Astrology Bytes with Theresa Reed

Astrology in Your Hands with James Divine

Episode 123. Did you know that every part of your hand is connected to astrology? For example, the middle finger is associated with Saturn. Once you understand how these two go together, you'll see why "flipping the bird" is a powerful gesture. In this episode of Astrology Bytes, palmist James Divine teaches about the astrology in your hands. Learn about the mount of Venus, what the Jupiter finger says about leadership (and why world leaders tend to bend this finger in when they address the public), and so much more in this fascinating episode. You'll be looking at your hands - and astrology - in a whole new way!

 

Out of Bounds Planets

Episode 122. Every so often, you’ll hear an astrologer refer to a planet as “out of bounds.” If you’re wondering what that means, here’s the deal:

The Sun travels through a particular area in the sky which is a band of about 23° 27 minutes on both sides, north and south of the equator. The planets follow along for the most part but on occasion, they might stray off this path and reach higher declinations. When that happens, the planet is considered “out of bounds.”

Think of it as a planet that is marching along a well-trod path behind all the others, and suddenly, they see another path that appears more interesting. They break ranks and go off on their own, which may disrupt the formation in some way.

When this shows up in a chart, it means the planet is marching to the beat of its own drum, and not according to the rules. That means the planet is uncontrolled and perhaps a bit wild. Some people may consider the expression to be unconventional or creative. I’ve also seen people refer to it as “outlaw” energy. In other words: the planet isn’t doing what’s normal. Is it genius or just crazy? Maybe both.

There are a few planets that never go out of bounds: the Sun, Lunar Nodes, Saturn, Neptune, and Chiron. The ones that tend to break off and do their own thing are the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Uranus, and Pluto. Jupiter can be out of bounds too, but not as common as the others.

Rising Sign Overlay Patterns

Episode 121. A rising sign overlay pattern refers to the signs on the house cusps when a particular sign is rising. For example, if you have Scorpio Rising, Scorpio is on the first house cusp. The other signs would move around the chart in sequential order. This means if your rising is Scorpio, you most likely have Sagittarius on the 2nd house cusp.

The signs on the cusps of the houses give a clue as to how you handle the issues associated with that sector in your chart. Using the Scorpio Rising example, Sagittarius on the 2nd house cusp would mean you’re fairly lucky with money and may like to invest in education and travel.

When using the Placidus house system, the houses may not be equal, which means that sometimes the next sign does not land on the cusp of a house - but instead may be intercepted, something I’ve talked about in a previous episode. If you use the Placidus system as I do, you’ll see that this modifies the way the ascendant typically acts. Listen in to learn more. 

Magickal Timing with Astrology with Madame Pamita

If you love spells, magick, and all things witchy, you'll love this episode of Astrology Bytes! Madame Pamita joins me to teach how to use astrology for effective magickal workings. We discuss lunar phases, eclipses, and retrogrades (yes, you can use retrogrades to your magickal advantage!). 

Madame Pamita is a Tarot Reader, Spellcaster, Teacher, Author, and a Maker of Magic, Music, and Mischief.  She is the host of a popular YouTube Channel, also the host of the "Magic and the Law of Attraction" podcast, and is the author of The Book of Candle Magic published by Llewellyn and also Madame Pamita's Magical Tarot published by Weiser Books.

Final Dispositors

Episode 119. When an astrologer refers to the final dispositor, they are talking about a single planet in the chart that is in its own rulership. This gives it importance in the astrology chart - and a source of power for the individual.

Indirect dispositors form a chain or tree made up of a dispositing planet that disposits another planet and so and so on until you reach the final dispositor. If a single planet is in its own rulership and ends up being the final dispositor of all the other planets, it becomes powerful, perhaps more so than the ruler of the chart.

Folks who lack a final dispositor tend to be more indecisive whereas a chart with a final dispositor is more likely to take action and be decisive. Charts with no planets in rulership or more than one do not have a final dispositor. Listen in as I use my chart for an example. 

House Rulers

Episode 118. When an astrologer refers to the house ruler, they are talking about the planet that rules the sign that is sitting on the house cusp - and not just the Ascendant. We’re talking about every house. Every house has a ruler. For example, if you have Sagittarius on your 2nd house cusp, it means Jupiter is the ruler of that house. If you have Virgo on the 8th house cusp, Mercury rules that house. Got it?

The house ruler gives a clue as to how you “act” with the issues that are associated with that particular segment of the chart. Using our example, the 2nd house connected to money and values. Jupiter as the ruler of this house would indicate a person who is lucky with money - and generous too. They might invest their money in educational or spiritual goals - or travel. Broadening their horizons is part of their values.

Once you’ve determined the ruler of the house, look to see where the planet sits in the natal chart. This links the houses - and depending on the aspects, could determine the strength of the house and planet. I've got some examples of house rulers in this episode!

Dispositors of the Planets

Episode 117. When an astrologer refers to a dispositor of a planet, they’re talking about the planet ruling the sign in which another planet is found. If a planet is in the sign of its ruler, then it does not have a dispositor. It disposits itself. Think of it like this: if you’re in your own home, you’re comfortable. But if you’re hanging out in someone else’s house, you may be uncomfortable or you may spruce the place up a bit. That’s dispositors in a nutshell.

Let me give you an example. Let’s say your Mercury is in Gemini like mine. Mercury rules Gemini so that means there is no dispositor - instead, it disposits itself. If your Mercury is in Cancer, the Moon is the dispositor of Mercury because the Moon rules Cancer. The dispositing planet will have an effect on the sign and house where it sits. It may not be “in your face” but there is an influence nonetheless.

We'll also talk briefly about mutual reception, which I covered in a past episode.

The Conditions of a Planet

Episode 116. If you ever hear an astrologer mention a planet’s condition, they are talking about if the planet is well-aspected or poorly aspected. When it’s poorly aspected, it’s considered afflicted (I personally do not like that term but you’ll see it in astrology books, especially older ones). 

There are a few things to consider when trying to determine the condition of a planet. For one, you would look at its dignity. Is the planet exalted or in its fall? Is it in detriment? Next you’ll want to examine if the planet is supported by harmonious angles to other planets (ex: sextiles or trines) or receiving rough aspects from other planets (ex: squares and oppositions). Analyze those details and you’ll see what “shape” the planet is in - and how it may impact your chart. 

Values and Astrology with Lauren Mercury

Episode 115. How might astrology impact your values? Lauren Mercury joins me to answer that question. In this episode of Astrology Bytes, we'll discuss what values are, how they apply to different areas of your life, and how to discover them in your astrology chart! Lauren shares how the second house and Taurus influence your values - and does a mini reading on me! Yay! 

Pluto Aspects

Episode 114. Pluto is associated with transformation, regeneration, intuition, and power. Aspects to Pluto can show how you handle power and are able to regenerate yourself. It can indicate how or where you draw strength and manage difficulties as well.

Depending on the aspect, it can show whether you use your power for good or evil.