Volume 4: Current Patterns The Only Way to Learn About Tomorrow discusses the current patterns in astrology which allow the astrologer to look forward (forecasting) as well as examine the present and the past.The authors cover secondary progressions, solar arc direction, transits, eclipses and cycles as well and solar and lunar returns. Each topic is explained with clarity and the use of many examples.
I liked the chapters on Secondary Progressions and Solar Arcs. I felt it had a good overview of them. I did not like the chapter about Solar Returns, but that might be my own bias against Solar Return Charts. I did like that the authors are down to earth and not fatalistic and deterministic as many older astrologers are. See the excerpted quotes about “predicting” and about Saturn. The following are my favorite quotes:
In the second page of the introduction: “Day for a Year” Symbolism. Both progressions and directions are based on the “day for a year” theory. This is a symbolic measurement supported by philosophical and biblical premises. In the Bible there are quite a few references to the equation of one day being the same as one year. To cite a few:
For I have laid upon thee the years of their iniquity, according to the number of days – Ezekiel, CH. 4 #5
I have appointed thee each day for a year – Ezekiel, CH. 4:8
Are thy days as the days of man? Are thy years as Man’s days?” Job, CH. 10:5
I have considered the days of old the years of ancient times. Psalm 77:5
Each day shall be unto you as a year. Ecclesiastes.”
“In order to “predict” anything except possible trends and potential events, you must have three to four confirmations of the same happening, and even then, be very careful – the person’s free will can change the outcome!” Pg. 13
“Aspects from the progressed planets to the natal will be more important than progressed to progressed, mainly because the effect is of a longer duration and because the natal chart is always stronger. But don’t discount them, they can make a difference, especially if angular or if the chart ruler or Sun are involved.” Pg. 14
“Since that [Mars] mostly means difficult or tension-producing aspects, it can set up a precondition in the client, as if your prediction makes the event happen – or by becoming part of the client’s consciousness, it can be actualized. This is one of the ethical problems facing all astrologers. To tell or not to tell. If you do and the “possible” accident takes place, did you the astrologer make it happen? But if you don’t tell and an accident does takes place, could it have been avoided by warning the client?
We have no pat answers. You must follow your own conscience, your own beliefs, morals and mores. We do the same, and we pay particular attention to the client’s attitude when making our judgement on how to proceed.” Pg. 84
“Saturn has had a terrible reputation in the past. The ancients, to whom it represented the outermost planet, the limiting factor between them and eternity, named it a malefic and in the literature passed on to us there is nary a good word said for Saturn. Yet modern astrology and today’s astrologers have found this planet to be one of the most useful ones.” Pg. 87
“Transits can activate degrees in the natal, progressed or directed chart, with aspects to the natal being stronger, signifying relevant issues and event potentials.” Pg. 94
“For a total solar eclipse to occur, the sun and moon may not deviate more than 9.55 degrees from the moon’s nodal point. It may occur if they are within this orb. It can, but does not always occur, when the orb is between 9.55 and 11.15 degrees.” Pg. 118