Basic Symbolism in Astrology: The Planet Saturn in Salvador Dali
When delineating Astrological Birth Charts, simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. 大道至简单. There really isn't a need for complex calculations of different Lots, the Various Chart Rulers, the use of Nautical Metaphors etc. Nothing comes closer to the truth than symbolism in Astrology. There are several layers of symbolism in Horoscopic Astrology, and the most fundamental ones one must first be familiar with when learning Astrology are the Planetary symbolism, Connection symbolism and House symbolism.
Let's take a quick look at this birth chart, that of Salvador Dali the Spanish Surrealist Artist, by peeling off the top few layers of the onion. I mean, the chart.
1. Planetary and House Symbolism
The planet Saturn, naturally symbolizes Delay, Mature, Old, Rigid, Stubborn, Persistence. Saturn is Cold and Dry. The 7th House symbolizes the status, condition or affairs pertaining to Spouse (Wife, in this chart) and Marriage. Saturn rules the 7th House in this chart.
The wife of Salvador Dali, Elena Ivanovna Diakonova or known simply as Gala, was 10 years older than Salvador Dali and known for her strong will and determination, traits that some might perceive as stubborn. The marriage is enduring, but marked with tension and numerous challenges. Saturn by its natural symbolism alone, does not goes well with warmth and love. But it can persevere.
2. House and Connection Symbolism
The 9th House symbolizes Foreign and Travels. Sextile symbolizes a connection between planets that brings forth positive opportunities and luck. Jupiter, ruler of the 9th House, sextile Saturn, the Spouse.
Salvador Dali's wife was from Russia. Salvador Dali traveled to Paris in 1929, during the premiere of the film 'Un Chien Andalou' which he had collaborated with, and during this period was introduced to Éluard, then husband of Gala.
Dali invited back Éluard, Gala, and their daughter Cécile to spend the summer of 1929 with him in Cadaqués, a coastal town in Spain. This visit was a turning point for Dali and Gala's relationship.
3. Planetary, House and Connection Symbolism
Sun naturally symbolizes the Father, especially in the Day Birth Chart. The 3rd House symbolizes Siblings. Mercury is the ruler of the 3rd House. 10th House symbolizes Public Image, Recognition. Mars is the ruler of the 10th House. Square symbolizes a connection between planets that brings forth difficulties, challenges and conflict. Sun, Mercury and Mars square Saturn, the Marriage.
Dali's marriage to Gala not only faced public criticism and resistance but also strained the ties with his Father and Sister.
Just from these top few basic layers, one already can have a quick surface understanding of certain events or circumstances surrounding the native. Certainly, from the marriage perspective, there are other circumstances one can also see merely from these basic layers, such as the affairs of Gala, amongst others.
And if one continues to peel off more layers, either through the expansion of the fundamental layers or through further understanding of other layers of deeper symbolism present in Astrology besides the fundamentals such as Movement symbolism, Configuration symbolism, Placement symbolism. etc., you can see why Gala is very significant for Salvador Dali personally and professionally; the growing fame and success of Dali's; the controversial and unconventional style of Dali's; the turbulent yet enduring and unconventional marriage, etc.
In the Learning Process, Be Like One-Punch Man
With the aid of the numerous media available and active promotion nowadays, public awareness and interest in Fengshui have increased significantly over the years. This will even be more pronounced in Li Fire Period 9 (离火九运), a 20 years period beginning 2024.
But such situation creates a predicament, not only for those who wish to learn Fengshui, but also for those who wish to apply Fengshui techniques on his or her house based on self learning or from Fengshui books.
That book guides us on using Eight Mansions Fengshui, but I have heard one should use Xuan Kong Fengshui instead, as it is supposedly more comprehensive?
Some said techniques or systems that dates further back in history are more 'authentic'?
Should I study Heavenly Stars or Xuan Kong Fengshui? But it seems San Yuan Fengshui is more popular? Which should I use if different techniques contradict each other? Which is correct?
Such dilemma is not much different from another metaphysics field such as Astrology. The usual familiar Whole Sign House system versus Quadrant House System. Modern, Medieval or Hellenistic system.
I have always said this, do not waver and wander around the outskirts of the knowledge because of this seemingly dilemma. For example, both Whole Sign House and Quadrant House definitely works. I have seen students repeatedly going back and forth from one system to another in their learning journey, due to either the lack of confidence or because of the trends and influence of other practitioners. Hence, lacking proficient in that particular field.
