JOURNAL
by Marguerite dar Boggia
Marguerite dar Boggia served as Membership Chairperson of ISAR. She was the past publisher of Kosmos (currently ISAR International Astrologer) as well as the past Secretary of ISAR.She was a co-founder of The United Astrology Conference (UAC) and served as Registrar at UAC86. She was a lifetime member of the CVA. Marguerite was a regular contributor to the early CVA journals in the early to late nineties, and this article is reprised from the May 2006 CVA Journal.
Chart Interpretation of an Inmate
Before one can synthesize an astrological chart one must assess the point of development of the individual. Is he highly developed, perhaps an aspirant on the Path of Light? Is he average, striving to earn a livelihood? Is he below average eventually to advance to the next stage of development?
This chart is that of John, a young man, arrested for a violent crime at the age of 18 on 8/27/1990. He was born in Marion,Virginia on October 22, 1971 at 10:03 PM DST (+4) at 36N50, 81W31.
The ascendant is 5:39 Gemini (Mithuna). It gives an attractive appearance, a good intellect, a closeness to mother as Mercury, the ruler of the 1st house is also ruler of the 4th house, a love of learning, a tendency to youthfulness, to be articulate, many talents, and a restlessness, but wanting to accomplish his soul’s destiny. This ascendant is in the nakshatra of Mrigashira, under the control of the Moon (Chandra), giving auspicious qualities. Its ruler is Mars. It falls into the category of Moksha, the primary motivational impulse for this soul, which is to achieve liberation through self-realization. It also has a quality of tamas, leading to materialist endeavors. Tamas is a quality of nature that is the opposite of Light and spiritual aspiration. In every nakshatra there are the positive and the negative attitudes to adopt and/or choose. We have free will.
The ruler of Gemini, Mercury, (Budha) is conjoined with Venus (Sukra) and the debilitated Sun (Surya) in the 5th house, in the sign of Libra (Tula). The 5th house is a very fortunate one wherein we obtain poorvapunya: the rewards of past lives. It is the house of innate intelligence, creativity, children, romance, spiritual rituals, and a sense of destiny. John was a good student. He graduated from high school with good grades. The 5th house will be his main interest throughout his life, because the ascendant ruler is placed therein. He will want children. He will love them and be loved by them. He will develop confidence, ego growth, and artistic expression. He will be a good father, but he needs to exercise loving discipline on his children.
The 2nd (dhana bhava) house is badly afflicted. It has Ketu in Cancer (Kataka) ruled by a debilitated Moon. This house reveals our earnings, our family relationships, early childhood, our speech, habits, food or substances ingested such as alcohol, drugs, etc. Ketu is the South Node of the Moon. The Nodes are concerned with the expansion of consciousness. While Rahu, the North Node of the Moon, grants our desires for material benefits, these ultimately delay self-mastery. We are conditioned by our beliefs and desires. Ketu causes disasters, unless the consciousness is directed to spiritual aspiration. Ketu is aspected from the 8th house by an exalted Mars conjoined with Ruha in Capricorn (Makara). The fact that Mars is exalted makes it doubly malefic. The 8th house brings about transformation through learning the hard way by suffering, but it does not have to be that way! In addition, Saturn from the 12th house casts its third malefic aspect on Ketu! The most potent malefic is the ruler of the 8th house and Saturn is the ruler in this chart! Jupiter aspects Ketu in the 2nd house, but it is from the 6th house. This house depicts John’s unhappy childhood and the separation of his parents when he was nine. The Moon rules this house. The Moon being in the 6th house, there is a tendency to be influenced by others who may have unlawful or criminal inclinations.
The Moon as the ruler of the 2nd house is in the very difficult nakshatra of Jyeshta. It falls into the category of Artha. The goal for Artha is attainment of material prosperity. This asterism gives a tendency to low self-esteem. There may even be poverty and hardship with a feeling of abandonment. For those on the spiritual path, a whole new life is possible, filling one with joy and service.
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The Moon as the ruler of the 2nd house is in the very difficult nakshatra of Jyeshta. It falls into the category of Artha. The goal for Artha is attainment of material prosperity. This asterism gives a tendency to low self-esteem. There may even be poverty and hardship with a feeling of abandonment. For those on the spiritual path, a whole new life is possible, filling one with joy and service.
The 6th, 8th, and 12th houses are known as the dusthana houses. They are considered unfortunate for the reason they rule suffering, calamities, death and disease. They foster spiritual growth through these experiences. Once one is on the Path of Light, there is a change in consciousness, and these houses may not be malefic in their effects.
