William F. Buckley
Maritha Pottenger
One of our readers (Sally Klinkon) requested that I analyze a chart using the format of Complete Horoscope Interpretation, but looking at a life area other than identity. So, the topic for Mr. Buckley is beliefs and values.
According to the inherent meanings of astrology, our beliefs, values and what we trust and rely on in life are particularly related to all forms of Letter 9 (intellectual world view) and 12 (emotional sense of meaning, connection to life). Thus, we would examine all the factors related to Letters 9 [Jupiter, 9th house, Sagittarius] and 12 [Neptune, 12th house, Pisces] in Buckley’s chart for a sense of what is meaningful and ultimately important to him. I also suggest (in Complete Horoscope Interpretation) that Letter 11 is worth considering (perhaps at half-weight) due to its connections to the future and traditional association with “hopes and wishes.”
Beginning with the planetary keys to Letters 9 and 12, we find Jupiter conjunct Venus (probably Letter 2 rather than Letter 7 because it is in a fixed house and an earth sign which fits Taurus better than Libra) in the 8th house (8) in Capricorn (10). Jupiter sextiles Uranus in Pisces in the 10th and Saturn in Scorpio in the 6th. Jupiter is also widely (just over 6 degrees) conjunct the South Node (perhaps Letter 4 overtones as the Nodes relate back to the Moon) and widely quincunx Neptune.
Neptune is closely conjunct Ceres, the earth mother asteroid (6) in the 3rd house (3) in Leo (5). Neptune trines Mercury in the 7th in Sagittarius and sextiles the Gemini Ascendant and Pallas. Neptune also trines Chiron in the 11th in Aries, completing a grand trine in air houses and fire signs. And, Neptune is contra-parallel Mars, quincunx Uranus and widely quincunx Jupiter.
Uranus conjuncts the Moon (4) in the 10th house (10) in Pisces (12). Uranus sextiles Jupiter and trines Saturn. Uranus squares the Ascendant/Descendant axis as well as filling in the T-square with Mercury in the 7th in Sagittarius and Pallas in the 1st in Gemini. Uranus also quincunxes Neptune and Ceres in the 3rd in Leo.
Chiron gets a little bit of attention because it seems to be a mixture of Letters 9 and 11. Chiron occupies the 11th house (11) and Aries (1), filling in that grand trine with Neptune/Ceres and Mercury, but squaring Jupiter and the Nodes of the Moon. Chiron sextiles the Ascendant and Pallas.
The 9th and 12th houses are not occupied, so we can only examine their rulers. Uranus rules the 9th and conjuncts the Moon (4) in the 10th (10) in Pisces (12). Venus rules the 12th and conjuncts Jupiter (9) in the 8th (8) in Capricorn (10). Venus is also parallel Mercury (3).
The 11th house (which we give 1/2 weight, perhaps) is occupied by Chiron (9/11) in Aries (1). The ruler of the 11th (Mars) is in the 5th house (5) in Scorpio (8), sextiling Vesta in the 1st in Cancer and contra-parallel Neptune.
Moving down to the level of signs, we find that Sagittarius is occupied by Mercury (probably Letter 3 since it occupies an air house and fire sign) and the Sun (5). Sagittarius is also found in the 6th (6) and 7th (7) houses. Pisces is occupied by the Moon (4) and Uranus (11) and occupies the 10th (10) house.
Adding house cusps, we note that Aquarius (11) falls on the 9th house cusp, while Taurus (2) falls on the 12th cusp.
So, what do we get when we add this all together? I suggest that you use your intuitive sense of what is most repeated. Although I gave worksheets in Complete Horoscope Interpretation (for people who love lists and numbers), they were based on my “best guess” at the time. Already, there are some things I would change. For example, I do find that it is worth looking at the rulers of all the signs in a house, but the ruler of the actual sign on the cusp is much more significant. The published worksheets give a lot of weight to planets making conjunctions (because planets are the most emphatic form of the alphabet), but I feel the weight suggested for conjunctions to rulers of other signs in the 9th or 12th is much too high. Just a few points would be ample. Weighting is still a VERY subjective art in astrology, and I encourage everyone to gain their own, intuitive sense, rather than trying to follow my (or any other) system which attempts to quantify.
Without attempting to weight per se, we note that Letter 10 has the most repetitions. Second place appears to be a tie between Letters 3, 4, 5, 8 and 11. However, two of the counts for Letter 4 come from conjunctions to the planet (the Moon), and hence should be given more weight. Two of the counts for Letter 11 comes from Chiron and a sign placement, so should be given less weight. So, I would tend to emphasize Letter 10 as the major indicator for beliefs: traditional, formal, conservative, realistic, practical, emphasizing results, responsibility, authority. I would consider Letters 4, 3, 5 and 8 as second string. It is also worth remembering that the conjunctions involved (Ceres to Neptune and Venus to Jupiter) also emphasize earth factors—Letters 6 and 2, again suggesting a materialistic approach, a focus on “the real world” and a strong orientation toward competence, “success” in societal terms, monetary gain, etc. Stability, conservatism, safety and family matters are emphasized by 4 and 10 (and would also be highlighted if we include 2 and 6 as well). Letter 8 adds to the potential hanging on/cautious approach which is more associated with earth and water.
The mind/communication could be valued with Letter 3 emphasized. A power theme is one potential with Letter 5, 8 and 10 all part of the picture. If we feel that 6 and 2 are part of the picture as well as Letter 10, we have a strong focus on hard work, effort, competence and getting results in the world. The picture seems reasonable for a conservative and erudite publisher, editor and newspaper columnist.
The aspects (other than conjunctions and parallels) show us a mixed picture. The wide Jupiter/South Node conjunction suggests a potential lesson around faith, beliefs, and values, yet Jupiter mainly has harmonious aspects, suggesting a smooth, easy flow as far as his intellectual beliefs, the values he can articulate and discuss verbally. The wide quincunx from Jupiter to Neptune suggests possible tension between head values and heart values (truth versus compassion, conscious versus unconscious faith).
Neptune’s position in a grand trine backs up his imaginative mind (Neptune trine Mercury) and potential grace/beauty with language. The grand trine in air/fire fits his articulateness (he is moderator for a TV discussion group), and Mercury/Mars aspects can also be quick-tongued (as well as sarcastic). Buckley has a Mars/Mercury octile (semi-square). Yet, Neptune’s yod (although wide) to both Uranus and Jupiter suggests challenges in terms of beliefs and the area of faith, perhaps in integrating the emotional and intellectual sides, or perhaps in terms of handling issues around freedom, progress or innovation.
Similarly, Uranus’ position in a T-square with Mercury and the Ascendant/Descendant as well as Pallas emphasizes the mind (mutable signs and air planets and asteroids), but potential tension around issues of rebellion, progress, equality, or objectivity. The T-square also suggests that his Uranian side is at odds with his sense of identity (Ascendant and Mercury, the Ascendant ruler). Perhaps he is too tied to a conservative viewpoint to allow much of his Letter 11 side to express. Perhaps some of his beliefs (Uranus as a natural key, plus ruling his 9th) lead to stress in interpersonal relationships (square to 7th house and to Pallas). Yet, Uranus, too, has lots of harmony with trines to Saturn and the North Node backing up his successful career/work efforts (Saturn in 6th) and success in earning a living (Node in 2nd) in his own unique fashion (Uranus in 10th).
Buckley’s chart reflects his intellectual talents and conservative, power-oriented values. We can hope that the issues of empathy and compassion represented by Neptune will be more integrated at some time in the future.