MEDICAL ASTROLOGY -- HIDDEN TRIGGERS
THE TRANSITING MIDPOINTS
by Pamela Rowe, LPMAFA, FMFAA
The planetary cycles and transits are keenly followed by astrologers in their search for periods of lowered resistance in the horoscope. The transiting midpoint of planetary pairs is an additional tool, commonly used by cosmobiologists, but often overlooked by traditionalists.
The natal and progressed chart, in connection with the transiting midpoint of a planetary pair can be associated with health issues. Midpoints such as Mars/Jupiter, Mars/Saturn, Mars/Uranus, Mars/Neptune and Saturn/Neptune are very useful. There are others of course, but I will limit my article to these few.
MARS/JUPITER is linked to successful activities and new ventures, but is also helpful when researching fertility and reproductive issues, plus the timing of a childbirth.
MARS/SATURN relates to breathing difficulties, inflammation of bones, joints and bone marrow.
MARS/URANUS relates to operations, heart rhythms and is of great assistance in the choice of suitable times for an operation.
MARS/NEPTUNE relates to inflammations, infections and allergies.
SATURN/NEPTUNE relates to physical and emotional vulnerability, slowly developing illnesses that are difficult to diagnose, potentially undermining circumstances, the struggle between the higher and lower nature.
In his book 'The Combination of Stellar Influences', Reinhold Ebertin provides this information on midpoints and much more. Reinhold's interpretations are accurate and based on sound research.
CALCULATION OF TRANSITING MIDPOINTS
Most computer software lists the planetary midpoints for any date. Transiting Midpoint Ephemerides are also available from your astrological bookstore.
Instructions for hand calculating midpoints are featured in my book 'Practical Guide to Astrology -- Pathway to the 21st Century' (available for purchase through this website). Basically however, calculating a midpoint between two planets or points is just a matter of adding the absolute zodiac positions of the two together and dividing the sum by two, chosing the shortest distance midpoint between the two planets if the calculation produces a midpoint in the opposite sign (the longest distance midpoint).
SATURN/NEPTUNE MIDPOINT
In this article I will concentrate on the transiting SATURN/NEPTUNE midpoint. This midpoint is very slow to move through a zodiac sign, retrograding and forming aspects to the other planets, in the same way a single planet cycle operates.
Transiting midpoints of the outer planets can be viewed on the 2009 Graphic Ephemeris of the Dynamic Transit Graph module of astrological software. I used 'Solar Fire' software for the midpoint positions in this article.
After a long period in Scorpio, the transiting Saturn/Neptune midpoint moved into Sagittarius on July 21, 2008. On November 28, 2008, the Saturn/Neptune midpoint at 6 degrees 12 mins. Sagittarius, was conjunction the Sun.
Reinhold Ebertin interprets this as 'Physical reaction or illness as a consequence of emotional suffering or upsets.'
The fact that the transiting Saturn and Neptune themselves were also within orb of a Quincunx (150 degrees) aspect (20 - 22 degrees Virgo and Aquarius) during December 2008, contributed to the Saturn/Neptune effect, especially for those with significant positions in their natal or progressed charts aspecting these degrees, in addition to the Saturn/Neptune midpoint degree in early Sagittarius.
Those with significant positions in early Mutable signs (Sagittarius, Pisces, Gemini and Virgo), will be the ones experiencing the full impact of the transiting Saturn/Neptune midpoint, through a conjunction, square or opposition aspect.
Cosmobiology recommends you also check your charts for personal positions that form a 45 degree (semi-square) or 135 degree (sesquiquadrate) aspect to the current transiting Saturn/Neptune midpoint. In January 2009 the transiting Saturn/Neptune midpoint aspected 23 degrees of the Cardinal signs.
THE LARGER WORLD PICTURE
The long period during which the transiting Saturn/Neptune midpoint moved through Scorpio, kept many of the undermining circumstances under cover. Its entry into Sagittarius coincided with exposure of some of the problems. In the larger world picture, political and financial discrepancies came under fire, truth became paramount, determined action was taken and people were inspired, under the banner of idealistic intentions, although some events occurred naturally as a result of evolvement and past repercussions.