The 3rd, 6th, 10th, and 11th houses are upachaya houses. It means that improvement in life is possible as one matures over a period of time.
John's challenge was that he could never please his stepfather, no matter how hard he tried. They would fight and he would answer back in anger. He was unhappy at home and wanted to run away. After graduation he moved in with his young girlfriend who lived with her parents. He was being ruled by the passions of his lower nature, having sex with his girlfriend and her girlfriends. He was imbibing cocaine, alcohol and drugs supplied by the mother of his girlfriend. After a while, the mother purchased a gun and asked John to kill her husband. He refused, so she shot him herself and tried to explain it to the Police as a suicide. Later, at the trial, she accused him of the crime. The jury found him guilty and sentenced him to 25 years in prison. The Ketu maha dasha commenced in June 1988 when he was 17 and ended in June 1995. He was arrested in Ketu/Moon/Jupiter dasha. The trial took place in the Ketu/Rahu dasha (March 16-24, 1992). At the time of his arrest Pluto was transiting his natal Venus.
The 3rd house is Leo (Simha) ruled by a debilitated Sun in the 5th house. It is also an upachaya house. It provides him with poor perception, weakness of willpower, but with good vitality. John wanted to be recognized as someone of consequence, to be acknowledged as courageous. He had a sense of nobility. He was generous and appreciative of friends. He did not want the mother of his girlfriend to be found guilty, so he admitted the crime at first. Later he told the truth. The Sun receives auspicious aspects from Mercury and Venus, which can give discrimination, artistic ability and a desire to do good. He wanted to please. He believed the lies of the mother of his girlfriend and his girlfriend. Since the Sun is associated with Venus in the sign owned by Venus, there is a Neecha Bhanga Raja Yoga, although the debilitation is never completely canceled in its dasha period. His Sun mahadasha occurred in 2015.
The 4th house is Virgo (Kanya) ruled by Mercury in the 5th house. This is the house ruling the home, mother, happiness, vehicles, the state of mind, whether it is fearful or joyful, also vehicles, degrees and doctorates. He loved his Mother and she loved him. The Sun, in the sign of an enemy, afflicts Mercury, bringing sorrow to his mother. Venus, as the ruler of the 12th house, also aspects Mercury. It brings unhappiness, suffering, imprisonment and places of escape. He wanted to escape from his stepfather. Rahu casts its inauspicious trine aspect on the 4th house, bringing grief to his mother. Rahu takes on the malefic quality of Mars with whom it is conjoined in the 8th house.
Venus is the Lord of the 5th house. It is strong in its own sign. It gives a love of beauty, art, music, prose, poetry, and a desire to please. He is gentle, kind, considerate and well- liked by all, but he may be easily deceived. He is so trusting and appreciative of friendship that he is easily influenced. He wants to be valued and esteemed. The Sun aspects Venus and Mercury in this house. With Mercury conjoined with Venus, it suggests that he will have love, children and express his talents creatively. John is an accomplished artist. Venus, the ruler of the 12th house gives him a strong need for sexuality.
Mars is the worst planet for a Gemini ascendant, because it rules the 6th and 11th houses. The 11th is a malefic house because it is 6th from the 6th.) The 6th house rules lawsuits, enemies, injuries, police, health, and accidents, among other things. If power is used to injure others, self-harm will inevitably result. This is true of nations as well. Jupiter is in the 6th house conjoined with the debilitated Moon. They form a Gaja Kesari Yoga. It bestows intelligence, sensitivity, receptivity, caring for others, popularity, inner contentment, and nurturing, but because it is in the 6tyh house, it gives no tangible wealth, only that of valuable experience, learned too late. The Moon in the 6th house denotes an unhappy childhood. It shows how we relate to others. The native can be passionate and sexually attracted.
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Debilitated Moon conjunct Jupiter in this house, denotes a mother who is religious but perhaps too orthodox, adhering to tradition and to the authority of superiors who may not represent the true teachings of their faith. The debilitated Moon suggests a conditioned consciousness which prevents the inspirations of the soul. The Moon represents the past, suggesting that in a past life, John might have been religious and devout.
