Post by ariesmoon on Nov 10, 2008 20:53:17 GMT
Kim asked me to write this piece following a post I did under Eros in Scorpio. I’ve now managed to put it together and I’m sorry Kim it’s taken me a week or so to post it.
This is written very much from my own research on my chart, and I'm more than happy to be corrected on anything that others may think I've got wrong!
I’m indebted to astrologer Robert P Blaschke for my understanding of antiscia or “mirror” degrees, from “Relationship Analysis”, volume IV of his “Astrology: A Language for Life” series. He is the first astrologer I have found who has used what he terms “mirror degrees” in synastry to look deeper into connections between people, connections which are not apparent on the surface. Using Robert’s work, I have found in my own studies of my own natal chart that using such “mirror degrees” reveals relationships between planets which are often not apparent on the surface.
Until I had read this book I hadn’t really grasped the idea that two degrees, apparently unrelated by aspect, could in fact “mirror” each other by being at equal distance in degrees from the summer and winter solstice degrees (0 Cancer and 0 Capricorn respectively). Hence the alternative name of “solstice points”.
How do you find solstice points/antiscia?
I have found that the easiest way to find planets which may be “mirrored” in this way is to look at midpoints. Those pairs of planets with midpoints at either 0 Cancer or 0 Capricorn will be the “antiscia” of each other. There are programmes which help you to find midpoints easily, or you could do it the hard way with maths! Knowing how to do that – knowing and valuing the process, even if you short-cut sometimes – is beneficial.
You can also use detailed tables which are published both in Robert Blaschke’s book, and on websites such as Skyscript (www.skyscript.co.uk/gl/antiscia.html).
A simplified table, showing the signs which are antiscia of each other, is below.
Capricorn/Sagittarius
Aquarius/Scorpio
Pisces/Libra
Aries/Virgo
Taurus/Leo
Gemini/Cancer
If the degrees of two planets in these sign pairings add up to 30 (or anywhere between 29 and 31) then they will be the antiscia of each other – for a further cross-check, look at the midpoint, which will be very close to either 0 Cancer or 0 Capricorn.
Why use them at all?
Using antiscia or mirror degrees opens up a whole new way of looking at relationship charts, and also at your own natal charts, as it shows planets working together when there is no obvious traditional “aspect” like a trine or square. I have found from working with these points in my own chart that they help to make sense of planetary relationships, and particularly of planets supporting each other, when this cannot be explained by traditional aspects.
For example, I have:
Mars at 20 Taurus 40
Venus at 10 Leo 26/North Node at 9 Leo 29
Mars at 20 Taurus 40 is 39 degrees 20 minutes away from 0 Cancer. Venus is 40 degrees 26 minutes away from 0 Cancer. Their midpoint is 0 Cancer 35. Thus Mars and Venus are “antiscia” of each other – each the other’s solstice point. Their energies reflect each other. They do not make a major aspect to each other so a relationship between them would not normally be noticed. They are both in fixed signs and on the face of it, would seem in fact, to clash. But it is definitely true that they do work together, for the benefit of each other. Because Mars is also the antiscia of my North Node, I have the energy of Mars, plus that of Venus, to help me achieve the potential of my Leo North Node.
Another example, from a chart I have worked on, is an Aries Sun being the antiscia of a Virgo moon. Aries and Virgo are seemingly incompatible, and may make a challenging “quincunx” aspect. But there is a way this pairing can work for the good of each other – the Virgo Moon’s instinct for meticulous accuracy and preparation can save an Aries Sun a great deal of time in the long run. And Aries hates to wait!
What orb do you use?
From my limited research, I would keep orbs tight – usually no more than one degree either way.
How can you tell if such planets and points are working together?
As with everything - trust your intuition. If it feels like two planets are working in tandem, even though there isn’t an obvious aspect, then it may well be that they are the antiscia of each other. Or it may be that, like me, you have two planets (particularly in fixed signs, or water houses, or both!) which you have found very difficult to access, and by looking at those planets, you may discover a hidden relationship between them, something which prevents them from expressing themselves.
For many years I had been unable to access my Mars energy – it is in Taurus , where it is in detriment, so not happy (Taurus being such a slow and ponderous energy for Mars). It is also locked away in my 12th house (someone on the forum described it as a “caged bull” which I think is a fantastic description!) I have also found it difficult to access Venus in Leo energy, it is tied closely to my North Node and represents behaviours which have been difficult for me to express freely in past lives. Venus is in the hidden 4th house. I am convinced that because one energy was blocked, so was the other. With both being in fixed signs, neither was going to budge without encouragement and support. I find they give this to each other.
I have found that, by consciously working to access Venus in Leo, Mars in Taurus is also allowed expression, and vice versa. So by opening up to the energy of one of these planets, I am able to tap into the other. By acting (Venus in Leo), I am able to access voice and body work which help me to express my Mars Taurean sensuality. By singing, and by doing bodywork like yoga and sound healing (Mars), I am becoming more expressive and gentle and am working from the heart (Venus in Leo). These two planets seem to work by encouraging and “egging each other on” in a very supportive way. The more I express one, the more I can express the other.
What about transits?
From my limited experience I’m finding that planets which are the antiscia of each other are hugely sensitive to outer planet transits over the Aries points. This voyage of discovery for me began with Pluto at 0 Capricorn – opposing my Venus/Mars midpoint, and absolutely laying bare any pretences and defences I was carrying around. There was no question that planets which had been hiding, fearful of expression, would be activated. The intensity of that transit knocked me sideways, and it’s coming back again, and this time I’m prepared for it!
I hope this is helpful as a starter! I really would recommend Robert P Blaschke's book particularly if you are looking at synastry.
