — exalted at an angle from both Ascendant and Moon): strength of speech and writing, augmented by Mars in the Second (speech) in its own sign Aries, which adds the power of logic — great talent and genius in the mind plus the capacity to work it in social action; Besant was constantly active, travelling, writing, talking. Saturn in its own sign in the Twelfth (loss) gave detachment and the self-sacrifice to turn her mind to spiritual issues, and Ketu (doubt and insight) rising internalized her energies — otherwise she might have been merely a prominent society lady or artist (AoS ch.15, p291).

Chart 17 — Elisabeth Kübler-Ross (Healer)

Elisabeth Kübler-Ross — Rāśi Chakra and Navāṁśa. Born 07-08-1926, 10:15 p.m. L.S.T., 47°N23 008°E32, Ayanāṁśa 21°25 (p292).

The first of triplets — and the first-born in multiple births usually has more strength and gains more of the chart's planetary force. The unusual birth shows in several factors: the Moon (significator of birth) is waning, near new, under malefic Sun, Rāhu, Pluto, and Mars; the Sun conjuncts Rāhu within a degree, dividing the Prāṇic force (a solar eclipse occurred the day after her birth); the force of Rāhu on Sun, Moon, and the Ascendant lord Saturn is the main factor behind the multiple birth. A very airy chart — Ascendant, Sun, and Moon all in air signs, predominantly Mutable — so the soul is very sensitive, seeking to ascend, not very tied to its body (AoS ch.15, p292).

There is much compassion with Jupiter rising in Aquarius and the Ascendant lord Saturn exalted in Libra in the Ninth (religion); Venus in its own sign Taurus in an angle (the Fourth) gives its Mahāpuruṣa Mālavya Yoga and extra sensitivity — the chart of a healer in psychic rapport with her patients, even possibly of a medium. Mars in the Second in sensitive Pisces gives intelligence and intuition; Mercury in the Sixth (service) in compassionate Cancer shows a mind dedicated to service. Rāhu's usual negative influence is balanced by Jupiter's aspect and Saturn's exaltation; here Rāhu opens the astral nature for deep communion, the individual not tied to body or senses. As the significator of the after-death state, Rāhu shows the terminally ill (her life's work) gripping her through the Sun and Moon (AoS ch.15, p292–293).

Chart 18 — Shirley McLaine (Actress)

Shirley McLaine — Rāśi Chakra and Navāṁśa. Born 04-24-1934, 03:57 p.m. E.S.T., 37°N33 077°W27, Ayanāṁśa 21°32 (p293).

A typical actress's chart. Virgo — Mutable and Earth, good for acting and playing roles — is rising. There is an exchange between the lords of the Ascendant and Seventh (Jupiter in Virgo, Mercury in Pisces), and Mercury also has its debility cancelled by angularity. This exchange between the planets of the self (First) and the other (Seventh) in Mutable signs gives the capacity to portray different characters — a chameleon who can take on any appearance to suit her casting, done with skill and intention, plus many relationships and a highly communicative, social nature (AoS ch.15, p294).

The Eighth is strong (exalted Sun and Mars in its own sign Aries) — strong will and sexual energy; with the Leo Moon the nature is rather fiery (Pitta). The Moon in the Twelfth shows a dramatic, deep, often hidden emotional nature. Positions from the Moon are strong too (Saturn and Venus in the Seventh from it). Her Rāhu period (1974–1992) brought her interest in the occult and spiritual life — Rāhu in the Fifth (past-life karma) in Capricorn suggests a karma of influencing the public on these matters, with possible illusion and entanglement; the Jupiter period from 1992 may bring more clarity, but also the danger of projecting herself as a spiritual teacher — a role she can play but may not be ready for. Her Ātmakāraka is artistic Venus, strong in its own sign in the Taurus Navāṁśa — and her chart shows Venus often does well even in the Twelfth or Sixth (AoS ch.15, p294). [modern: Frawley]

Chart 19 — Madame Curie (Scientist)

Madame Curie — Rāśi Chakra and Navāṁśa. Born 11-07-1867, 08:44 p.m. L.M.T., 52°N13 021°E00, Ayanāṁśa 20°32 (p295).

