Topic: An Extensive Analysis of the Chart of Cardinal Richelieu

Lessons 7 and 8 recapitulate the material from the previous five lessons and freely apply their content to example horoscopes. The material in the previous five lessons served to broaden our astrological knowledge; the purpose of this and the next lesson is to deepen our understanding of a chart through application of this material.

This lesson pays particular attention to the role of aspects. Our comments focus on the Ascendant and Midheaven in the chart of Cardinal Richelieu. There is an extensive analysis of these two important points in a chart with a detailed explanation of the critical square between Mars and Venus that fall in these two houses. In addition, we demonstrate how to use the Archetype as a measure of behavior when studying a chart.

The life of Cardinal Richelieu, Prime Minister of France under Louis XIII, is remarkable; many people consider him France's "George Washington". He is credited with the consolidation of royalty's power in France in the 17th century that led to the creation of the modern nation state of France. While he was considered Louis XIII's éminence grise, meaning the unofficial power behind the crown, much has been made of Morin de Villefranche's role as Richelieu's éminence grise, and in this case, meaning, the unsuspected power.

Some people say there is little evidence to show that Morin influenced Richelieu, others say that Richelieu consulted him; Zoltan Mason stated that Morin was in the exclusive service of Richelieu for twenty years (page 6, Astrosynthesis). In fact, Zoltan Mason went so far as to say that Morin was Richelieu's brains....

Sincerely,

Robert M. Corre
New York City