This is written very much from my own research on my chart, and I'm more than happy to be corrected on anything that others may think I've got wrong!
I’m indebted to astrologer Robert P Blaschke for my understanding of antiscia or “mirror” degrees, from “Relationship Analysis”, volume IV of his “Astrology: A Language for Life” series. He is the first astrologer I have found who has used what he terms “mirror degrees” in synastry to look deeper into connections between people, connections which are not apparent on the surface. Using Robert’s work, I have found in my own studies of my own natal chart that using such “mirror degrees” reveals relationships between planets which are often not apparent on the surface.
Until I had read this book I hadn’t really grasped the idea that two degrees, apparently unrelated by aspect, could in fact “mirror” each other by being at equal distance in degrees from the summer and winter solstice degrees (0 Cancer and 0 Capricorn respectively). Hence the alternative name of “solstice points”.
How do you find solstice points/antiscia?
I have found that the easiest way to find planets which may be “mirrored” in this way is to look at midpoints. Those pairs of planets with midpoints at either 0 Cancer or 0 Capricorn will be the “antiscia” of each other. There are programmes which help you to find midpoints easily, or you could do it the hard way with maths! Knowing how to do that – knowing and valuing the process, even if you short-cut sometimes – is beneficial.
You can also use detailed tables which are published both in Robert Blaschke’s book, and on websites such as Skyscript (www.skyscript.co.uk/gl/antiscia.html).
A simplified table, showing the signs which are antiscia of each other, is below.
Capricorn/Sagittarius
Aquarius/Scorpio
Pisces/Libra
Aries/Virgo
Taurus/Leo
Gemini/Cancer
If the degrees of two planets in these sign pairings add up to 30 (or anywhere between 29 and 31) then they will be the antiscia of each other – for a further cross-check, look at the midpoint, which will be very close to either 0 Cancer or 0 Capricorn.
Why use them at all?
Using antiscia or mirror degrees opens up a whole new way of looking at relationship charts, and also at your own natal charts, as it shows planets working together when there is no obvious traditional “aspect” like a trine or square. I have found from working with these points in my own chart that they help to make sense of planetary relationships, and particularly of planets supporting each other, when this cannot be explained by traditional aspects.
For example, I have:
Mars at 20 Taurus 40
Venus at 10 Leo 26/North Node at 9 Leo 29
Mars at 20 Taurus 40 is 39 degrees 20 minutes away from 0 Cancer. Venus is 40 degrees 26 minutes away from 0 Cancer. Their midpoint is 0 Cancer 35. Thus Mars and Venus are “antiscia” of each other – each the other’s solstice point. Their energies reflect each other. They do not make a major aspect to each other so a relationship between them would not normally be noticed. They are both in fixed signs and on the face of it, would seem in fact, to clash. But it is definitely true that they do work together, for the benefit of each other. Because Mars is also the antiscia of my North Node, I have the energy of Mars, plus that of Venus, to help me achieve the potential of my Leo North Node.
Another example, from a chart I have worked on, is an Aries Sun being the antiscia of a Virgo moon. Aries and Virgo are seemingly incompatible, and may make a challenging “quincunx” aspect. But there is a way this pairing can work for the good of each other – the Virgo Moon’s instinct for meticulous accuracy and preparation can save an Aries Sun a great deal of time in the long run. And Aries hates to wait!
What orb do you use?
From my limited research, I would keep orbs tight – usually no more than one degree either way.
How can you tell if such planets and points are working together?
As with everything - trust your intuition. If it feels like two planets are working in tandem, even though there isn’t an obvious aspect, then it may well be that they are the antiscia of each other. Or it may be that, like me, you have two planets (particularly in fixed signs, or water houses, or both!) which you have found very difficult to access, and by looking at those planets, you may discover a hidden relationship between them, something which prevents them from expressing themselves.
For many years I had been unable to access my Mars energy – it is in Taurus , where it is in detriment, so not happy (Taurus being such a slow and ponderous energy for Mars). It is also locked away in my 12th house (someone on the forum described it as a “caged bull” which I think is a fantastic description!) I have also found it difficult to access Venus in Leo energy, it is tied closely to my North Node and represents behaviours which have been difficult for me to express freely in past lives. Venus is in the hidden 4th house. I am convinced that because one energy was blocked, so was the other. With both being in fixed signs, neither was going to budge without encouragement and support. I find they give this to each other.
I have found that, by consciously working to access Venus in Leo, Mars in Taurus is also allowed expression, and vice versa. So by opening up to the energy of one of these planets, I am able to tap into the other. By acting (Venus in Leo), I am able to access voice and body work which help me to express my Mars Taurean sensuality. By singing, and by doing bodywork like yoga and sound healing (Mars), I am becoming more expressive and gentle and am working from the heart (Venus in Leo). These two planets seem to work by encouraging and “egging each other on” in a very supportive way. The more I express one, the more I can express the other.
What about transits?
From my limited experience I’m finding that planets which are the antiscia of each other are hugely sensitive to outer planet transits over the Aries points. This voyage of discovery for me began with Pluto at 0 Capricorn – opposing my Venus/Mars midpoint, and absolutely laying bare any pretences and defences I was carrying around. There was no question that planets which had been hiding, fearful of expression, would be activated. The intensity of that transit knocked me sideways, and it’s coming back again, and this time I’m prepared for it!
I hope this is helpful as a starter! I really would recommend Robert P Blaschke's book particularly if you are looking at synastry.
Kim
To make a statement like that on a night my D is traveling and the Full Moon falls at 21 TAU/SCO 15 - directly on his Nodes! Now I will worry all night for his safety! 
(except we all know they don't exist ..). Antiscia in action!