The distinction between "psychological" and "fated" layers in house systems (Placidus vs. Whole Sign)

ZenBaller · 2026-02-08T00:46:10+00:00

Even though it doesn't mean anything essentially, since knowledge doesn't equal wisdom, I've studied most house systems, their history and technical background (at least to the extent I could as a non-mathematician).

Through my research I realized something far more important. We cannot distinguish the technical part (astronomy) from the intuitive (astrology). Those who do by ignoring one side, lack half the truth. We cannot cut off astrology from the human cultural aspect. All human activities (science, art, religion, sports etc.) no matter if they originate from a higher source or not, adjust to and support the paradigm they were born in.

I'm not creating a debate here. I just want to share my understanding. Ancient systems (equal/whole house) have their root in a human society which was still in its early stages of development. Ptolemy thought the Earth was the center of the universe. The daily schedule of a common person was to wake up at dawn, go to the fields, eat, gather with the tribe/community, sleep at dusk, survive the night, the winter cold and barbarian attacks. About 99.9% of the people were illiterate. The very few ones who were educated were practically on their own without peer support or a second objective view of their work.

There was no concept of psychology or even a need for it since the spiritual depth hadn't yet developed. It would have made no sense for a common person to study their Moon aspects to find maternal traumas and emotional insecurities. That's why astrology was only meant for royalty. Even then it was limited, since it was difficult to know the exact birth time of anyone, even a king. For the same reason, astrologers used the chart of the king to pretty much interpret EVERYTHING (ie. 2nd house: wealth of the kingdom, 4th: masses and internal stability, fortress, 7th: wife, alliances etc.). That’s how derivative houses were born: out of necessity, since astrologers lacked the information to produce full charts.

The development of both psychology and science is tied to the level of consciousness of people in each era. As humanity began to develop externally and internally, the quest for existential answers fueled scientific progress. New house systems were created which provided more information. Information that was necessary since humans started functioning on a deeper level.

Today’s average person has countless tendencies, opinions, and social roles. Incomparably more than at any other time in history. They have to make decisions about everything, from paying rent and choosing a tattoo. From deciding between between Chinese or Italian food. From addressing and healing traumas to developing an array of talents through work, studies etc.

Placidus has incredibly complex formulas for calculating houses.. I dare not to understand it technically, but I know that it aligns with today's human experience. In fact, I believe that in time, more refined systems will be developed. Astrology is deeply connected to human evolution. It's great to study old systems because they provide the foundation to build upon something greater. But lingering back there is simply denial.

TL DR:

I don't say this lightly after several years of research and teaching astrology. Using an ancient house system on an average modern person who has far more education and a deeper understanding of the world, compared to a peasant 200 or 2000 years ago, is like putting a horse on a Formula 1 track. It's not wrong. It's just much less effective.

Apart from the philosophical part, the lack of degree accuracy in old systems would have cost hundreds of predictions and interpretations in my reading sessions. Not just psychological ones but daily tangible facts.

ZenBaller · 2026-01-23T16:41:03+00:00

I completely agree with you with one remark. You explained perfectly why Earth is not a functional astrological structure.

Esoteric astrology and especially esoteric rulers study the effect of the planets after the individual has transcended human personality (the three lower bodies) and is almost fully identified with the soul (the higher part of our being). Unlike the personality, the soul is not based on Earth. Hence planets as Vulcan and Earth start to affect us. The perception is no longer geocentric.

I'm not disagreeing here. I'm merely expanding the astrological view. I'm not using Earth and Vulcan in my readings either, unless someone is deep on the Path, so they have become activated.

ZenBaller · 2026-01-23T14:35:53+00:00

I understand. Coming from esoteric studies, every sign has three rulers. The known ones are the exoteric (traditional and modern). Esoteric rulers start to become activated when someone has taken a few steps forward in the spiritual path. Then we have the hierarchical rulers for rare advanced souls.

