Topic: On the nature of the Ascendant. Part II

Many people who are involved seriously with astrology forget that the Ascendant is the most important consideration. This is a serious mistake and shows a deep lack of understanding of astrology. We must never forget the fundamental quality of the Ascendant that gives it such importance and makes it stand above all other considerations. The Ascendant is first and foremost, the physical body and the mental body. Without your body, from the viewpoint of this world, everything else in the chart is meaningless, no matter what other considerations are present. The ancient astrologers called the First House (and its cusp, the Ascendant), the "House of Life". Without the "House of Life", without your body, what else matters?

We focus on Morin's comments on the importance of the Ascendant, its ruler, and the planets posited in the First House. We discuss at length Morin's fantastic statement with regard to these considerations in Astrosynthesis. He says,

"...By this observation alone of the planets in the First and the Tenth or their rulers, one can immediately make a judgment as to whether the nativity is fortunate or unfortunate...".

After discussing this material, we apply our comments to the charts of Michael J. Fox, Timothy Leary, Bonnie Lee Bakley, and the chart of a suicide victim. As we have stated in our first lesson on the Ascendant, when it comes to interpretation, the Ascendant is the primary factor and key to understanding the person. If it is not taken as the first consideration, everything else that is present in the chart with regard to the person will be taken out of context. The result will be erroneous conclusions about the individual and their life.

Lastly, we show how the Table of Planetary Dignities can be used as a tool to speculate on the behavior pattern of each of the zodiacal signs. Just by the use of this technique, one can create a simple clear image of the sign.

Sincerely,

Robert M. Corre
New York City