Oleksandr Kolesnikov On the “Good” and “Bad” in Astrology
Many astrologers use in their practice qualitative or, according to the terminology of Dane Rudhyar, aesthetic characteristics of various astrological elements. For example, planets in them are “evil” and “good,” “strong,” “weak,” and “afflicted,” aspects are “good,” “beneficial,” and “bad,” “malefic,” “afflicting.” They go so far as to call the entire horoscope “evil” or “afflicted.” But before labeling astrological symbols, it is useful to ask oneself: what are they trying to convey? What information do they carry? What can we see in the horoscope? A system of torture imposed on a person for some sins? Then why do we even engage in horoscope interpretation? All these questions are silenced in astrology, yet it would be natural to start precisely with them.
In my understanding, the horoscope symbolizes a complex of tasks or lessons that a person must master in this incarnation, and at the same time a complex of means intended to fulfill these very tasks. The tasks in question are not given as punishment—for the Higher Forces that assigned them are far too elevated for manifestations of anger or vengeance. The goal of the Higher Forces is to teach us something and help us in learning. If we adhere to this view, we naturally arrive at an approach to astrology that Rudhyar called ethical: there are no bad or good planets and aspects. All of them are necessary for something. For example, a “weak” Saturn in your horoscope is needed to solve the tasks set before you, and it is needed exactly as it is. That Saturn, which many astrologers would call “strong,” would not suit you—it is intended for solving other tasks, not yours.
Here we come to the question of the so-called “working through.” It is believed that the astrologer’s task is to point out a person’s “weak” spots in their horoscope so that they can “work through” them. It is important to understand what is meant. Does this mean that a person should artificially try to make a “weak” planet “strong,” to give its manifestations qualities not inherent to it but socially approved? Then I am against such “working through.” But this term can be understood differently. “Working through” can mean an attempt to understand why this planet was given to us exactly as it is, and to change one’s life in such a way as to maximize the use of the advantages provided by this very planetary position. For this understanding of “working through,” I vote with both hands.
However, it is easy to reason theoretically, but how in practice to determine the difference between the manifestations of planets in domicile and detriment, in exaltation and fall? Within the framework of this article, I will not discuss the differences between a planet’s position in domicile and in exaltation, although such differences exist and are significant. But that is a topic for another article; here, it is important to define the difference between the so-called “strong,” “good,” “beneficial” positions of planets in domicile and exaltation, on the one hand, and the “weak,” “evil,” “bad” positions in detriment and fall, on the other.
Every astrologer knows that a planet changes its manifestations depending on the sign in which it is located. The sign can be compared to the environment in which the planet’s activity takes place. One environment favors certain types of activity, another favors others. Let us consider, as an example, the position of Mars in Aries, in domicile. Let us draw an analogy: Mars is some powerful tool—say, a jackhammer. In domicile, the environment of the planet’s manifestation is in full accordance with its qualities. We with our jackhammer could, for instance, find ourselves in a mine, where our task is to extract as much ore as possible. The energy of the jackhammer can be released in such an environment freely, without special nuances. There is nothing to think about here—just drill.
Now suppose Mars is in Libra. We suddenly find ourselves in a crystal palace full of elegant guests, and our task is to chisel out some crystal ornament that is in the way. No great physical effort is needed here, yet we will “sweat seven shirts” trying to accomplish our task: how not to touch something wrong, how not to ruin the attire of those around us… HereIt takes more thought and planning than actual action. As a result, energy is expended no less, but it is spent on a different level—not physical, but higher: mental, emotional, etc. A planet does not become weaker simply because it enters another sign; it merely changes the range of its expression. That is why Avgustina Pylypivna Semenko always says in her classes: if you say a planet is weak, specify in which area it is weak. If a planet is in detriment, it is weak in the physical, real, material layer of reality, yet strong in higher spheres—intellectual, abstract, perhaps spiritual.
A good confirmation of this is provided by the method of Walter Hoff, briefly described in the book by S.A. Vronsky *Astrology: Superstition or Science?* One of the consequences of this method is that a planet in domicile falls into a lower, instinctively stable range of expression—it manifests calmly and adequately, without mental analysis of situations, based on intuition. Meanwhile, a planet in detriment enters a higher, intellectually stable range and also manifests adequately, in many ways similar to a planet in domicile, but grounded not in instinct or intuition, but in intellect and understanding.
