From: astrolog@byron.u.washington.edu (Astrolog)
Subject: Astro*carto*graphy
Summary: What it is and how to read and interpret Astrolog's astro-graph maps.
Keywords: Astro*carto*graphy.
Organization: University of Washington
Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1992 03:17:51 GMT


     I was just poking around in old directories, when I found this
file I wrote back in November for a friend, to whom I had given a copy
of their astro-graph map as produced with Astrolog's X window feature
generating this type of chart. Anyway, this gives a brief description
of what astro*carto*graphy is, how to read the X window bitmap that
Astrolog produces, and how to interpret what you see. Again, I'm not
making any claims to any great interpretation ability, but people who
don't already know how to deal with this type of chart might find it
of interest:

--
	USING AND INTERPRETING YOUR ASTRO*CARTO*GRAPHY MAP

		What is Astro*carto*graphy?

Astro*carto*graphy is the astrological analysis of the influences that
different areas of the world have on you. In an ordinary astrological
birthchart, one has all their planets in the various houses. Four of
the strongest points in the chart are the Ascendant, Midheaven,
Descendant, and Nadir (i.e. the cusps of the 1st, 10th, 7th, and 4th
houses, respectively) and any planets near these points in a person's
birthchart have the strongest influence on that person. It is
important for one to realize that at any particular time, each planet
is on these four important angular points at different locations on
the Earth. Your astro*carto*graphy map is a map of the world, showing
the places where, at the time of your birth, each planet was on each
of these important points. The theory is, that if one moves or
travels, they will be affected by the influences that were present at
these different locations at the time of their birth.

		Reading and Understanding the Map

Your astro*carto*graphy map shows a map of the world with the outlines
of the continents. On this map are drawn various lines, which show
where the planets were on the four angles. At the top and at the
bottom are symbols by each line indicating what planets is in
question, as well as which angle the planet is on for this line. If
the line is straight and vertical, then it is either a Midheaven or
Nadir line, and if it is curved, then it is either an Ascendant or
Descendant line. Each of the lines, when they hit the top or the
bottom of the map, extend up or down a bit farther and then we have
the symbol for the planet on the line (either at the top or the
bottom). If line is labeled at the bottom of the map, then it is
either a Midheaven or Ascendant line, and if it is labeled at the
top, then it is either a Nadir or Descendant line. Note that for the
bottom, each planet symbol is also accompanied by a capital "A" or "M"
which will also indicate whether a line is an Ascendant or Midheaven
line. Note also that each midheaven line contains a certain point
along it called the Zenith. This point is the location on the planet
where the planet was straight up in the sky at the birth time;
although the midheaven influence is felt along the entire line, it is
strongest at the zenith. A quick summary of each line: A straight
vertical line, labeled at the bottom of the map with the planet
symbol and a capital "M" (and a zenith point somewhere along the line)
is a Midheaven line; A straight vertical line, labeled at the top of
the map with just the planet symbol is a Nadir line; A curvy line,
labeled at the bottom of the map with the planet symbol and a capital
"A" is an Ascendant line; A curvy line, labeled at the top of the map
with just the planet symbol is a Descendant line.

			Interpreting the Map

In general, each planet represents a certain aspect of the personality
or area of thought, while each of the four angles represents a major
area or aspect of the external world. If you are under one of your
lines on the map, then the area represented by the planet owning the
line will be strongly influenced in the way indicated by the
corresponding angle. For example, an area where Venus, the planet of
relationships and love, is on the descendant (i.e. the concept of
drawing to you certain influences) will be a powerful area where one
can draw to themselves romantic relationships, and is often sought out
by those seeking a new or reinforcing an old partnerships. For any
line, the influence is most powerful under the line itself, but it is
still significant for about 5 degrees of longitude on either side of
it. (Note that the scale on the bottom and sides of the map are
measured in 5 degree increments.)  Also, any area where two lines
cross is an especially powerful area influenced by both lines in
question, and this influence will exist to a certain extent anywhere
along the horizontal line of latitude running through that point.

		General Meanings of Angles and Planets

Ascendant: The key word here is PROJECTION. An ascendant line
represents an aspect of yourself that you will tend to strongly
project in your personality to others. This can be either the mask one
hides behind or else the qualities that one can express and develop.

Midheaven: The key work here is CLASSIFICATION. A midheaven line
represents how others will see you and how you will be socially
classified in society. These lines are especially used in the analysis
of one's career or public image.

Descendant: The key work here is ATTRACTION. Under any descendant line
you will tend to attract to yourself the influences in question. This
is also a strong indication of relationships and how you will relate
to other people and things.

Nadir: The key work here is FEELING. Under any nadir line you will
tend to emotionally feel the influence in question, and be centered by
its power. This is just the opposite of the midheaven in that it
represents subjective aspects of yourself often hidden from the world.


Sun (Symbol: A circle with a dot in the middle) - represents one's
will, personality, as well as what one does for joy and to feel alive.

Moon (Symbol: A crescent moon) - represents one's emotions and what
one does to feel secure or stable.

Mercury (Symbol: A curve above a circle above a cross) - represents
communication and how one thinks and talks.

Venus (Symbol: A circle above a cross) - represents relationships and
art, as well as aspects of calmness, serenity, balance, and love.

Mars (Symbol: An arrow above a circle) - represents personal power and
aggression, as well as how one expresses themself.

Jupiter (Symbol: A curve above a cross) - represents enthusiasm, faith,
and general benevolence and good fortune.

Saturn (Symbol: A cross above a curve) - represents aspects of
discipline, work, and manifestation.

Uranus (Symbol: A cross above a circle, with two curves on either
side) - represents change, originality, spontaneity, revolution, and
going against the social norms.

Neptune (Symbol: A trident; three prongs above a cross) - represents
intuition, compassion, sacrifice, nebulousness, and aspects of spirituality.

Pluto (Symbol: A circle above a curve and cross) - represents utter
transformation, as well as death and rebirth.

Chiron (Symbol: A key) - represents healing, where one has had painful
experience, as well as what one has to give to others.

Ceres (Symbol: A half circle above a cross) - represents one's mothering
and caring instinct.

Pallas Athena (Symbol: A diamond above a cross) - represents areas where
one strives for perfection, sacrificing feeling and relationships.

Juno (Symbol: An eight pointed asterisk above a cross) - represents the
concept of remaining non-aggressive in the face of trials or injustice.

Vesta (Symbol: A flame above a letter V) - represents inner enthusiasm,
feminine sexuality, mystic traditions, and aspirations.

North Node of the Moon (Symbol: A curve with small circles at either
end) - represents future evolutionary growth and the best way one can
go about achieving it, often points out what one has avoided in the past.
--

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|     Walter D. "Cruiser1" Pullen    -    astrolog@byron.u.washington.edu     |
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