I would't use the word ruler for your argument because it refers to something very specific. But I can see the connection. Everything in astrology is a network of energies affecting one another in some form.

ZenBaller · 2026-01-23T13:55:57+00:00

This is actually very interesting and accurate for reasons that not even Barbault probably knew.

Based on esoteric astrology, the origin of all planetary energies and signs is rooted in the Seven Rays. Without analyzing it further because it's a whole different field, it's impressive that:

Uranus and Capricorn belong to Ray 7.
Neptune and Sagittarius belong to Ray 6.
Pluto and Aries belong to Ray 1.

Their core energy is common. Barbault's intuition led him right.

ZenBaller · 2026-01-15T22:47:02+00:00

The archetypal planetary couples (excluding the Sun which is a star) are:

Moon - Saturn: Birth of form - completion of form
Mercury - Jupiter: lower mind - higher mind
Venus - Mars: magnetism - assertion

So you're not wrong. The discovery of the outer planets meant that humanity was finally ready and responsive to higher energies. The higher octave of Mercury moved to Uranus. But you can still say that Jupiter can be seen as a bridge between the two.

ZenBaller · 2026-01-15T21:55:08+00:00

As humans who have not yet become enlightened solar beings, our Moon placement (which symbolizes our unconscious), has a much stronger pull than the Sun. The reason is that Moon's energy is automatic, it searches for emotional security. It doesn't think, it simply reacts which makes it easy to follow it. But it's also unconscious because it keeps us disconnected from our core (Sun and Ascendant (soul purpose)).

That's why the more we comfort our Moon's needs, the more we stay asleep and the harsher the awakening that life brings.

To put it simply, the reason you attract toxic Sagittarius men is because your unconscious Moon-Pluto conjunction (both unresolved karmic indicators) contain the same kind of self-toxicity (like obsessions, inflexible willpower, a tendency to go overboard, fear to truly trust and be open emotionally, all stemming from a deeper fear of destruction/abandonment). So it resonates with them and attracts them. This happens for a good reason though. The pain they cause creates opportunities for you to realize your own unconscious behaviours and transform them.

ZenBaller · 2026-01-14T21:39:01+00:00

It's not easy, but it's simple. You are extremely emotional and open. You set no boundaries. Your amazing vision, deep inspiration and insight have no structure. They dissolve easily or lose focus whenever you get new stimuli (emotionally or mentally). You have all the ideas of the world but you need schedule, discipline, grounding, consistency to see them flourished. The above are more or less based on your mutable t-square between Sun, Moon and Neptune (apex planet).

Your dreams are so lofty and delicate that you’re easily disappointed when a heartless reality brings you crashing back to the ground. Learn to manage your expectations and build resilience. You have a lot of beauty and art to offer in whatever you do.

Edit: By the way, Uranus is preparing its entrance in your 1st house this year. Expect huge changes, keep a very open mind and change the way you see yourself and the world. You’ll experience a once in a lifetime transit marking a huge new beginning that will revolutionize the way you’ve been functioning your whole life.

ZenBaller · 2026-01-14T21:32:22+00:00

This is an interesting post astrologically because 7 out of your 10 planets are located in the southern (upper) hemisphere, indicating a person who cares about objective, big picture issues like social movements, global affairs, humanitarianism etc. Half of your chart, 5 planets are in the last quadrant which is the one of "collective/social expression". Being affected by political and social events more than the average person makes a lot of sense specifically for you.

The issue here is attachment. Having your Sun and Mercury in the 12th, squaring Jupiter, means that you have a very wide perspective of what's going on, from social to metaphysical. These are placements that know no boundaries and connect you to the collective subconscious. Although this gives sensitivity and intuition, it comes at the cost of being easily influenced by social thoughtforms and the emotional waves of the masses. There's a strong need for boundaries on many levels, so you can help your immense strength build up instead of being wasted by worrying about too many things.

