Has Knowing your Astrology Chart Ever Kept You out of Trouble?

©1-25-2013 by Donna Cunningham, MSW

 I don’t know why astrology is never included in those lists they so often print of things you can do to prevent health problems, economic ruin, fallen arches, and other woes. It’s certainly saved my bacon countless times in the nearly 45 years I’ve been following it!

How about you, Readers? Has knowing about a natal or transiting aspect in your chart ever warned you away from a pothole on your path? I’d love it if you’d share the story with us in the comment section of this post. 

To start with the strongest example, I credit knowing about a pattern in my chart with saving me from emphysema or lung cancer. At age 28, I had no knowledge that, over the years, those diseases would make the lives of many of the heavy smokers in my family a living hell. All I knew was that I was sick of battling my weight, so I was toying with the idea of taking up cigarettes as a substitute oral gratification.

Though I’d only been studying astrology a year, I was already using it to inform my decisions. Knowing that Gemini and Mercury were associated with the lungs in medical astrology, I had a look at my chart, and found SEVEN clear indications that smoking might not be the wisest choice:

• Four planets in Gemini, including Mercury and Saturn
• Saturn in Gemini was the ruler of my 6th house, the house of health. (I was the third generation in a row with Saturn in Gemini at that same degree, so predicting hereditary lung weakness was no great stretch.)
• Neptune in the Mercury-related 3^rd house in the Mercury-related sign of Virgo
• Neptune was squared by Mercury in Gemini on the cusp of the 12th.
• The sign Gemini on the cusp of the 12^th (the house of chronic illness and self-defeating behavior) alone could show chronic lung problems.
• The South Node in the 8^th house was squared by the ruler of the 8^th in the sign Gemini. (One but only one of the meanings of the 8th is how you might die.)
• Pluto, which is associated with the 8^th house, was on the Ascendant quincunx the South Node in the 8th.

I may not have known much astrology at that point, but I surely knew enough not to pick up a cigarette! (The old timers taught that you need to find several indications in a chart in order to make a  definite prediction. See: Spotting Themes in a Birth Chart: the Rule of Three.)

Another way astrology has helped me make sound choices over the years is by consulting a horary practitioner. For those who haven’t tried it, horary is the only branch of astrology that can give you a definite answer. Here’s how it works. You first formulate a question in your mind, one sharp enough to get a yes or no reply. Then you look at the clock and set up a chart for that date, time, and place.

There are about a hundred classical rules for this ancient divinatory art, and I only have the patience for about 10, so when I’m in need of a definite answer for a major life decision, I call my friend Diana Stone. She’s a seasoned horary practitioner with decades of experience in this branch of classical astrology.

Whatever she says to do, I do immediately, as her advice has helped me dodge more than one mega-caliber bullet. (See some eerie results from this application of astrology here: Horary Happenings—Why I’m a Believer, Not a Practitioner .)

What about  you, Readers? Has the knowledge of astrology—whether you’ve studied it yourself or gone to a professional—ever saved you from serious trouble or heartache?

Or, have you, like so many who consulted astrologers, ignored the warning, only to find out—much to your regret—that they were all too right?

Share your stories in the comment section below this post, including, if possible, what the chart indications were. It’s something we can all enjoy and learn from.  There’s a great discussion going on there!

It’s not too Late to Join in other Discussions with Skywriter Readers: Skywriter’s last two posts brought over 80 responses each—and the comment section is still open, so you’re welcome to add your own experiences:

• Saturn in  Scorpio—Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot?
• Planets in  Mutual Reception—Join our Online Research

And here are some Reader’s Favorite debates from the past with lively discussions in the comment sections. You’re welcome to chime in with your own thoughts:

• Research Question—What did You Want to Be when You Grew Up?
• Talking to Clients about Difficult Transits–Readers Have Their Say
• AstroDebate—What’s the Ruler of Virgo?
• Planets in Mutual Reception—Join our Online Research
• Understanding Semisquares—Your Input Needed (Part of a research project on the “minor: aspects)
• The Not so Minor Aspects—Results of Our Research
• Cosmic Piñata #7: Readers’ Observations about Quintiles and other Aspects
• Understanding Quintiles—What’s YOUR Talent?
• Highlights of Our Discussion on the 5th House and Children
• Readers Ask: Q & A about the 2nd House  (Part of a series on the 12 houses.)

New to Skywriter? Check out the INDEX OF SKYWRITER’S 500+ POSTS by category. Excellent resource for students. Save it to your hard drive rather than print it, and then all the links are live. (Download it here:  1-Articles Index Skywriter 1-2013.)

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