At the Lodge - 25th April 2005

Lodge Lecture | Class | Charts Discussion

Lodge Lecture

This week Mariella Cassar gallantly undertook to speak on the Hyleg. She began by saying she had questioned her sanity on attempting to cover this material in two sessions when it would normally talk a weekend. Despite condensing the material she did very well. As Mariella explained, there is so much material, disagreement, controversy and need to apply the astrologer's judgement that this is one of the most complex areas of astrology.

There are several methods to determine the Hyleg and Mariella looked at Ptolemy's method as she thinks it is the most straightforward. The word comes from the Arabic meaning giver of life. Once found it is directed, using Primary Directions, to find specific events such as illness, accidents and death. There is also the Alchocoden, the ruler of the Hyleg, which is joint ruler of life.

Mariella explained the method as follows:

There are only five points which can be the Hyleg: Sun, Moon, Ascendant, Fortuna and the previous syzygy. Once one of these points is judged to be the Hyleg you stop.
For a day chart consider the Sun first, then the Moon. For a night chart begin with the Moon, then the Sun. Begin by checking the house of the Sun or Moon. If the Sun appears in 1st, 10th, 11th, 7th or 9th houses (the houses above the horizon) and is aspected by the Lord of one of its dignities then it is the Hyleg. These are aspects by sign not by orb, for example if the Sun is in Aries and Mars is in Capricorn then they are judged to be in square regardless of their degree position. If the Moon appears in 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 9th, 10th or 11th houses and is aspected by the Lord of one of its dignities then it is the Hyleg. The Lord of the dignity is the Alchocoden.
If the Moon is in Cancer or the Sun is in Leo - they are in their own sign - then they do not need an Alchocoden as they are effectively their own Alchocoden.
If the Hyleg is not the Sun or the Moon you must consider whether the Moon is waxing or waning as the order of points changes and apply the same process.
- If waning go next to the Ascendant and then to the Part of Fortune
- If waxing to next to the Part of Fortune and then to the Ascendant
If the criteria have still not been met consider the previous syzygy - the preceding new or full moon.

The Alcocoden awards a number of years according to the following chart

Moon

Mercury

Venus

Sun

Mars

Jupiter

Saturn

Short

25

20

8

19

15

12

30

Medium

66 ½

48

45

69 ½

40 ½

45 ½

43 ½

Long

108

76

82

120

66

79

57

This number indicates the lifespan but this is modified by the presence of benefics and malefics.

Directing the Hyleg through time will show periods when the life force is compromised usually symbolised by an aspect with a malefic. If this period coincides with the number of years allotted by the Alchocoden then this may be an especially vulnerable time.

This was a very challenging subject presented in a very clear and insightful way.

Claire Chandler

Class

Mariella's lecture filled both sessions.

Charts Discussion

This week we re checked in on Vatican City. As predicted last week, it was a short conclave and the new Pope had been decided. We took a look at Pope Benedict's chart along with the Vatican and predicted his reign may be a surprising one. A gentle man with Pisces rising and with Jupiter on his Ascendant, so good for a Pope. He has Saturn in the 9th House in trine to Uranus in the first. Keeping the traditions but also making changes. Moon in Libra in the 7th house, will he become a Pope of the people?

We then looked at the chart of John Mills. Sun in Pisces, so good for an actor, and Sagittarius ruling the ascendant, a larger than life personality. Mars so strong in Aries in the 4th house. So good at playing the soldier.

We then looked at the chart of Jamie Oliver, so much in the news, due to his transformation of school dinners. And what a chart! Sun in Gemini in the 10th house, and Virgo rising - yes that describes his interest in food and his communication skills and how he has used them to forward his career. Mercury is strong in Gemini in the 10th house. Venus/Saturn conjunction in Cancer, again food emphasis here with this conjunction giving him the focus. Mars is strong in Aries in the 8th house, giving him the drive and the passion. Moon in Capricorn. All in all we thought the chart described a very driven and ambitious person, who comes over to people in a very communicative and friendly manner.

Gill Dorren