Neptune Conjunct Moon: What Has Aldub Got To Do With Your Lovelife?

By Edel Vita

"The universe is made up of stories, not atoms.” 
– M. Rukeyser

Advertisements and the marketing world are now using Aldub to entice you to buy that milk, that fried chicken, and that can of sardines, but do you know that you can put this monster of a phenomenon to use to enrich your love life? 

The place and time: October 24, 2015 at 1pm, the Philippine Arena, Bulacan, Philippines.

The main aspects: Moon, conjunct Chiron, conjunct Neptune in Pisces, first house, sextile Pluto in Capricorn. Moon opposition Venus (which is conjunct Jupiter and Mars).

The phenomenon: A fifty-five thousand-seater stadium gets packed to the ceiling (Moon=masses) for a Cinderella-meets-prince (Venus-Mars) noontime television (Uranus) show (Neptune).

Again, the chart shows the masses (Moon) numbering up to forty million hypnotized and obsessed (Neptune) with a Cinderella-esque love story (Venus) expanded/broadcasted (Jupiter) on television (Uranus) and the internet (Uranus).

Intense (Pluto) mixture of anticipation and other feel-good emotions (Venus and Mars) pours out. Filipinos are one of the surreal romantics of the world.

What happens when we listen, see, read, and narrate stories? Our right brain goes to work, creating and re-creating the images until your feel-good as well as feel-love hormones are activated. The left brain functions too, but mostly it’s the right brain that lights up, full of empathy, images, colors, and even sweet, crazy poetry.

Yes indeed, stories can make your lovelife better. Learn from the Aldub story to make your lovelife better:

1. Activate your imagination. This is your chance to daydream. While on it, make sure that you remember the sweet, titillating images you are creating. Write your daydream if you have to!

2. Arrange the images in a sequence and start creating your own love story or mini love saga. Just make sure that you have a beginning, middle, and (happy) ending in your story. If your story plot is Cindrella, for example, make sure that you wear the glass slipper and live happily ever after with her prince.

Be careful! Don’t create a ‘beginning’ only story—unless you want to spend your life being ordered about while sweeping ashes in the kitchen. Go figure.

3. Now that you’ve created your very own love story, play it over and over in your mind whenever possible. Do this with intensity, with all your positive feelings, with all your heart. Come on, it’s your love story! Your happy life depends on it.

Play and replay it wherever and whenever possible: on the bus, while waiting for the MRT, while seated at the dentist’s lobby, before going to sleep, after waking up. You can add or take away details, but make sure you stay faithful to your one theme, love.

Your love life becomes alive depending on the love story that you tell yourself again and again. 80% of your love life reside in the realm of the dreamy psyche and 20% reside in the conscious. This is why we could not really understand it and could only hopelessly express it in songs like Crazy Thing Called Love.

The good thing is, when you re-live it and celebrate it again and again, it becomes real in your life. Your partner responds to your happiness and showers you more and more with the same. You release those feel-good hormones that heal the illnesses of humanity. Indeed, love is all you need.

It is common knowledge that love stories rake a billion-dollar annual income. Stories are powerful. They can make or break an entire nation.

Last October 24, when you saw Aldub getting the whole archipelago cheering, hollering till they’re hoarse while wiping off tears of hope, and joy, go figure.

Balatik, Filipino hunting trap inspired by Orion: On reading about Philippine pre-colonial astronomy

By Col. Romeo Solina, PA, retired

Col. Romy Solina and his BALATIK diorama

A few weeks ago, “Resti” Santiago, an astrologer friend, sent me a book entitled “BALATIK.” It is a book written by a University of the Philippines professor Dante L. Ambrosio, and subtitled “Etnoastronomiya, Kalangitan sa Kabihasnang Pilipino” and obviously in the Tagalog (Filipino) language.

Although I was born in Manila and an a Tagalog, I found it rather a problem reading the contents of the book. Still, I must go over it since I must be knowledgeable in my own native language.

On the other hand, the author must have a doctorate, having gone through the baccalaureate and master degrees to be able to write this treatise in the university as I also have gone through.

