Astrology · Fengshui · Qi Men Dun Jia

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

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!

Directness vs Fluidity. Individual vs Team. Impulsive vs Instinctive. Offensive vs Supportive. Explosive vs Deliberate. Take a moment to digest these contrasting words. Next, apply them to the field of Football. Think about the what roles these words best describe in Football. Now, think about Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

C. Ronaldo has Mars in Aries, the Fiery Sign. Mars is in its Home in Aries (A Sign traditionally seen as a Strengthening placement for Mars). The Action, Physicality of Mars is expressed in the nature of the sign Aries, being Direct, Individualistic, Power.

Here, one can clearly see how Mars in both of their Birth Charts reflects the different playing styles shown by each. When looking at the Birth Charts of Sportspeople, some astrologers right away look at the condition of Mars, whether it is in a favorable condition, to ascertain if they can be successful.

Obviously, both C. Ronaldo and L. Messi are successful and excel in their field.

However, in the case of L. Messi, his Mars is in a zodiac Sign (Mars in Cancer) that is 'supposed' to be inimical, unfavorable for him, a debility for Mars which in traditional texts or teachings, is a weakness/ least strength for Mars to excel. Yet there are Sportspeople like L. Messi with Mars in a Debility or weak planetary placement who are successful. This is a contradiction to most teachings. This causes some astrologers to find reasons, or rather, excuses for such situations.

For example, I have seen comments made by astrologers like:

...the feelings of being the underdog [Mars in a Fall] can build good character traits that can lead to success later on"; or "Mars in Fall tends to overcompensate [to correct or make amends] to prove itself"; or "[Mars in Cancer] is a passionate sign for Mars, that can be channeled into greater things".

Basically, introducing reasons like attributing to 'Personal/ Character Development', 'Energy Management' or even 'Free Will' to explain why having a "Debilitated" Mars can possibly still bring success for those Sportspeople. But this can turn into:

You have Mars in Aries. You can be a successful Sportsperson. Not successful? You are being impulsive, impatient and too complacent. No? There must be other reasons in your Birth Chart. What? Actually you ARE successful? Ok, that's because of your Mars in Aries."

If these are the reasons astrologers use to justify why a Sportsperson with Mars in Fall (Mars in Cancer) or Detriment (Mars in Libra) can be successful, it is not a surprise that the practice of Astrology itself attracts skeptics. One can simply ignore astrological techniques altogether and still conduct Astrological Prediction, saying "You can be successful if you are dedicated and work hard"; or "You can be successful despite your Mars being debilitated in Cancer, by building up your perseverance, your passion and inner strength. If you are not successful, it is because your Mars is in Cancer..." 

Success requires Hard Work. But Hard Work does not Equals to Success. This is the real Life.

A Planet in a Sign can be understood in a few layers, or rather, their influences are manifested in a few layers. It is not simply just a case of Mars being "Strengthened" or "Weakened". For example, one manifestation is the literal expression of the planet in the sign. Like the different Action, Physicality and Playing Style of C. Ronaldo and L. Messi. There are no negative or positive inclinations here. 

Another layer is from Mars' perspective, whether Mars likes to be in the Sign he is in. Mars likes Directness, Quickness. In Cancer, an emotional and indirect sign, Mars can feel frustrated. This can leads to emotional outbursts. There are further layers to explore. All these differing expressions will materialize for the Native in the real Life, one way or another. 

So why are those Sportspeople with Mars in a Debility being successful in what they do? Because, in L. Messi's case, Mars in Cancer is not the key indicator for his success. You can say it is his Action, Playing Style, a Descriptive. 

Success, whether Materially or Fame cannot be judged simply from a Planet in a Sign, or a Planet in a particular Astrological House. One also cannot instinctively look at the condition of Mars for Sportspeople or Venus for Celebrities/Artists as an indicator whether he or she can be successful. Venus in Libra, or Pisces. These are signs that Venus is been seen as "Strengthened" or Positive. Venus can remain in one Sign for up to 2 months, depending on its motion. Does that mean those born during Venus in those Signs can be successful as an Artists? Obviously not.

Likewise, one cannot simply use those "excuses" to justify the person's success despite the seemingly "weak" planetary placement shown in the Birth Chart.

Success or Elevation is about identifying the factors and/or configurations influencing Social Mobility (Positive and/or Negative); his or her social support configuration in the Birth Chart, whether one can achieve success in his or her field relatively, and how great that success can be. And these key factors are not simply just Planets in Signs/Houses/Aspects.

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Image of Cristiano Ronaldo, UEFA Euro 2012 is by Илья Хохлов/Ilya Khokhlov/Ilja Chochłow [CC BY 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Image of Lionel Messi , FIFA World Cup 2022 is by Hossein Zohrevand [CC BY 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons