A rudimentary knowledge of astrological charting leads to an appreciation of the following fact: Just as our bodies are constituted from the known elements appearing on the periodic table, I believe our inner soul qualities emanate from the wheel of time itself. Let us consider the analogy of spokes emanating from the center of a great cosmic wheel, a veritable dial of time. It retains the power to manifest specific qualities along each vortex. These are drawn from a Divine source. In this living paradigm 360 degrees ignite the magical qualities linked to the circle of time itself. The circular geometric form is the root of all atomic structures in both the organic and inorganic worlds. (Atoms like planets encircle a central nucleus/sun). Various astrological authors from Charubel to Adrian Carelli have shared profound insights into the nature of each of these degrees. Some sources appear to be genuinely gifted with a transcendental penetration into the stories of time distilled to precise elements. Others share obscure data; while still others rewrite the formidable truths already given.

As a college student living on a campus of thousands, inevitably when I was out and about in the wee hours confronted by the sound of steps emerging towards me from the darkness, the individual evidenced by the street light-sentry usually turned out to be someone I knew. The predictability of these encounters defied probability, so I began to theorize that human activity emulated the nature of atoms in motion. Atoms--like individuals with related purposes--seem to share an equivalent nucleus. They tend to spin in “shell routes” around that common vortex. The trajectories of the various shell route “travelers” inevitably interface so long as those involved maintain a reason for relating. I believe such “zones of interaction” can be plotted mathematically with sophisticated formulas. The expedient “route” evidenced itself to me years later when I came upon the cosmic mapping drawn of Zodiac degrees.

In my junior year of college I attended a novel independent study program in London. It included designing one’s own curriculum. Taking the requisite fifteen credits, I endeavored to add a unique course of my own: a private tutorial with an astrologer. Mr. Nigel Smart shared many erudite books on the subject, and acquainted me with a variety of fascinating authors. He encouraged me to explore fine-tuned Zodiac accounting rendered by each esoteric degree. Thankfully the amazingly detailed depictions intuitively channeled by Adrian Carelli were published by the American Federation of Astrologers. It remains my favorite source, uncanny in its accuracy.

Like most Leos, I tend to give strangers the benefit of the doubt. Carelli’s book provides me with something of a safety policy in this regard. Astrology buffs know once an exciting book crosses their path, the first reflex is to check every close relative against the data therein. The book of degrees offers profound assistance in demonstrating the motivations behind diverse human behaviors. It saddens me to witness psychology’s long and unfair prejudice against the wisdom offered by authors in our field. Psychology (along with many religions) presents the illogical notion that each soul enters the world with a clean slate. Further, the child’s development is considered along conformist lines which either focus upon environmental factors (socialization) or heredity (nature and genetics). Astrology looks at both of these patterns while digging deeper to penetrate the unique inheritance manifested by each. When the noted prophet Edgar Cayce uttered the words, “entity is meeting self,” it offered an apt metaphor for the natal chart itself which demonstrates those areas of soul development and otherwise.

In my early experience as an astrologer, I began relating degree references to actual events using mundane chart-maps. Intrigued with the book Helter-Skelter while still in college, I configured the chart for the night of Charles Manson’s gruesome murders. The degree which emerged most substantially—that of the moon at 4 Cancer--was defined as follows: “The challenge to the existing spiritual order will reach here its uttermost degree. An orgiastic temper, a defiant impiety, a craving for sexual or alcoholic intoxication, misuse of drugs or dopes, the practice of Satanism.” A little later in Carelli’s text he goes on to say, “And according to his degree of evolution, the native will take to one or another form of violence against god, from vulgar blasphemy or oaths to blasphemous philosophic systems; and attend the sophisticated orgies of the cream of society.” Remember that Manson horrified the Hollywood community with his attack on Sharon Tate, director Roman Polansky’s wife. The association between this Zodiac degree and what actually came to pass left me with profound questions. Surely one factor alone doesn’t substantiate an event’s birth. I have come to believe in “the trinity effect.” It is based on two or more converging factors that indeed draw promise into manifestation. This “law of three” holds for astrological as well as Tarot prediction. It may well represent a metaphysical law which Christ related to the power of joined intent, or prayer.

The degrees suggest a cosmic road map. Individuals who share two or more degrees can magnetize events as well. This effect is aptly demonstrated by Theresa McDervitt’s fascinating work with composite charts. When this gifted lecturer places the composite charts of star-crossed lovers onto an overhead projection screen, the combined sums of two persons’ fates pivoted on charged Zodiac points is equivalent to loaded sticks of karmic dynamite, awaiting the fateful charge of a tertiary—triggering factor. (Mrs. McDervitt can be found at A.F.A. events)

Taking the messages of Zodiac degrees into account a deeper examination into the age-old battle between fate and free will ensues. Were this data popularly understood it would likely leverage new arguments in our courts of law. Don Juan, legendary Toltec teacher to author Carlos Casteneda had this to say: “You can only work with a cubic centimeter of chance.” It was his belief that most of life was the result of fate. A similar analogy is demonstrated in the relationship between Luke Skywalker and his Jedi master-teacher. Luke is given a cubic centimeter of space to navigate in order to take down the logistical mastery of the huge death-star military machine. (Some would argue that the “law of three” is demonstrated by fate meeting free will with the added element of chance: issuing forth as the “dance” of probabilities produced by the interaction of the primary opposing dynamics).

