Do you like your rising sign? How about your Moon sign? Would you prefer another? Well, why not pick one? How about picking a sign, the attributes of which you would like to develop more? You have it in you to develop all the signs, to their most elevated states.
My teacher Pearl Finn used to say, ‘’We are all the signs’'. We have all the signs, just in different places. We experience all signs in different areas of our life. But we can also accentuate certain signs if we wish to cultivate those attributes.
Changing signs is not so unbelievable when we consider the application of ‘three zodiacs’ in use today: the tropical and sidereal, as well as the 'constellational', which uses the actual sizes of the constellations.
Here is a visual of all these 3 views, courtesy of the late Nick Anthony Fiorenza.
My teacher Pearl Finn used to say, ‘’We are all the signs’'. We have all the signs, just in different places. We experience all signs in different areas of our life. But we can also accentuate certain signs if we wish to cultivate those attributes.
Changing signs is not so unbelievable when we consider the application of ‘three zodiacs’ in use today: the tropical and sidereal, as well as the 'constellational', which uses the actual sizes of the constellations.
Here is a visual of all these 3 views, courtesy of the late Nick Anthony Fiorenza.
All these different views of the zodiac can be applied successfully to some degree, depending on the techniques being used. But whether you use them or not; whether you are aware of them, they all operate on some level, to some degree.
When I first had my horoscope calculated by an astrologer using the tropical zodiac, the time I was originally given by my mother was 9.00 am. My tropical chart was calculated with the sign Scorpio rising. A few months later, the astrologer began using sidereal calculations. In the meantime, I received my correct birth time of 12.53 pm and had my sidereal chart calculated using the correct time. The rising sign was still Scorpio! If I had my correct time in the first instance, I would have seen myself as Sagittarius rising. I always wonder if I would have gravitated more to Sagittarius had I received my correct time.
At any rate, I must acknowledge my tropical Sagittarius rising. When I posed the question to a group of astrologers at the Astrological Association conference in October 2021, ‘’What do you think my rising sign is: Scorpio or Sagittarius?’’, all of them said Sagittarius.
Here’s the thing: those astrologers were trained to see my tropical chart. If I stood in front of a group of astrologers trained in viewing sidereal signs, they would probably have said Scorpio.
Actually, I can add a third ‘sign’, as I was born with Ophiuchus rising - the so-called '13th sign' of the zodiac. Ophiuchus is a constellation and not one of the 12 signs. There are many constellations, of course. Astrology uses signs to divide the zodiac into 12 equal parts. Yet I do identify with the symbolism of Ophiuchus; the ‘serpent bearer’. For me, the symbolism encapsulates the border territory between Scorpio and Sagittarius so well.
Ophiuchus is where we find the lunar mansion Jyeṣṭhā, ruled by Indra, the chief of the gods; the deity that compels us to take control of our earth-based desires; to elevate us higher on a spiritual quest. The serpent bearer tells of the same themes, themes that have been major part of my life.
But while I may acknowledge all three on some level, I must have made a choice at some point to use just one. Yet, here’s the rub: making that choice means drawing out more of that sign’s qualities. What if I had always looked at myself as Sagittarius? How would my life be different?
The outline may remain the same, but the way I coloured it in would change.
Although nothing may have changed in my life, as a Scorpio or as a Sagittarius, I would certainly have viewed it differently, depending on the sign I identified with.
You see, identity is more important than anything. When we identify as something, we are more likely to behave in ways that align with that identity. So, why not try to identify with another sign and see if it makes a difference?
We can actually do this for others as well. I know this because when I’ve read for those who had given me their incorrect time of birth, I begin to see them differently once I had their correct time. I would draw from them what I expected to see and interpret their chart in that way.
I’m saying, even with your ‘correct’ chart, you can accentuate what you wish to. You can begin to see yourself differently, even if the events of your life are the same.
And while you cannot actually change signs, I think this exercise is an important lesson in learning about how identity shapes you. You can certainly change your perceptions based on the different signs.
But you cannot move planets … or can you?!
Astro-cartography
Another way you can change your chart is to change your location. Every time you travel to a different place, you alter your chart in some way. The rising sign moves around depending where you are in the world.