The discoverer (with her husband Pierre) of radioactivity. Vedic astrology stresses the Fifth house for intelligence, and here it is prominent — in Scorpio (a sign of profound research), boosted by Mars, lord of the sign and itself a research/technology planet; Mercury (the intellect) is in the Fifth with Venus (lord of the Fourth, the mind, which also brings the Sun's illumining power as its dispositor). A special rule — the lord of the Eighth placed in the Fifth gives good intelligence and research capacity — applies, since Saturn, lord of the Eighth (Aquarius), sits in the Fifth, carrying benefic Jupiter (it rules) and, as lord of the Seventh, the husband's influence on the research. Jupiter in the Eighth with insightful Ketu adds research and invention; the Pisces Moon in the Ninth gives intuitive power (AoS ch.15, p295–296).

Such a powerful Scorpio placement gives a profound but hidden, sometimes deceptive mind — very attached to and protective of her knowledge; Frawley speculates she knew more of radioactivity's side-effects than she let on, "radioactivity itself appearing as a Scorpionic force." Most of her discoveries and fame came in the Mercury Major period, whose Mutable nature functioned like Mars (the Rāja Yoga planet for Cancer Ascendant) through its conjunction with it (AoS ch.15, p296). [modern: Frawley]

Chart 20 — Jim Jones (Cult Figure)

Jim Jones — Rāśi Chakra and Navāṁśa. Born 05-13-1931, 10:00 p.m. C.S.T., 40°N03 084°W56, Ayanāṁśa 21°29 (p296).

A disturbed religious-political leader who led himself and his followers to mass suicide in Guyana, November 1978 — a chart that shows how disturbing Rāhu can be. The Moon is in Pisces (sensitive, Mutable) and waning, in the Fourth (mind), within one degree of Rāhu; its only major Vedic aspect is from dark Saturn; it is dispositor of a fallen Mars in the Eighth (death) and conjunct erratic Uranus — an overly reactive, defensive mind and the use of drugs. The darkness, paranoia, and self-destructiveness are evident: extreme delusion enough to offer hundreds in ritual suicide. (Frawley pointedly asks how Western astrology can call Rāhu here "functioning like Jupiter"; the Sun–Moon–Rāhu–Saturn conjunction in the Navāṁśa confirms the same negative state.) Mars, in its fall in Cancer near maximum debility, in the Eighth (death), aspected only by Saturn and Rāhu, shows an early, violent death (AoS ch.15, p296–297). [modern: Frawley]

His strong Jupiter (Ascendant lord) in the Seventh in Gemini gave him the power to influence others — the status of preacher and politician — but Jupiter is hemmed between malefic Sun and Mars, adding paranoia. His Fifth house is good (benefic Mercury and Venus) — intelligence and the capacity to advise. So we see misplaced idealism and self-righteousness behind destructive action: his Jupiter–Mercury–Venus energy confused many who then got caught in his Moon–Rāhu paranoia. His death came three years into the Moon Major period; the Moon Major / Rāhu Minor (Sept. 1976 – March 1978) saw him relocate to Guyana and probably lose all sanity, the Jupiter Minor then combining the lord of the Eighth (death) with the lord of the Ascendant (life) (AoS ch.15, p297).

Chart 21 — Friedrich Nietzsche (Philosopher)

Friedrich Nietzsche — Rāśi Chakra and Navāṁśa. Born 10-15-1844, 10:00 a.m. L.M.T., 51°N15 012°E08, Ayanāṁśa 20°11 (p298).

Another Moon–Rāhu conjunction leading to insanity: a brilliant philosopher who went insane at 44. The Moon is in its fall in the Ascendant in Scorpio, with Rāhu. The fall is mitigated — being in the Ascendant, being lord of the benefic Ninth, and aspected by Jupiter from the Fifth — but Rāhu's darkening still did its damage; the Moon is the Ātmakāraka and again with Rāhu in the Navāṁśa. The weak Sun, in its fall in Libra in the Twelfth (loss), shows his solitary, reclusive nature and contributed greatly to his imbalance (the Moon alone would not have done it); Saturn's aspect on the Sun weakens it further. The ego is thus weak, and Nietzsche compensated with his will-to-power philosophy; his health collapsed fast in the Sun Major period (AoS ch.15, p298–299).

