Anyone who has ever written a regular column will know that there are times when inspiration is – not to put too fine a point on it – notable by its absence. At other times, so many ideas are flying around that catching one by the tail to pin it down is, to say the least, tricky. And – you never know, as the last deadline is met and you can now relax for a few weeks – which set of conditions is going to prevail the next time.
So, Reader, there I was, new deadline appearing over the horizon, and…nada. Nix. No–thing. At all. Braincell dry as an old chewed-up bone. In this situation there are generally two options: blind panic – or blind faith. I have six fiery planets. This is often a curse, let me tell you, but in the matter of column deadlines, it is a blessing. So, armed with nothing but blind faith, I headed for the office.
To pass time sitting on the bus, I check my phone. Ahah – there’s a message on Messenger. A colleague is beginning a new project for the international company he works for, an unusual company where his boss is an astrology appreciator. He is making a podcast series on Turning Points: asking people to talk for five minutes on the one decision which changed their lives forever. He is inviting me to contribute.
“Ping!!” went the braincell, hit by a mini bolt of inspiration. I had my topic. I’d ruminate on what it was that inspired me to take up, and continue, the long-term study and practice of astrology. That decision certainly changed MY life forever.
So – what was it ?
Was it my youthful awe as I watched the Northern Lights enacting their glorious colourful dance, just above the skyline near our house? Perhaps it was lying cosy in bed, listening to the roaring gales of January tearing the world apart – wondering what the Power was behind that raging wind. Was it the growing excitement, as I grew up, of being able to spot familiar constellations in the clear, unpolluted night skies of my native island?
Or – maybe the Fates had already decided, leaving me a clue to be decoded many years later, via the placement of Uranus, the astrologers’ planet, at 25 Degrees of Gemini, in the tenth house of my natal horoscope?
I have recently been revisiting the significance of the placement of Uranus’ discovery degree, ie 24 degrees 27 minutes Gemini,(i) in the horoscopes of those drawn to the practice of astrology. A dip into my horoscope collection, lifting out three male and three female birth charts, found that all six prominent astrologers chosen have this degree either conjunct, square or opposite natal planets, Nodes or Angles: the lately deceased and much-missed Donna Cunningham, Michel Gauquelin, Liz Greene, Isabel Hickey, Johannes Kepler and Noel Tyl. (ii)
Johannes Kepler Asc 24 deg 25 mins Gemini
Furthermore, when I was 27 years old, progressed Sun crossed asteroid Urania, placed at 19 degrees of Virgo in my first house, square tenth house Uranus. That year, as mentioned in an earlier column, I had a totally random encounter with a pair of astrologers who predicted my future astrological career.
So – did I choose that career or did I come in with it already chosen? Was it Fate, or free will? We will, of course, never be able to answer that question. MY conclusion, hardly stunningly original, is that we dance to the tune of both. There are times when the power of Fate feels strongly present. Other times, the unglamorous wrestle with inertia, poor judgement, and other ills to haul our lives into a reasonably satisfying shape feels very strongly to be determined mainly by our own conscious efforts.
In the latter case, a major ingredient in the shaping process, in my opinion, is the power of inspiration. At twenty-four years of age I was fortunate enough to have what I later realised was a mystical experience, something which has continued to inspire me. This may well have created a spiritual backdrop for the subsequent encounter with astrology as foreground; when I met those astrologers I was going through a crisis involving wondering what, after all, my life was FOR…not an uncommon state for one’s late twenties!
Their accurate reading inspired me to investigate astrology further, initially via the UK’s Faculty of Astrological Studies. On discovering that I, too, could produce accurate and affirming feedback from those strange marks on a piece of paper which seemed helpful to people trying to understand themselves better, I was hooked. For the rest of my life.
Astrology has continued to inspire because it continues to challenge me. It challenges me because we are working with living energies, patterns whose essential meanings we have established over millennia, but whose manifestations are endless and only partly predictable. Despite decades of experience, I still get that tight anxious feeling before every new client I see, being very aware of my responsibility at least to do no harm, at best to help the person before me see their life in a more constructive, bigger context.
I am, of course, always curious to find out what inspires people to engage with astrology – and to keep going once they get there. There is an occasional series running on my blog, in which astrologers tell their interesting, unusual tales of inspiration and – of course! – an inevitable amount of perspiration…
Want to share your story? Go on…
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Endnotes:
(i) and (ii) : all charts available free from Astrodienst: http://www.astro.com
This post is a slightly edited version of my bi-monthly column for Dell Horoscope Magazine ‘The astro-view from Scotland’ from the January/February 2018 Issue.
******
950 words copyright Anne Whitaker/Dell Horoscope Magazine 2019
Licensed under Creative Commons – for conditions see Home Page of Writing from the Twelfth House
Astrology: Questions and Answers 
Thanks Anne, I appreciate your stories, your use of words and your ideas. My nUranus at 22 deg 05 sec Gemini on the 2nd/3rd cusp helps me understand my own similar life long interest of 46 years. Thank you.
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That’s great feedback, Carla, thanks. One other astrologer has already left a comment on my A: Q n A Facebook page letting us know that her Moon is close to that degree. It’ll be interesting to see who else turns up!
