Download Segment 3: FUNDAMENTAL LEFT BRAIN BASICS

1
Segment 3:
FUNDAMENTAL LEFT BRAIN BASICS
This segment provides a comprehensive understanding of the basic anatomy of a natal chart as well as its
evolutionary significance. Contents of this segment:
-
The ecliptic
Tropical Zodiac
Angels
Quadrants
Houses
Porphyry house system
Modes
Elements and supra archetypes
STYLE OF WRITING
As you read, you will come across many descriptions of the astronomy involved in the astrology we are learning. I
have intentionally not included any visuals. Why? Not because I think you shouldn’t be a visual learner. Quite the
contrary! I want you to be a visual learning. I want to help you learn how to concentrate and visualize within your own
inner eye. I invite you to read this segment with a focused mind, slowly and with concentration.
To start, lets take a little journey to the Sun!
THE ECLIPTIC
Stand on the Sun with me. C'mon take your clothes off- no need for modesty. OK great...
Look all around you, what do you see? You see planets and asteroids orbiting around you. All of these planets are
making something in between a circle and an oval shape as they revolve around the Sun. You also may notice that
all of these planets and asteroids have a natural tilt (meaning their oval is cockeyed).
If you imagine a plane from where you are standing that extends infinitely in all directions, then that plane will
intersect all the orbits of all the planets and asteroids. If Pluto, in its orbit, tilts 8 degrees below that plane, then at the
opposite end, it will be 8 degrees above that plane.
All planets move equally above and below that plane. Scientists call that plane the ecliptic.
Ecliptic from a spiritual point of view
All planets and asteroids represent functions of consciousness. As they revolve around the sun, they represent an
evolutionary process that is always taking place. As the ecliptic is the intersection of all celestial orbits, it can be
defined as "the path of evolution" relative to this solar system.
The points at which a planet's orbit intersects the ecliptic is called a planetary node. All orbits will intersect the ecliptic
in two opposite places, so there are always two planetary nodes.
We can define the nodes of any planet as "How that unique function (planet) has participated and will continue to
participate in the collective evolution of consciousness".
The node that is created by the side of the orbit that is falling below the ecliptic is called the south node. The node
that is created by the side of the orbit that is rising above the ecliptic is called the north node. We will be learning
more about nodes in a future segment.
Back to Earth
From the Sun's point of view, it's rather easy to visualize and feel the spiritual power of the ecliptic, as well as the
nodes all the orbits create with the ecliptic. It also all looks quite symmetrical. What rises x degrees above the ecliptic
also falls x degrees below. The way we look at the solar system from the Sun's point of view is called "heliocentric
astrology".
However, consciousness always evolves in the here and now. That is why when it comes to understanding a soul's
evolutionary journey, we look at the natal chart as it is 100% specific to the moment and location of the first breath.
“Fundamental Left Brain”
www.arimoshe.com
2
The astrology that we are exploring is called "geocentric astrology".
When we are on the earth, we will naturally view the ecliptic as the apparent path of the Sun.
Why? If the ecliptic surrounds the Sun, and from a heliocentric point of view, the earth is moving along the ecliptic at
all times, then from a geocentric point of view the Sun IS always exactly on the ecliptic, with absolutely no deviance.
The Sun has no nodes of course.
This means that when we calculate the geocentric nodes (points of intersection from the earth’s point of view) of any
planet, the nodes will not usually be symmetrical. For example the north and south nodes of Mercury are always
really close to each other, whereas the north and south nodes of our Moon are in an exact opposition to one another.
The most common nodes most people work with are the nodes of the moon. Just as the Earth is revolving around the
Sun, the Moon's orbit will intersect the ecliptic in two places like all other celestial bodies.
In the next segment we will begin to learn about the nodes of the Moon. In an even later segment we will learn about
the nodes of all the planets! For now, what is most important is that you understand the ecliptic on both a basic
physical level, as well as on an intuitive spiritual level. Understanding the ecliptic will provide a very solid foundation
for both many of the left brain basics we are about to discuss as well as for understanding the very basis for this
system of astrology in the first place.