The Balatik book concerns the methods used by the natives of the Philippines using the signs in the skies in order to determine certain seasons for their activities, such as fishing, sailing, hunting, planting, harvesting, and so on.

Instead of using astrological jargon involving the planets of the solar system, our natives look to the skies for the positions of the constellations or the star systems.

I did not find any of my familiar astrological jargons, such as the positions of the planets in relation to any birth of any person like a “trine” or angles between them in the solar system. Rather, they looked at the positions of the Sun and the Moon, the weather, and the other stars and constellations, in order to determine what they are supposed to do or engage in.

The chapters in Dr. Ambrosio's book are as follows (the translations are mine):

Kabanata 1 - Kapaligiran at Kabihasnan (Chapter 1 - Surroundings and Culture)
Kabanata 2 - Batis at Panahon (Chapter 2 - Sources and Seasons. I tend to relate the first word to Lake, and then the second to Time. Analyzing the usage of the word batis cued me to the word “source” or “origin” of a particular system.)
Kabanata 3 - Daigdig at Langit (Chapter 3 - Earth and Sky)
Kabanata 4 - Araw (Chapter 4 - Sun)
Kabanata 5 - Buwan (Chapter 5 - Moon)
Kabanata 6 - Bakunawa (Chapter 6 – Sea Dragon or Eclipse. I tried to look for another term, because the author has his word for “eclipse”, but could not find any. The natives, who do not know the scientific reasons for eclipses, know them mostly as Laho or disappearance. The Moon was said to be “eaten” by a large sea dragon or bakunawa and thus it becomes laho but is regurgitated later when the natives make a lot of noise to drive the monster away. The other term is naga, a Hindu word for snake. )
Kabanata 7 at 8 - Bituin 1 at 2 (Chapter 7 and 8 - Stars or Constellations)
Kabanata 9 - Kalangitan at Kabihasnan (Chapter 9 - The Skies or Universe and Culture)

In this blog, I have considered working on a diorama involving Chapter 7 regarding the making and use of a hunting trap or the balatik which is inspired by the emergence in the skies of the Orion constellation. Its appearance is supposed to signal the onset of the hunting season, since it is supposed to disappear after a few months by sinking below the southern horizon.

Actually the names and positions of the stars and groups vary according to their uses. Among Christians, the main stars in the Orion constellation are called Tatlong Marya or the Three Maries.

However, for the purpose of this write-up, Orion is the concept behind the crafting and utility of the hunting trap used by the natives prior to the onset of the new religions. There are other constellations, such as the Big Dipper, the Alpha and Beta Centauris, the Hyades, the Pleiades, and the Major and Minor Canises. These have their own local names.

In the diorama I had decided to work on, there are a few main items I made. It is supposed to be during nighttime, which is the reason why only a few colors – mostly green -- are involved. The main items are the Orion constellation in the sky (without the archer and appurtenances), the forest, the hunter, the trap (or balatik), and the hunted.

I tried to follow the illustration of the trap as shown on the cover of the book, but I found that my personal interpretation does not follow what it is supposed to do. However, the one I have on my diorama works, as long as I manipulate the appropriate string – the trigger that loosens the trap.

Initially I referred to the illustration on the cover of the book, but I realized that I had to use the images in the Internet. There is one picture where the cover illustration is shown, but together with it shows a drawing that indicates the various positions of the trap. The curved portion is the “spring” or trigger for the trap, while its end shows where an arrow is positioned and tied to the trigger. There is another image in the Internet where the trap in the forest is shown to have been released and the hunted – a wild animal -- tries to struggle out of it. There is no hunter shown in the illustration.

In my diorama, I did not copy the illustration but had my own version of the trigger and its arrowhead.

The hunter in my diorama is about to arm his bow with an arrow, having seen his quarry approaching the trap he has laid. For the hunted about to be trapped, I utilized the wild boar that supposedly wanders the forests at night.

The hunter with his bow and arrow is hidden by the clump of trees and shrubs near the hunted wild boar. I had wanted to utilize the modern hunter, but I know no hunter uses the balatik anymore but only those who have no guns in the mountains.

