The Outlandish Companion - Diana Gabaldon [111]
The aspects are considered to be flowing and harmonious (gray) or challenging and stimulating (black). The degree of harmony or disharmony depends quite a lot on the planets involved, as some complement each other and others are less compatible.
The aspects don’t always look to be the correct angle when drawn on the chart, but this is because the houses are all drawn the same size; in reality some are larger than others.
So, in reading a chart, the position of the planet by sign and house and the angular relationship to all other planets, plus the Ascendant, must be considered for all the planets one at a time.
I don’t usually do predictions, but there are two major types. One is a chart for a year, either a solar return chart, which is a chart for the time the sun returns to exactly the degree it was at your birth, or a progression, which I confess I have never learned about.
The second method is ongoing and is to look at the aspects the planets are currently making to the planets in the birth chart. For example, Jamie’s sun is at 11 degrees 12’ Taurus, so when the current position of the sun (called the transitting sun) is 11 degrees 12’ Virgo, transitting sun is trine natal sun. These transits can be interpreted like the aspects in the birth chart, to give an idea of the likely trends in someone’s life at a particular time. That gives a brief overview of how astrology works, and how a chart is read. The rest is a reading of Jamie’s and Claire’s charts.
It is probably worth mentioning that the horoscope shows a person’s basic nature and inclinations, but does not mean a person has no free will. If someone doesn’t like a particular part of their behavior, nothing in astrology says it can’t be changed. In times of stress, however, people usually revert to their instincts.
HOROSCOPE READING FOR JAMES ALEXANDER MALCOLM MACKENZIE FRASER
Birth date: May 1, 1721
Time of birth: approx. 6:30 P.M.
Birthplace: (near) Inverness, Scotland
Sun in Taurus (The Sun represents the power urge, personality and ego, the inner self.)
This person is persistent, cautious, and determined, and can be stubborn and headstrong. Taureans are slow to anger, but once angry will be furious. He is a loyal and faithful friend, but an implacable enemy. He is very practical and takes his responsibilities seriously. Sense of touch is important, and he is good with his hands.
Sun in Seventh House
This person works best in partnership with another. Marriage is important, and he may have increased success after marriage. His wife will be strong and loyal, as will his friends. He has a self-confident manner and deals well with the public, and is popular and easy to get along with. Moon in Cancer (The Moon represents the domestic area of life, one’s roots, the mother and the emotions.)
This position leads to a great love of home and family, and attachment to the mother. Marriage is important to his emotional well-being. Often his true feelings will be hidden. He will be a good parent but must be careful not to smother children with love and must avoid a tendency to want to dominate their lives.
Moon in Ninth House
He is a natural teacher and philosopher who is imaginative and fond of travel, and may live far from his birthplace. His religious beliefs are orthodox, and he has emotional attachment to the values instilled in childhood.
Mercury in Aries (Mercury represents the intellect, expression, and reasoning ability.)
This person is imaginative, with good foresight. He expresses himself easily and can improvise beautifully. He is a competitive thinker and may be headstrong. This position makes Jamie a quicker thinker than most Taureans, who like to deliberate before making a decision.
Mercury in Sixth House
Here the thinking is particularly concerned with practical matters. He