Here’s what I mean by that last statement:
TROPICAL ASTROLOGY
In general, there are 2 kinds of zodiacs:
1. The sidereal zodiac which is used in the east as in India.
2. The tropical zodiac which is more commonly used in the west.
How can there be more than one!? First, it’s not a matter of right and wrong. There are literally two different systems
of interpretation based on two different astronomical orientations.
1.
2.
The sidereal zodiac maps a planet in direct relation to the actual constellation it is moving through. For
example, if Mars is moving through the constellation of the lion, Mars is said to be transiting through Leo.
Very simple to understand that one.
The Tropical zodiac uses the ecliptic as the basis for mapping planetary positions. For example, what we
call Aries is not the same as the constellation of the Ram. Rather, the sign Aries starts at the point along the
ecliptic that marks the exact moment of spring equinox. In tropical astrology, the entire zodiac is determined
based on the Earth-Sun relationship, which, said differently, is the apparent path of the Sun along the
ecliptic throughout the year. Capricorn begins at winter’s solstice, Cancer at summers solstice, and Libra at
fall equinox. All of the other signs naturally fall in between all of those seasonal points.
I will not describe the philosophical differences between these two systems, as I do not know very much about the
sidereal philosophy. I will however offer a few points of meditation on the nature of the tropical zodiac:
The tropical zodiac, as a purely ecliptic based system, uses the natural relationship between the earth and
the Sun as the basis for graphing planetary positions.
The ecliptic is the agreed upon path of evolution as enacted by all celestial bodies in this solar system.
Said Sun serves as THE point of integration for all evolutionary activity in this solar system.
Now we will begin to look at the chart itself and decipher some of its basic anatomy, as well as the meaning of that
anatomy.
THE 4 ANGELS OF THE CHART
The astronomy:
The 4 angels of a chart are defined by the intersection between the ecliptic and the earth.
The Ascendant (AC) is defined by the intersection between the local horizon (the horizon as experienced from any
particular location) and the ecliptic. Basically, the node at which the ecliptic “rises” into the viewable sky (as the earth
rotates eastward) forms this angle.
“Fundamental Left Brain”
www.arimoshe.com
3
The Descendent (DC) is directly opposite that. It represents the point at which the ecliptic intersects the plane of the
western horizon. Like the AC, there is always a sign setting in the local western horizon creating another angle.
The Midheaven (MC) is the highest point of the ecliptic as viewed from any location on earth. It is the highest ascent
of the ecliptic in the sky before it begins its descent from one horizon to another.
The Lowheaven (IC) is the opposite of that and is never viewable in the sky as it is the lowest point of the ecliptic
below the plane of the horizon.
A visual for the 4 angels:
Imagine a blue ball. The ball is the Earth.
Take a marker and put a dot anywhere on that ball. The dot symbolizes a specific location on the planet.
You Are Here.
Now, imagine a large rubber band that fits around the ball. The rubber band is the zodiac bet where all the
planets appear to be orbiting around you. Color the rubber band in 12 different shades of 30 equal degrees,
symbolizing the 12 signs of the zodiac.
Through the center of the rubber band draw a line all around the rubber band that through the center. That
center line is the ecliptic.
Take a break…
Ok so far we have a ball with a dot on it symbolizing you, a rubber band surrounding the ball symbolizing the zodiac,
and a line through the rubber band symbolizing the ecliptic. Ready?
-
Go back to your dot.
Imagine that the ball is moving on it’s own axis in an eastward rotation. How will the rubber band appear to
us?
o Look east.

The node at which the ecliptic intersects the eastern horizon is called the local ascendant.

The node opposite that, in the west is called the local descendent.
o In the between the AC and DC you will find two points of “maximum” relative to the ecliptic’s
journey from one horizon to another. These two points are the MC (that which is above you) and
the IC (below you, not seen).
What this looks like on a chart:
When you look at a chart, the dark line to the left is the ascendant, it symbolizes the zodiac sign, and the exact
degree of that sign, that was rising in the east. The sign opposite that is the descendent, it symbolizes the zodiac
sign, and the exact degree of that sign, that was setting in the west. The dark line on the top is the midheaven, it
symbolizes the zodiac sign, and the exact degree of that sign, that was culminating above you, and the sign opposite
that is the lowheaven, which symbolizes the zodiac sign and the exact degree of that sign that was culminating below
you.