Thus, my hunter is supposed to be a native, garbed simply in loin cloths and armed with arrows, and not in camouflage uniform with a shotgun. By the way, among the Muslims, the hunted animal is no longer the wild boar because eating pork is forbidden to them.

Thus, have I made a simple illustration of Dr. Ambrosio’s book. There is no mention about the various planets or wandering stars (planetes) seen by those who watch the skies and considered as astrological indicators, namely, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. As far as I am concerned, the Moon is not a planet like the other wandering stars in the solar system but an asteroid of the Earth.

The book "BALATIK" is the astronomical knowledge of our natives – the Mindanaoans, the Bicolanos, and those who live in the mountains of Luzon. And the meanings must have come from those who watch the heavens or the native astronomers during the ancient days. Dr. Ambrosio showed how native Filipinos interpret the skies so as to guide them on what they are supposed to do and when.

(By the way, there are several types of astrology, such as the Vedic or the Hindu way of knowing character and future, the horary or knowing what a particular time means, the electional or choosing the propitious time, and several others. They differ from each other depending on their usage.)

The language of the astrology we know seems to have originated in the West of the Philippines – from India and the Middle East -- and is supposed to interpret the meanings of the wandering stars or planets on the fortunes of humanity and nations. Thus, we know that the Magi interpreted the positions of Saturn and Jupiter as signals for the coming of the Christ. Only later did astrology concerned itself with individuals, or the fortunes and futures of presidents and kings and of ordinary mortals.

Articles about Dante Ambrosio's book "Balatik"
Dr. Dante L. Ambrosio and Ethnoastronomy in the Philippines
Raven Yu, Journey to the Stars blog
2011

Folk knowledge and MLE 
By Ricardo Ma. Duran Nolasco
2011

Stargazing
By Michael Tan
2013

Venus Retrograde in the 9th House

By Bridgette Nicole Diaz

"I hate the College of Arts and Letters! It is a place where people are trained to make a career out of spending their lives sitting in one corner, meditating in introspection about their own egotistical 'art' and worshipping authors they don't know when there are people out there who are starving and lost or are in desperate need of their guidance and help!" I unleashed this tirade on two of my close friends and course mates. They must have been taken aback by the venom that finally spewed out of my mouth. They had been egging me to tell them the reason behind my decision to shift from BA Creative Writing to BA Political Science. They knew I was doing pretty well in my course, so they knew grades weren't the issue, so I gave them the answer they were looking for.

But, if they ask me the same question now,  I would just dismiss the issue and blame the mishap on none other than Venus.

As someone who had been soaked in modern astrology for five years, I thought Venus stood for what you find beautiful, pleasurable, artistic or romantic. I've also heard that it tells you what your values are, but I don't think I ever understood what that meant until the retrograde happened. What was even more stupefying was the fact that it happened in my ninth house-I'm a Sagittarius rising, and yes, I do feel strongly about ninth house matters.

I was struggling with how my values as a person, as a member of the Filipino society and as an "Iskolar ng Bayan" was translated through my education. What was I being molded into by my education? Was it something that I believe in? Something I personally would stand for?

Ever since I could remember, I knew that my fieriest desire was to help the people. At the time, I couldn't believe that there was a way to that with my face buried in books about high-end, European literature. I felt pathetic. There I was in the College of Arts and Letters or CAL, being much like an elitist, flaunting my knowledge of Greek and Roman culture as depicted by their great authors and such while the people in the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy were directly learning social, economic and political theories, studying the masses and society as a whole and learning ways to make everyone's situation better. As far as I was concerned, the subjects that were taking up most of my time had no direct effect on the improvement of society or the government. I could not feed the poor the novels I wrote. I felt useless and worthless-I felt like a scum of a human being. How dare I study the arts and serve myself when there is greater glory in being of service to the people who are in fact counting on me to bring change?

