Hello All:

I am about to begin writing an important essay for a master's degree I am working on--it is kind of like a thesis (although it's not called that in my program; it's called the "degree essay").

Anyway, I thought I would try to do an electional chart for beginning work on the essay, which must be finished and turned in by October 17th.

So far, the best time I have come up with is July 19th, 2007, 6:30am, St. Augustine Beach Florida USA. What do others think of this time for undertaking this particular task?

Here's my view: I like that there is a mutual reception between my ruler (moon) and the 3rd house ruler (Mercury). I want the essay to be good and I want to be very engaged with it, since it is a degree requirement that the essay reflect issues relevant to my prior work in the program. Also, because the two are in MR, they are both high in dignity as a result, which is a good thing. I also like it that the moon is in the 3rd house, again showing my engagement and strong interest in the work at hand. Moon in Virgo shows that I will be detailed and dedicated in my work on the essay. Not sure what to make of Mercury, ruling the 3rd house, tenanting the 12th--though I think this may just show me isolating myself in order to write the essay--I am sure I will spend a lot of time behind closed doors during the next couple of months.

I believe that my essay advisor is represented by the 9th house, representing people associated with higher learning, universities etc. There's not really much of a connection between Jupiter-ruling-the-ninth and anything else. Not sure how to take that. Uranus is tenanting the ninth. I made sure that the moon was separating from its opposition to Uranus--as that particular configuration concerned me a lot. I didn't want there to be some huge upheaval in my relationship to the advisor. Mercury-ruling-the-third is applying to a quincunx to Jupiter, which I believe shows that my advisor will expect me to make some changes and adjustments as I work on the essay. That's par for the course.

After this essay is complete, it is reviewed by another reader and then approved (or not) by the Academic Board. I think they would be represented by the 10th house--since they are the "authorities" that determine whether or not I pass the essay. The MC is co-ruled by Sun and Mars, which are both alumten there. Mars is applying to a sextile with Uranus in the ninth--which I guess could show the Academic Board is in sync with my advisor. The Sun is conjunct the AC, with the moon about to sextile it, which shows that my essay will be approved.

The election takes place on a Mercury day in the hour of Saturn. I was initially not crazy about having Saturn as the hour ruler--but then I thought, well, this piece of writing does need to be well-organized and clear, so I think this might actually be a good thing.

I would really appreciate the thoughts of others.

Thanks very much!

I would suggest:
try to make the asc be in your natal first, 2nd, 3rd,5th, 9th, 10th or 11th.
A quick and crescent moon applying to benefics.
Your natal mercury, moon and sun should be aspecting something good in the election.
The planet which rules your 10th will probably be of importance.
Maybe fixed signs to give persistence, although they can slow things down.

Thanks! Those are very interesting suggestions--not things I would have thought of on my own.

The election AC is in my natal 9th house. The election MC is in my natal 5th.

The ruler of my natal 10th is the Sun. In the election the Sun is rising; it is conjunct the AC, and about to receive a sextile from the election moon.

My natal Sun trines the election MC.

When you say that the natal Sun, Moon and Mercury should aspect good things in the election, how close do the orbs need to be? My natal moon is trine the election Mercury, within a 2-degree orb. Natal Sun trines election MC within less than a one-degree orb. My natal Mercury is conjunct the election Saturn by less that one degree--this can be good or bad, I guess, but I choose to think of it as good; I'll be thinking and writing in a disciplined and authoritative way. Natal mercury also trines election Saturn with about a 2-degree orb.

The only potential difficulty I see is that the election moon will square Pluto right after it sextiles the Sun. The way I understand squares in this type of chart is that they generally signify enormous effort will be required--which makes sense for this type of project. This could also mean that some type of profound change will take place as the project progresses, which may well feel frustrating to me. But, because the moon is pretty strong in this chart, I don't see the square as denying or blocking the intended outcome of this event (to write a good essay).

Thanks again for your thoughts. Does it sound like I am on track in my thinking about this election?

Leo-Poet