Western Astrology

Astrology without alchemy is like having a tool shed with no tools. To transmute the mind, ancient cultures recognized a code unique to the individual. Using the symbols in our full birth chart, we apply their archetypes to the alchemical function correlated to them.  When added to the astrological correlations of the Sephirot, or any other system of alchemy, we have a more well-rounded understanding of how our personal mental chemistry works. The different planets applied to them should be understood through the idea they represent. Assuming everyone understands the concepts behind the zodiac sign, here's what I mean:

Sun - conscious personality 

Moon - subconscious, habits, instincts 

Rising - appearance, life trajectory 

Mercury - communication, intellect

Mars - action, desire, aggression 

Venus - love, beauty, art, values

Jupiter - expansion, optimism

Saturn - restriction, structure

Uranus - rebellion, eccentricity, breakthrough 

Neptune - imaginations, dreams

Pluto - transition, compulsion, power

N. Node - potential

S. Node - karmic past

Chiron - point of healing

Lilith - allure, temptations, inner darkness 

Selena - higher purpose, inner light

- Houses -

1st - self, personality 

2nd - finances, possessions, self-worth

3rd - communication, education 

4th - home, family

5th - romance, play, self-expression

6th - health, fitness, work habits

7th - contracts, business relationships 

8th - merging, joint resources, inheritance 

9th - philosophy, travel, cross-cultural relations 

10th - career, long-term goals

11th - friends, groups, humanitarianism

12th - subconscious, spirituality

Sulphur - active masculine, dry solid, Soul,

Air/Fire, essence and purpose

Mercury - passive feminine, cold liquid, Spirit,

Water/Air, energetic force

Salt - physical form, Body, 

Earth/Water, structured thought

Once we understand how they relate to us individually, we use the paired concepts to decipher the meanings of alchemical artwork. Artists put symbols in certain places to convey an idea of what we're supposed to do with the archetypes. Each house is ruled by a zodiac so their symbols are typically implied but not always used. 

From beginning to end, the alchemical cycle is Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus, Mercury, Moon, Gold. Apply the concepts of your birth chart to begin. This is not the only way to do it, but it is the most basic. 

As the saying goes, the weak-minded are ruled by their stars, the strong-willed rule over them all. Our birth chart is our cosmic fingerprint for this life and their chemistry forms the blueprint for our programming. Using alchemy, we can transmute the zodiacs' lower nature into their higher state. 

A good way to understand this is by watching the evolution of Scorpio. At its base form, the scorpion crawls on the ground. Its ancient symbol, the eagle, denotes a higher perspective, but its final form is the phoenix. More info about this can be found online. 

Cardinal - begin, create, birth (Generate)

Fixed - reversion, maintain (Operate)

Mutable - transform, death (Destroy)

Using these traits of the zodiac signs, along with the traits of the 4 elements, it is relatively easy to figure out how it all works - YHUH. Once we rise above the limitations of our programming, we can incorporate traits from the other signs. Each sign has their light and shadow aspects. Once we are no longer controlled by their shadows, we can use them to our advantage. Using the archetypes against and with each other is alchemy.

Aries - sense of urgency motivated by enthusiasm, dynamic

Cancer - emotional assertion, intuition 

Libra - balanced and unbiased, urbane

Capricorn - practical, down to earth, reserved

Taurus - stubborn momentum

Leo - creatively adapts to impress and maintain power, adapts environment to goals

Scorpio - emotional reactions, underlying influences, magnetic

Aquarius - fixed beliefs, morals, livelihood 

Gemini - versatile, adapts goals to fit the environment

Virgo - organization and critical analysis 

Sagittarius - seeker of knowledge, end of ignorance 

Pisces - dissolution, detachment from this world

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Aries - selfish, impulsive

Cancer - overemotional, clingy

Libra - indecisive, gullible

Capricorn - pessimistic, grudging

Taurus - jealous, resentful

Leo - patronizing, intolerant

Scorpio - secretive, obstinate 

Aquarius - perverse, unpredictable 

Gemini - nervous, cunning

Virgo - worry, overcritical

Sagittarius - irresponsible, tactless

Pisces - escapism, weak-willed