As I write these things, my past thoughts appear more and more ridiculous to me. When the retrograde ended, my dad guided me through some kind of catharsis, and I changed my mind. It was final. I wasn't shifting anymore, and as time went by, my resolution became stronger and stronger: It was completely uncharacteristic of me to underrate the power of the pen-especially as someone with the Midheaven in Virgo and Fortune in Gemini. Writing was also something I valued. I just forgot how much I did so. And as for serving the people? I believe I can hit two birds with one stone just like many prolific Filipino writers have.

So yes, I am staying in Creative Writing, and I am absolutely in love with my course.

Venus may be the planet of "pretty," but beware, it can make anything appear horrid to you--even the things you love the most.

Luna's Mars and the Warrior Archetype

By Resti H. Santiago 

The narrative of a modern nation-state is not complete without a retelling of the sacrifices of its heroes, especially around its birth. Some stories were written in blood and these should not be forgotten by each succeeding generation. The film "Heneral Luna" is one such effort -- a brilliant, entertaining and moving one.

In medieval society, the distinction between classes is clear-cut and this is astrologically defined as well. Some are meant to write or to teach (Mercury), some are meant to lead (Sun), some are meant to take care of others (Moon),some are meant to bring about prosperity (Jupiter), some are meant to bring honor to the country using their God-given talents (Venus) but in times of conflict, war or the fight for freedom, we turn to Mars to bring out heroism among the populace. In Philippine's war with America at the turn of the 20th century, one man stood out -- Heneral Antonio Luna.

According to astrologer-translator Robert Hand, the best expression of Mars energy is by fighting for a cause, especially with the objective of protecting one's loved ones. Heneral Antonio Luna was one such warrior who expressed this Mars energy to the fullest. To him, as with other heroes, it is not enough to protect one's family and loved ones. One must be willing to sacrifice even one's blood for the country. The team behind the movie, led by Jerrold Tarog, promotes it with this question:"Bayan o sarili?" These words together with "Negosyo o kalayaan?" were at the heart of the story of Heneral Luna. A glance at the astrological map when the Philippine's ablest general was born will reveal that he was co-ruled by Mars. He got a sharp mind and a sharp tongue who asked tough questions that called for immediate decision and corresponding action.

The concept of fate is seldom discussed now; but in the movie, Luna's mother asked whether it was his will or whether it was his fate that made him a general, deeply involved in the war.  Astrology provides an answer. Despite having been trained as a doctor, it was Antonio Luna's fate to become a leader in the army. Of course, free will must align with fate. It is in the process of finding one's fate and accepting it that heroes are made. While in Belgium, Luna studied military strategy and upon his return to his motherland, he set up a fencing school. These are also expressions of  Mars energy. And when he was called to join the revolution, he knew that he was needed, he knew it was his calling, he knew what to do and what it takes. Luna knew his fate.

Mars is prominent on the chart of the leaders of KKK (Kataastaasng Katipunan ng mga anak ng Bayan). Andres Bonifacio himself, the Supremo and is now considered as the first President of the Philippines, [click here for more details on Bonifacio's chart] is ruled by Mars in the secretive sign of Scorpio. Another general, Emilio Aguinaldo, has Sun in Aries, which is ruled by none other than Mars (in kingly Leo). The lives of these three men were thus intertwined with Mars.

Mars by itself is considered a malefic, or bad planet. In the table correspondence between the planets and things, Mars is said to rule the bolo, the revolver, and the sword. In the table of correspondence between planets and people, Mars is the rebels, the army, and the generals. But one problem with Mars is that it is despotic and in the case of Aguinaldo, also dictatorial. One might argue that Luna has the same tendencies.

Being ruled by the red planet, which is also associated with blood and anger, these men have a fiery temper. This character flaw is considered to have led to the death/assassination of both Bonifacio and Luna. There were; of course, a  variety of reasons, the most important of which is that generally, the higher octave of Mars, brings about a highly-principled warrior. In the astro charts of both Bonifacio and Luna, Mars is dignified. Unfortunately, these traits were used by their enemies to justify the need to have them eliminated. It was all about competition, pride and power struggle. As the movie showed, the responsibility for their deaths falls into the hands of Aguinaldo. As Luna aptly observed, our first real enemy is ourselves.

