PART I
Much of life is a struggle to find the proper balance between conforming to society’s expectations on the one hand, and freely expressing our own feelings on the other. Our socialized behavior brings us the acceptance and approval of other people, but it provides us with none of the inner satisfaction and joy of feeling that we are valuable beings in our own right. Our personal happiness depends upon both types of assurance—knowing that we are members in good standing of our social group, and knowing that we are unique individuals in the cosmic scheme of things.
The first imperative—the need for emotional validation in a social context—is symbolized by the astrological aspects. Aspects reveal areas of adjustment (or lack of the same) between the individual and his social environment, The planetary impulses at work operate on a level of socially conditioned beliefs (fitting in or rebelling). We use these planetary energies in the way our parents and society have taught us to use them. They are creative energies, but they are constrained by the values and judgments of our social milieu and the times in which we live.
The second imperative—the need for emotional validation as a divine being (apart from the opinions of other people)—is symbolized by the parallels of declination. The parallels reveal a sense of specialness unto self; they go off on their own to find an individual answer to some question in life which the aspects address in a conventional, stereotyped, and therefore rather sterile fashion. The parallels exemplify an ideal of individualistic effort—blazing a new trail all alone. They symbolize those areas of life marked by a touch of personal distinctiveness.
In the parallels we have combinations of planetary energies operating in unconditional fashion, on a level of intuition and feeling rather than one of concepts and thinking. We know how to use these energies without ever having been taught. We use them to express what is in our hearts rather than what is in our minds.
Therefore, a parallel shows an inherently more satisfying use of planetary energies than an aspect does. We can thus say that the parallels are of a benefic nature, although they do tend to isolate us within ourselves (cut us off in this area of life from the rituals of reward and punishment which animate most of the people around us).
For present purposes we will consider two planets to be in parallel if the difference in their declinations does not exceed one degree. Two planets within the same degree of declination, but with one planet north and the other south of the equator, are considered to be in parallel (that is, no distinction will be made here between parallels and contra-parallels). Also, we will only consider two planets to be in parallel if they are not also involved in a major Zodiacal aspect with 6º orbs. This is done to make it easier to distinguish between the action of the aspects and the parallels. In real life, when both a parallel and Zodiacal aspect exist between the same pair of planets, you should consider this planetary combination to be of particular importance and interest in the native’s life,
Preponderance of Parallels: People who have many parallels in the horoscopes (six or more) are emotionally self-contained individuals who tend to seek isolation. Albeit superficially agreeable and pleasing, their natural instinct is to avoid other people or to push them away. They are often self-conscious in social situations because social poise doesn’t come naturally to them—they feel they have to fake it somehow. Thus they shy away from the social commitments and entanglements which people with no parallels eagerly seek out and enjoy.
These people often seem oddball or quixotic—real characters. They are hypersensitive to encroachment on their private space, and they take an oblique view of their fellow men —suspicious, cynical, superior On the other hand, they have a deep sense of personal integrity. Attuned to their own inner convictions rather than to canons of social acceptance, they are hard working, thorough, and conscientious.
Absence of Parallels: People who have no (or few) parallels in their horoscopes are sociable, outgoing, and demonstrative. They go into social relationships in a breezy, matter of fact way. They seek their own equilibrium by keeping on top of their social milieu in some sort of controlling role (e.g., the organized one, the charming one, the innocent one, the mischievous one). Whatever role they choose they employ to dominate their social environment—they can usually make everyone around them accept them more or less on their own terms and give tern whatever special attention they desire. On those occasions when this support system of other people fails them, they feel totally lost, betrayed, and bewildered.
Before delineating the meanings of the individual parallels, one point should be made clear: a person does not exhibit all of his aspects and parallels at the same time. Typically, a person will have his Venus-trine-Jupiter days, and he’ll have his Mars-square-Saturn days. What an aspect or parallel shows is a characteristic mood or mindset which at times comes over those people who share this aspect or parallel. It does not mean that they act this way all the time.
Sun-Moon: The aspects try to reduce everything to simplicity, to be straightforward, upfront, and on the level. The harmonious aspects are more, and the inharmonious aspects are less, successful at getting other people and the world around them to cooperate with this ideal of laying all one’s cards on the table. They have very little capacity for guile, and rely instead upon a stubborn logic and contrariety to get their own way when complexities and subtleties become too complex and subtle. They have a genuine, innocent self-delight which however can be perverted into an irritating smugness.
The parallels are warier, more reserved, less inclined to barge into any situation with a handshake and a Howdy. They are just as direct and frank, but without the clatter and effusiveness of the aspects. They are more sensitive to nuances and less naive about their own motives, and they are therefore ultimately more convincing and sincere than the aspects.
Sun-Mercury: The aspects (that is, the conjunction) are extremely defensive and emotionally repressed. They never feel relaxed and secure, and they live in constant fear of being attacked or unmasked. Critical of others, they bristle at any criticism of themselves; and indeed they automatically reject any and all talk about feelings. They are proud, disciplined, and have themselves under very tight control.