ON THE PERSONAL LEVEL
Positively speaking the transiting Saturn/Neptune works well for the caretaking of others, band-aids for bruised egos, involvement with nature, the outdoors, conservation and the study of intelligent dietary and health practices.
A negatively expressed Saturn/Neptune generates fear and undermining circumstances as a result of diminished confidence, lack of respect for elders, pulling the plus on established rules, physical and intellectual contamination, seeing others in a bad light or being seen in a bad light ourselves, also the surfacing of an unexpected health condition.
Many people deal with the negative manifestation through a physical health condition or becoming the carer of an unwell person -- and retain their happy demeanour. One of my astrological clients, a happy young woman, has developed a severe health condition as transiting Saturn/Neptune approaches a conjunction to her secondary progressed Ascendant.
Michael Munkasey's excellent book 'Midpoints -- Unleashing the Power of the Planets' is packed with interesting thoughts on the Saturn/Neptune midpoint, such as "silent neglect, senseless justification, isolated confusion and cutting through confusion or deception".
The transiting Saturn/Neptune midpoint remains in the early degrees of Sagittarius during 2009 and will reach 14 degrees 30 mins. Sagittarius by December 31, 2009.
Look to your natal or progressed chart for planets or points in Mutable signs for the conjunctions, oppositions and square aspects to the transiting Saturn/Neptune midpoint position. Also examine the planets and points in semi-square and sesquiquadrate aspect to the midpoint. In particular focus on the natal and progressed Sun, Moon, Ascendant and Midheaven.
WHY DOES IT WORK?
The transiting Saturn/Neptune midpoint works like any other transit. If our chart is activated, LIKE ATTRACTS LIKE. We attract into our lives those conditions and people described by the planet or midpoint. Variations depend on where it hits our chart, also whether we have an aspect between Saturn and Neptune in our natal chart, and if so, whether we have risen above the negative expressions of this aspect.
For others who do not have a natal Saturn and Neptune aspect, the expression and repercussions depend on our personal experience and evolvement, plus the choices we make.
REFERENCES:
'Combination of Stellar Influences' by Reinhold Ebertin
'Midpoints -- Unleashing the power of the Planets' by Michael Munkasey
'Practical Guide to Astrology -- Pathway to 21st Century' by Pamela Rowe
'New American Midpoint Ephemeris 2006-2020' by N.Michelsen
'Solar Fire' astrological software (Esoteric Technologies Pty.Ltd.)
UPDATE
Pamela Rowe's above article on 'Medical Astrology Hidden Triggers -- The Transiting Midpoints' was published in the New Zealand Journal of Astrology Issue 1, 2009 and in the American Federation of Astrologers Inc. 'Today's Astrologer' on February 24, 2009.
Since then Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009 when the transiting Saturn/Neptune midpoint was at 6 degrees 15 mins Sagittarius, just past the square to his natal Sun position (5 deg 51 mins Virgo). The Sun rules the heart and Michael's natal Sun was conjunct Pluto (2 degrees 09 mins Virgo), so he must have been battling quite serious health problems for most of 2009.
His natal Saturn/Neptune midpoint was at 25 deg 51 Scorpio square to his natal Mercury in Leo, imaginative, artistic, but with many fears and the need to protect himself.
Prior to 2009 when the transiting Saturn/Neptune midpoint moved over his natal Saturn/Neptune midpoint, he would have been in full retreat from the world. The entry of the transiting midpoint into Sagittarius meant he was taking determined action again.
Michael was soon to have a Mars return (on June 30, 2009) at the time of his death on June 25. The period immediately prior to the Mars return (a 2-year cycle) coincides with an energy lull and temporary loss of power. There is no doubt that he pushed himself too hard under vulnerable astrological conditions and his demand for drug excesses was his attempt to compensate for this loss of power.
There are many birth times given for Michael Jackson. The birth time I favour is 12:09 pm CDT, August 29, 1958, Gary Indiana USA, which gives Michael a Scorpio Ascendant and Leo Midheaven. The Scorpio Ascendant is consistent with Michael's ongoing attempts to transform himself and his environment. Michael's oldest son Prince has Scorpio rising and the marriage between Michael Jackson and Debbie Rowe occurred in Sydney Australia on November 14, 1996, when the Sun was in Scorpio. However there is plenty of room for debate on this birth time.