Remembering astrology teacher Serafin Lanot

By Ofel Santos

ARIES Baby

ASTROLOGY as a SCIENCE and ART came my way early on in life. Much like everyone I know, I would check out magazines that would speak of how life would go on for the different astrological signs, hoping to find Aries in its place as first in the pack.And why not? It is supposed to lead all other zodiac signs.

As a child, you speak like a child; and, as an adult, you come to speak like an adult. Yet, as a true-

blooded Arien, I have retained the child's wonder and enthusiasm for life and how it works -- which stars shine the brightest, what planets have the most moons, how they affect us all, etc.  (after considering I-Me-Mine, a true Arien again!) In the process of searching, I came to ask questions as to the WHYs and HOWs, with myself as the starting point.

Fate and destiny

Destiny and Fate seem to be great players and both must have directed me to the ASTROLOGY studies offered by SERAFIN LANOT. To me and his other students, he was a bubbling LEO Master Yoda. His students were

screened first before being allowed to be in his presence.

Prof. Serafin Lanot

Our astro-classes were challenging because we had to use the ephemeris, calculate, and know how to interpret as we muddled through the astro-language of trine-square-conjunct and many other words that took their orbits in my head.

My long trips to attend our weekly classes were well worth it as listening to Prof. Lanot's special stories about each sign was a delight to my Inner Child. He chuckled and cajoled us all to express our best. Even till now, I keep my certificate of attendance as a memento of the efforts required of a budding astrologer and the joy of being in touch with a man of wisdom, who showed me a different path to knowing my Self.

To each one who may find the stars brilliant and beckoning in time, may the Force be with you and the passion of wisdom guide your way. There is no need to worry as "The Force that guides the stars, guides you too."

Astrology Friends Philippines T-shirts

Astrology Friends Philippines is now selling T-shirts with the group's logo printed on its front side. Proceeds will be used for the group's activities, especially the Library project. The tees come in different colors and sizes. 

To purchase, please contact the group through email or through its FaceBook page or through this blog. You can post your order or inquiry in the Comments section.

Members of Astrology Friends Philippines (AFP), 
proudly wearing their AFP logo-emblazoned t-shirts.
The group met at Giovanni's Restaurant 
this July for their monthly get-together.

Malaysia Airline Flight MH370: An astrological analysis

By Rey Dela Merced

The inception chart[1] was based on Flight MH370’s departure time[2] at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. We will examine the 4^th, 7^th and 8^th houses which have been associated with death in Traditional (Hellenistic and Medieval) Astrology.

The End of Things and the Perpetrator

Regarding the 4^th house, al-Qabisi (Alchabitius) in his work Introduction to the Science of Astrology he wrote, “al-Andarzaghar said the first Lord of the Triplicity of the house of the father signifies fathers, the second cities and lands, and the third the ends of things and prisons.” (Italics mine)

In this regard, we will start with the 4^th house which signifies the “end of the matter” for Flight MH370.

Looking at the chart, the Sun is below the ASC/DESC axis (Ascendant at 7 deg 48 min of Sagittarius) indicating a Nocturnal chart. In the 4^th house we have Pisces, a water sign. From the Dorothean Triplicities Table below, we have the following Triplicity Lords for Pisces in a Nocturnal chart: Primary Lord is Mars, Secondary Lord is Venus and Moon as the Cooperating or Participating Lord. Since we are interested on the topic “the ends of things,” we have Moon signifying “the end of things.”

The Heliacally Rising[3] Moon, which is also the Domicile Lord of the 8^th house of death, is angular and opposing the Ascendant which signifies Flight MH370, its crew members and passengers. Moon is aspected by an afflicted Mars ruler of the 12^th of suffering, sorrow, loss, isolation and deception. Mercury ruler of the 7^th house of enemies and her dispositor is casting a trine on her. Take note that Mercury is being harmed by Mars and Saturn. In traditional thought, whenever Mercury is aspected by afflicted Mars and Saturn, it is an indication of “violence.” Both Mercury and Moon represents our perpetrator.

