Hi everyone,

I will be finishing up my doctorate this coming academic year (all being well!) and am starting to look for academic jobs. The best ones come up early, and I have seen an advert for a junior research post at a very prestigious institution, which would start by the time I'd just finished. I know that applying for the post will be *highly* competitive, and the application procedure is itself complicated and demanding, and the deadline fast approaching! I guess I just wonder whether going through such a time-consuming process would be worthwhile; I do have solid academic credentials but know I'd be up against the creme de la creme!

I drew up a horary - Do I stand a good chance of success applying for this job? 10:18 am, Belfast, UK.

My first impressions are positive: Libra rises, and Venus is in the 10th (suitable as I work on literature :-) ) in Cancer, along with the ruler of the Midheaven, the Moon. The two are moving towards a conjunction - which I take to mean that at least I will manage to send off a decent application?

My significator Venus is however separating from a sextile with Mercury in the 12th. Mercury is dignified in Virgo - however, I don't like that 12th house placement, especially considering that Venus is applying to sextile Saturn in the 12th too! I've been puzzling over what that 12th house might mean - being closeted away working on my thesis?? Some unknown factors? I am wondering whether Saturn could represent my supervisor, who in the 12th might not be too helpful with my application?

I'm not sure what other factors I should be looking at - the fact that the Moon is in the 10th and will next apply to a conjunction with my signifier seems like the strongest indication that I can see of success - but any other insights gratefully appreciated!

Minnie

Hi Minnie,

The horary seems to be very clear, with the ruler of the 10th (the job) moving towards conjuncting your significator, Venus (ruler of the 1st house - and the 9th - higher education) - "the job is coming to you".

I would tend to see the other factors you mentioned as being not a significant part of the question here, and may only serve to muddy what is otherwise a very clear and precise answer to your question. :-)

However, to digress a little ... Mercury in this chart is Lord of the 12th - the house of, among other things, "self-undoing". But Mercury is strong in dignity (Rulership), yet cadent and therefore weak - not really able to act, or have much effect.
So the aspect's effect will be (or have been) minimal because Mercury here is on it's best behaviour, and has little scope to act. And the aspect to Venus is a sextile, a soft aspect. And, most importantly, the aspect is separating - whatever this aspect signifies has already happened at the time of the question. If we're looking for an event in the near future - like getting a job - an appying aspect is what we'd like to see.

The aspect to Saturn could mean many things. In the chart Saturn is Lord 4 and 5 - so look to meanings of those houses to see what fits, in your context. Saturn has dignity by Term, disposed by Mercury and is cadent. Put these factors together and I don't see Saturn being a significant obstacle or influence - but I'm sure others might disagree!

It's also interesting here that you have "power to act" in this situation, because Venus is angular. So, if you apply for ("act" or "do something") this job, you've got rather a good chance of being successful. And that we have such a fortified Moon (angular, in rulership) would indicate it is a quality job.
That Venus is in the rulership of the Moon would indicate your strong interest in the job, and that you are very clear about what it would entail.

Thanks Southern Sky, for such an in-depth and considered response!

I agree that it looks pretty positive, but was looking for the catch, so to speak!

Thanks for reassuring me about that Saturn - Saturn in the 12th initially doesn't look the best. Having thought about what you said about it ruling the 4th and 5th houses in the chart I can see a way in which this fits. The job I would like to apply for is at the university where I did my first degree, and feels like an intellectual and emotional "home" for me. (Also it is a place which brings joy to me, and where I've spent a lot of good times - 5th) Saturn could represent my former lecturer there, who was a sort of father figure in a way, in the sense that he was a huge inspiration to me and we are still good friends. I am intending to ask him to be a referee so maybe this shows his help with the application - but being in the 12th, perhaps he can't do much to "put in a good word"?

This has in any case encouraged me to go for it!

Minnie