Saturn’s aspect on the Moon can denote worry, turmoil and anxiety. Ketu casts its trine aspect on the 6th house from the 2nd. It is disposited by the debilitated Moon, which is afflicted by retrograde Saturn from the 12th house of loss. Saturn also afflicts Jupiter in the 6th house, preventing help that could have been possible to reduce her prison sentence to 10 years instead of 25 years. The prosecuting attorney was in an accident just before this could occur. The new prosecuting attorney refused to offer him a sentence of 10 years. Jupiter in this house causes good fortune to be adversely affected. Also, it may cause his expenditures to exceed his income. Keep in mind that this is an upachaya house. Once John has learned his lesson, which I believe, he has, beneficent changes and events should be in store for him. Give him a break!
It is interesting that if the 5th house of romance is that of his girlfriend. Then the malefic 8th house is that of her conniving, deceitful mother. (Four houses from the 5th.)
Jupiter rules the 7th house of relationships and partnerships. It is untenanted. It is possible that he may meet his spouse through his career. (The 10th from the 10th house is the 7th house.) He may have a decent marriage, even though the ruler of the 7th is in the 6th house. Aspects from the Moon as the lagna denote that he may possibly have a good marriage, even though his spouse may be a little overbearing.
Saturn, ruler of the 8th, in the 12th house, also being retrograde, makes it extra malefic! Its energy is cast towards the 1st house, in the direction in which it is moving. It afflicts Ketu in the 2nd, and Jupiter and the Moon in the 6th house from the 12th house of imprisonment. Saturn is the lord of Karma who teaches us through harsh experience. Its goal is to develop a strong personality that will be obedient to the spiritual soul. Mars in the 8th house brought dishonor but John is now seeking ego growth through spiritual endeavors. Rahu may perhaps bring unexpected events in the near future.
Saturn also rules the benefic 9th house, representing his father. Saturn throws its fourth aspect on the 9th house from the 12th. The lord of the 9th in the 12th indicates the loss of his real father through divorce. It occurred when he was about nine years old. Ketu in the 6th from the 9th shows the step-father’s resentment of him manifesting in discord and frustration. The twelfth house shows bereavement, sorrow and/or loss. Planets in the 12th from the 9th house (the 8th house) reveal the problems of father. Here Mars and Rahu are in the 8th suggesting his step-father’s anger, assertiveness, surgery, illness and/or accidents. This aspect also connotes a keen interest in self-realization.
Jupiter, ruler of the 10th is in the 6th. It throws its aspect on its own 10th house. Being incarcerated does not give one a vocation, but with Jupiter conjoined with Moon, he could be successful in his career when he is released from prison. An ideal vocation for him may be related to the ruler of his 10th house, Jupiter, conjoined with the Moon in the 6th house. He could work with social organizations helping families in trouble with the law or as a prison guard, a teacher or in the medical field.
Mars, as lord of the 11th is conjoined with Rahu in the 8th. Mars throws its fourth aspect on the 11th house. There may be unfulfilled goals, financial set-backs but possible monies from inheritance or gains from his future profession. Sun, benefic Mercury and Venus throw their aspects on the 11th house. Mixed aspects give mixed results. He enters his Mars maha dasha in 2031.
Venus rules the 12th house and is in the 5th. He may have regrets, anxieties and/or some heavy expenditures relating to children. Jupiter’s aspect on Saturn bestows levity, wit, a philosophical outlook, faith, idealism, higher education, knowledge, and a yearning for soul contact. The Moon’s aspect on Saturn somewhat ameliorates disappointment, and/or his confinement. It endows him with a nurturing and loving temperament.
The planets in the Navamsa do not pick up any strength.
He has two Raja Yogas with the ruler of the 1st and 4th, Mercury, conjoined with the lord of the 5th house, Venus. This is favorable for happiness, for finance and for an advancement in life. A Raja Yoga is formed when there is a mutual aspect between a planet in a kendra and that of a trikona. He entered the Venus maha dasha in 1995. He has applied himself to the teachings of The Ancient Wisdom, occultism, and to altruism, mentally blessing his associates in prison. Following the Buddhist teachings he endeavors to have no desires. He studies art in prison and enjoys whatever work or study is available to him.
He also has a Raja Yoga with Jupiter as lord of the 7th and Saturn lord of the 9th. They mutually aspect each other. He has another Raja Yoga with Jupiter as lord of the 10th in mutual aspect with Saturn as lord of the 9th, but nothing much may come of these yogas Jupiter is in the 6th house and Saturn is in the 12th house. He enters the Jupiter dasha in 2056 and the Saturn dasha in 2072.