The Western Setting Angle

In the eyes of the Egyptians, the 7^th house/Desc is where the Sun (signifying Life and Light among other things) dies each day as it sets.  Ptolemy even mentioned that “… it causes the lord of the life to vanish.” Imagine yourself at the beach, watching the Sun set on the horizon. As the Sun sets, it would appear as though its light is being extinguished and drowned by the sea. Perhaps it is because of this powerful imagery that the 7^th house/Desc has been associated with the “act of drowning.”

The House of Death

In the 8^th house we have Jupiter, who is the Lord of the Ascendant. Jupiter being in the 8^th house is in Aversion to the Ascendant. Jupiter the Greater Benefic cannot “see” or form an aspect to its own domicile. So the master of the house is away and cannot give protection and support to its house. Even though Jupiter is in the Fortune 11^th by derivative house[4] and in Exaltation, it is contrary to the sect in favor (therefore restrained in its beneficence) and afflicted by two Malefics: Mars and Saturn[5]. Mars is in Libra its detriment. Mars and Saturn are both stationary retrograde[6] (Mercury went stationary direct on 28 Feb). Mars is also conjunct the North Node which increases its maleficence. Jupiter exalted in the 8^th house of death tells us that Flight MH 370 and the tragedy that befall it will remain etched in our memory for a long time.

Saturn on the 12th

Saturn, the Greater Malefic, is contrary to sect in favor. It is in the 12^th house of subterfuge, sabotage and betrayal of trust. It also forms an inferior trine to Jupiter. In antiquity, the aspect trine was considered malefic because it is associated with the unbridled flow of energy for good or evil. Modern astrology made it into a beneficial influence because of the seeming “ease” it provides in bringing about the significations of the planets involved[7].

Saturn trines both the Sun, Lord of the 9^th house of long distance travel and Jupiter, Lord of the 1^st and significator of the flight. It tells us that the malice directed at Flight MH370 was probably executed with ruse, relative ease and perhaps even went relatively unchallenged.

Saturn has a superior square (Overcoming) to Mercury the Lord of the 7^th house. According to Haphaistion of Thebes[8], the 7^th house also represents the end of matters in an inquiry. This superior square is like having somebody you are afraid of looming and trying to gain control over you. Mercury may be a Morning (Rising Star) and Lord of the Lot of Fortune but it is contrary to sect, cadent and cannot “see” the Lot of Fortune. Remember what I mentioned about the trine? Whatever nefarious influence Mercury has, flowed unimpeded to the Descendant and Moon. Saturn and Mars harming Mercury could also represent the perpetrator’s emotional and mental state, i.e. depression, isolation, displeasure and anger.

“Angles for Analyzing Inquiries”

In his book, Hephaistion of Thebes[9]wrote, that one way to predict the outcome of an inception chart is to look at the 9^th, 10^th and 11^th house. They represent the past, present and future respectively. The 9^th house is empty.  He also said: “Should no star (planet) be found on the said places, one must take those that look on (aspects[10])…of such kind will the end and the operation of the matter sought be brought about.”  Mars which is in detriment, retrograde and conjunct the North Node[11] cast a whole sign sextile aspect to the 9^th house. Meanwhile, retrograde Saturn in his 12^th house of Joy regards the 9^th house with a square. The person (or people) responsible for this tragedy seems to have no connection with any terrorist organization. The culprit planned for this and had no the intention of bringing his passengers safely to their destination.  

The 10^th house represents the moment of departure – the “present.”  With Mercury - Lord of 10^th house and Lot of Fortune - heavily afflicted, it is an ill-fated flight.

For the outcome of the departure, our 11^th house, we have seen that already from the previous analysis of an afflicted Mars.

Summary

From this chart analysis, we can glean what possibly happened to Flight MH370. Although different methods and approach were used, all indicated that Flight MH370 was doomed the moment it took off. The tragic loss of Flight MH370 is not a terrorist act and neither caused by conventional equipment failure, but rather a deliberate act by someone who may have emotional and/or psychological issues.

