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The study of fortune and destiny in the chart has been recovered from the works of Vettius Valens. In
this study we consult the second century astrologer to return to an astrology not known since his
time.
Hard Hit #1
First, we are working within a deterministic system wherein we are seeking to be privy to the
inscrutable workings of Fate. At first blush we modern thinkers may protest such a domination of
symbol over lifestyle, and may wish to reject this idea as insufficiently allowing us to properly assign
"Free Will" to our ego nature. Ironically, this system is useful for also pointing out how the Ego can
prevent a more fortunate fate from occurring. In other words, the system of these five additional,
calculated "lots" creates an astrological universe of its own. It reveals a hidden aspect of the chart,
our own role in it, and what indicators we must follow in order to fulfill our destiny. Finding this spot
can be the "Aha!" moment for clients as well. But we must first subject our modern astrological
stance to three traumas in order to fully comprehend this perspective.
The modern astrologers' problem with determinism revolves around adding man and his ability to
choose into the cosmic equation, which includes unforeseen events and their impact. All of the twists
and turns in the story of life are either predetermined or up for grabs. I say fate and free-will can
peacefully coexist, but we must also equal in the Law of Karma. Karma, the sanskrit word for action,
not only includes the grand and all encompassing but also the mundane and every day. By
understanding primarily that the planets are the instruments of fate, the astrologer can witness and
make known each native's karmic "lot" or portion.
The Lot of Fortune is the first key to revealing the native's hidden universe of apportionment, or,
more simply stated, the native's lot in life.
Hard Hit #2
The second trauma is to our charts (etched forever in our brains as "My chart!") is the trauma of
disfigurement when (for example) our 10th house stellium becomes a 9th house stellium due to the
positional adjustments that happen when using a whole sign chart.
Where once our identities were perfectly secure in the comfort of our personal mandala, we are now
forced to adjust to a new whole sign format that initially makes no sense to those of us who know
what we know about astrology. We will use no house cusps, no degrees and will usually only speak of
aspects in relation to the planets that rule the 6 places. There are many discrepancies that show up
as a result of forcing ourselves to view this most familiar of all the charts (ours) through the lens of
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Antoine Garth, astrologer presents:
the second century astrologer. The benefit of allowing the Deterministic View and the Whole Sign
House System to permeate our learning will be to provide us with our Bearings: the True North of any
chart. We may find hidden talents or indicators which, by following them, eventually or actually
produce the events of Destiny. We may find our previous feeling of purpose not related to our
Fortune. In the chart, a hidden point may in fact be well-configured, but because it is hidden from
view, it is not discussed: it has become Unconscious. Thus we have a duty as astrologers to live our
own Destinies, and show clients how it is done.
Hard Hit #3
Lastly, because we are losing reference to the exact degrees and working exclusively with whole
signs, we must move out of the round wheel, to become comfortable with the square East Indian
chart.
The Lot of Basis represents the native's ability to produce and/or sustain the apportionment of
fortune allotted to the native. It is also the main motivational foundation of the Lot of Spirit, and
thus is the basis on which the native chooses his/her path of action. Spirit and Basis must always be
used in conjunction. By observing the intersection of these two pillars we can get a very clear picture
of why Judy Garland's actions in relation to her career were led by self destruction and Mae West's by
self preservation.
Many a millionaire made by the lottery have also lost their fortunes and returned to or worsened their
previous situation. Bonatti described The Place of Basis as "the fiduciae ascendantae," meaning
roughly "the faith in or confidence of the ascendant."By naming it so, it begs the important question:
How much faith can one have in fortune? Any gambler will tell you, "None." How solid is the
(emotional, physical or financial) vehicle? Does anything threaten the well-being of the Vehicle from
within or without? On what BASIS shall the native choose a path of action to success? The Place of
Basis may be illusive, establishing whether or not the native can hold up under the full weight of his
fate.
In the chart of Elizabeth II, the lot of Basis is in Gemini in the 6th place of servants and servitude.
The ruler, Mercury is in the 4th house of ancestral bearing. Her ancestral heritage being the Basis of
her position in life makes Elizabeth II a servant to the Crown and to her ancestral obligation. (see p.
10)
Mae West had a long, circuitous journey to "American Icon" status. She experienced equivocal success
as a Vaudevillian of the "low and raunchy" type and in Broadway during the 1910s. In the '20s West's
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Antoine Garth, astrologer presents:
fortune started changing for the better shortly after she began writing and starring in her own
material, which led to scandal, notoriety and fame on the Broadway stage. (chart on p. 8)
The Lot of Basis occupies the sign of Virgo in the 5th place of "Good Fortune" with Mercury present.
Mercury rules the tongue and Mercury is with Saturn a cold, dry planet in Virgo a cold dry sign,
indicative of her dry, understated delivery and deliberate languor in her movement, in contrast to the
other players.
Paulus Alexandrinas says of the Place of Basis, "It is like Breath. It is a contributing cause to one's ALL,
it has governance over the Entirety."
Note that Paulus Alexandrinus uses the word "governance." Using this logic it becomes clear that Basis
contributes to and governs all that motivates decision,speech and action.