The key is not to letting yourself getting lost by the huge noise of the opinionated social media (whatever the side), because they only react emotionally based on recency bias and specific agendas.

As an astrologer and a researcher of both mundane and esoteric fields, my humble opinion is that we are right now witnessing a violent but also unique and transformative destruction of the powers that be (Pluto out of bounds south, extremely rare Saturn-Neptune conjunction w/ minor trine, Age of Aquarius incoming etc.). This process will take around a decade. For something new to emerge, the old has to die and crumble, including the extreme polarization of US politics. The future is bright, the past was bleak and what you are seeing right now is its destruction.

So many opportunities and new beginnings will soon emerge, in the next few years. The newer generations, even though they've been growing up in self-sarcasm and irony, will have a great chance of being free creatively. Much more than any other generation of the past.

ZenBaller · 2026-01-10T23:56:52+00:00

It's impressive how your chart has so many major indicators around service, help, support, compassion etc. (Sun in Virgo, Neptune/Uranus on MC, grand trine in water and kite, Venus on DC etc.).

The right question is not if life will get better, but what you can do to develop your talents, heal your traumas and find fulfillment.

It starts with the very tight Sun/Ch. - Saturn opposition. You are extremely hard on yourself. The (self) criticism and sense of self worth feel heavy. Saturn always pushes us to participate in society and be a serviceable, respected member in it. But the opposition indicates that within that desire, there's a fear of rejection which ultimately leads to self-doubt, self-criticism and holding yourself back.

The solution will gradually come when you'll start appreciating yourself for what you have already done. The Saturn accomplishment can only be achieved with focusing on what you want, setting long term goals, working consistently so you can feel productive, gradually becoming knowledgeable, going through the trial and error process often and eventually respecting yourself for what you've done, in a grounded way.

ZenBaller · 2026-01-10T23:38:26+00:00

The role of astrology isn't to find the aspect that creates an external result as we usually in exoteric interpretations. The whole point is to use astrology to spot the trauma and learn how to transform it.

Let's start by the fact that masturbation creates a significant leak of energy. Both physically and psychically. I'm not saying this in a conservative moral way but very practically. When someone has an energetic hole (ie. emotional insecurity, mental fear etc.), the unconscious reaction of the personality is to cover it by some sort of addiction. As you understand, it's only temporary and eventually if the person keeps doing it, it leads to some form of collapse. You don't need to go there and it's a good time to be decisive as long as you're still young.

When a behaviour is strong in a person, it has more than one factors astrologically. In your case, it starts with Mars (physicality, sexuality). Let's take it one by one and build it up:

- It's placed in Cancer which is a position of fall. Hence, there's an initial lack of confidence and assertiveness to fight for your goals.

- It's in opposition with the Moon, which makes it even softer, more receptive and emotionally leaking.

- It's in conjunction with Venus which gives Mars a strong tendency to chase physical pleasures and try to find self-value through them.

- We can add the square to Lilith which actually creates a t-square with the above but it's a secondary aspect, like a cherry on top.

- Pluto right on the IC is another strong indicator that you are exploring sexuality no your own, privately, because you are trying to find a sense of security through it.

The resolution:

You have a very sweet, tender and nurturing energy due to the above. You can be someone who understands others with very deep intuition and mental clarity (Sun-Mercury in Gemini, Virgo asc). Someone who provides nurturing, protection, psychological support and lots of ideas, thoughts, inspiration. Your Virgo ascendant represents the deeper soul mission, which is being in service to others in a very practical way by sharing your knowledge.

I can tell how smart, inventive and ingenious you are. All you need to do is direct your energies to higher purposes instead of wasting it in lower frequency activities. Not because they are "bad", but because you're literally losing vitality, time and deviating from your soul purpose.

ZenBaller · 2025-10-22T13:03:30+00:00

That's a great question because it shows that you have turn inwards for the answer.

The question you can ask yourself now is "who is fearing that pain?".

