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MAPPING YOUR MONEY
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Kris Brandt Riske, M.A., (Arizona) is a professional astrologer. She serves on the board of the National Council for Geocosmic Research, has a master’s degree in journalism, and is the author of numerous articles for popular astrology magazines and publications. She is the author of Mapping Your Future, a contributor to Civilization Under Attack and Llewellyn’s Starview Alamanac, and has written annual weather forecasts for Llewellyn’s Moon Sign Book.
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MAPPING YOUR MONEY Understanding Your Financial Potential
KRIS BRANDT RISKE, M.A.
Llewellyn Publications Saint Paul, Minnesota
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Mapping Your Money: Understanding Your Financial Potential © 2005 by Kris Brandt Riske, M.A. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever, including Internet usage, without written permission from Llewellyn Publications except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. First Edition First Printing, 2005 Book design by Donna Burch Cover planet images © Digital Vision Cover design by Kevin R. Brown Edited by Andrea Neff Llewellyn is a registered trademark of Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd. Chart wheels were produced by the Kepler program by permission of Cosmic Patterns Software, Inc. (www.AstroSoftware.com) Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Riske, Kris Brandt. Mapping your money : understanding your financial potential / Kris Brandt Riske.—1st ed. p. cm. — (Astrology made easy series) Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 0-7387-0672-8 1. Astrology and personal finance. 2. Astrology and business. 3. Finance, Personal. 4. Money. I. Title. II. Series. BF1729.F48R57 2005 133.5'8332024—dc22
2004063315
Llewellyn Worldwide does not participate in, endorse, or have any authority or responsibility concerning private business transactions between our authors and the public. All mail addressed to the author is forwarded, but the publisher cannot, unless specifically instructed by the author, give out an address or phone number. Any Internet references contained in this work are current at publication time, but the publisher cannot guarantee that a specific location will continue to be maintained. Please refer to the publisher’s website for links to authors’ websites and other sources. Llewellyn Publications A Division of Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd. P.O. Box 64383, Dept. 0-7387-0672-8 St. Paul, MN 55164-0383, U.S.A. www.llewellyn.com Printed in the United States of America. Llewellyn is a registered trademark of Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd.
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Other Books and Articles by Kris Brandt Riske, M.A. Mapping Your Future (Llewellyn Publications, 2004) Llewellyn’s Starview Almanac (contributor) (Llewellyn Publications, 2005) Llewellyn’s Moon Sign Book (contributor) (Llewellyn Publications, 2002–2005) Civilization Under Attack (coauthor) (Llewellyn Publications, 2001) Astrometeorology: Planetary Power in Weather Forecasting (American Federation of Astrologers, 1997)
Forthcoming Books and Articles by Kris Brandt Riske, M.A. Mapping Your Travels & Relocation with Maritha Pottenger, coauthor (Llewellyn Publications, 2005) Llewellyn’s Moon Sign Book (contributor) (Llewellyn Publications, 2006) Llewellyn’s Starview Almanac (contributor) (Llewellyn Publications, 2006)
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Dedication To Miriam and Bob Gallo, best friends and lunar soul mates.
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Acknowledgments Many thanks to the people whose charts and stories are included in these pages, and especially to Jack, who shared with me the in-depth details of his financial history. Thanks also to the Llewellyn team for their support, and to Andrea Neff, an exceptional editor who brings out the best in an author. She definitely knows what it takes! David and Fei Cochrane also deserve recognition. Their company, Cosmic Patterns Software, produced the CD that accompanies this book. It makes astrology accessible to anyone with a computer.
