Planetary Characteristics
Question: You once mentioned that Venus would produce ambiguity when malefic...I believe it was in transit. Can you elaborate?
Ron: My reasoning is this. Venus is a planet that often produces idealism, fanaticism, carries things to extremes. One of the characteristics of a Venus ruled person is their ability to weigh both sides of an issue – in spite of having strong opinions about the “correct” way to do something. When Venus is weak, these abilities begin to break down, and more irresoluteness begins to show, things become less clear, etc. Venus is the planet of “clarity” when strong.
So, here’s the principle I use. Look at a planet’s positive significations. When a planet is weak, those significations manifest weakly. When a planet is malefic, and afflicting a house midpoint or a planet, s/he will do so through a perversion of those significations it would normally manifest were it strong and un-afflicting. Consequently, we have this…
Ron: My reasoning is this. Venus is a planet that often produces idealism, fanaticism, carries things to extremes. One of the characteristics of a Venus ruled person is their ability to weigh both sides of an issue – in spite of having strong opinions about the “correct” way to do something. When Venus is weak, these abilities begin to break down, and more irresoluteness begins to show, things become less clear, etc. Venus is the planet of “clarity” when strong.
So, here’s the principle I use. Look at a planet’s positive significations. When a planet is weak, those significations manifest weakly. When a planet is malefic, and afflicting a house midpoint or a planet, s/he will do so through a perversion of those significations it would normally manifest were it strong and un-afflicting. Consequently, we have this…
So, what I am saying is that, when a planet is strong (benefic or malefic) and not afflicting, it will manifest or bestow the qualities mentioned above. When a planet is weak (benefic or malefic) or afflicting, it will create the conditions listed in that column.
Let me illustrate with one chart. One of my favorite spiritual teachers is the Sri Bhagwan Rajneesh, who later adopted the name of Osho – an early Zen master. Now, Osho (Sri Rajneesh) is a Taurus rising, with malefic Venus conjoining the functional ruler of communications, the Moon, within the 8th house. So, if the principle I am putting forth is accurate, we should see an apparent ambiguity in his communication style. Indeed we do. He was perceived by his followers as a spiritual adept, but received very negative media in America as a person who was only interested in wealth, sex, and taking advantage of naïve young people. But, beyond that, if you read his writings, he taught the path to enlightenment through every vehicle. He had a profound understanding, and ability to explain matters, from the perspective of a Hindu, Taoist, Zen, Christian, Buddhist, etc. He was very hard to pin down as to WHAT he was. Quite ambiguous in his presentation to the world. Difficult to stick in a box. Now, it is important to point out the full dynamic here. Venus really isn’t weak here as it receives the strong supporting influence of the benefic Moon to offset its bad placement. So, he still retained his charm, refinement, worldly wisdom, and clarity about mystical matters. But, because Venus repaid the favor to the Moon through an affliction, it harmed his public perception, and he came across as hard to pin down as to what he was or which path he truly advocated. Make sense?
Osho
Dec 11th 1931
17:13
Zone 5.30
Gadarwara , India
78 E 47; 22 N 55
Lagna: Taurus 22:16
Question: One point in your discussions confuses me - please help: You have grouped weak AND afflicting planets under the same category.
My understanding is that a weak planet is quite different from an unafflicting planet. For example, a weak planet is unable to promote the significations of the house that it rules and is unable to protect the same against malefic unfluences. on the other hand, an afflicting planet ( a malefic planet that afflicts), afflicts the weak planet/house more than it does the strong planets/houses. Is my understanding incorrect? If not, should the "afflicting" in your post be changed to "afflicted"?
Ron: That is a Grimes’ refinement to the interpretations. So, take it as you will. A weak planet will cause the person to manifest the lower/weaker nature of the planet. A malefic, whether weak or strong, when applied to a house or another planet will cause the significations of the afflicted planet/house to exhibit the lower/weaker side of the afflicting planet. Let me illustrate.
A person with weak Mercury will demonstrate poor judgment. A person with malefic Mercury, afflicting the ascendant, would create the following. The 1st house is the house of reputation and success. Malefic Mercury afflicting that house will create a reputation for the person of one who exercised extreme poor judgment.
As with anything, this principle cannot be taken in isolation.
In regard to the principles you cite, a planet actually represents three types of significations: 1) its natural significations, 2) those of the house containing its MT sign, and 3) those of its house of residence. Therefore, there is no discrepancy here. A weak planet cannot protect its natural significations either. My only refinement here is that a malefic will afflict through a corruption of the significations s/he represents.
Question: Excellent Ron, So in transit a FM Venus would only produce ambiguity etc. nothing serious as in health. In other words it moves so fast, even in it's sub period could it trigger anything major let's say? I'm thinking of a Venus Rahu conjunction in transit, Venus transiting Rahuand Venus in the Venus period for a Scorpio ascendant in the first house.
Ron: A transiting FM Venus would create a temporary situation where the person needs to exercise caution against exhibiting increased ambiguity, lack of clarity, etc. In the case of a transit Venus Rahu conjunction, the natural clarity of Venus REALLY becomes clouded and decision making should be put off until such a transit has passed. A quick transit like this should cause no physical problems – other than some temporary low back pain, kidney/bladder problems, or ailments involving the sexual equipment. This assumes that a chronic condition was not already in place and this trigger is the proverbial straw to break the camel’s back.
In the case you cited (Scorpio rising, 12th lord Venus conjoined with debilitated Rahu in the ascendant), one should also be wary of disruptions to the marital institution, and the possibility for an illicit affair disrupting the marriage.
- Ron Grimes