“Fundamental Left Brain”
www.arimoshe.com
4
THE 4 QUADRANTS OF A CHART
The 4 angels that are created by the intersection between the earth’s plane and the ecliptic create 4 natural
quadrants. Each quadrant is subsequently divided into 3 houses (houses will be explained in further depth below).
See chart above for reference.
st
The 1 quadrant consists of houses 1, 2, and 3. It is celestially defined by the band of the zodiac belt that arcs
between the Ascendent and the lowheaven. The ascendant is the beginning of the first house.
nd
The 2 quadrant consists of houses 4, 5 and 6. It is celestially defined by the band of the zodiac belt that arcs
th
between the lowheaven and the descendent. The lowheaven is the beginning of the 4 house.
rd
The 3 quadrant consists of houses 7, 8, and 9. It is celestially defined by the band of the zodiac belt that arcs
th
between the descendent and the midheaven. The descendent is the beginning of the 7 house.
th
The 4 quadrant consists of houses 10, 11, and 12. It is celestially defined by the band of the zodiac belt that arcs
th
between the midheaven and the ascendant. The midheaven is the beginning of the 10 house.
Meaningful observation that confuses a lot of people:
The earth is moving eastward on its own axis. Because of that eastward movement, the sign on the east is seen to
rise. HOWEVER! While the sky seems to be moving around us from east to west, the planets, in their direct
movement through the actual zodiac, are traveling in the opposite direction.
On the chart this is demonstrated as a clockwise rotation of the entire zodiac through all of the houses and back in
one day. However the planets themselves, while they are traveling through that zodiac, are moving through the chart
in a counter clockwise direction.
Astrological interpretation of these quadrants:
Quadrant 1:
Self-identification
These three houses can be dubbed “self identification” as they are correlated to the Aries, Taurus and Gemini
archetypes- all 3 of which are about acting upon, stabilizing and exploring one’s subjective reality. All 3 of those
archetypes imply one’s relationship with one’s self- in all the most fundamental basic ways.
Through this quadrant, a soul is evolving through identifying and becoming familiar with how it moves in the world:
st
nd
finding a path for oneself (1 house), discovering one’s resources and developing self esteem (2 house), and
rd
learning how to learn (3 house).
“Fundamental Left Brain”
www.arimoshe.com
5
As is the case in every quadrant, the house in the middle is the natural “midpoint” of the entire quadrant, and can
thusly describe the essence of the quadrant. In this case, it is the second house- denoting a soul’s journey in realizing
who it is and what it needs.
Quadrant 2:
Self-application
In this quadrant a soul is evolving through experiences in which it is applying and fulfilling who it personally knows
th
itself to be. In other words, before we move above the horizon into the 7 house- the second quadrant represents the
gradual ascent to the mastery of personal self awareness. These three houses are correlated to the Cancer, Leo, and
Virgo archetypes. All 3 of those archetypes relate to fulfilling who a soul has discovered itself to be: developing self
th
intimacy and emotional security within oneself (4 house), giving birth to oneself with a clear sense of purpose and
th
specialness (5 house), and healing all attributes of oneself that requires more improvement in order to serve the
th
whole (6 house).
th
In this case, the 5 house is the mid-house. It denotes a soul’s journey to become fully focused on the immensity of
one’s being, and to act upon the implications of being who it is.
Quadrant 3:
Other identification
In this quadrant we are identifying “other” in the world, and through that, redefining our sense of who we are. This
quadrant is correlated to the Libra, Scorpio and Sagittarius archetypes. All 3 of those archetypes relate to defining
th
oneself through an exciting exploration of all that is “not oneself”, discovering other people’s realities (7 house),
th
th
sharing karma with other souls (8 house), and seeking a relationship to a “higher meaning” (9 house).
th
The 8 house is the mid-house of this quadrant, denoting a soul’s journey to consciously connect with that which is
outside of its self, in order to realize more within.