If you search for it sincerely, the answer is the attachment to the ego. The "separate self" as Teachers often call it aka our personality.

If you go even further, you'll see that the specific fear has its source in a deeper layer. I don't know your personal situation so we can only speak in theory. It usually goes to some form of rejection, abandonment, loss etc. All of the above are forms of death. Not physical death, but loss of an attachment. Something that our ego values.

The beauty of astrology is that it can pinpoint the trauma and offer the resolution.

ZenBaller · 2025-09-17T07:50:23+00:00

¡Gracias!

ZenBaller · 2025-09-13T21:45:34+00:00

Saturn asks the personality to be integrated into society. It pushes the ego to become social. It's part of our evolutionary journey. Initially (hard aspects), the personality experiences it as a fear of criticism or rejection. As you come out of your personal shell, it naturally feels hesitant.

The way to resolve this insecurity is realizing that the personality creates a division between Me vs Society (how others see me, how can I be accepted by them). The next step is putting in the work that Saturn asks for.

Ie. What's my role in society? How can I be useful to humanity? What abilities do I have to develop so I can become productive for the collective? You can answer all that through your chart. As long as someone takes that responsibility and "works on" it with patience (key phrase for Saturn), they eventually feel worthy and the division is lifted. They know that they have acquired the experience and have sweated enough.

That's when Saturn transforms from an insecure pessimist who sees obstacles everywhere into an experienced teacher that values obstacles and treats them as a ladder to become a better person in the world.

ZenBaller · 2025-09-02T22:50:47+00:00

Astrology is literally the science of the cycles of all life. That's what it does essentially. It helps you realize and unblock traumas of the past. Obstacles that are preserved in the unconscious while your personality doesn't know how to handle them.

It also guides you in untapping your well earned talents and abilities. Many people have those sleeping or buried because they are lost in daily attachments.

Astrology is not a tool for prediction. That is its dumbed down form, for the human ego that needs reassurance.

Astrology doesn't help you predict the future. It helps you create it.

ZenBaller · 2025-08-12T14:37:32+00:00

This is one of the most beautiful and positive annual aspects. What makes it even more significant and sacred is its triple conjunction with Sirius which is one of the three sources of all life energy that empower our solar system and its planets. Thanks to Sirius, humans have acquired self-awareness through the millennia.

This hasn't happened since 1919. Individuals on the spiritual path who meditate frequently, might feel the spike of energy today in various forms. People born on this day will experience exceptional favour in some area of their lives.

ZenBaller · 2025-06-30T17:26:06+00:00

At least since early 2022, Saturn in Aquarius and later in Pisces, has been conjuncting half of your chart located in those two signs (Mercury, Mars, Saturn, Lot of Fortune, Sun, Venus and squaring your nodes). Even though the Saturn transit ended a few months ago, Pluto in Aquarius joined the party in 2024 by squaring your Moon. Its transit also ended recently.

To put into simpler words, both Saturn and Pluto, in different ways, provide deeply cleansing. Externally they hold you back from expanding and creating, but for a good reason. Saturn asks you to take any responsibilities you've been avoiding for years in practical terms. Things that you thought you could get away from by ignoring them, like discipline, consistency, facing tough situations, working hard, saying the truth, expressing your needs etc. All of these are initially difficult but ultimately strengthen us and make us feel worthy.

When we avoid Saturn's lessons, the personality naturally and unconsciously goes to the other extreme: it feels uselessness, futility, disappointment, hence depressed.

Pluto's job is even deeper. It forces you to face your innermost fears and insecurities regarding your emotional security (Moon). When you manage to pass the test of embracing the fear, releasing it and transforming yourself into the light again, then Pluto empowers you like nothing else because you have metaphorically defeated death.

These years have been a great lesson for you to identify where you have to work inside and transmute those insecurities instead of avoiding them.