Now, of course you must take your past conditioning, your upbringing, etc., with you, wherever you go. That’s not going to change. But you can develop other qualities based on a different location. Different places bring out different attributes that may lay dormant in other regions. That is quite obviously the case if you were to move for a job, a job that brings out other skills. You meet with other people who bring out other qualities in you. Mere cultural changes alter how you see yourself.
When I do readings based on location, it’s no surprise to the person when I say such and such a place is good for such and such, because many times they have already felt drawn to that location. People don't usually feel drawn to places that trigger negative placements!
You may have the Sun in a challenging position in your place of origin. But if you move somewhere where it is better placed, you could surprise yourself and what you are capable of.
It’s not just your rising sign that changes when you move location, the planets move houses, too. While it doesn't change the sign position of the planet, it can channel its energy in a different area that it’s more conducive to. This can enhance certain positions in your chart and lessen the negative impact of other positions.
But while moving location may create a better situation for certain planets, be aware that others may be challenged. There is always some give and take when moving your chart around.
A Simple Exercise
A simple, yet effective, exercise is to think of a sign that you would like to accentuate. Think about a sign that has a lot of the characteristics you admire and would like to develop in yourself. Imagine you are that sign. It’s as simple as that.
Don’t get caught up in the minutia of the chart when you do this. Just think of a sign you would like to evoke.
You could even travel to a country where that sign is more prominent. Experiment with it even if you do not travel.
If you’ve only every had sidereal readings, get a tropical one, or vice versa. Look at the actual constellations and see if your sign changes to another.
You could think of a planet that you would like to enhance, a part of you that may lay dormant but is eager to find an expression.
Think of the planet as being strong in your chart, as if the planet were exalted. I’m not suggesting you overcompensate for a debilitated planet, as that would create more problems. What I am suggesting is that you can accentuate the planet’s positive expressions no matter how weakly placed in your chart. See if you can express the planet’s most dignified characteristics without avoiding the real issues its weakness brings up for you.
The other option is the wait until the next life and hope you get the sign and chart you want.
Next time, I’m choosing Taurus rising!
Om Tat Sat
Astro-cartography
Another way you can change your chart is to change your location. Every time you travel to a different place, you alter your chart in some way. The rising sign moves around depending where you are in the world.
Now, of course you must take your past conditioning, your upbringing, etc., with you, wherever you go. That’s not going to change. But you can develop other qualities based on a different location. Different places bring out different attributes that may lay dormant in other regions. That is quite obviously the case if you were to move for a job, a job that brings out other skills. You meet with other people who bring out other qualities in you. Mere cultural changes alter how you see yourself.
When I do readings based on location, it’s no surprise to the person when I say such and such a place is good for such and such, because many times they have already felt drawn to that location. People don't usually feel drawn to places that trigger negative placements!
You may have the Sun in a challenging position in your place of origin. But if you move somewhere where it is better placed, you could surprise yourself and what you are capable of.
It’s not just your rising sign that changes when you move location, the planets move houses, too. While it doesn't change the sign position of the planet, it can channel its energy in a different area that it’s more conducive to. This can enhance certain positions in your chart and lessen the negative impact of other positions.
But while moving location may create a better situation for certain planets, be aware that others may be challenged. There is always some give and take when moving your chart around.
A Simple Exercise
A simple, yet effective, exercise is to think of a sign that you would like to accentuate. Think about a sign that has a lot of the characteristics you admire and would like to develop in yourself. Imagine you are that sign. It’s as simple as that.
Don’t get caught up in the minutia of the chart when you do this. Just think of a sign you would like to evoke.
You could even travel to a country where that sign is more prominent. Experiment with it even if you do not travel.
If you’ve only every had sidereal readings, get a tropical one, or vice versa. Look at the actual constellations and see if your sign changes to another.
You could think of a planet that you would like to enhance, a part of you that may lay dormant but is eager to find an expression.
Think of the planet as being strong in your chart, as if the planet were exalted. I’m not suggesting you overcompensate for a debilitated planet, as that would create more problems. What I am suggesting is that you can accentuate the planet’s positive expressions no matter how weakly placed in your chart. See if you can express the planet’s most dignified characteristics without avoiding the real issues its weakness brings up for you.
The other option is the wait until the next life and hope you get the sign and chart you want.
Next time, I’m choosing Taurus rising!
Om Tat Sat