Quadrant 4:
Other application
In this quadrant a soul is applying its self in the context of “other”. This quadrant is correlated to the Capricorn,
Aquarius and Pisces archetypes. In these houses, all activities a soul takes part in happen through acting upon its
personal relationship to the pre-existing reality. Through this quadrant, a soul develops mastery in life. Contributing
th
oneself to the collective in order to successfully participate in social reality (10 house), co-inspiring with others in
th
order to evolve human participation with life (11 house), and surrendering oneself to live in truth with the ultimate, all
th
encompassing reality (12 house).
th
The mid-house here is the 11 house. This denotes a soul’s journey to consciously participate as a member of the
universe, in order to foster the ever unfolding potential of human intelligence.
Further points about quadrants
As discussed, the 4 angels define the context within which a soul will have its earthly experience as they are literally
intersections between the earth’s plane and the ecliptic; it thus symbolizes the interface between heaven and earth.
The 4 angles create the 4 quadrants- they place all the planets that are traveling somewhere along the ecliptic within
st
th
th
th
a particular domain of earth experience. The cusp of every quadrant (1 , 4 , 7 , and 10 ) is naturally charged with a
vortex like energy. Planets or activity happening around an angle emphasize that planet’s significance in a soul’s
evolutionary journey.
HOUSES AND MODES
The 4 quadrants are divided into 12 houses, with 3 houses in each quadrant. In the porphyry system of dividing a
house, the space between each angle is simply divided into an equal three (we will learn more about that in a
moment).
The houses provide more definition and process for each quadrant. The first house of each quadrant, starting with the
angle itself, is a “cardinal house” associated as well with the 4 cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn).
They are cardinal because they begin entirely new domains of experience. They all naturally imply a freshness- a
journey of discovery.
“Fundamental Left Brain”
www.arimoshe.com
6
The second house of each quadrant is a “fixed house” associated with the 4 fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and
Aquarius). They are fixed because, as written above, they symbolize the stabilization of a soul within the particular
domain of experience as indicated by that particular quadrant.
The third house of each quadrant is a “mutable” house, associated with the 4 mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo,
Sagittarius, and Pisces). They are mutable because they disperse energy in all directions, seeking to culminate and
complete the discovery that has been made via the rest of the quadrant. It symbolizes a soul completing the
experiences of that particular quadrant. Therefore, it naturally lacks clear boundaries and definition, as it is dealing
with the existential nature of the quadrant itself.
FYI! For some reasons, astrologers have found it necessary to label the houses as angular, succedent, and cadent
(respectively correlating to cardinal, fixed and mutable). Succedent means, “that which comes next” and cadent has
something to do with “falling” or completing. In official coffee shop astro lingo, houses are referred to as angular,
succedent and cadent, while only signs are referred to as cardinal, fixed and mutable. We can ignore that social
convention.
And just to clarify: when we talk about cardinal, fixed, and mutable we are speaking about “modes”.
DIVISION OF HOUSES
There is no objectively discernable way of determining how to divide the sky into 12 sections. In fact, it is not even
obligatory to divine the sky into 12 sections. As written above, the only objectively discernable divisions of the sky are
the 4 angles that are created by the intersection between the ecliptic with the local horizon and local meridian axis of
the earth. There are many ways to divide the sky into 12 sections.
Lots of people like to debate about the “best house system”. Each house system is based on a different mathematics
that divides the sky into 12 sections. I personally can only rely on my direct experience as a means to know which
house system is right, and by right I mean right for me. For now, I find porphyry to work well. Mostly because I
actually understand the mathematics.
It’s simple- this system divides the space in between each angle by 3.
For example, (see above chart) if your AC (rising sign) is 20 Virgo 37 (20 degrees, 37 minutes Virgo)* and your MC
(Midheaven) is 19 Gemini 11, then you simply take the total number of degrees between those two points and divide
by three.
In this case: 91 degrees and 26 minutes divided by 3=
30 degrees, 28 minutes and 20 seconds of arc per house.
th
th
Therefore the cusp of the 11 house (i.e. where the 11 house beings) would be 19 Cancer 40 minutes (I’m rounding
th
to the nearest minute). The Cusp of the 12 house would be 20 Leo 09 minutes. Since there is a natural symmetry
between the AC:MC relationship and the DC:IC relationship, we can create the cusp for houses 5 and 6 by copying
whatever we figured out for 11 and 12. House 5 cusp would be 19 Capricorn 40 minutes. House 6 cusp would be 20
Aquarius 09 minutes.