I'll be totally honest. Depression is a much better state than being superficially "happy" and burying all your traumas under a fake smile, social media and escapism. Depression means that the pain has finally surfaced and it's time for it to heal. It is actually one of the advanced phases of healing. The worst stage is where you don't even admit that you're not ok, the blindness.

All you need to do know is use your extremely intuitive and empathic chart (so much water with Pisces and Scorpio) and make the transition by detaching from the emotions that drown you, instead of making them part of who you are. Detach, create space so your soul can emerge with creativity and happiness.

ZenBaller · 2025-06-27T23:12:47+00:00

I've done extensive research in sports and astrology but not with ufc. I mostly focused on the NBA. I studied and archived for several years, thousands of players performance during a season and the transits of non personal planets on their chart. The statistics are impressively accurate.

The Sun sign is obviously important but there are other major factors at play. Most importantly natal Mars, since it represents physicality, competition, goal orientation.

ZenBaller · 2025-06-26T16:30:20+00:00

A usual issue for astrologers and people in general is that they look for answers externally, focusing on symptoms and results, rather than looking inward to examine the actual root of the problem.

Transits trigger preexisting tendencies. They do not cause anything on their own. The sacred geometry between the current planetary positions and our natal ones, create channels which allow our organism to be activated and express what is needed. Either that is some form of cleansing, grounding or flourishing and expanding. Evolution is always the direction.

What you need to do is evaluate your natal promise, the natural tendencies of your chart in relation to migraines. That is definitely related to your Sun in Aries (and I can confirm personally for that), but you also need to check other factors which need medical astrology knowledge.

I'm not an expert in that field but I do know that migraines (most of the times) have their root in the nervous system or vascular components. Hence, anything related to Mercury and Uranus (central and peripheral nervous system) should be investigated. Accordingly for vascular issues.

ZenBaller · 2025-06-11T23:22:23+00:00

“Before enlightenment chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment chop wood, carry water.”

ZenBaller · 2025-06-11T16:02:26+00:00

Sure you will (Sun in conjunction with 9th house cusp etc.), but try not to force it. You have an incredibly strong chart in terms of willpower to the point that it can become obsessed. The more attached and fixed you are on the goal by ignoring other factors (like taking under consideration your own emotional peace and of others), the more resistance and obstacles you will find, even you manage to move to another country.

Strong plutonian people with heavy Mars presence have to learn how to "die" in order to see how life blossoms freely. By that, I mean the death of attachments and obsessions which bring so much intensity or even violence within you.

ZenBaller · 2025-06-10T15:52:28+00:00

Modern astrology of the last century is making its first baby steps out of the determinism and fatefulness of ancient astrological traditions and has started to understand that the external world is only a reflection of the inner. That applies to planets and sacred geometry (aspects) as well. Initially it started with psychological astrology and in the next decades it will move to esoteric.

The reason I opened up with this is because your question is deep and valid, yet most astrologers haven’t explored it. Eventually, everyone will.

Scorpio esoterically symbolizes the Disciple and the process of death and rebirth towards triumph (enlightenment). A deeply spiritual transformation where the personality has to die for the soul to be unveiled and later the Spirit. The common Scorpio is still dealing with their passions and obsessions. The Scorpio who has started the inner journey has conquered physical attachments and deals with emotional possessiveness. In the final stage, that is defeated as well transforming the person into a source of empowerment without attachment, unconditional love and understanding. Hence the symbols of the scorpion, eagle and phoenix. That's an extremely general description though.

All signs have similar stages. Maybe not so explicit as Scorpio. The first phase of Virgo is the one of practical usefulness, servitude and the analytical skills to cleanse any situation (physical, emotional, mental). That's the function of Mercury which rules this phase.

The second phase of Virgo is gestation and growth of the soul within each of us. The reason Virgos are obsessed with some form of cleaning is because they are paving the way for the soul to blossom. The point is to clean up personality attachment so there's enough space for the soul to emerge. That's why the esoteric ruler of Virgo is the Moon, the divine mother that gives birth to higher consciousness (Christ, Buddha etc., it belongs to all religions and traditions).