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Contents List of Charts
xi
Introduction
1
One Astrology: The Basics
3
Two Your Money Mindset
13
Three Money Houses
35
Four Money Planets
45
Five The Other Planets
63
Six Second-House and Eighth-House Aspects
Seven Earned Income
125
Eight Inheritance
139
Nine Speculation
153
97
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Contents
Ten Consumer Credit
169
Eleven Entrepreneurs
181
Twelve Case Study: Mel Gibson
197
Appendix 1: Step-by-Step Guide to Mapping Your Money Appendix 2: Money Trends
205
Appendix 3: Map Your Money Using the CD-ROM Glossary
215
Bibliography
219
209
201
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Charts 1. Jack
4
2. Signs, Planets, Elements, and Modes 3. Jack
15
4. Jack
39
5. Jack
47
6. Jack
99
7. Susan
127
8. Matt Damon
131
9. Ben Affleck
133
10. Celine Dion
136
11. Lisa Hathaway 12. Ned
141
144
13. Julia Roberts 14. Kathy Ford
146 148
15. Christina Onassis 16. John
151
155
17. Millionaire
157
18. Lottery Winner 1
160
19. Lottery Winner 2
162
20. Slot Machine Winner 21. Keno Winner 22. Denis 23. Vianne 24. Kathy 25. Peter 26. Kay
6
164
166
171 173 176 177 183
xi
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Charts
27. Realtor
185
28. J. P. Morgan
187
29. Donald Trump
189
30. Oprah Winfrey
193
31. Mel Gibson
199
All chart data for celebrities and public figures came from AstroDatabank (www.astrodatabank.com). All chart data for anonymous case studies came from client files.
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Introduction
Money. Throughout the centuries, money has been measured in everything from grain to livestock to Manhattan real estate. It manifests itself in paper currency and gold, silver and copper coins, and whatever people perceive as valuable, rare, or simply desirable. Most people spend a majority of their time thinking about money, making it, and wishing for more. Money is king in modern society, the driving force behind major decisions. It is that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow that motivates people toward good and bad. It both unites and divides. And it is human nature to accumulate resources for security, status, power, confidence, and self-indulgence. A healthy balance of spending, saving, and investing, however, is the ideal—easy for some, difficult for others. Personal attitudes toward money are influenced by everything from family to earning power to self-esteem. Many people discover that financial resources grow in conjunction with increased self-understanding and self-assurance. It is here that astrology can be invaluable. Your birth chart reveals your financial attitudes, money strengths and weaknesses, and sources of potential wealth. Used wisely, your birth chart can be an asset—a map— for your lifetime financial strategy.
1
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Introduction
As you read this book, be honest with yourself and open to learning more about yourself, your money, and your resources. Don’t be surprised to discover that much of the information in this book is already familiar to you, even if only by intuition. Astrology often confirms what you already know, making the truth unavoidable. Recognize and accept both positive and negative truths to maximize your potential. The more you know about yourself and your money motivations and habits, the better you can funnel your energy into achieving financial goals. What astrology cannot do, however, is make decisions for you. Combine it with knowledge, common sense, and an awareness of current world and personal conditions. Think of astrology as just another layer of information, but one used for self-empowerment. Few people become billionaires, but this book will help you map your financial goals. Set your own standards of success and use the tools of astrology to discover your potential. Don’t forget, you are your greatest resource, so be true to yourself. Enjoy Mapping Your Money and enjoy this thing called money—however much comes your way!
