The Architecture of Astrology: Foundational Principles
[BG] Original Bulgarian Version -> Read here
Every system devoted to the study of a given object rests upon distinct components that together constitute a coherent whole. In astrology, these comprise the elements, the signs, the planets, the houses, the aspects connecting planets and houses, asteroids, (fixed) stars, mathematical points (Ascendant/Descendant, Midheaven (MC) & IC, the Lunar Nodes, the Lots/Arabic Parts, the midpoints), the interpretive techniques applied to birth (also known as natal) charts, mundane charts—the “natal” charts of nations—and prognostic methods.
The elements constitute the underlying framework of every chart, expressing the energetic balance or imbalance of a person, a collective, a nation, an event, and so on. They are four in number—fire, earth, air, and water—each comprising three signs.
The signs are, as is well known, twelve in total, each expressing a distinct set of qualities.
They are arranged according to two fundamental principles.
The first is according to element, forming four triads: • Fire – Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius; • Earth – Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn; • Air – Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius; • Water – Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces.
The second is according to quality—they reflect the beginning, middle, and end of the seasons as well as of actions and events. Within this framework, the signs are divided into three quadruplicities:
• Cardinality (beginning) – Aries, Libra, Cancer, Capricorn; • Mutability (middle) – Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces; • Fixedness (end) – Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius.
The planets express distinct principles and are ten in total—Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto, with the Sun and the Moon traditionally regarded as planets.
They are twelve in all, each corresponding to a sign—accordingly, Aries standing at the first house, Taurus shaping the second, and the sequence unfolds onward through the zodiac until it reaches Pisces, where the cycle dissolves and begins anew.
Aspects, in turn, are angles formed between the various planets, houses, asteroids, and stars. They are communication channels between two or more celestial bodies. Sometimes these bodies get along well with each other, and then we have harmonious or soft aspects between them. At other times they are in open or hidden hostility toward one another, and then we speak of inharmonious or hard aspects.
Aspects, in turn, are the angles formed between planets, houses, asteroids, and stars. At times these bodies & points resonate harmoniously with one another, giving rise to soft or harmonious aspects; at other times they stand in open or concealed tension, in which case we speak of hard or inharmonious aspects.
Aspects, in turn, are the angles formed between planets and other points in the chart—such as house cusps, asteroids, fixed stars, and mathematical points – through which celestial influences enter into dialogue. At times these factors resonate harmoniously with one another, giving rise to soft or harmonious aspects; at other times they stand in open or hidden tension, in which case we speak of hard or inharmonious aspects.
Prognostic methods allow, through a combination of several different techniques, the prediction with sufficiently good accuracy of types of events in specific spheres of life and of concrete psychological processes that will be on the agenda for a person or for a given country within a certain period of time.
Through the combined application of several techniques, prognostic methods make it possible to anticipate—with sufficient accuracy—the kinds of events that may unfold in particular spheres of life, as well as of the concrete psychological processes that will come to the fore for an individual or a nation over a given span of time.
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