ASPECTS TO THE NADIR

The nadir or Fourth House Cusp is closely related to the Moon and her major influences upon our lives. Here is a list of several vital factors that reveal the essential meanings of this important point of the natal chart: 1. It reveals the most subjective facet of our livesour psychological foundations. 2. It concerns our relationship to our mother and father and by extension to our entire genetic pool. It is thus along with the position of the Moon and natal ruler of the Fourth, a main expression of our biological karma. 3. It represents our domestic life and our psychological relationship to the concept of home. 4. It is closely associated with what we could call the karmic roots of the personality and is thus the soil in which the lower self must be anchored in order that the nature of the soul may flourish. 5. All of the above are modified and seen through the lens of the sign on this house cusp. Lets explore and expand our understanding of the nadir even further through a discussion of the effects that the planets have on this vital factor of the horoscope when in major aspect to it. Please note: You can take much of what is written about the conjunction of a given planet to the nadir as also indicating the meaning of that planet when in the Fourth House. Just keep in mind that the closer that planet is to an actual conjunction the more intensely will that planet affect Fourth House applications. Use an orb of 3 from the Third House and 5 from within the Fourth to indicate such a conjunction.

2 The Sun: When the Sun is in conjunction to the nadir, our sense of personal identity is firmly entrenched in our biological or family roots. We tend to view our domicile as the foundation point for all of our endeavors and constantly work to increase our power base. The affairs of the astrological house upon which the sign Leo sits will be brought immediately into the home. For example, if the 10th house has the Lion on its cusp and the Sun is conjoined the nadir, the individual is highly likely to work out of his or her house. But more than this, ones profession is at the central core of ones life, the very cornerstone of self-identity. Look for the father to play the more important role in the early home environment. A trine or sextile from the Sun to the nadir enhances the ability to find vitality and strength in ones roots. It adds to self-confidence and strengthens ones urge and abilities to make it in the world. The square of the Sun to the fourth house cusp weakens ones ability to feel secure in ones psychological background. Unless otherwise seen or modified in the chart, the father was unsupportive or even abusive in terms of the use of paternal influence and power. The individual may be extremely driven to establish him or herself in the world despite the lack of support from ones family background. Worldly achievement may come, but the price one has to pay to stand on ones own, as an individual is usually quite high. The opposition of the Sun to the fourth house cusp should be viewed more as a conjunction to the Midheaven and should not be viewed as an affliction in terms of fourth house matters. This aspect indicates that the individual strives very strongly for worldly success. The degree of achievement and the public recognition that comes with it must be viewed through an examination of tenth house conditions. The Moon: When the Moon is conjunct the nadir, its effects on ones life are incredibly strong. The influence of ones mother was paramount in ones upbringing and the relationship to this parent is at the center of ones life. The objective, external interplay between the native and the mother is

3 only half the storyand the lesser half at that. The subjective, internal relationship is far more

important. No matter where the individual may live and no matter how hold he or she may become, one remains at the core of ones being a mommas boy or girl. Ones home and the activities that take place within it are the physical representations and symbols of this primordial mother/child relationship. From the level of the soul, the individual is a born nurturer, brining substance and security into the lives of others. The sextile or trine of the Moon to the nadir strengthens reinforces the ability for the individual to be emotionally self-supportive. It also allows one an easy

psychological passage from child to adult. The same cannot be said for the square, which may easily contribute to the retardation of emotional maturity and add it a deep sense of insecurity. A fundamental difference can be noted between how one understands ones own need for nurturing and the kind that was offered through ones mother and early conditioning. The opposition should be seen as a conjunction to the Midheaven. It indicates the need for consistent public approval. In most cases, one relies too heavily upon such objective psychological applause and too little on ones own inner ability to be self-nurturing. Mercury: The conjunction of Mercury to the nadir has a number of implications. If in the mutable signs, there is the likelihood that there was a great many changes of residence in childhood, a tendency that would continue to exhibit itself in adult years either through frequent domestic moves or at the very least, as a consistent, inner restlessness. This would be especially the case if the Moon were also in the mutable signs and/or if there were a strong aspect between the Moon and Mercury. The individual is likely to be of a highly questioning nature, curious and analytical. He or she may have come from an intellectual background or at the very least, where parental views and opinions strongly imprinted themselves on the persons nature. The trine or sextile from Mercury help to add flexibility and adaptability to ones general character. Frequent travel is likely and there is a strong