The effectiveness of the place of Exaltation relies on the position of its ruler. The place of Exaltation
can describe the area of life that will exalt the native, but the ruler of the Exaltation must be well
placed to reap the full benefits of notability and high status. If the ruler is not well positioned, the
full potency indicated by the place of Exaltation is prevented.
Since it is used specifically to delineate status, the Exaltation will not be used as extensively as the
other 4 pillars within this system. When the ruler of the exaltation is placed in such a way to indicate
prominence, then the qualities and signs of that planet apply and can be incorporated into the
delineation of the chart, When the ruler does not indicate prominence, the place of exaltation and
any planets on it will indicate the area of life that exalts the native as per the status determined by
the ruler.
In Vedic Astrology, the 11th house has been the indicator of gain for the last three millennia, showing
an important linkage of house meaning between the Vedic Tradition and the early Hellenistic
tradition. The 11th house is called Upachaya (Sanskrit -meaning "growing"). Upachaya houses grow
and improve with time.
The natal 11th has historically been considered one of the most fortunate houses of the chart. Some
in the Hellenistic era even considered it better than the tenth house, as planets inhabiting this
pinnacle represented by the midheaven can only progress in one direction via diurnal motion: Down.
©2007 Antoine Garth, All Rights Reserved
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Antoine Garth, astrologer presents:
The Vedic tradition makes a distinction between the 2nd house, representing our "moveable assets"
and belongings, or that which we own (excepting land or homes, which are immoveable assets). The
11th house represents "how we gain what we have and how much of it will be gained."
The place of Acquisition is specifically related to this concept of gain whereas the radical 11th is
called "Good Spirit", confirming the highly positive nature of this house. Valens makes a very specific
distinction between the "accumulating pile of goods" represented by the Acquisition and "the spirit of
beneficial patronage" that is represented by the "Good Spirit". Of course, the role played by a
benevolent patron or "guardian angel" can be a contributing factor to personal and material gain.
From Valens: "In another manner, when you have come to know the place allotted for Fortune, also
consider the squares to it and the remaining figures to be, as it were, upon the genethlialogical pivot
points. That is, the Lot itself will possess the power of the Horoskopos (Ascendant), that of life; the
tenth zoidion(zodiac sign) from this, the power of the Midheaven, that of reputation; the 7th, the
power of the Descendant; the 4th, of the subterraneous zoidion, and the remaining places will
possess the power of the 12 regions. For some have mystically established the universal Horoskopos
and its squares to be the cosmic pivot points, but the Lot and its squares to be the genethlialogical
pivot points."
Valens clearly believed that delineation derived from the Lot of Fortune (as the ascendant) more
relevant than the radical ascendant to judge the characteristics of a person. Fortune, like the
Horoskopos (ascendant), represents our physical body, health and inclination. It also points to the
kind of work we do.
The Lot of Spirit and its ruler represents the vitality and passion (or lack thereof) with which the
native acts upon the world.
Join the discussion and classes. Antoine offers the first hour free.
Enrolllment is $10.00 per class. Four classes, $35.
Antoine Garth, instructor and scholar (with a hilarious Sagittarius Ascendant)
email: agarth@ancientsky.com
©2007 Antoine Garth, All Rights Reserved
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Antoine Garth, astrologer presents:
TH ,
FA OD
KI ER
brings reputation
GO
NG
OD
SP
IR
IT
HELM
HOME(S), ANCESTRAL
QU S, M ESS
N TH
FO
RT
UN
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Antoine Garth, astrologer presents:
1 2 M 3 &
Consider the "situation" of the Lights: Locate the lots of Fortune and Spirit. Find the "Basis" by determining the
If the Sun is above the horizon, it is a number of degrees in the shortest arc
diurnal chart, if below it is a nocturnal Fortune is found by determining the arc of between the lots of Fortune and of Spirit,
chart. difference between the Sun and Moon, regardless of the direction of the signs.
Horoskopos = Ascendant and adding or subtracting that number of Add that number to the ascendant.
Marking the Hour = on the Ascendant degrees from the ascendant, using their
or Fortune degrees of arc in the order of the signs.
Culmination = 10 places or signs from a
lot or place For day, add the degrees. For night,
subtract.
Lot of Fortune
M Lot of Spirit
& Place of
Basis
) Place of
Acquisition
, Place of
Exaltation
new
Place of previous
or full moon
4) 5, 6k
Find the "Acquisition" of the fortune by To find exaltation: Discern whether the Find the previous new or full moon
counting 11 signs from its location. (or, chart diurnal or nocturnal.
count backward from the fortune by two
signs) Take the shortest arc in both cases:
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Antoine Garth, astrologer presents:
Lot of Fortune
M Lot of Spirit
& Place of
Basis
) Place of
Acquisition
, Place of
Exaltation
Place of previous
new or full moon
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Antoine Garth, astrologer presents:
8
Antoine Garth, astrologer presents:
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Antoine Garth, astrologer presents:
In the chart of Elizabeth II, the lot of Basis is in Gemini in the 6th place of servants and
servitude. The ruler, Mercury is in the 4th house of ancestral bearing. Her ancestral heritage
being the Basis of her position in life makes Elizabeth II a servant to the Crown and to her
ancestral obligation. (page 2)
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