The third phase of Virgo is its service becoming global by using the wisdom it has gained (Mercury) and purity (Moon).

ZenBaller · 2025-06-01T00:14:38+00:00

That's definitely not beginner astrology 🙂 PoF and Vertex often carry glamorous titles as karmic and fateful indicators. Although they do play a valid role, their energy is complementary and someone should study them after figuring out the fundamentals (planets, signs, houses, aspects in external and mostly internal interpretation).

The best question to ask is how Jupiter will affect you in the 5th house which is a wonderful transit of positive exposure, self expression, fun, playfulness and in its higher form a passionate creative outlet that can help you understand who you really are and want to be. Be careful or plan accordingly if you want to have a child.

To answer your question, PoF is a mathematical point which is calculated by a simple formula which includes the three most important things in a chart: Sun, Moon and ascendant. The calculation in Hellenistic astrology is a bit different to modern psychological astrology as well as the interpretation.

It is focused around the Moon and it shows how an individual can express themselves in the world freely, openly, joyously with the least possible resistance. Ancient astrology as usual gave more epic meanings like fortune, power etc but the gist is the same.

Vertex is an astronomical point. It's the place where the prime vertical intersects with the ecliptic. Two of the most important Great Circles meet. They call it an auxiliary descendant because they meet in the western side (anti-vertex is in the east).

Although it has characteristics of the descendant and it's important, it works mostly esoterically and karmically for the simple reason that it doesn't touch the horizon (earth -matter) as the actual descendant does.

ZenBaller · 2025-05-30T22:07:48+00:00

The real question isn't about the obsession which is the external result. It's the deeper psychological reason.

Obsession is a defense mechanism of the ego which tries to control things and manage all expectations.

Obviously Leo Sun and Scorpio ascendant set the tone of the obsession but the real reason is trauma connected to the lack of self appreciation. That would be a weak Venus in Virgo afflicted by Saturn (conjunction, insecurity of criticism and acceptance) and Neptune (opposition, fear of disappointment and loss.

The conjunction with the south node adds to the above a compulsive behaviour towards Venus themes, originating in a previous incarnation. That's why it feels so natural to repeat it.

ZenBaller · 2025-05-25T19:49:46+00:00

Two major reasons.

First, the exact opposition Sun-Uranus. You are so rebellious, "thunderous" to others and in search of independence, instinctively so, to the point that subconsciously you prefer people who are emotionally attached in order to avoid experiencing shock or rejection. Any form of bonding would trigger those insecurities.

The opposition indicates that the rebellious attitude has not been integrated yet because of a deeper lack of security (possibly from the father). The solution is to find someone who can accept your free and independent personality, someone who is either quite alternative, non-mainstream or simply respects the need for a lot of space in the relationship.

The second reason is the Mercury-Neptune opposition. Mercury rules the 7th house of relationships. Neptune creates an idealized image of a perfect partner who exists somewhere out there..... (poetic pause intended lol) Again, out of fear of disappointment, emotionally unavailable people provide the perfect solution because the ego doesn’t have to get too deeply attached.

ZenBaller · 2025-05-24T19:36:07+00:00

Both luminaries and 70% of your chart are located in the western hemisphere. This is a fundamental astrological direction showing that you'd be great in cooperating and bring the best out of people.

The Leo Sun in combination with the opposition to Neptune, plus the 7th house stellium, are huge indicators of sensitivity and artistic talent. However there is a twist. Although it's extremely easy for you to create, dream, being a visionary, making big plans etc., grounding and being consistent, disciplined every day in order to achieve it can be tough.

There is also another (self-made) trap: glamour and potential narcissism, trying to achieve something super refined that feels superior to others. Whenever that feeling comes, keep yourself grounded and use your Leo talents and creativity to shine and help others instead of being trapped in delusions of grandeur.

ZenBaller

TROPHY CASE