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1 Astrology: The Basics
Your birth chart reflects your individuality—every facet of the person you are. Each of the planets, signs, houses, and planetary aspects offers a key to your uniqueness—your personality, likes and dislikes, interests, talents, strengths, and challenges. As a whole, your birth chart is a map that, when combined with your free will, reveals your path and opportunities to excel, stumble, learn, and grow in all areas of life, including financial. Astrology, like every other field of study, has a language of its own. In this chapter you’ll read about the basic terms, techniques, and “tools” astrologers use to interpret birth charts. Each of these reveals personality traits through universal symbols that set you apart from the billions of other people on the planet. Once you’re familiar with the basics, you’ll be ready to begin learning about you and your money. Don’t be surprised if your birth chart tells you what you already know! Many people discover that and find it a very empowering first step toward “owning” their strengths and weaknesses. Knowing them, you can use your birth chart and astrology to map your money. Take a few minutes after you read each section in this chapter to find the pertinent symbols in Jack’s chart (chart 1). His chart is used in chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 to illustrate how to identify and interpret the various financial indicators in a birth chart. Then find the symbols in your chart. You’ll begin to see how your birth chart reveals the person you are and, more importantly, how to get where you want to go! 3
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Astrology: The Basics
Chart 1: Jack February 22, 1955 / Oak Park, Illinois / 11:59 PM CST Placidus Houses
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Astrology: The Basics
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Planets There are ten planets in a horoscope: the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto (astrologers refer to the Sun and Moon as planets for ease in terminology). Each of them is in every birth chart, and each represents specific personality traits as well as things and events. For example, Venus represents your spending habits, bank balance, earning power, and raises. What makes your Venus unique to you is its sign and house placement and the contacts (aspects) it makes to other planets in your birth chart (see “Signs,” “Houses,” and “Aspects” later in this chapter). Chapters 4, 5, and 6 cover the planets in more detail, including their financial influence. Here is a list of the planets, their glyphs, and a few keywords that describe their general characteristics: Planet
Glyph Keywords
Sun
a
Confidence, strength, leadership, willpower
Moon
s
Emotions, nurturing, domestic, materialistic
Mercury
d
Intellectual, analytical, observant
Venus
f
Your money, harmony, love, cooperation
Mars
g
Other people’s money, dynamic, active, impulsive
Jupiter
h
Extravagant, fortunate, generous, expansive
Saturn
j
Responsible, thrifty, patient, conservative
Uranus
k
Independent, eccentric, humanitarian
Neptune
l
Idealistic, deceptive, compassionate
Pluto
;
Other people’s money, intense, transformation
Signs and Ruling Planets There are twelve signs in the zodiac (see chart 1), each of which is 30 degrees (30 x 12 = 360, a complete circle). Just as your Sun is in a sign, so are all the other planets in your chart. Look at your birth chart and find the glyph for the Sun. Next to it you will see two numbers; the glyph between them is the sign. The numbers refer to the degrees and minutes of the sign. Here’s an example: a 03° = 51' means the Sun is at 3 degrees, 51 minutes of Pisces, as it is in Jack’s chart.
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Astrology: The Basics
Signs modify, or color, the action of planets, bringing out their best qualities or their less desirable ones. Someone with Mars in Gemini, for example, tends to scatter money and personal resources, while another person with Mars in Capricorn aggressively pursues career and financial success. Keep in mind, though, that a planet seldom expresses its energy in its purest form. There are other factors involved that modify planetary expression, which are explained later in this chapter. This is why, for example, even the most notorious penny pincher occasionally decides to splurge. Each sign is linked with a specific planet, known as its ruler (see chart 2). For example, Mars rules Aries, the Moon rules Cancer, and the Sun rules Leo. Some planets rule two signs, and some signs are ruled by two planets. Although not exactly the same, a sign and its ruling planet have similar characteristics. Aries is action-oriented, as is its ruling planet, Mars, while the Moon and Cancer are nurturing and protective. Planets in the signs they rule are stronger because they can more freely express their energy. Sign
Ruling Planet(s)
Element
Mode
Aries 1
Mars g
Fire
Cardinal
Taurus 2
Venus f
