First off, nice to be here, name is Jamie. I know a bit about Sidereal Astrology but generally work off the fixed stars alone without any sign interpretation. I have been interested in the influence of Alderbaran for years now for a few reasons. It is conjunct my Black Moon Lilith, on the IC in the composite chart with my partner, on the IC of the chart for my Myspace forum, and I have an interest in studying Yod configurations, so the Jupiter Yod at the end of 2012 is another interest.

The Full Moon a couple of days ago renewed my studies into Alderbaran again. In natal charts I have seen the intensity of the energy, the extreme ups and downs that events seem to cause. The natives are "full on" where this star is conjunct something in the chart.

Researching the mundane effects I noticed a relationship to humanitarian issues, mainly fighting for the rights of the masses, communism, left wing politics and philosophies in general. This star kept popping up when I was looking at the life of Mahatma Gandhi. It is not conjunct anything in his chart. It is trine his Sun. I believe the fixed stars only influence when conjunct something in our chart. That is what I have always read. Now I am thinking that the stars can have a great influence on us in aspect, but only when activated by a transiting planet or lunation.

Any ideas on this?

HI Jamie, welcome to the forum.

Yes, star alignments of transiting planets certainly can be considered; just as, for example, if a New Moon squares something in a natal chart; that New moon theme, defined by conjoining stars, is of definite significance in the square. This is true for all transiting aspects.

I think your observation about the "political activist" and "full on" nature related to Aldebaran to be right on ("a relationship to humanitarian issues, mainly fighting for the rights of the masses, communism, left wing politics and philosophies in general" - your statement); but not solely because of Aldebaran. Keep in mind that Aldebaran and Antares are exactly opposite (both marking the centers of their respective sidereal signs (Taurus-Scorpio). The Aldebaran-Antares axis expresses into the administration of politics and business:

From November 2009 Lunar Planner:
"Aldebaran holds the vision for global leaders and world servers inspiring the administrative planning of world affairs, specifically for physical logistics and a global infrastructure designed to support humanity through evolutionary unfoldment and global change. Prominent alignments with the Aldebaran / Antares axis can express into the business and political arenas and is of their leaders.

At a personal level, Aldebaran is of business and the home, of vision and action for our physical wellbeing. Aldebaran indicates involvement with physical places, abodes, and projects supportive of our modalities of living. Aldebaran also inspires businesses that support our family and friends. Aldebaran inspires us to take the physical action required to manifest our visions in the physical world. Our Aldebaran Full Moon brings revelation to the purpose of this lunar cycle's theme, which started on the cusp of sidereal Scorpio--the use of our creative power should be to create a healthy and nurturing infrastructure supportive to the wellbeing of all people--seems kind of obvious."

About Antares:
In classical astrology, Antares is the star of war and weaponry, and with expounded meaning, to challenge the established opposing politics (an arena common to the Antares / Aldebaran axis) with tenacious adamancy. This is especially in regard to taking a stand against the established conditions of our personal lives and against the established order or authority directing our lives when those conditions or that authority are no longer in our best interest nor supporting our evolutionary freedom and fulfillment.

While Aldebaran holds and radiates vision for ideal physical logistics for authorities to put in place that aid people through evolutionary process and transition; Antares ensures that the current and accepted approaches and visions do not become static or antiquated. Antares ensures growth, evolution and change. If the Scorpion meets those bullheaded and stuck in their antiquated modality of life, the Scorpion’s sting is not far off--hence its classical association with rebellious and destructive forces. Antares keeps the vision of Aldebaran up-to-date by challenging authoritarian powers. When there are rebellious or terrorizing forces assaulting the established order, this reflects the need to realize that the established order is no longer supporting in ways truly nourishing to the needs of the people, and requires some type of reform--reform that if denied, may result in some level of, otherwise unneeded, destruction. Thus, Antares can also be associated with teachers and political leaders who are of a more non-conforming nature that tend to challenge that which is established belief, doctrine, or policy.

From an embracing transcendent perspective, Antares is the administrate seat directing the education of the incarnate souls regarding application of raw creative power. Antares oversees and stimulates the use of raw creative forces and use of power so that we can learn what is required for our true incarnational freedom and to become responsible creators of it.

However, It is only the less aware whom mistake this power point in the ecliptic to mean fight or destroy what one still perceives as forces outside of self required to combat. Antares marks a point of empowerment in sidereal Scorpio, a point of immanation. Those who have embraced their initiations and claimed their self-empowerment, who have graduated from playing victim in the entrapments common to the claws of the Scorpion, and who have learned to take responsibility for their reality, which occurs at the head of the Scorpion, this is place of self-empowerment. The Heart of the Scorpion teaches us to realize the inseparable nature of life, to reconcile the forces within and without, to know of the oneness and inseparable permeability of the Creation Force--as is exemplified by Ophiuchus, who demonstrably stands over the Scorpion, the exemplar of this wisdom. Either way, Antares motivates us to take responsibility for our reality, for the lives we create, and to "take a stand" for our truth and live it.

Some additional thoughts regarding Mahatma Gandhi (October 2, 1869):
If you will notice in his natal chart, Saturn and Vesta were conjoined (at about 20°sidereal Scorpio) just a few degrees past Antares; and conjoining Ras Algethi, the head of Hercules (and Sarin of Hercules; and Alpha Apus); theme: in a service capacity to help others claim their own power.

Also note that the asteroid Ceres had just stationed to begin its retrograde at about 11° sidereal Taurus (Hyades), which lies just before Aldebaran. And more importantly, a Ceres-Pluto synodic cycle also began at this time, so he birthed into the start of the Ceres-Pluto synodic theme--quite significant (also binging emphasis to Pluto). His Jupiter-Pluto (retrograde) conjunction in opposition to his Mars-Venus conjunction seems poignant as well. Venus and Mars conjoin the northern claw of the Scorpion, Zubeneschamalli (Libra)--dharmic responsibility. At the same time Mars and Saturn are about to start a new synodic cycle also conjoining Zubeneschamalli. At his birth, heliocentric Mars conjoined the southern claw, Zubenelgenubi (karmic responsibility) and Saturn on the northern claw, as Mars approaches its synod with Saturn. This is also significant because Zubenelgenubi's ecliptical longitude is not only the exalted location for Saturn, but also of Pluto's perihelion.

Also note Eris (the great disruptor): Gandhi's Sun-Eris in a tight inconjunct.

Ref:
Synodic Astrology
Pluto's Perihelion, etc.
Eris

Nick

Thanks for that info Nick. I've started linking to this forum because of all the great research you've done. I have noticed just recently a renewed interest among astrologers in the constellations and fixed stars, let's hope it's just the beginning.