High intellect is shown by a strong Jupiter in its own sign in the Fifth (creative intelligence), aspected by Mercury one degree from exaltation in Virgo, conjunct Mars in the Eleventh. Mars's aspect on the Second and its lord aids intelligence, and Mars also aspects the Fifth and its lord — sharpening speech and intelligence; since the Moon is rising, the same aspects fall on the Second and Fifth from the Moon too — a piercing, fiery, contentious, profound mind. This Moon–Rāhu in Scorpio rising made his Kuṇḍalinī sensitive, and he had mystical experiences, but without a Yoga teacher or tradition he could not handle the energy and it disturbed his mind until he broke (the syphilis he contracted also contributing) (AoS ch.15, p299).

Chart 22 — J. P. Morgan (Industrialist)

J. P. Morgan — Rāśi Chakra and Navāṁśa. Born 04-17-1837, 03:00 a.m. L.M.T., 41°N46 072°W40, Ayanāṁśa 20°04 (p299).

A chart of great wealth, with four exalted planets. Venus exalted in the Second (income) — also exalted in the Navāṁśa, the Rāja Yoga planet for Aquarius, close to maximum exaltation and dispositor of an exalted Saturn in the Ninth (good fortune); the Sun exalted in the Third gives strong will and vitality. The decisive factor is Jupiter — a triple significator of wealth for Aquarius: wealth-giving by nature, ruling two wealth houses (Second and Eleventh), and dispositor of the exalted, wealth-giving Venus. Associated with this exalted Jupiter, Mars's debility is cancelled and Mars gives good results as lord of the Third and Tenth; the Mars–Jupiter conjunction in the Sixth gives great work-ability to gain wealth, influence society, and overcome enemies (AoS ch.15, p299–300).

Frawley deliberately compares Morgan with Ramakrishna (Chart 4): same Aquarius Ascendant, exalted Venus and Saturn. The difference is Mars's aspect on Morgan's Ascendant and its lord Saturn, making his character worldly and domineering — he benefits only from the lower grace of the chart. So a strong chart is not necessarily spiritually good; it may indicate only worldly power. Ramakrishna's Jupiter in the Fifth in Gemini is better for wisdom, whereas Morgan's exalted Jupiter can only give wealth, its higher power cancelled by Tāmasic Mars and Saturn. Thus charts of a worldly success and of a great soul may look superficially alike; the factors deciding spiritual nature are subtle though their effects are dramatic (AoS ch.15, p300). [modern: Frawley]

Chart 23 — Nelson Rockefeller (Politician)

Nelson Rockefeller — Rāśi Chakra and Navāṁśa. Born 07-08-1908, 12:10 p.m. E.S.T., 44°N23 068°W13, Ayanāṁśa 21°08 (p301).

Many indications of great wealth — Rockefeller inherited half a billion dollars. Jupiter exalted in the Eleventh (gain); Mars's debility cancelled by association with Jupiter, giving excellent income; Mercury and Venus together in the Tenth give Rāja Yoga (lords of the Ninth and Tenth), with the Sun (a neutral as lord of the Twelfth) adding power. Mercury's Mahāpuruṣa Yoga (Bhadra) is strongly present (own sign, angular, in Gemini), giving fame in the Tenth; Rāhu in the Tenth magnifies these influences while making them more worldly. The Moon (lord of the Eleventh, gain) waxing in the Second (income); Venus (ruler of the Second and Ninth, two wealth houses) in the public Tenth; Saturn (lord of the Fifth, speculation) strong and angular in the Seventh. From the Moon, the Mars–Jupiter conjunction falls in the Tenth and the Mercury configuration in the Ninth — more wealth and fame. "It would be harder to imagine a better chart for wealth if we made one up ourselves." Politically excellent too, but the chart's mutability denied him the drive to become president, and Saturn in the Seventh caused the divorce and remarriage that spoiled his bid — with such an easy chart he lacked the necessary ambition (AoS ch.15, p301–302).

Chart 24 — Franklin Roosevelt (President)

Franklin Roosevelt — Rāśi Chakra and Navāṁśa. Born 01-30-1882, 08:00 p.m. E.S.T., 41°N47 073°W56, Ayanāṁśa 20°45 (p302).