Earth
Fixed
Gemini 3
Mercury d
Air
Mutable
Cancer 4
Moon s
Water
Cardinal
Leo 5
Sun a
Fire
Fixed
Virgo 6
Mercury d
Earth
Mutable
Libra 7
Venus f
Air
Cardinal
Scorpio 8
Mars g, Pluto a
Water
Fixed
Sagittarius 9
Jupiter h
Fire
Mutable
Capricorn 0
Saturn j
Earth
Cardinal
Aquarius -
Saturn j, Uranus k
Air
Fixed
Pisces =
Jupiter h, Neptune l
Water
Mutable
Chart 2: Signs, Planets, Elements, and Modes
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Astrology: The Basics
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Signs are classified according to their element—fire, earth, air, or water—and mode—cardinal, fixed, or mutable. Each sign is associated with one element and one mode, such as fixed-fire, mutable-water, or cardinal-earth (see chart 1). Signs in the same element are compatible, but those with the same mode often clash. The fire signs, for example, are all action-oriented, but each acts according to its mode: Aries (cardinal-fire) initiates tasks and moves on; Leo (fixed-fire) focuses its energy on one task at a time; and Sagittarius (mutable-fire) is involved in multiple tasks. Keywords for the elements are: • Fire—Action, enthusiasm, courage, spontaneity • Earth—Conservative, reserved, dependable, practical • Air—Curious, intellectual, perceptive, alert • Water—Sensitive, intuitive, receptive, subjective Keywords for the modes are: • Cardinal—Initiative, drive, motivation • Fixed—Determined, stable, persistent • Mutable—Flexible, changeable, versatile When the elements and modes are combined, the keywords for the signs are as follows: • Aries—Initiative, enthusiasm, impatient, ambitious • Taurus—Stable, thrifty, materialistic, conservative • Gemini—Restless, scattered, adaptable, impatient • Cancer—Emotional, domestic, nurturing, intuitive • Leo—Dynamic, generous, determined, confident • Virgo—Practical, worrisome, detail-oriented, analytical • Libra—Partnership, considerate, refined, cooperative • Scorpio—Intense, secretive, intuitive, determined • Sagittarius—Restless, adventuresome, generous, optimistic • Capricorn—Ambitious, conservative, responsible, patient • Aquarius—Independent, freedom-loving, intuitive, inventive • Pisces—Sensitive, sympathetic, impractical, intuitive
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Astrology: The Basics
Houses and Ruling Planets Notice that your birth chart is divided into twelve pie-shaped sections. These sections are called houses and are numbered one through twelve, as you also can see on Jack’s birth chart (chart 1). Each house rules one or more areas of life, such as family, career, children, friends, and education. A house is a “location,” a designated area of life where a planet finds an outlet for its influence. You’ll learn more about the meaning of the houses in succeeding chapters, including the two money houses—the second and eighth. A cusp marks the beginning of a house. It’s identified by a sign and its degrees and minutes; for example, 20° 9 12' on the cusp of Jack’s second house is 20 degrees, 12 minutes of Sagittarius. The planet ruling the sign on the cusp also rules that house. Because Sagittarius is the sign on Jack’s second-house cusp, the ruling planet is Jupiter, which will influence his financial affairs. These planetary rulerships are especially important in assessing empty houses—those that contain no planets—which every chart has because there are ten planets and twelve houses. A sign that begins within a house is considered a co-ruler of that house. The house rulers and co-rulers provide added information about the area of life associated with each house. In Jack’s chart, for example, Sagittarius is on the second-house cusp, but Capricorn, which is on the third-house cusp, actually begins in the second house. Jupiter, which rules Sagittarius, is thus the second-house ruler, and Saturn, which rules Capricorn, is the second-house co-ruler. Thus, both Jupiter and Saturn will influence Jack’s financial affairs. Some charts have what are called intercepted signs. Jack’s is such an example. Aries is on the fifth- and sixth-house cusps, and its opposite sign, Libra, is on the eleventh- and twelfth-house cusps. As a result, two signs—in this chart, Aquarius and Leo—appear on none of the house cusps and are wholly contained, or intercepted, in the third and ninth houses, respectively. An intercepted sign influences the affairs of that house, as does its ruling planet, which is considered a co-ruler of the house. Four of the house cusps have a special designation and are collectively called the angles. The first-house cusp is the Ascendant; the fourth-house cusp is the IC (Imum Coeli); the seventh-house cusp is the Descendant; and the tenth-house cusp is the Midheaven (MC). The angles are important points that reveal additional information about personality (Ascendant), home and family (IC), relationships (Descendant), and career and status (Midheaven). Although none of the angles are specifically associated with money,
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Astrology: The Basics