4 urge to express ones ideas and views. Depending on other factors, especially an abundance of air in the chart, the individual may find him or herself drawn to the media, journalism, teaching or other forms of communication as the primary focus of creative self-expression. The square adds to restlessness and when added to other factors, such as an abundance of air in the chart, brings about diffusiveness and a hyper disposition. The opposition is best viewed as a conjunction to the Midheaven and if well placed in the horoscope by sign and other aspects, can contribute very beautifully to success in life. Venus: The conjunction of Venus with the fourth house cusp contributes to a persons profound need for harmony. The most obvious place for this to occur is in the home. In this respect, a person with this aspect in the natal chart will endeavor to create a home environment in which beauty, art, and comfort predominate. In addition, this is an individual who feel very uncomfortable when he or she is the source of discomfort to anyone else. Love, whether personal or impersonal, is at the core of ones being and it will be important for this man or woman to be harmonious in all of his or her relationships. When afflicted, the conjunction of Venus can express some of the characteristics of the square. In this case, there can be a definite tendency for laziness and self-indulgence. There is also the propensity for becoming involved in relationships with people who is either from very different and incompatible social backgrounds and/or who share totally different values. Problems surrounding money may also be the source of difficulties in ones interpersonal dynamics. The

trine or sextile here leads to personal magnetism and attractiveness. Like he conjunction of Venus, it may also contribute to the expression of a deeply rooted artistic nature. The sextile or trine however, help one to express ones interest in the arts is a more dynamic, external way than does the conjunction. The opposition should be viewed more as a conjunction of Venus to the Midheaven. In

5 this case, look for the individual to seek out a profession in which beauty and the arts dominate. In the great majority of cases, this is a highly beneficial placement. Mars: The placement of the Red Planet in conjunction with the nadir is often a very challenging one. There is the tendency for disharmony in the early life as well as a propensity towards inner, psychological battles. The individual has a hard time making peace with him or herself and there is usually a great deal of inner discord. Often, the early home life was the scene of many arguments and battles. When acting in a more positive way, this position gives the ability to survive in spite of any and all odds. It adds courage and determination to ones nature, but it is hardly a peaceful influence. The square of Mars to the nadir emphasizes all that was said about the conjunction but is more active in its effects. Thus the person tends to be more outwardly aggressive, trying to work his or her inner battles through the circumstances in the environment. It adds to ambition and personal direction but usually with the accompaniment of egocentricity and hostility. The sextile or trine between this planet and the nadir contributes to ones ability to be successfully self-assertive. It adds courage and a sense of fair play into the life and helps one to be encouraging to others. The opposition is best viewed as a conjunction of Mars to the Midheaven. When well aspected by other planets and/or placed in a compatible sign (such a Sagittarius or Capricorn), Mars in this position adds dynamic drive to career objectives and can be quite helpful to success in life. On the other hand, one always has to take care when this god of war becomes too assertive for his or anyone elses own good. Jupiter: It is often quite fortunate to have Jupiter in conjunction with the nadir as this is an indication of an inheritance rich in both philosophical and material abundance. This position may also be an indication that the native may make his or her home in a foreign country or that the religion or set of life principles one adapts at the end of life are quite different than those into which

6 one was born. As a rule, the nature is quite jovial, optimistic and open, although Jupiter poorly placed, especially in a fixed sign in this position can indicate a rigid adherence to family or tribal beliefs that inhibit freedom of thought. The trine or sextile between Jupiter and the nadir adds a friendly disposition to the character. It indicates an open, philosophical attitude and a genuine curiosity about life. There is success in travels and should Jupiter also be in a fire sign and/or in aspect with Mars, an especially adventurous nature. The square gives a tendency to exaggerate personal self-importance. It also tends to foster the belief that what one knows and believes is absolute truth. This is especially the case should Jupiter be in a fixed sign. Recklessness and a tendency to gambol may also be part of a persons general make-up with Jupiter in square to this point. The opposition is better considered as a conjunction to the Midheaven. As such, it is often a significator of success in ones career. It promotes an interest in history, law, travel, teaching, and religion. When afflicted in this position, it points to the tendency for too much personal ambition, and the desire for greatness without necessarily possessing true merit or ability. Saturn: When the ringed planet is in conjunction with the nadir, one usually comes from either a highly traditional background and/or one that is quite restrictive in nature. In any event, the individual is likely to feel somewhat inhibited in his or her mode of self-expression. There can be a sense of inner restriction or restraint that adds a dower note to the personality. The parents, especially the father, may either be absent or cold and unfeeling. On the other hand, a well-placed Saturn in this position can give the native a sense of deep rootedness to the past, one that provides safety and security, as well as power and influence through family connections. The square is not the best aspect to have as it often brings about a sense of deep restraint and inhibition. Like in many cases with the conjunction, the square places too much responsibility on ones shoulders too early in life, leading to a feeling of perpetual burden. The parents are likely to be quite distant in the sense