Then, to figure out the degrees of house cusps 2 and 3 as well as 8 and 9- we would have to divide the space
between the AC and IC by 3 as well as the space between the DC and MC by 3 (and of course there is only a need to
do the mathematics for one of those two quadrants- as they are a spatial mirror image of one another).
*(There are 30 degrees in a sign. 60 minutes in a degree, and 60 seconds in a minute).
ELEMENTS
Again, we are avoiding memorization. Here is a way of understanding the elements that correlate to the evolutionary
intentions of each archetype.
When we talk about any singular element, we are talking about a “supra-archetype”. If Gemini is an archetype within
itself, and if Libra and Aquarius are as well; each being their own slice of the cheesy pizza pie, then when we look at
all three archetypes together, we are looking at a broader and more encompassing description of something that is
universal. That’s why I call it a supra archetype.
“Fundamental Left Brain”
www.arimoshe.com
7
For example, on the pizza pie some slices will be made up of fruits, others vegetables, and others with nuts. Pecans
may be associated with one archetype (i.e. one slice will be a pecan nut slice), brazil nuts may be associated with
another, and almonds may be associated with another. Together however they are “the nut slices” on the pie.
Together, they define a very significant nature of cheesy pizza pie.
Note: Contrary to popular belief, the absence or relative lack of a particular element on a chart doesn’t mean a soul
has to develop that element more. Rather, the chart, as it is, is a pretty detailed map of what a soul has chosen to
work on. The relative lack of a particular element is just that. Each soul finds balance in its own way.
Water
Water correlates to Pisces, Cancer and Scorpio. And thus, all together- the water supra archetype correlates to how
the universe (Pisces) projects itself as a soul (Scorpio) and incarnates into a human identity (Cancer). Or said
differently, a soul (Scorpio) creates a human identity (Cancer) as a means to realize its oneness with Source
(Pisces).
The three water signs aren’t just the “emotional” signs of the zodiac- they reveal the very spiritual mystery of our
human existence.
Earth
The earth element is the polarity of the water element. Virgo, Capricorn and Taurus. Just as much as the water
elements describe each soul’s relationship with being a human as a strategy for its own evolution back to source, the
earth elements supra archetype describe the physical parameters in which that journey takes place.
Each soul incarnates into a particular society/reality, which define the basic guidelines for living (Capricorn). In order
to survive, a soul has to develop its resourcefulness and self esteem (Taurus). And there is a constant imperative to
maintain and heal the efficiency of the physical experience (Virgo).
The three earth signs aren’t just about being grounded and practical, it’s about establishing necessary and tangible
definition, boundaries and resources that support a soul’s evolutionary journey on earth.
Fire
Fire correlates to Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. This supra archetype symbolizes the way each soul acts upon and
instigates experience for itself as a human being. A soul manifests as an entity capable of unique achievements and
personal discovery (Aries). As a unique entity, each soul sets out to intuitively discover higher reason for being here
(Sag). And each soul expresses their reasons for being here in their own unique way (Leo).
The fire archetypes all relate to the personal journey and aspirations of an individual soul. It is only through personal
aspirations, that a soul’s evolutionary intentions are enacted.
Air
The polarity to the fire supra archetype is the Air supra archetype.
Air correlates to the connective quality of life- all things are connected, and all things are relating to all things in their
connection with one another.
Air correlates to Gemini, Libra and Aquarius. A soul becomes curious and studies the nature of its existence
(Gemini), it picks up more information about itself through other people (Libra), and seeks to collaborate with other
minds in order to find more evolved ways of being in this world (Aquarius).
The air supra archetype relate to the necessity in each soul’s experience to evolve through creating conscious
relationship; to know itself through association, identification, communication, comparison, contrast, reflection,
objectification and collaboration.
“Fundamental Left Brain”
www.arimoshe.com