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they are important in mapping your money. For example, the sign on the IC and its ruling planet give insight into the potential for a family inheritance. You’ll learn more about these angles in succeeding chapters. Here are the areas of life associated with all the houses: • First house—Self • Second house—Personal resources/money • Third house—Communication • Fourth house—Home and family • Fifth house—Romance, children, speculation • Sixth house—Work, service, health • Seventh house—Relationships, marriage • Eighth house—Joint resources, lenders • Ninth house—Higher education, travel • Tenth house—Career, status • Eleventh house—Friends, goals • Twelfth house—Introspection, health
Planetary Aspects An aspect is a geometric angle that links the separate energies of two or more planets, as well as planets and angles. They then operate as a unit, and their individual influences impact each other. The result is favorable or unfavorable, depending upon the planets involved, the specific aspect, and how the influence is used. Aspects are divided into two categories: hard and soft (also often referred to as difficult and easy). Soft aspects indicate energy that flows with little effort, which can be a plus or a minus. For example, if you attract money effortlessly, you might spend just as freely and end up with little in the bank. The soft aspects are the sextile, trine, and conjunction (depending upon the planets involved in the conjunction). Hard aspects are motivators that yield rewards once you learn how to manage them. Money might not come to you as easily, but if you work at it, your assets could far exceed those of someone who has only soft aspects. The hard aspects are the square, opposition, and conjunction (depending upon the planets involved in conjunction).
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Astrology: The Basics
Aspects modify the way the planets and angles express themselves. For example, if your Sun is in optimistic Sagittarius and in square aspect to conservative Saturn, you will be less of a risk taker than someone who has expansive Jupiter trine the Sun. Conversely, if your Sun is in serious Capricorn and trine Jupiter, you will be more easygoing and opportunistic than a true Capricorn. Few aspects are exact, and all have a range, or orb, of effectiveness. The closer the aspect, the stronger it is. Orbs for major birth chart aspects are 8 degrees for all but the sextile, which is 6 degrees. For example, two planets at 15°00' Aries form an exact conjunction. Two planets at 10°00' Aries and 17°30' Aries also form a conjunction because they are separated by 7°30'. If you want to calculate the aspects yourself, use an aspectarian (available at many stores where astrology books are sold) or do it the easy way: look at the lines in the center of your chart wheel. These lines, which connect the planets and angles in aspect, are marked with the aspect glyphs, as you can see in Jack’s chart (chart 1). The major, or strongest, aspects are listed below. There are many minor aspects used by astrologers, but the five major ones provide enough basic information to accurately assess birth chart potential. Aspect
Glyph
Degrees
Significance
Sextile
y
60°
Opportunity
Trine
e
120°
Ease, luck
Square
r
90°
Conflict, action
Opposition
w
180°
Separation
Conjunction
q
0°
Intensity
If you want to identify the aspects yourself, the simplest way is to use the elements and modes. Planets in the same element are trine each other; for example, the fire signs, Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius—are each 120° apart. Sextile signs are those 60°, or two signs, apart, and in complementary elements; fire signs are sextile air signs, and earth signs are sextile water signs. Planets in square (90°) and opposition (180°) aspect to each other share the same mode—cardinal, fixed, or mutable. For example, Aries is square Cancer and Capricorn and in opposition to Libra.
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Conjunction (0°) planets have the same element and mode. There is one exception to these guidelines. A planet in late degrees of a sign, such as 25° Leo, would be square a planet at, for example, 2° Sagittarius. Although the signs have the same element, the planets are 97° apart, within the allowable orb for a square. The same would be true for the 25° Leo planet in a trine aspect to a planet at 2° Capricorn, or 127° apart, and within orb. Although operative, these out-of-sign aspects aren’t as influential as those that share the same element or mode. In this chapter you learned the four main components of a birth chart: planets, signs, houses, and aspects. These are the tools an astrologer uses when reading, or delineating, a birth chart. There’s nothing mysterious about it! In succeeding chapters you’ll learn how to integrate these tools to unravel your financial potential and, most importantly, how to make the most of the planetary energy that is uniquely yours.