Mark wrote:
Incidentally, when Valens proposes reversing the calculation of fortune/spirit because one them is 'falling amiss' does he principally mean the lots themselves or the luminaries? Also is he thinking principally of them falling in a cadent WSH?

Mark

The reasons I used for reversing the lots in Obama's chart can be found here (see footnote #6):

http://www.astrology-x-files.com/x-file ... n2012.html

Valens says that when the lots fall amiss sometimes the other lot will distribute both. It's one of the reasons why I don't take this as necessarily cut and dried although in most cases it is. Valens would also consider the 8th to be "falling amiss" in some cases. He gives exceptions when either Necessity or Eros happen to inhabit the same place then it makes the place more "chrematistikos" (busy or telling).

Specifically in Obama's case, if fortune is in Aries, then not only is it cadent, but the domicile lord is in aversion cancelled only by antiscia. The exaltation lord (Sun) does witness the place but is contrary to sect as the Sun would prefer to receive the "coin toss" in the predomination.

The fact that he became president just as the Virgo period was highlighted (a 10th from fortune peak) and also is the encounter of the domicile lord is what makes this all the more compelling. So what does a Mars in Virgo period do? Well under Bush, corporations were "cooking the books" and Mars/Mercury combinations can lead to malfeasance. In the 8th house, banks deal with toxic assets (really debt) which is what Obama's actions were all about back in 2007-2009. Below shows not only the peak Virgo period (outermost wheel - counting outward at lower levels), but the encounter of the domicile lord (Cancer handing over to the Moon in Gemini) which Valens says has the power of the 7th (facing off with his opponent McCain).

The time of 7:54 pm, EDT, was obtained by using the Moon from the shutdown chart (0 hrs, EDT, Oct 1st) to do the demi-lunar preceding 0 hrs Oct 17 and progressing it by the Moon's motion in right ascension, looking for any planet swept by a progressing angle before the midnight hour of the 15th-16th. It turned out to be Pluto on the IC at 7:54 pm, EDT, on the 16th. The following was posted on another forum on Oct 13.

"Oh! I think the best time for a possible deal or announcement of one is around 7:54 pm, EDT, on the 16th.

Oct 16 The Beginning Of The End

by Greg.Botelho 6:57 PM (announced 7:55 EDT according to C Span2)

The first Senate vote on the bill to end the partial government shutdown and raise the debt ceiling passed Wednesday night, by an 83 to 16 vote. Sixty votes were needed. This sets up a second vote on the bill, which needs a simple majority, for it to advance to the House. The final vote at 8:11 pm was 81 to 18."