Two things are obvious: great wealth and poor health. For wealth: Mercury, lord of the Second and Eleventh (income), gives great wealth for Leo Ascendants, strongly in the Seventh; Mars (lord of the Ninth, fortune) in the Eleventh (gains); the Moon (lord of the Twelfth, neutral for Leo) augments Mars and is waxing toward full; Jupiter (lord of the Fifth, speculative gain) in the Ninth (fortune). For health: the Sun (Ascendant lord) in the Sixth (disease), conjunct Venus (lord of the Eleventh, a malefic lord) and aspected by malefic Saturn and Mars; Mars (as ruler of Saturn and Rāhu) brings more of their negativity; Saturn (lord of the Sixth) debilitated in the Ninth suggests congenital weakness; and Ketu aspects the Sixth from the Tenth (Ketu is often involved in neuromuscular disorders). The result is a severe nervous-system (Vāta / air) disorder — Roosevelt was nearly paralyzed from the waist down, his condition hidden largely by the media's favor (AoS ch.15, p302–303).

How does a crippled man become president and win four times? Mars is strong for income but not angular enough for political power; we would expect its aspect on the Ascendant to make the Rāja Yoga of a great ruler. This chart demonstrates an important principle: Mercury, as the dispositor of Mars, projects the power of Mars onto the Ascendant (Mercury acting like Mars and carrying the Moon's power too). So Roosevelt was first elected in November 1932 during the Mercury Major / Mars Minor period; the Mercury period (1923–1940) steadily increased his power, and the Ketu Major period (Ketu in the Tenth) let him keep it while bringing declining health and death (Ketu aspecting the Sixth) — death falling in the Jupiter Minor of the Ketu Major, Jupiter being lord of the Eighth (longevity). Frawley adds a cultural point: Mercury also represents the mass media, without which Roosevelt could not have come to power — only a Mercurial age could let Mercury transmit the influence of Mars. Note too that Mercury is angular only in the Rāśi chart, not the Bhāva chart (where it is in the Sixth, an additional health weakness). In the Navāṁśa the Ātmakāraka Jupiter is strongly disposed with Mars in Scorpio (and Mercury and Rāhu) — the inner will that let him overcome his physical adversity (AoS ch.15, p303–304). [modern: Frawley]

Chart 25 — Indira Gandhi (Politician)

Indira Gandhi — Rāśi Chakra and Navāṁśa. Born 11-19-1917, 11:11 p.m. I.S.T., 25°N27 081°E51, Ayanāṁśa 21°17 (p304).

The political side of the Cancer Ascendant — leader of one of the largest countries. The exchange (mutual reception) of the Moon and Saturn brings out Cancer's broader social-political side, Saturn detaching the Moon. The strongest political factor is the exchange of signs between Mars (lord of the Fifth and Tenth, Rāja Yoga planet for Cancer) and the Sun (lord of the Second) — a sharp mind, strong speech, power of advising and directing people, ability to deal with the powerful; this Sun–Mars combination makes the mind fiery, and Mercury with the Sun augments it by its Mutable nature and neutrality as lord of the Twelfth. The exchange of the First and Seventh lords (Moon and Saturn) gives the ability to relate to the public and adapt — a great diplomat and intelligent leader concerned with cultural and spiritual, not just economic, welfare; Jupiter's influence on Sun and Moon gives compassion and spiritual interest (she frequented great gurus — Ānandamayī Mā, Krishnamurti, the Mother at Sri Aurobindo Ashram). The influence of Mars on the Eighth (death), from both Ascendant and Moon, was an important factor in her assassination: Jupiter's period raised her, Saturn's saw her lose and regain power, and she was assassinated in the Rāhu Minor period (dark Saturn and Rāhu sharpening Mars's malefic aspect) (AoS ch.15, p304–305).

Chart 26 — Gloria Steinem (Feminist Leader)

Gloria Steinem — Rāśi Chakra and Navāṁśa. Born 03-25-1934, 10:00 p.m. E.S.T., 41°N39 083°W33, Ayanāṁśa 21°32 (p305).

Like so many reformers and political figures, Steinem has the idealistic, socially-minded Libra Ascendant with strong Cardinal planets in angles — showing that the factors that elevate women to power are no different from those for men, though society's openness may limit them. As a crusader for women's rights she has a strong waxing Moon in its own sign Cancer in the Tenth (career and social influence), with Ketu magnifying it and giving a crusading nature (Ketu as the flag, energizing) — her public concern for women's issues. Saturn (the power planet for Libra) strong in its own sign Aquarius in the Fifth, with Mercury (lord of the Ninth), gives power of advice and writing, though it tends to deny children. Jupiter in the Twelfth in Virgo shows practical service and reform and a compassionate nature, and is vargottama (same sign in both charts) (AoS ch.15, p305–306).