In the analysis of character, the references drawn from these power points clearly suggest cohesive life themes. When I lived in Key West, I came to know a number of interesting people with drug problems. They all had a planet (often Pluto) on Leo’s 9th degree which states the following: “There will be vain self-ostentation, a misplaced fastidiousness, a splash of dazzling extravagance, a splurge of rank pageantry devoid of any inner foundation. In one word, there too a lot of money will go up in smoke. The permanent will be sacrificed to the transitory, the useful to the pleasant, substance to appearances.” This description fit each person in their own way. Another example is given by a lawyer I dated for several years. At first I took his aggressive personality for “occupational disease,” until I studied his degrees and found the principles of debate, polemic, and argument consistently portrayed. In my own case, I was drawn to astrology and prophecy from a young age. This field is not given the respect it deserves. However, my degrees seem to have marked me for this life-work. With 15 Taurus rising, Carelli notes the following: “Whether the field of research he keenly pursues is material or spiritual, his ideas will be original, daring, uncommon; his intuition may foreshadow the future.” My Jupiter complements this description at 20 degrees Gemini, which Carelli defines as “the sorcerer’s apprentice.” I have come to think of the degrees as “spiritual DNA” because they contribute substantially to career paths, lifestyle choices, and striking character traits. These often have nothing to do with the individuals’ biological families.

Not only are individual assessments fascinating, but when shared family degrees are examined an inter-woven tapestry of exquisite cosmic coding comes to life. This helps to explain the phenomena of group karma. If we share spokes from the cosmic wheel of time, when a chord is plucked it reverberates through all related lives. Here’s an example. The only major square in my natal chart exists between Uranus at 20 Cancer and Saturn-Neptune conjunct at 21 Libra. My oldest daughter’s sun is 21 Libra, and her ascendant is 17 Cancer. Her step-father was born on April 12 with his sun degree at 21 Aries, and his Mars-Saturn conjunction tight at 20 Cancer. The dog which seemed destined to join our family was born on the heavy Capricorn eclipse of January l5, 1991. Her sun degree is 22 Capricorn! On the morning of my daughter’s 18th birthday (with the sun triggering this cardinal point) we took off in a rental car heading from central Florida to Miami. My daughter hoped to catch a noon flight for Puerto Rico. Many factors contributed to the event including Uranus’ opposition to my Leo Mars. I had even had a prophetic dream of warning. In any case, the wind came up suddenly as we came around a fast bend on I-95; accidentally I jerked the wheel--which locked--resulting in the car losing control and flipping two times off the side of the road. (The dog was also present!) Luckily no other car was traveling near us at the time. The only one wounded (amazingly) was me, with a badly twisted ankle (the moon was leaving Aquarius for Pisces). Readers will be amused to know I publish a weekly horoscope column which warned Leos not to drive long distances that weekend! I sent the text in several weeks earlier, and forgot my own message!

One can check “degree convergent zones” for national events such as the accident which befalled J.F.K, Jr. The composite points between the ill-fated couple tell far more than either solo chart can. It’s wise to think of the degrees in terms of a cosmic energy grid. A kind of spiritual DNA the degrees appear to possess a living, vital quality. Psychology may wage a virtual civil war pitting heredity (nature) against environment (nurture) failing to witness the deepest truths of human nature. This minimalist approach does not grasp the big picture. Only the concept of spiritual DNA explains why two strangers can look alike; and why each town seems to have its requisite blond beauty cheer-leader, local thug, corrupt politician, etc. The same basic types exist everywhere. No wonder Hollywood uses these stereotypes so successfully. No matter where the viewer lives, they can identify with the subjects! This apparent eternal allotment explains why human nature repeats the same defects... and in rare instances greatness! Throughout history the degrees have imparted a cosmic mandatory curriculum: a heavenly Logos. I am not suggesting that the chart as a complete entity is irrelevant. I am stating that the degrees fine-tune the soul’s chosen path in a given incarnation. They suggest themes of destiny. Difficult degrees, retrograde planets, Saturn’s position, hard aspects, and the south node show debits carried over from previous lifetimes. Those factors demonstrating development can be linked to the north node, Jupiter’s position, planets in positions of exaltation, and positive aspect links.

The law of number bears direct influence on the qualities demonstrated by each astrological aspect. (These are based on numerical degree references--60 degrees, 90 degrees, etc.--for harmony or friction.) The Bible states “to everything there is a number.” We have also heard it said “that the obvious is inobvious.” I recommend that serious astrology students and professionals therefore take a closer look at the Zodiac degrees. I could offer a dazzling array of further examples to prove my conviction. If geneticists can ascertain the lifetime unfolding from minute genetic matter, then Zodiac degrees represent the esoteric equivalent, offering a comprehensive data pool worthy of study. These embodied archetypal energies ensure diversity to the human equation; while filling in missing blanks which general chart analysis may otherwise miss.