Before you ask about the differences of the various techniques or systems in practice, first dive deeper and engage with one system rather than right-away doubting at the first sign of unfamiliarity. If you do that, you will most often find yourself merely scratching the surface and neither proficient in either.
Whatever Fengshui techniques you wish to explore, be thorough with it and use it consistently. Eight Mansions Fengshui, whether in its simple or complex derivations, works. Xuan Kong, San Yuan etc. works. They may, and most often, will contradict when assessing auspiciousness, but remember we are looking from different perspectives, but 'Dao' 道 is the same, they are correct.
Be like One-Punch Man.
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Image Credit:
AI-generated artwork of Saitama (One Punch Man), created using ChatGPT with DALL·E by OpenAI. Character © ONE, Yusuke Murata, and Shueisha.
Victor-Marie Hugo, Author of Les Misérables
When it comes to literacy, the 3rd House in horoscopic astrology is where we always look at, without fail. However, we must not overlook the 9th House of Wisdom, Publishing and the 5th House of Creativity. These 3 astrological houses often intertwined or comes together in the horoscopic birth charts of writers or book authors. Let's take a look at the birth chart of Victor-Marie Hugo. Born in 1802 France, author, poet, essayist, playwright, and politician. His most famous works are the novels "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame" and "Les Misérables".
He was born with Scorpio rising, with Mars as the ruler of his 1st House of Self. Mars is in the 3rd House, which speaks of his pursuit or focus on the 3rd House area of life. Not only is Mercury, the natural signification of literacy, in the 5th House but also in Mutual Reception with the 1st House ruler, Mars, bringing together the 1st House of Self, the 3rd House of Literacy and 5th House of Creativity.
Saturn, the 3rd House ruler, is in the 10th House of Career and Public Recognition, which highlights the association of literacy and his career. Saturn is together with Jupiter, the natural benefic, providing positive influences and expansive opportunities in his literacy career spanning more than 60 years and producing extensive works across many genres. Not forgetting, Jupiter happens to be the 5th House Ruler as well, further strengthening the affinity between the said Houses.
Moon is the ruler of the 9th House of Publishing. She is in a positive trine relationship with, once again, Jupiter and Saturn. Furthermore, Moon is in the 2nd House of Finances, where literacy and creative pursuits can be positive means of monetary gains. Biographer David Bellos claims Victor Hugo earned 300,000 francs (roughly $3.8 million in today’s money) for an eight-year license for his masterwork “Les Misérables”.
A garden to walk in and immensity to dream in; what more could he ask? A few flowers at his feet and above him the stars. ~ Victor Hugo, Les Misérables
In 1851, Victor Hugo was forced into exile that would last 19 years for opposing Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte's coup d'état. While in exile, Hugo published his famous political pamphlets against Napoleon III, Napoléon le Petit and Histoire d'un crime. We see the challenging opposition between the Sun, Venus and Saturn, Jupiter coming into effect. It happened during his Sun-Saturn Fidaria period. Saturn is the ruler of his 4th House of Family and Home.
Victor Hugo c. 1870 by Nadar (Gaspard-Félix Tournachon)
Though more can be said about his dominant theme in his writings, his exile and other aspects of his life, I shall leave that for some other time, and in particular interest, on his children, which is also a 5th House topic. From this, we can see how the delineation of different topics in life but belonging to similar astrological house in the birth chart can be different in the manifestation and outcome.
On a humorous note, the 5th House of Creativity is also the House of Pleasure, Fun activities, Romance and Love affairs. Perhaps the birth charts of the four 风流倜傥的"江南四大才子" during the Ming Dynasty are not without the weaving of these astrological Houses.
Comedy/Drama - 1993, Flirting Scholar
2025 Chinese Lunar New Year Qi Men Dun Jia Auspicious Times, 初一 and 初二
Wednesday, 29 January 2025 is the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year, marking the beginning of 15 days of celebrations. What better way to start than basking yourself in good fortune by taking advantage of Qi Men Dun Jia (奇门遁甲) auspicious times and following these easy activities for the first and second day of the Chinese Lunar New Year.
初一 29 January 2025
初二 30 January 2025
Wish everyone a Happy Chinese Lunar New Year!
MICHAEL GOH