The parallels are by no means humble, but they feel no need for apologies or excuses: they are ultimately quite content with who they are. They can see themselves dearly and objectively, and they withhold judgment from themselves; this in turn makes it easy for them to be non-judgmental with others. Where the conjunctions distance themselves from people in fear, the parallels distance themselves by granting other people their due space, and insist upon their own in return.
Sun-Venus: The aspects (the conjunction) tend to find life frustrating and unrewarding, no matter how hard they sacrifice and try to play by the rules. They take every setback as a personal rejection. They generally have little sense of self-worth, and are inhibited by feelings of shame and inadequacy. They can give, but don’t know how to accept in return.
The parallels have a great sense of manner, a smooth self-possession, and a sense of belonging no matter what company they find themselves in. They have democratic impulses because they know they are any man’s equal; they are not ashamed to take their rightful share of the good things in life. Where the conjunction’s moods are tied to the approval or disapproval they receive from others, the parallels are steadier and have an unshakeable sense of their own inner worth, no matter how the tides of fortune flow.
Sun-Mars: The aspects are alert and assertive. They stand up for themselves and make their voices heard. They have a peremptory manner and a sharp tongue. They are bold and saucy, but are also touchy and quite thorny to deal with.
The parallels have the same bristles as the aspects, and evince the same readiness to stand and stand alone; however, they lack the rebelliousness and contumacy of the aspects. They are every bit as resolute, but not as scrappy and pugnacious. They don’t choose combat as their first resort; but rather find that calm, unflinching determination works quite well by itself, with no need for added histrionics.
Sun-Jupiter: The aspects are lively and optimistic. They try to maintain an attitude of cheerfulness and goodwill no matter what circumstances are confronting them. Generally good-humored, they tend to be rather indolent or laissez faire. They maintain a detached and ironic view of themselves which buoys their spirit when times get tough.
The parallels are as optimistic and forward-looking as the aspects, but they are not as gushing, nor are they as smug and complacent. They are humbler, or at least lacking in that overweening superiority and swagger which so often characterize the aspects. They are more conscientious because they are more analytical and open to learning from their experience than the know-it-all aspects.
Sun-Saturn: The aspects are serious minded and grave, and are not to be toyed or trifled with. They can be rather scornful or deprecatory of other people, which is how they deal with the fear of being hemmed in by them. They have an overriding concern for the maintenance of their sense of dignity and independence, and for the proper amount of respect which they feel is their due. On the other hand, they are hard working, responsible, and punctilious in the discharge of their obligations.
The parallels are just as dependable and serious as the aspects, but they are more laid back and much less demanding. They are not so manipulative, nor as petty in scoring little power points for themselves. Rather, they work steadily at a relaxed and satisfying pace; and they know that anything they're supposed to have will come to them of its own accord.
Sun-Uranus: The aspects have a freewheeling, unpretentious, California kind of style. They’re broad-minded and tolerant of other people, and they have the attitude of live and let live. Loose and nimble, they carefully avoid being pinned down and emotionally committed—they try to preserve their freedom of action at all times. Thus, while they are friendly and outgoing, they can also be maddeningly vague, distant, and noncommittal.
The parallels are just as emotionally detached as the aspects, but they are more self-contained. They maintain their independence not through a sidestepping strategy of avoidance, but rather by being collected and in control of themselves, and hence difficult to move or influence. They are not as glib as the aspects, but they are more cautious, penetrating and analytical.
Sun-Neptune: The aspects march to the beat of a distant drum. They are part visionary, part spaced-out, with a taste for the abstract or mystical, and a well-developed set of spiritual and moral ideals. Although generally cheerful, they also have an air of vague worry—a restlessness of nervous, little backward glances. They are forward looking but indecisive, capricious, and inclined to view the world through rose-colored glasses. Their viewpoint is bold and original, but also distorted by its own fancies and imaginings.
The parallels are similarly idealistic and willing to operate on a basis of their own intuition; but they are not so blindly optimistic and naive on the one hand, nor as torn by self-doubt on the other. In contrast to the fluttery aspects, they are more intellectual or logically minded, and have a strong sense of inner stability and being connected.
Sun-Pluto: The aspects are self-absorbed and concentrated upon the path beneath their feet; hence they tend to take a shortsighted view of the world around them. They can be extraordinarily naive or idealistic, and they are given to making black and white judgments. They have the attitude "Damn the torpedoes—full speed ahead!" Albeit courageous and determined, they can also be adamant to the point of unreason. Their extreme self-will combined with complete self-assurance makes these natives very prickly to deal with.
The parallels exhibit the same flashes of crazy independence as the aspects, and they’re every bit as mulish; but they have a greater sense of proportion and detachment from their own value judgments. Thus the parallels feel less need to impose or impress their views on others: their extremism is more intellectual, less acted-out; it is tempered by a self-restraint absent in the wildly passionate aspects.