So why are planets in detriment and fall traditionally called bad and weak? Let us imagine two people: in one, a planet—say, Jupiter—in the 2nd house is in domicile, while in the other, it is in detriment. Suppose both engage in some activity to earn money. The first will end up with a huge pile of money, while the second will have much less or nothing at all. If this second person knows their horoscope, imagine how harshly they will curse Jupiter in detriment. Yet Jupiter in the 2nd house in a sign of detriment grants the talent for understanding, knowledge, and comprehension. Undoubtedly, it has given the second person invaluable experience that cannot be measured in any amount of money. It has given much, but on a different level—higher. Of course, to notice this, a person must expand their sphere of interests to a higher level. If they are obsessed with material matters, they simply will not notice it. And for them, of course, a planet in detriment is weak and bad.
But let us recall the Gospel: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19). So which planet is then “better” and “more favorable”?
It is worth separately considering aspects. What is the main difference between “evil” or tense aspects and “good” or harmonious ones? It lies in their energetic characteristics. Tense aspects are sources of energy in the horoscope. If there are many of them, a person has a lot of energy with which they can achieve much in life. The challenge for them is the meaningful use of this energy, since if it stagnates or is spent thoughtlessly, it will lead to illness, conflicts, failures, and so on. Yet a person with an excess of tense aspects will never be bored—they are full of aspirations and desires, and only the tight constraints of the physical body prevent them from acting 24 hours a day.
Harmonious aspects, on the other hand, are consumers of energy. They show how a person could spend energy if they had it, which is why they are associated with talents and abilities that may one day be revealed and used. A person with an excess of harmonious aspects in their horoscope faces no fewer problems than someone with predominantly tense aspects. In particular, boredom and a lack of desire to do anything can become a real issue. For such a person, the difficult task is the fruitful use of those waves of energy that occasionally “wash over” them.
So which aspects are better—tense or harmonious? A strange question, is it not? What is better: to eat or to sleep? It is also worth considering “bad” and “good” days, weeks, and other periods of life that often appear in astrological forecasts. What would you advise your client to do on a tense, “red” day in the astrological calendar? Stay home and avoid everything? But it is precisely on such a day that the Universe gives us energy—precisely so that we may use it. If we suppress this energy, the tense day will indeed threaten conflicts and illness, for it must find an outlet.
Tense aspects are like a car moving at high speed. It can travel very far, but its maneuverability is limited, and if the road chosen initially is not the best, the driver will face a series of unpleasant moments. Harmonious aspects, by contrast, resemble a car moving very slowly. It will not go far, but it can turn and reverse as much as needed, carefully choosing the best path, which it can then accelerate along.
Thus, the best strategy in harmonious, “green” periods is reflection and planning for future activity, since there is as yet no energy for it. In “red” days, however, there is no time for thinking—action is required. It goes without saying that success depends on how well the actions were thought out. If one lives in harmony with the rhythms of the Universe, “unfavorable” days will turn into productive ones.
To conclude, let us examine the most “malicious” situation: a planet in detriment or fall, and moreover, “afflicted” by tense aspects. It is believed that such a planet creates great problems for a person—both in terms of life path and health. Often, this is indeed the case, especially if the person ignores this planet or tries to “work through” it as if it were in its domicile.
But let us ask: why is such a situation given to a person in their horoscope? What constructive purpose can it serve? Numerous tense aspects make the planet an important energetic center. It is precisely here that significant progress along the life path is most likely and possible. It is precisely here that a person has so much potential. So why is this energy so often spent destructively, leading to illness and failure?
Because for the meaningful, purposeful use of the energy of a planet in detriment, we must “grow into” its level, develop our understanding of life, and cultivate interests at the heights where the planet’s power is concentrated. There, we will be able to achieve much. But sitting in the familiar material world, we can only complain about how unfair fate is to us.
Thus, a so-called “afflicted” birth chart is evidence of the lofty tasks set before a person and a call not to rest on one’s laurels. In a mundane sense, this is not very comforting, yet the owner of such a chart is destined for the joy of knowledge and mastery of their fate.
Astrology is not as dull a subject as it may seem if one does not treat it as a set of superstitions like “a black cat is bad,” but instead asks questions and seeks answers.