The Sixth (enemies) holds her masculine planets, the Sun and Mars in Pisces — the corrupt male influences of the Piscean age she struggles against — and these Sixth-house planets also show her service and her work to reduce women's weak position. The Ātmakāraka is Venus (the feminine planet, and her Ascendant ruler), located in the Navāṁśa in Virgo (its debility) with Jupiter — efforts to improve women's conditions in practical, economic terms. Her current Moon period will keep her before the public and maintain her social presence (AoS ch.15, p306).

Chart 27 — J. Edgar Hoover (FBI Director)

J. Edgar Hoover — Rāśi Chakra and Navāṁśa. Born 01-01-1895, 07:00 a.m. E.S.T., 38°N54 077°W02, Ayanāṁśa 20°56 (p307).

A typical lawyer-and-policeman chart — the legalistic side of the Sagittarius Ascendant, with Sun, Mercury, and Venus rising in Sagittarius. Jupiter (Ascendant lord) strong in the Seventh, in mutual reception with Mercury (lord of the Seventh) — the exchange of self and other shows a strong consciousness of the other, here the obsession to figure out the enemy's mind on an ideological level (the communists). Venus in the Ascendant weakens it and brings some vanity into his sense of justice; as lord of the Sixth and Eleventh (two houses of enemies) it shows his ongoing preoccupation with opponents (a similar position recurs in the Navāṁśa, where the Ātmakāraka Venus is conjunct Jupiter in Sagittarius and opposed by violent Mars). Venus in Sagittarius, like Mars for Gemini, can make an impulsive, contentious nature, though with less injury (AoS ch.15, p307–308).

Mars in its own sign in the Fifth in Aries gives a good capacity for legal advice and argument and a karmic trend toward power and force. Saturn exalted in the Eleventh in Libra gives a strong sense of justice and great gains. Positions from the Moon are strong (Jupiter and Saturn in the Fifth and Ninth Trines). Hoover shows the conventional, critical, self-righteous Sagittarius — a strong, formidable chart; he endured several presidents as king of his own law-enforcement kingdom. Not a tyrant, but too caught up in his own sense of right and wrong — and just as Libra can harm through excessive idealism, Sagittarius can harm through self-righteousness (as with Jim Jones) (AoS ch.15, p308).

Chart 28 — Mick Jagger (Rock Musician)

Mick Jagger — Rāśi Chakra and Navāṁśa. Born 07-26-1943, 02:30 a.m. (D.G.M.W.T.), 51°N27 000°E12, Ayanāṁśa 21°40 (p308).

Rock musicians were unknown to the ancient Vedic astrologers, but the system can still show the energy they exhibit. Jagger is a double Taurus (artistic, earthy) with the Moon rising in Taurus — fitting his earthy character and music; the Moon is within one degree of maximum exaltation, giving a strong personality and power to affect the public, but it is waning, so it gives not nurturing but disturbing, destructive energy — a force of raw sensation and animal vitality reaching the dark subconscious side of lunar energy (AoS ch.15, p308–309). [modern: Frawley]

He has a very powerful Third house — vitality, curiosity, play, prowess in the Vedic system — with the Sun, exalted Jupiter, Mercury, and Rāhu there: a dynamic but impulsive character much involved in its own self-drama. Jupiter (often the planet of music in Vedic astrology) is strongest, and Rāhu brings out its less refined, showman side; Jupiter exalted as lord of the Eleventh (income) gives good financial gains. The Moon as lord of the Third, in the Ascendant, increases the Third's willfulness and rebellion — illustrating why the Vedic Third is a house of impulse, not intellect as in the West. Mars (lord of the Seventh) strong in the Twelfth (secret enjoyments) gives a strong sexual nature; Saturn (Rāja Yoga planet for Taurus) well placed in the Second gives income, discipline, and capacity to work. The Ātmakāraka Venus in the Fourth in dramatic Leo, aligned in the Navāṁśa with a debilitated Sun and malefic Mars and Saturn in its own sign Libra — an artistic but unrefined type. The whole chart, dominated by the Third, shows anarchic motivation concerned more with play than real havoc — the rebelliousness of youth seeking the forbidden. His Rāhu Major period brought quick fame; the following exalted Jupiter period has kept him prominent (and Jupiter exalted as lord of the Eighth — longevity — spared him the quick burnout of many rock musicians) (AoS ch.15, p309).

