Title:
ABC Basic Delineation #8 — Basic Chart Patterns Date Published: 3/01/2001Marion March is a noted teacher, lecturer and writer on astrology, as well as a valued astrological counselor in her own right, and the mentor of many younger astrologers. With Joan McEvers, she is the author of a series of comprehensive instructional books: The Only Way to Learn Astrology in five volumes, which has gone through many editions, and has been translated (and published) in several languages besides English including German, Spanish and Portuguese.
Bowl Pattern
In the Bowl Pattern, all the planets lie to one side of the Zodiac, and occupy only one half of the chart. This pattern assumes even more importance when the angles are involved (Division by the Horizon or Meridian).
Ideally, the two planets forming the rim of the Bowl oppose each other, as seen in the Adolf Eichmann horoscope shown here; but the Bowl Pattern is considered effective only if six houses of the chart are occupied and the other six are empty.
Adolf Eichmann
March 19, 1906, 9:00 AM MET
Solingen, Germany 51N10, 7E5
Koch House System
Source: subject's mother
Another important consideration is the closeness of the aspects in the occupied part of the chart. There should be no separation larger than a sextile of 65 degrees between planets, else the Bowl may be a Fan (a chart pattern to be discussed in a future article).
A chart with the Bowl Pattern can be quite self-contained, sometimes are subjective and often too self-analytical or self-oriented. They may feel a great need to further a cause or fulfill a mission. The unoccupied portion of the chart becomes their challenge, the unknown quality they wish to understand in order to function properly.
According to the late Robert Jansky in his book Planetary Patterns, one of the characteristics of individuals with Bowl Patterns is that they are able to hold out under strain. A crisis often bring them to the forefront and can suit their "all-or-none" psychology.
If you visualize the Bowl to be moving in a clockwise direction, the planet leading the parade is called the "Cutting Planet" and as such needs additional analysis. Some astrologers call this the "planet in high focus." In our two examples, Mercury and Uranus would be the "Cutting Planets."
The house position of the Cutting Planet is worth noting. The first four houses will always express in a rather personal way, with the "me" and "mine" quality emphasized. Depending on the rest of the chart (as all astrologers know, the entire chart must be looked at for real evaluation, and all generalities given here are only meaningful as they relate to the totality of the horoscope), this can express as preferring to do things by oneself, as not trusting others to do it as well as we can, or even as needing to do things by ourselves in order to feel any sense of accomplishment or satisfaction.
Candice Bergen
Aug. 9 1947 9 52 pm PST
Los Angeles, California 34N04, 118W15
Koch Houses
Birth Certificate (Rodden)
Candice Bergen, known for her strong involvement with causes and jailed for anti-war demonstrations, serves as a good example. Ms. Bergen is also very liberal in her male-female relationships, despite a strict and conservative upbringing. A top photographer, journalist and actress, she is a true individualist doing "her own thing."
The second four houses express better through interpersonal involvement. Others can play a large role in our decision-making process and have much influence on our life. Their ideas could be the catalyst that propels us into action; through creative, with this placement we seem to need applause or approval from others in order to feel good about ourselves. Adolf Eichman's Uranus in his 8th house is one example to consider. The idea to eradicate Jews from the earth may have been Hitler's; the nearly perfect execution of the mission, and the furthering the cause by promoting mass extermination through the use of the gas chambers, was all Eichmann's.
The last four houses should be considered transpersonal in their expression if the Cutting Planet is placed there. This can express through great involvement with outside affairs, a strong career orientation, or as someone who is highly attuned to the cosmic consciousness. The one to one type of relationship may seem less important than "the world" or "humanity" as a whole if the Cutting Planet is in the 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th house.
When interpreting the Bowl, keep in mind that the houses occupied in the chart can indicate what the person could offer the world, whereas the unoccupied portion describes the needs, yearnings and dreams [of the person with this configuration]. Also remember that by progression at some point in the life, a planet will move out of the Bowl. Which planet, where and when become keys to that person's development.
[This article first appeared in the Winter 1984 issues of Aspects Astrological Magazine]
© Copyright: Marion March
[ BACK TO ARTICLES ] [ TOP ]
Other articles by Marion March
ABC Basic Delineation #2 – The Overview
ABC Basic Delineation #4 – Britain Hails a Future King
ABC Basic Delineation #6 – Correct Birth Data
ABC Basic Delineation #9 – Basic Chart Patterns
ABC's of Delineation: The 'See-Saw' Chart Pattern
A Different Approach to Vocational Aptitudes
Hey Baby! Interpreting the Chart for Small Children
Saturn - Teacher, Taskmaster & Friend