He has a Vipareeta Raja Yoga with Mars ruling the 6th in the 8th house and Saturn ruling the 8th in the 12th house. This yoga may possibly give benefits, however due to the unfortunate events in his life I wouldn’t count on it.
Parashara advised using the Sudarshan Chakra, that is delineating the chart from the Moon lagna (ascendant) plus the Sun lagna, since man is a three-fold being. Bepin Behari suggests in his book Esoteric Principles of Vedic Astrology (Pg. 62) that the ascendant would represent the physical self, the Moon lagna, would represent the psychological nature, and the Sun lagna would represent the divine creative energies flowing to the psychological nature.
From the Scorpio Moon lagna, Mars rules the ascendant and the 6th house. The ruler of the ascendant is always benefic, however with Mars as the ruler of the 6th house, some challenges may occur. Jupiter aspect to the Moon lends an optimistic and/or a religious outlook for blessings and happiness. However, the Moon being debilitated suggests that the consciousness is conditioned by the beliefs of the masses and those who have more will power over him. Saturn, that disciplinarian, aspects both Moon and Jupiter from the 7th house of partner. He may have challenges while his personality is immature and/or health problems later in life. His wife may be a strong, serious, practical type. She may pull the reigns on his tendency to expend more than his income.
Jupiter rules the dhana (wealth) houses, the 2nd and 5th. Saturn’s aspect may cause fluctuation in finances and some problems with children. Most parents have problems with their children when they become ill and especially when they become self-willed teenagers influenced by their peers.
Exalted Mars is with Rahu in this 3rd house ruled by Saturn. John may be endowed with courage, strength and good health, but he may perform rash, ill advised deeds. Rahu clouds his mind. Lustful desires and beliefs enslave the soul. He has no siblings. Ketu from the 9th house aspects Mars in the 3rd. He is discontent living with his step-father. The dispositor of Ketu in Cancer is the debilitated, easily influenced Moon. Help will come in the way of logic and reason, but it may be too late.
Saturn also rules the 4th house and throws its fourth aspect on it from the 7th house. This is the house of the home, his mother, happiness, etc. Saturn’s aspect brings grief to his mother and strife in the home. The 12th house from the 4th is the 3rd house. Mars and Rahu in this house denote his mother’s unhappiness and sorrow.
The Sun, Mercury, and Venus aspect the 6th house from the 12th. Mars in the 3rd throws its fourth aspect on its own sixth house of enemies, lawsuits and injuries. Rahu’s aspect on Mars will function as a malefic influence, bringing events that are misfortunate. However, all is not lost since this is an upachaya house. With maturity circumstances will change for him.
The 7th house is ruled by a strong Venus in its own sign. A debilitated Sun and benefic Mercury in the 12th house both aspect the 7th house. Saturn in this house receives the benefic aspects of Jupiter and the debilitated Moon suggesting a reasonably happy married life provided the spouse is spiritually enlightened (Venus ruler is in the 12th house) and there is great self-control of the lower nature with attunement to the Inner Self.
The 8th house is ruled by Mercury in the 12th house. This is beneficial for spiritual growth and for the transmutation of the lower nature. If not, then there can be acts that might require sad lessons. Mercury is aspected by Venus as the lord of the 12th. It indicates the loss of his freedom through imprisonment. There is no financial support from his wife. The Sun as lord of the 10th in the 12th aspects Mercury in the 12th. This is not fortunate for his honor, his career or his status. Mars also throws its 8th aspect on the 10th house. The 10th house being an upachaya house suggests possible promise for the future.
The 9th house is ruled by the debilitated Moon. Ketu in the 9th house denotes a father how may perhaps be religiously orthodox. The aspects of Mars, Rahu and Saturn suggest that he was critical and not loving to John. He held resentment, was annoyed, irritable and angry with him. He might have been domineering, a disciplinarian, faultfinding and/or even jealous of John. Jupiter’s aspect on this house promotes his eagerness for higher knowledge and receiving the blessings of God.
The 11th house is ruled by Mercury in the 12th house. He lacked discrimination in the choice of his friends. There may be little gain and achievements, but his finances may improve in the future.
Sun, Mercury and Venus are in the 12th from the Moon lagna. They suggest remorse for past actions and also loss, especially of time, which could have brought about different events in his life.
The path for achievement for John is to expand his consciousness through study, meditation, and the practice of soul awareness. In this way he will be in a better frame of mind to somewhat control his thoughts and emotions to better serve his fellow man. He will be preparing to be an enlightened husband and loving father when he is released from prison. ​