Chart 29 — Anorexia Case (Medical Astrology)

Anorexia Case — Rāśi Chakra and Navāṁśa (a case from the American Book of Charts*). Born 10-02-1950, 05:09 a.m. E.S.T., 40°N45 073°W57, Ayanāṁśa 21°46 (p310).*

A good example of medical astrology. Virgo — the sign of disease, sensitive nervous system, weak digestion — is rising, with five planets in it (including Neptune). Saturn (lord of the Sixth, disease) is present in Virgo with a debilitated Venus, malefic Ketu, and the Sun; Venus does not get cancellation of debility despite being angular, because of Saturn's weakening aspect. Mercury (Ascendant lord) is weak in the Twelfth (sorrow) and only three degrees from Saturn; Jupiter is in the Sixth (disease), aspected by malefic Mars and by Mercury (which carries the influence of all the malefics it rules in Virgo) — "no wonder the poor woman had no appetite." This is a Vāta (Air) disorder in Āyurveda (Virgo is the sign of Vāta, Saturn a Vāta planet) causing a wasting disease; Frawley notes a much higher incidence of disease in Virgo Ascendants, especially strange nervous-system disorders (M.S., diabetes). The exalted Moon in the Ninth only gives an overly sensitive mind; Mars in its own sign in the Third gives only impulsiveness in dealing with her condition — a will not to eat. The afflictions of the Seventh and its lord (by malefics in the First) show relationship difficulties: her Rāhu period dominated her youth with confusion and hypersensitivity through the Seventh, and at the start of her Jupiter period (November 1974) she was assaulted and raped — note that Jupiter is afflicted as a double lord of relationship (by nature and temporal status) (AoS ch.15, p310–311). [modern: Frawley]

Chart 30 — Wife Murderer (Homicide)

Wife Murderer / Homicide — Rāśi Chakra and Navāṁśa (also from the American Book of Charts*). Born 04-08-1948, 03:10 a.m. P.D.T., 34°N04 118°W15, Ayanāṁśa 21°44 (p312).*

A Tāmasic, darkened nature — a drug dealer who killed his wife. Mars and Saturn in the Seventh can cause violence and perversion; here Mars is debilitated in the Seventh, and its debility is not cancelled but reinforced by association with Saturn and manipulative Pluto; Mars is also lord of Rāhu and carries its influence into the Seventh. One of the rules for Capricorn Ascendant: the combination of Mars and Saturn (rulers of the First and Fourth, relating to the mind) can create a violent mind, and the factor they cast their influence on shows where the violence goes — here the Seventh house (the wife/partner) (AoS ch.15, p312).

The Moon, as lord of the Seventh (wife), is also in difficulty — waning toward new, conjunct a debilitated Mercury, in Pisces (a sign of addiction); poor Mercury suffers from this malefic Moon and from the Saturn and Mars influence the Moon brings through dispositorship — the mind warped by violence. These Pisces planets show susceptibility to drugs and an impressionable, overly emotional nature; in the Third (impulse) they reinforce his aggression. The Seventh from the Moon, and the Fifth from the Moon, are also afflicted by Saturn, and the Navāṁśa Moon is debilitated in Scorpio with Rāhu — a darkened mind; Venus in the Fifth in its own sign gave just enough attachment to maintain the marriage. The murder occurred March 10, 1976, at the end of the Ketu Major / Mercury Minor period (the violence of Ketu) — note that Ketu (which often shows death) conjuncts the wife's Ascendant, a karmic connection behind the violence (AoS ch.15, p312–313).

Chart 31 — Murdered Wife (Homicide Victim)

Murdered Wife / Homicide Victim — Rāśi Chakra and Navāṁśa (the wife of the previous case). Born 05-13-1949, 06:00 p.m. P.S.T., 34°N04 118°W15, Ayanāṁśa 21°45 (p313).