One final note: the Saturn and Jupiter trine configuration is also present in the charts of Flight QZ8501 (8^th and 12^th houses) and the recent earthquake (1^st and 9^th houses). In the Parliament Hill shooting chart, Saturn squared Jupiter (1^st and 10^th house). This not to say that all Saturn and Jupiter configurations are bad. When delineating charts, it is imperative that we always consider the condition and location of the planetary significators before drawing any conclusions. If we have only one indication then the event is only possible and it is changeable or preventable. With two indications, then the event may be difficult to change or prevent and it is now probable. If thrice, the event cannot be changed or prevented because it is certain.

“In whatever is signified, this must be noted: if it has only one testimony, it is routine; if two, it will be stronger; if three, complete-only if the Lords themselves or the significators are strong and not impeded.”  Abu 'Ali Al-Khayyat (770-835) in his book On the Judgments of Nativities (see p.331 of Persian Nativities Vol. 1)

Dorothean Triplicities

---

[1] Inception (Greek – Katarche. Meaning beginning and inception). It is an analysis of events that have already occurred. The chart is cast in Whole Sign House division. Whole Sign aspects are used in the analysis. 

[2] The chart was calculated using Delphic Oracle.  The figures at the center of the chart are Ascensional Times. These are used for timing events. The colored outer signs are the Bounds, Confines or Terms.

[3] Heliacally Rising planets in a chart are notable, direct and powerful in their effects. The Moon Heliacally Rose on 2 March 2014.

[4] Lot of Fortune is in the 10^th house (17 Virgo). If the LOF is placed in the Ascendant, the 7^th house containing the Moon and 8^th house containing Jupiter becomes the 10^th and 11^th house respectively. Both derived houses are considered eventful, strong and significant placements.

[5] In Traditional Astrology two kinds of aspects are used: “whole sign” and “degree-based” aspects. (Degree based aspects is further subdivided into “orb-body” and “moiety” systems.) The difference between the two is one of intensity and connection. Whole sign aspect is less intense and intimate but nonetheless effective. Just imagine sitting across a 300 lbs scruffy and tough looking fellow staring at you (whole sign based) versus this same fellow engaging you with verbal assault and threatening you with physical harm (aspect based).

[6] Stations of a planet whether stationary direct or retrograde are useful in timing events.

[7] In general, aspects describes whether the effects or significations of a planet are achieved with corresponding difficulty (square and opposition) or ease (sextile and trine). 

[8] Referred to as “Angles for Analyzing Inquiries.” Chapter III.4 Hephaistion of Thebes: Apotelesmatics Book III: On Inceptions.  Trans. E.J. Gramaglia. Ed.  B. Dykes.

[9] Ibid.

[10] Whole sign aspect.

[11] The North Node increases the effects or influence of the planet it is conjunct with. The South Node decreases.

What's in Store for the Country in 2015

By Resti H. Santiago (astro-medieval.blogspot.com)

On the 68th Profection Year

On the first half of the year, or specifically, up to July 2015, we are still under the influence of Venus. Just as in 2014, this factor highlights economic matters like investments and debt. In October 2014, a $300M loan from the World Bank was signed and more loans were being negotiated before the year ended.

Venus is also the ruler of the 9th house of trade with other countries. What this factor may be highlighting is the potential benefit that the country will get from the ASEAN free trade agreement.

There are studies that say that the Philippines is the country that will least benefit from the economic integration of ASEAN countries. It's a good thing that President Aquino bought time for us and reserved this decision to the next president. The potential is there, but there also dangers because the economies of our neighbors are bigger. They have more capital and most of them are export-oriented. We should not end up as the dumping ground of products manufactured by our neighbors.

We also need to find our niche in the manufacturing sector. In 2010, I wrote that we might have a chance in nascent technologies, such as nanotechnology and new electronic gadgets. Uranus, the planet of technology, is at the top of the July 4 chart. One good news in this direction is the increased production e-vehicles in the country, which can potentially be a big export product of the Philippines. Perhaps, on the individual level, especially among the self-employed, Filipinos can etch their niche in this bigger market.

This is an excerpt from Medieval Astro-clok 2015, available at Echo Store branches (Centris, Serendra & Salcedo). More forecasts for the Philippines and astrological timing guide for everyone can be read n the book.