Mutual Reception

[Lyse]

Since my Sun and Moon are in mutual reception (Cancer and Leo) and also semi-sextile, should I consider the close conjunction of my Sun-Uranus and Moon-Pluto as being in aspect in some way?

[Jim Eshelman]

Since my Sun and Moon are in mutual reception (Cancer and Leo) and also semi-sextile, should I consider the close conjunction of my Sun-Uranus and Moon-Pluto as being in aspect in some way?

I think that's stretching it a bit except for one thing astrologers overlook (or don't think about this way): Both the Sun-Uranus conjunction and Moon-Pluto conjunction (mundanely only 0°03' and 0°36' wide, respectively) exist in the same person. Since an aspect just means the entwining and co-expression of two planetary (psychological) functions, then of course Sun-Uranus and Moon-Pluto exist and work together: Both exist inside of you, and quite strongly. The more whole you have become over the course of your life, the more they have co-existed and co-functioned.

A couple of opinions: I've ceased thinking of the semi-sextile as a valid aspect at all. I don't think it's just really weak, I think it's an anti-aspect, a dumb (silent) note, its sole characteristic being that the planets are at a point of maximum divorce or dissociation. That's surely why the ancients called it an inconjunct or no aspect relationship. (It helps that last year's new approach to my theory of how aspects are formed has the semi-sextile not existing.) The exception is a 30° aspect is one example of a 10°-multiple aspect, all 36 of which become conjunctions, oppositions, or squares in the Novien. This explains why extremely close semi-sextiles look effective, especially within 0°20'-0°40'. The same would be true of, say, a 70° aspect.

Mutual reception is a real thing, of course: The main result of a planet being in a sign is that it acts like the planets ruling or exalted in that sign. Since planets in aspect act like they're affecting each other, and planets in each other's signs act like they're affecting each other, it's the same result. One place I've started to back off, though, is by saying this effect is about as strong as the importance of each planet in a sign on it's own, e.g., I wouldn't think Uranus in Sagittarius and Jupiter in Aquarius was much of an "aspect" because Jupiter's sign and Uranus' sign aren't very strong, visible factors.

But you certainly have a vivid MR with Sun in Cancer and Moon in Leo, a great splash of luminary themes strong in your character. This joins your several dignified planets: Mercury in its own sign, Jupiter and Saturn exalted, with only Mars in Cancer being somewhere cantankerous. And your Sun-Uranus and Moon-Pluto are enormously strong, especially when examined mundanely.


POSTSCRIPT: I mentioned above that a year or two ago I had reassessed my underlying theory of how aspects are formed (and what aspects are formed). For completion (someone reading this in the future), I thought I should explain what I meant.

My old view of how harmonics form aspects: Divide the circle by a prime number then continue to halve it. E.g., divide first by 3 (trine, 120°) then halve it (all new multiples of 60°) then halve it (all new multiples of 30°) then halve it (all new multiples of 15°). At some point, this degrades and becomes ineffective, seeming to be (depending on who you ask) after the sextile or after the semi-sextile.

My reviewed view of how harmonics form aspects is a little more progressive along the original harmonic line: Divide the circle by a prime number and then again by the same number before halving it; and aspects work through circles of position, meaning simultaneously involving opposite sides [longer explanation elsewhere]. Thus, while the 2 series divides by 2 (0°, 180°), again by the same number (90°), then starts halving (45°, 135°) before dropping off, the 3 series divides the circle by 3 (120°, 60°), again by the same number (40° and 20° and their multiples), then bisects (10° multiples) before dropping off. The 30° and 150° don't appear so don't need to be explained away. - Or, at least, so goes the tedious theory.

[Lyse]

I've ceased thinking of the semi-sextile as a valid aspect at all. I don't think it's just really weak, I think it's an anti-aspect, a dumb (silent) note, its sole characteristic being that the planets are at a point of maximum divorce or dissociation.

Thank you, that answered my question.

Both exist inside of you, and quite strongly. The more whole you have become over the course of your life, the more they have co-existed and co-functioned.

Yes, I would say that is true. My personality is more intense and focused than when I was thirty, which is remarkable.

[Lyse]

Jupiter and Saturn exalted, with only Mars in Cancer being somewhere cantankerous.

Since my Mars is in its fall in Cancer, how might that work as Mars is also in conjunction with the exalted Jupiter?

[Jim Eshelman]

Take each thing individually: Mars in Cancer and Mars conjunct Jupiter as separate things. A simple rule is thst, if the two, Jupiter is ly placed by sign, so Mars is more affected by Jupiter than thr other way around (like my Mars in Sagittarius opposite Jupiter in Cancer).

But otherwise, just look up the two factors separately.

[Lyse]

Makes sense, thanks.

[Jim Eshelman]

Some notes on Mars in Cancer:

• Executive temperament: production, organization, project management. Breeds confidence. Makes things happen (especially on others' behalf).
• Deep connection to shadow and often drama and horror. Often prodigious power of imagination and fantasy.
• Private demons: Clings to old wounds (angry, acting out, selfish, retaliatory from old mistreatment, battling old demons). Holds grudges, may betray (usually only after they feel betrayed). Inner strength usually holds their demons at bay, often with imagination and fantasy.
• A sizeable minority of the women are visibly agitated, angry, volatile, acting out, selfish, retaliatory - behaviors that infer a perception of prior mistreatment.
• Magnetic, interacts well with an impersonal public. Many draw an enthusiastic cult following (in religion, the arts, politics, popular culture). Need not be liked to excite a following.
• Personally loyal, supportive. Naturally serves behind the scenes, speaks truth to power.
• Wants a chance to lead (or be taken seriously as a leader). May feel deprived of their chance, not given a fair shot to show what they can do.
• Sexually needs adoration. Absent this, usually is efficient or business-like in sex.
• The eminent often are empire builders (business, politics).
• A powerful relationship to theater, film, and literature often entwined with deep connection to shadow or horror. (Many of the famous examples are way weird. Most are deep into the shadow realms, perhaps all of them.)