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by Maritha Pottenger
Although one's horoscope begins with a baby's
"first breath", different parts of the chart are more emphasized at different
periods of our lives. When working with the charts of babies or young children:
1. Give extra weight to everything involved with
the 1st house. This includes the rising sign, any planets (and signs) in the 1st house,
and the placements of the rulers of the 1st house--both the natural ruler, Mars, and the
actual ruler of whatever sign is rising and any signs in the 1st house which are occupied
by planets. The 1st house points to what we meet and greet upon arriving in physical form.
(This may include the birth process. For example, Mars near the Ascendant may indicate
surgical intervention in the birth. Saturn near the Ascendant may symbolize a long or
difficult labor. Etc.) A young child will usually express his/her rising sign and 1st
house planets from Day 1, while needing to "grow into" other parts of the chart.
2. Give extra weight to everything involved with
the 4th house. This includes the IC sign, any planets (and signs) in the 4th house, and
the placements of the rulers of the 4th house--both the natural ruler, the Moon, and the
actual ruler of whatever sign is on the IC and any signs in the 4th house which are
occupied by planets. The 4th house points to our home, our nurturing environment, and one
(or more) of our parents. The 4th house parent is the one who was more protective, gentle,
and nurturing (or was supposed to be--whether or not the parent actually carried out
his/her proper role). Planets in the 4th usually point to major issues faced by that child
in his/her home life.
3. Give extra weight to everything involved with
the 10th house. This includes the MC sign, any planets (and signs) in the 10th house, and
the placements of the rulers of the 10th house--both the natural ruler, Saturn, and the
actual ruler of whatever sign is on the MC and any signs in the 10th which are occupied by
planets. The 10th house points to our experience of reality, limits, authority figures
(including the authority parent), rules, and what is possible in life. Placements involved
with the 10th house have much to say about the subjective degree of limitation, power,
responsibility, and control which a child experiences. (But this is usually experienced
first through a parent--rather than the child feeling strong and responsible. Children
grow into their Saturn side.)
4. Pay attention to aspects from the 1st to the
4th or 10th. Squares point to potential conflicts between the child and his/her parent(s).
By recognizing the issues, parents can take steps to minimize and even eliminate such
conflicts. Sextiles or trines from the 1st to the 4th and 10th point to areas of likely
harmony, smooth flow, support and assistance between parent(s) and child.
5. Combine the placements of Saturn, Sun and 4th
and/or 10th to gain a view of this child's experience of father or father figure. If
Saturn is in the 4th or 10th, assign that house to Dad. Ditto with Sun. If Moon or Ceres
is in 4th or 10th, assign opposite house to Dad. Sometimes you will have a mixture of both
parents in both houses. Sometimes it appears one parent may be playing both roles (e.g.,
an empty house with ruler in the other parental house; one parental house strongly
occupied while other has Letter 9 or 12 involved which can indicate--among many other
things--an absent or disappearing parent; oppositions and quincunxes between parental
houses which can indicate polarization or separations such as death, divorce, etc.).
Decide where father (or father figure) is a particularly significant role model. For
example, Saturn conjunct Mercury indicates father has a strong influence on child's
learning ability, communication skills, thinking, and ability to detach. Remember, a
parent can be a positive role model--whom the child will emulate or a negative role
model--in which case the child will try to do the opposite of what and how the parent
acted.
6. As above (#5), you will have to do some work
to decide whether the 4th or 10th (or both or neither) appears to "belong" to
Mom. Decide where mother (or mother figure) is a particularly significant role model. For
example, Moon in the 6th house indicates mother has a strong influence on attitudes about
work, productivity, doing a good job, health, and the handling of day-to-day details and
routines.
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