The Quintile Series aspects (5th Harmonic)
Posted: Sat May 06, 2023 5:28 pm
These are some misc. writings (fragments of posts) on the 5th Harmonic aspect series from threads on the old site.
Jim Eshelman wrote:(...) the quintile series, based on the division of the circle into fifths (72°, 144°) gives very reliable information natally, though these aspects are not readily discernible in a drawn horoscope. [2015 clarification: The nature of the "very reliable information" is quite different from that provided by the other aspects mentioned and, for most astrologically use, these are inert.]
Jim Eshelman wrote:One of the last talks I developed for public presentation at astrology conventions in the early '80s was on this subject. After coming to the original conclusions, and sharing the direction examples were taking me, I, of course, doubted I had sufficient data to substantiate it. In the decades sense, much of the work I have done has been in a field that lets me observe this particular finding more, and it holds up.
It is this: Quintiles specifically represent aspects of the psyche that unfold as self-actualization (in the Maslow sense) and profound spiritual unfolding/disclosure occurs. It may even be directly wired to Kundalini phenomena (and similar energy phenomena) unlocked by (or contributing to) this unfolding.
In well over 90% of the populace, this is of no interest or value whatsoever because, in the entire course of their lives, they will never reach this level of physical-psychological unlocking that completely discloses them (what they really are) to themselves. However, when someone is specifically on that path, this is a useful key. (Remember that conjunctions are part of the quintile series, btw.)
One of the most important early discoveries from this (not a discovery like I was the first to see it, but rather that it made itself utterly evident to me) is that such self-actualization and spiritual unfolding has nothing whatsoever to do with "goodness." It's not a "washed, purified" reflection of character - it's just character. A striking example is Hitler's chart. He was a genius. He was gigantic. And as he grew, his inner unfolding occurred, his psyche became hypercharged with energy activating circuits and empowering the whole of his being. In his case, the quintile series of aspects that he had in his chart were psychotic aspects. The more he unfolded, the more universal force flooded through him, the crazier he got. But (in any sense that this is meant in spiritual unfolding systems of East or West, excluding moral considerations) this is true spiritual unfolding.
The aspects may show one as a saint or an affhole (or an affhole saint). It's irrelevant. It's just one's unfolding. It's an expression of innate genius actualized.
The primary observation is that, as one unfolds, these traits become more evident. A possibility is that since these traits and the unfolding go hand in hand, one might be able to accelerate the unfolding by developing the traits. However, this kind of "premature forcing the issue" is a delicate matter, not easily forced, so I emphasize that this is only a theoretical consideration.
The easiest way to see the Quintile series aspects is to do a 5th Harmonic chart and look at conjunctions, oppositions, and squares. A 10° orb would equate back in the natal to a 2° orb, and that would be the absolute extreme; one is better holding it to about 1° in the natal (equivalent to 5° in the 5th harmonic chart).
In Hitler's chart, you'll see the triple conjunction of Moon-Saturn-Neptune, a Mercury-Saturn (and, more widely, Mercury-Jupiter and Mercury-Neptune) oppositions, and his Venus-Mars conjunction square Pluto in the 5th Harmonic.
My own 5th harmonic chart (for full disclosure) shows Mercury-Mars, Jupiter-Uranus tightly square Moon, and Saturn-Pluto, plus my Venus-Pluto contact (and Venus-Saturn wide).