Moon-Mercury: The aspects are quick: quick to pick up on other people’s feelings and points of view, and quick to understand and catch on to nuances. They have logical minds and are fond of arguing. Their hallmark is earnestness—a firm belief in common sense and good faith. They depend on cooperation, clear communication, and making intellectual connections without the need for pretension, embellishment, or appearances. They have a nervous, fitful energy, and a blunt and abrupt manner.
The parallels have the same quick intellectual grasp as the aspects, but they are more reserved, and not as explanatory and self-justifying; not as dependent upon convincing other people or securing their agreement. They have a self-critical faculty not usually present in the aspects, and thus they are able to take a calmer, deeper, more philosophical view of life than the aspects. They are more detached in their dealings with people, less urgent.
Moon-Venus: The aspects are optimistic, outgoing, and gregarious, with an appreciation for social grace and niceties. They make a strong effort to please and be pleasing because they are nonplused by conflict, and so try to avoid it through obsequiousness or emotional withdrawal. Contrary to popular belief, not even those with the good aspects of Moon and Venus make happier marriages than anybody else; but there is less tendency to divorce here because the overriding concern for harmony in relationships leads these natives to endure more for the sake of peace.
The parallels feel the same need for order and harmony in life, but they are less fidgety, more easy-going than the aspects, and less dependent upon agreement with others for their own sense of inner peace. They have a better sense of their own emotional space, and they don’t permit other people to disturb their inner balance as much as the aspects do. They know the art of compromising with others without compromising their own true feelings.
Moon-Mars: The aspects are humorous and playful, with a childlike sense of mischief—though they do tend to come on pretty strong. At the same time, they embody a staunchness and courage which command the respect of other people. They are true to their principles and unswerving in their determination, though they also have a Prima Donna streak—they’re ornery, and given to pets.
The parallels have the same spunk and cockiness as the aspects, but they are more aloof and impersonal, and therefore less overbearing. They are more impassive than the aspects, who are always taking a stand or proving a point. The parallels feel little need to win (or bowl) other people over to bolster their own sense of prowess because their self-assurance is more of an inner glow than an outer flash.
Moon-Jupiter: The aspects are good natured and amiable, comfortable people to be with. They possess a wry humor and they take a benign interest in other people—detached and non-judgmental. They are determined to enjoy themselves come what may, and simply won’t permit themselves to be oppressed or weighted down by other people or circumstance.
The parallels are like the aspects in their positive and constructive attitude and their easy acceptance of other people, but they have a milder and more heartfelt manner than the cool aspects. They have the same emotional detachment, but not the above-it-all self-satisfaction. Where the aspects banter and jest, the parallels communicate a true concern.
Moon-Saturn: The aspects greet experience with a grim, ready-for-anything stance. They are cautious and reserved, and they are quite canny. They always stop or step back for a moment to calmly weigh the pros and cons; they are meticulous, logical, and argumentative. They are not so much inhibited as resolute, girded for action, and prepared in advance for any conceivable contingency.
The parallels are as serious minded as the aspects, and they have the same hesitation: when a decision is required they also retreat for a moment to ponder. However, here the reach is towards a deeper understanding rather than for immediate personal advantage. The parallels are conscientious rather than contentious. They seek to comprehend a situation or relationship rather than dominate it through elaborate preparations and defenses.
Moon-Uranus: The aspects are thoroughly self-disciplined, dedicated, and professional. They are unbothered and unruffled (though far from carefree), with little wasted motion or needless expenditure of energy. They are gregarious, but have a blunt manner; and they are restless and intense. They can be coldly analytical, verging on cynical, and can manifest a sneering, heavy-handed superiority and absolutism.
The parallels take the same pride in their competence and fitness as the aspects do, but they are lower keyed, less overbearing. They have the same cool-headed self-certainty, but they have a genuinely friendly regard for people and a sense of being at their service.
Moon-Neptune: The aspects are soft and vulnerable, and have a wistful, abstracted air about them, as if they were tuned into their own personal wavelength. They have an impish glint in their eyes, as if relishing their own secret joke. They gaze past the things of this world with a look of yearning for some idealized universe. At times you can speak directly to them, looking them right in the eye as they smile and nod back to you, and they won’t even hear a word you’re saying. But they are true salt-of-the-earth types in their naive optimism and harmlessness.
The parallels are as private as the aspects, and they have the same spritely and winsome manner, but they are nowhere near as woolly. In fact they can be quite shrewd and calculating in employing their pixie-like mischievousness to charm and wheedle other people. They’re never so far off in the stratosphere that they miss an opportunity down here on Earth.
Moon-Pluto: The aspects are sedulous and intent; they hum like little machines at work as they go busily about their tasks. They are most difficult to halt and deflect, or even to influence (much less convince). They are neither open nor amenable to suggestions: if an idea did not originate within themselves, then it holds little interest for them. But they are gritty, tenacious, and indomitable in carrying out their own designs.
The parallels are as wrapped up in themselves and their schemes as the aspects, and they act with the same finality; but they are more flexible and willing to modify their plans as the situation dictates. They are capable of executing a strategic retreat if need be, or of simply waiting patiently. They always keep their sense of humor and perspective.