Skyscript Astrology Forum

Consider the following:

Moon in Leo applying in sextile to Mercury in Gemini
Moon in Leo applying in sextile to the Sun in Gemini

Both applications serve their purpose. Are their any opinions regarding which of them is the most favourable?

Hi, Andrew

I'd say the one with the Mercury involved, because it is a highly dignified planet. Moon's application to the Sun has the benefit of reception, but the Sun is not the final receiver of the Moon's disposition - the Sun, in turn applies next to Saturn - the final receiver of the disposition, the last one in the chain of the applications /I'm using Masha'allah's horary principles here./
So Saturn would have the final 'say' in this matter and how this would turn out depends upon his accidental significations/dignity in this particular case. As far as Masha'allah is concerned, however, it should bring perfection because the malefic involved receives the Sun into his triplicity and term(I'm using the Egyptian set), provided the planets involved are placed in 'good houses.'

Goran

Thank you for your interesting perspectives and Masha'allah quote, Goran. If I understand you correctly the Moon in Leo applying to sextile Mercury in Gemini is the better application because Mercury is in his own sign and final dispositor in the matter. That makes sense. My thoughts circled round the idea that the Moon in Leo applying to sextile his dispositor, the Sun in Gemini, acheives and gains approval in her own rights. Importance is involved. There is the elevating factor about the Sun being a luminary. However, this application is still more like a closed circle. The Moon knows her position and the nature of her affairs, where she is heading - and accomplishes according to her motion.

There seems to be something more expansive and external about the Moon applying to the sextile of Mercury in Gemini, who is self-supported and the ruler of an external (beyond Leo) sign. This application is likely rally in a different fashion than the Moon's application to the Sun. There is the approval of a second administration and pleasure may be experienced and expressed in two quarters. The Sun is by his own nature a more important 'planet' than Mercury, but since Mercury is seated in his own sign - he is at any rate in a royal disposition and I suggest he is more nimble and efficient when in this condition, than the Sun.

The Sun can give consent to activities going on in Leo, but Mercury is the Lord of approval of anything under Gemini. Unless the Sun is the primal power and force behind every question?

Hi, Andrew

There is the elevating factor about the Sun being a luminary.

Yes, provided the chart is diurnal. I always take into account the sect of the chart and if the chart is diurnal, Mercury would also happen to be in its own sect - oriental in a day chart.
It is also important to note how many degrees separate Mercury from the Sun, because Mercury is going under the Sun's beams, which may somewhat weaken him, but the position in his domicile should provide him sufficient protection.
I would also take into account the natural significations of Sun/Mercury and see which of these two suits better to the matter inquired about.
I suppose Moon reaches Mercury first in this case, so why are you considering its next aspect with the Sun?

Goran

I suppose Moon reaches Mercury first in this case, so why are you considering its next aspect with the Sun?

Just as a practical example: On 15 June there occcurred an sextile between Moon and Mercury as described. On 16 June the sextile to the Sun was perfected. From the perspective of an election, or responding to horary questions from one day to the next there is a qualitive difference. The question of which combination, or day to act, was most preferable intrigues me.

Moon in Leo applying in sextile to Mercury in Gemini
Moon in Leo applying in sextile to the Sun in Gemini

Both applications serve their purpose. Are their any opinions regarding which of them is the most favourable?

Without getting bogged down in details, the relationship of the lights is always of basic importance for elections, and a waxing Moon-Sun sextile is nothing to sneeze at. In this particular case I would have gone with the Moon applying to the Sun as the best because the Moon's last aspect was to a happy Mercury at home in Gemini and will next translate that positive energy to the Sun, its dispositor. It looks like a pretty nice translation of light which is (now 'was') worth taking advantage of for an electional chart. Before perfecting the sextile to Mercury the Moon only sextiles the Sun by sign, not orb. That works, but it's probably best when the Moon enters within orb of the Sun after having aspected Mercury. If the all-important Moon is going to aspect its dispositor wouldn't it be best to have them within orb? That gives about 24 hours of the Sun receiving some strong Mercury/Gemini significations.

To sum up: In this case the most generally favorable period was from the Moon's entry within orb of the Sun to the perfection of the aspect about 24 hours later. There are benefits from both the past (Mercury) and the future (Sun). In horary, well, I suppose it all depends on the question.

It just dawned on me that we're now heading into Moon in Virgo square its dispositor, Mercury in Gemini. That will be followed by Moon square Sun in Gemini. This one does look like the square to Mercury is preferable to the Square to Sun. It does carry the positive Mercury/Gemini significations to the Sun but the luminary aspect is a tense square and the Sun doesn't receive the Moon. This one is harder.

Kirk wrote:Without getting bogged down in details, the relationship of the lights is always of basic importance for elections, and a waxing Moon-Sun sextile is nothing to sneeze at. In this particular case I would have gone with the Moon applying to the Sun as the best because the Moon's last aspect was to a happy Mercury at home in Gemini and will next translate that positive energy to the Sun, its dispositor. It looks like a pretty nice translation of light which is (now 'was') worth taking advantage of for an electional chart.

Good point, Kirk.

It just dawned on me that we're now heading into Moon in Virgo square its dispositor, Mercury in Gemini.

Yes, I have been looking at this one, too. The Moon during her entire passage through Virgo is disposed by Mercury in his own sign Gemini. This lifts the quality of anything going on at this time and the Moon's application to her dignified dispositor is particulary potent, albeit the square. Virgo/Gemini, left and right glove - it is as if it is being spoke from two camps with controversing interests. Another interesting detail is how the Moon currently is besieged by Mars and Saturn. So whatever the Moon is carrying could be burdened with trouble or by poor associations.