The Sequence of the Aspects
26.6
page 6 of 7
Spirit and matter
Finally, there are the aspects to the MC and the Ascendant. The first are of a spiritual nature and the latter of a material nature (see text 9.3)
Weighing an aspect
For weighing the effect of an aspect, besides its placement in House and Sign, a few other factors also play a role:
a. Even though in two different horoscopes, the same aspect may involve the same Signs and Houses, it will still often have a different function and influence. This has to do with the position and function of that aspect within the whole network of that horoscope, as well as with the other options for expression of the planets involved.
b. Furthermore, the aspects between the classical planets on the incoming and outgoing arcs actually have an influence as described above. However, if there is a trans-Saturnian planet involved in the aspect, its effect will be a little more complicated. Apart from the intensified influence that is associated with the trans-Saturnian planets, these aspects also have an effect on the collective (23.5). In this area, if there are conflicts on the incoming arc, we see not only personal loss but simultaneously also a benefit for the surrounding collective context, and vice versa. The personal loss sets free powers and possibilities that are nurturing for the environment.
c. Moreover, the force of a conflict is also indicated by the aspects that were made to its prior conjunction. In other words, in any aspect development, the initial constellation of the conjunction moment remains present in the background.
Mirror function
Besides the distorting effect caused by the conflictive aspects, the Moon itself also contributes to the way in which the aspects wield their influence. After all, the Moon serves the Self in helping it form a Self-image and a view of its environment. Through her mirror and lens, the Moon shows and projects this image, transferring it from one state of consciousness to the other. Depending on which crystallization phase our Self-awareness is going through, either on the outgoing or on the incoming arc (26.2), the projection on that arc will present its own appearance. In text 22.18 a description can be found of the mirror and lens function involved in this projection.
The concave mirror on the outgoing arc
The concave mirror has a converging effect; the Self is positioned in a focal point by the mirroring surface. By collecting oneself in that point, a Self-awareness can arise that is able (after some stumbling) to express itself in the environment as an individual character.
In other words, in the process on the outgoing arc, the mirroring surface projects the Self into its own position. In its being prodded along, the outgoing square is sometimes represented by a ship with billowing sails. The tools for this are the three outer planets; they focus the converging projection inwards.
The concave mirror on the incoming arc
For the process on the incoming arc, the convergence of the concave mirror works (22.18.a) the other way round. The Self in the focal point now assumes that it can billow the sails itself, yet lacks the required vitality for this. On this incoming arc, too, the crucial moment occurs with the square aspect. On this arc, the end result is not found in the outside world anymore, but in a realistic Self-awareness vis-à-vis the surrounding field of forces. The tools for this are the three inner planets; they focus the converging projection inwards.
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