7 that they are not sources of warmth and nourishmentat least not in the early stages of ones life. The trine or sextile of Saturn to the nadir can be an excellent source of personal strength. They allow for a distinct sense of correct ordering of lifes priorities and give a genuine and not an overly exaggerated sense of personal responsibility. Often, the family is dependable and ones parents have set good examples for healthy and supportive family relationships. The opposition of Saturn to the nadir should be considered as a conjunction to the Midheaven. It denies an early rise and pinnacle

no matter how well aspected in the horoscope but it does contribute to ones eventual success as a result of hard and consistent work. In many cases, this position points to a person who strives to occupy a place of power in life and requires that one become a expert in ones field. How to create and structure correct social responsibilities is another lesson taught by this position. Uranus: When in conjunction to the nadir, the individual comes from a unique background. This can mean that the familys way of life was far from traditional or, that the individual herself was an odd ball out in terms of the other members of the family. The urge to individualize, to be oneself in no uncertain terms, is certainly a major indication of this placement. The individual will not tow the family line. One could easily be a normal person in a family of eccentrics or the other way around. In any event, one is highly likely to ask the question: How did I ever get into this family? In mostly all cases, ones relationship with one or both of the parents was highly unusually or the parents themselves were different or unusual in some way. The square to the nadir points to a number of similar circumstances as found with the conjunction but the individual tends to act out the unusual qualities inherent in this position rather than keeping them inside. The place where such acting out will occur is in the natal house position of Uranus. Thus Uranus in the seventh house square the nadir is likely to invite those kinds of relationships that will repeat or demonstrate the early erratic patterns found in ones original domestic conditions. The trine or sextile of Uranus

8 indicates that it will be relatively easy for the native to express him or herself in some unique fashion. There is an urge to go ones own way and do ones own thing. There is an ease about both falling into social groups and making friends who support ones own individualistic yearnings. The opposition of Uranus to the nadir is actually the conjunction of Uranus to the Midheaven. This position points to a career in some highly unusual position in life and/or in a situation in which computers, advertising, broadcasting, and other forms of highly communicative or innovative activities are featured. It is highly likely that the choice of profession and lifestyle will be very different than that preferred, expected, or selected by ones parents. Neptune: When Neptune is in conjunction with the nadir, there is often a strong spiritual calling in ones life. Depending on the nature of ones orientation and the level of personal maturity, this calling could be totally illusionary or centered in a profound contact to the more subtle forces of being. Another common indication of this position is that there is some mystery surrounding one or both of ones parents and ones family background in general. When afflicted, such a situation can result in alcoholism or other forms of addition. If the sign Scorpio or the planet Mars is also involved, look for some form of sexual misconduct. Many people suffer greatly from applications of Neptune in this position while others find that Neptune in this position brings an incredible sense of faith and a very profound compassion about human nature. The square is almost always Yet it can often lead to a

troublesome, promoting some form of self-destructive behavior.

tremendous sense of release from the past. There is a need to melt down some of the more difficult earlier influences in life. The ability to transform personally painful situations and feelings into the potency for helping others is often the direction one takes in learning how to heal oneself. The trine or sextile add grace, beauty, and fluidity to ones character. Music and the arts are apt to play out a significant role in life. In addition, there is a need to be of genuine service to others, the

9 direction of which is easier to find and far less troublesome to maintain than it is when Neptune is in any of the other major aspects to the nadir. The opposition is to be dealt with more as a conjunction to the Midheaven. When in the horoscope of the more immature, it can give a propensity for criminal activity, especially in terms of smuggling and drugs. When afflicted, there is the propensity towards self-sabotage. In the chart of the more evolved, it promotes healing, mysticism, and metaphysics as professions as well as profound interests in the arts. Pluto: When in a conjunction with the nadir, this position brings about the need to become totally uprooted from the past. There is a distinct urge to break free from ones family background and regenerate ones psychological and biological roots in different soil. On the other hand, an afflicted Pluto in this position, especially if to the Moon and/or the ruler of the fourth house, will often give rise to tremendous frustration. The urge to reorient the psychological conditioning of the early life will certainly be present, but the strength to do so may be quite challenging to express. The connection to ones family, and especially the mother, may make it very difficult to create such transformations and many deep struggles for evolutionary and psychological growth take place in ones life. The square requires a certain degree of acting out the need for deep psychological change and transformation. There is a constant pressure from life to make significant psychological

changes. Yet one either refuses to do this or does so only to return at a latter date to the earlier patterns. Eventually one realizes that it is absolutely vital to objectify ones subjective life and bring out into the open what one is subconsciously carting about. The trine or sextle allow for the consistent use of ones roots and background to enhance ones career and other creative objectives. There is a sense of inner potency and regenerative potentiality that add vigor and strength to ones life. As in all other oppositions between the planets and the nadir, this one too should be considered as a conjunction to the Midheaven. Here Pluto serves to bring power and potency to ones career

10 objectives. In the chart of the more evolved, this aspect allows the individual to be in a position to bring regenerative strength and power to all that he or she touches. To those still possessed by the glamour of the personality, the urge is to control and dominate the circumstances surrounding all of ones creative endeavors.

Alan Oken, All Rights Reserved