Other dubious astrologic concepts and techniques
================================================
There are many other ways in which the "incredible" creeps into astrology.
The following are noteworthy:
a) Transneptunian Astrology (TNA)
TNA is a proof of how resourceful astrologers can be. The main purpose of
"Transneptunian Astrology" is to attribute influences to non-existing
planets. In other words, rather than admitting that they do not know, some
astrologers suggest that there are planets "out there" that have not been
discovered yet. Therefore, when they are confronted by unexpected
experiences which they cannot explain from a chart containing the known
planets, an invented planet - or a known asteroid - is placed in a house
which corresponds to the experience. This way the event is explained. The
TNA recognizes several such planets: Cupido, Hades, Zeus, Kronos, Apollon,
Admetos, Vulcanus, and Poseidon. Several astrology software offer these
types of gimmicks.
At the rate large rocks are added to astrology, it should not surprise anyone
if there are perhaps a hundred of them in a few decades, explaining many
details of human endeavor. For example, traditional astrology can only point
out an accident-prone cycle. With these new sources of energy, it may be
possible to predict something like: "on 1/12/1998 at 5:12 pm, while driving
north on Ventura Parkway, a red 1992 Mustang with a California license plate,
containing letters "A" and "N" and numbers "1" and "9," will crash into your
car from your right side, causing a damage of $928..." The astrologers who
"come up" with these ideas are not concerned that skeptics will not believe
any of this, for they are reasonably sure that someone will. And because
there is always someone who does believe, these ideas are catalogued as
progress in astrology, for they bring in revenues.
b) Uranian Astrology
"Uranian Astrology" is essentially a new name given to an existing technique
to create an impression of progress and to market the material as a new
concept. It is not clear why this technique emphasizes Uranus in its title -
presumably it sounds better than "Jupiterian." Uranian astrology works with
"dials" rather than 12 houses. So there is the appearance of a new system.
Uranian astrology "attempts" to use Dr. Ebertin's mid-point interpretations
in a novel way. For example, I was told by an expert of Uranian astrology
that since the mid-point of my Sun (at 21 Cancer 31) and Moon (at 16 Leo 31)
at 4 Leo is conjunct my Pluto (at 4 Leo 59), I am really a Scorpio, because
Pluto is the ruler of Scorpio. Dr. Ebertin, who studied this phenomenon
during most of his adult life, interprets the same pattern as follows:
"You are very intense and may be burdened by conflicting perceptions. Your
life is a series of changing circumstances and fortunes and critical phases.
You may experience long-term separations from people close to you."
The interpretation by Dr. Ebertin is on target. A more personalized
delineation of the combination, "the Sun in Cancer and the Moon in Leo," is
provided by traditional astrology. It also fits.
Cancer Sun and Leo Moon
On the surface you have a lot to offer: sympathy, compassion, and generosity.
Indeed you are capable of these, but the cooperative spirit which you exude
is really only skin deep. You are more an individualist who will ultimately
have his or her way, and fashion the world accordingly - while appearing to
be a team player. You seem to compromise by listening to an opposing view,
but in the end you get your way. There is an autocrat in you, but this
attitude may be more a characteristic derived from your (generally deserved)
confidence in yourself. In the presence of authority you will take orders,
but you prefer to give them. You are proud, honorable, and self-respecting.
If your good nature is imposed upon, you are capable of disconnecting coldly,
even though you are generally very demonstrative.
Although you are not always a trusting soul, you do believe that you can
persuade people to your views, if you bend a little. People are
fundamentally loyal to you, even if some of them are deceptive and
treacherous otherwise. You may be seen as a manipulator, although you are
essentially a motivator of people. You try to bring out the better qualities
in them. Your keen sense of justice and fairness is one of the reasons why
people remain loyal to you. This includes even those who have no special
sense of right and wrong. You take yourself rather seriously and maintain a
high estimate of yourself. People in your circle are usually willing to
accept this. You are good at analysis, detail, and organization, and will
often reach an executive position in a business.
Emotionally you are loyal though perhaps not consistent. You are capable of
multiple affairs if it suits your purposes or desires. You are understanding
and tolerant of the weaknesses of others as well as your own, and have a "do
as I say, not as I do" attitude where matters of love and loyalty are
concerned... (End of delineation.)
In conclusion, Uranian astrology is an attempt by some astrologers to
capitalize on the success and popularity of Dr. Ebertin's work. There are
increasing numbers of new books on Uranian interpretations - which are
advertized under such titles as "Modern Interpretations of Mid-Points".
There is also some work about "vocational indicators," and "high points..."
of Uranian astrology, but in general these works confuse rather than
enlighten. Considering the fact that Dr. Ebertin died only recently, if
there were any "additional" interpretations, it is safe to assume that he
would have included them in his publications. The fact that he did not is a
hint that one should forget about these supposedly "modern" additions.
c) Vedic- and Aztec Astrology
These "astrology" are ways of selling additional astrology books and
software. Because there are so many unknowns and gray areas in astrology,
there is an inherent thirst for additional tools which supposedly explain
some of the unknowns. These tools cater to this thirst. There is nothing
that Vedic astrology or Aztec astrology can provide that is not already
available in Traditional Astrology.