The wife of the above. Mars (the planet of domestic violence) is in the Seventh (marriage) with dark Rāhu; Mars in its own sign Aries is strong but no less malefically disposed — her strongest planet, so she was probably also Pitta in constitution; she struck out at her husband, and the relationship had a history of violence. Jupiter (general indicator of the husband) is in its debility in Capricorn in the Fourth (home) — so all relationship factors are severely afflicted (the Seventh, its lord, and Jupiter). The chart has other difficulties: the Moon debilitated in Scorpio in the Second (speech), aspected by Mars — troubled, violent emotions and their expression; Venus, the Sun, and Mercury in the Eighth (death), aspected only by malefic Saturn and the debilitated Moon and Jupiter — propensity to violence and to drug and alcohol addiction. In the Navāṁśa the Ātmakāraka Venus is exalted but under malefic aspects of both Mars and Saturn. Her death (March 1976) came near the end of the Venus Major / Rāhu Minor period (begun Sept. 20, 1973), following the Mars Minor (from July 20, 1972) — an ongoing situation of domestic violence; Venus is the double indicator of longevity, ruling the First and Eighth, and Rāhu brought delusion and destruction upon it (AoS ch.15, p313–314).

Comparing the two charts (a synastry note): his Rāhu conjuncts her Mars (joining the two planets' darkness and violence); his Ascendant conjuncts her debilitated Jupiter (the husband-indicator — he was her bad choice in partnership); his Mars–Saturn–Pluto conjunction in Cancer falls in her Tenth and aspects her Ascendant, directing their violence on it; their two Venuses are conjunct in Taurus (their long-term attachment); both have deranged Moons in watery, emotional signs — "however we look at it, a blueprint for disaster" (AoS ch.15, p314–315).

Chart 32 — Mervyn Peake (Writer / Artist)

Mervyn Peake — Rāśi Chakra (labelled "Birth Chart") and Navāṁśa. Born 07-09-1911, 12:30 a.m. L.T., 30°N00 117°E00, Ayanāṁśa 21°45 (p315).

Another chart for comparing Tropical and Sidereal positions. Peake, a novelist best known for the Gormenghast Trilogy, would be Tropically Libra rising with a Cancer Sun, but Sidereally Virgo rising with a Gemini Sun — strong positions in Mercury's signs, Mercury itself on the Midheaven, a powerful disposition for writing. Peake also had a strange nervous disorder (Āyurvedically a Vāta condition) with severe tremors and restlessness — also evident Sidereally: his Ascendant near the end of sensitive Virgo (known for physical and mental disease), the Moon in its debility in Scorpio without any benefic aspects, and three malefics — Mars, Saturn, and Rāhu — in the Eighth (death), with Saturn debilitated there as lord of the Sixth (health) (AoS ch.15, p315–316). [modern: Frawley]

His disease manifested in spring 1955, just before his Mars Major period; he had brain surgery in January 1961 in the Mars Major / Ketu Minor period (both planets known for injury or surgery — Mars in Aries, the sign of the head, squaring Mercury, the Ascendant lord), but the operation, though it relieved some symptoms, dulled his mind. Rāhu's Major period (1962) — a malefic in a bad house, hemmed between malefics — could not give good results; Rāhu also makes disease hard to diagnose or treat and shows a psychic imbalance behind the condition. His death came in the Saturn Minor of Rāhu's cycle, when both prime malefics combined. The inspiration for his trilogy came at the start of the Sun Major period in 1940 (Sun in Gemini in the Tenth, bringing out his creative powers and fulfilling his karma as a writer), while the Moon Major period from 1945 (Moon in Scorpio, aspected only by Mars) was unfavorable for creative work. Peake was also poor with finances — Venus, lord of the Second (income), in the Twelfth (loss), and Jupiter in the Second taking the malefic aspects of Mars, Saturn, and Rāhu from the Eighth; Rāhu aspects the Second from both Ascendant and Moon and their rulers, casting its bizarre fantasy element onto mind, speech, and finance. His shadowy, labyrinthine trilogy can be read as a "Rāhu novel," an open door to the collective unconscious that also brought his illness — he needed Yogic methods to control that astral vulnerability and could then have lived longer (AoS ch.15, p316). [modern: Frawley]

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Chapter-end deity plate: Ketu

As elsewhere in the book, the chapter (and this part) ends with a devotional plate of a planetary deity — here Ketu, the south lunar node — with its dhyāna (meditation verse) (AoS ch.15, p317). [classical]

Ketu. The verse reads: "Dressed in grey, of the color of smoke, who has two arms, whose head is cut off, who has a serpent's head, whose vehicle is a serpent, who carries a mace in his hand, with a cat's eye crest jewel on his head, making the gesture that gives boons, may Divine Ketu ever grant us his grace." (p317).