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5.2.19:
Christina Rodenbeck:
And you can add me to your list, Anne. My Moon is less than a degree from that Uranus.
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Certainly will, Christina! I’ve just put this post up, so it will be interesting to see how many more 25° people it attracts!
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Wonderful reflections that tease the grey matter Anne. I am astounded I did not know (or had forgotten) that Uranus was discovered at 24 Gemini but delighted to realise it is within one degree of opposition to my natal Sun. Astrology came to me on a progressed new moon in Aquarius in the fifth house and Urania is also in my first house tightly conjunct the Ascendant. Having pondered the cosmos and my place in it since childhood too it was finally pushed into the forefront of my awareness by a random book purchase and an inspiring Sagittarian friend. I agree fate and freewill are flippant and creative bedfellows 🙏🏻♐️
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Thanks, Carole, this is brilliant feedback. Glad you like the column. Xx
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5.2.19:
Leah Whitehorse:
Oooh, I LOVE it when I learn something new! I didn’t know the significance of the discovery degree with astrologers. It makes complete sense but it never crossed my mind! I have nothing there in the natal chart although plenty of planets aspecting it. But in my progressed chart, Mars, the Sun and Venus will all be running over that degree in the next few years. I hope that will bode well for my career 🙂
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Well, it truly seems to be beginning to do that already, Leah, as your profile rises. So very well deserved ! And – never happier than when providing a bit of enlightenment⚡️x
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5.2.19:
Frank C Clifford:
Haha. Probably lots (24° Gemini Asc here!). When I compiled the TMA piece on Uranus (Aug 2017), I wrote: When discovered, Uranus was at 24° Gemini, a degree now ingrained with a Uranian quality, and some astrologers (such as Paul Wright in The Great Ages & other astrological cycles, Parlando Press, 2007) have written at length about the Uranus cycle – the squares, oppositions, and returns to its own discovery degree. This degree appears in many of the charts of authors referenced in this piece.
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So pleased to have you drop by and contribute, Frank ! I’ll add this to the comments on the post, so that readers not on Facebook can develop more of a perspective on this degree…I now feel inspired to go back through my TMA s and re-read your piece on Uranus. Is there a stand-alone version, or plans for one, for folk who aren’t TMA subscribers? It would be a great idea to bring your community compilations on Mercury, the Moon and Uranus together in a booklet folk could then purchase. Or maybe that’s already done and I’m not up to speed?
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Hi Anne, I don’t have anything in Gemini but I have Venus/Pluto at 24º degrees of Leo, Uranus at 23º of Cancer and Neptune at 23º of Libra. I love astrology and have an impression that its something i knew from a long long time ago.
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Thanks, Deborah. I’ll be reflecting on the harmonics of 24/5 degrees now and their linking with 24/5 Gemini!!
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Quite interesting. I’m not an Astrologer, but I’ve been a life long study since I picked up Linda Goodman’s red hardback book, Sun Signs at the age of 10 or 11. With a natal Mars at 26° Gemini in the first with a wiiide conjunction to the moon at 5° Cancer, Jupiter @24 sag.. this makes perfect sense for a life long fascination of Astrology and what makes people tick. 🤗
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Many thanks, Amy, for contributing to this illuminating feedback on how connections to that 24/5 degrees Gemini astrologers’ degree manifests in your life. So far, the feedback would suggest that it relates at least to life-long fascination, and in some cases to going on to become a practitioner. Fascinating stuff!
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North Node 24.47 Gemini, Uranus 14.02 Gemini, both in the 3rd. Some added info for you theory. I discovered Astrology in the 70’s, been part of me ever since.
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That’s great feedback, Paula, thanks! The North Node at the astrologers’ degree looks pretty potent. It’s not my theory, btw – it has a long pedigree. You could check out some of Frank Clifford’s references in comment above if you’d like to follow some of what’s been written on the astrologers’ degree in more depth than I could in a short column.
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My sun is at 23 degrees 10 minutes Sagittarius x
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Thanks, Lana. Are you a practising astrologer – or a keen student?
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A student for 49 years. Practising for 37 years. Still a student x
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Good to hear back from you, Lana! Yes, agreed, the student aspect of our involvement never really stops …
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Me too! 22 Gemini on the ascendant. Thanks for this great article.
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I am a Gemini with the Sun in 24 degrees, conjunct Uranus at 0 Cancer, and the Moon in Aquarius (10th House). Astrology was my first profession. I soon discovered that it was not a stable financial career, so I sidelined it and have had many other money making careers.
Astrology is a hard habit to break—even as I work to stay in the moment without deductive belief systems.
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Thanks, Vishishta, for this rather different angle on the topic! In any case, astrology is a symbolic model, not a belief system, so you should be ok just to keep the habit…
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I felt in love with astrology about ten years ago, became an astrologuer studing by myself. I also love the concept of Aquarius/Uranus (Sun, Mars and Moon have aspects to Uranus, south node in Aquarius) and even I have a crazy cat named Uranus. And I have my Sun at 24º17′ Gemini. Beautiful!
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Great stuff, Teresa. That astrologers’ degree Sun of yours is even infectious…sounds like your cat’s caught it!
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My midheaven is at 28′ Gemini; my friends and family always come to me and ask what is going on with the stars!
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Well, Mary, now you can give them a new nugget of astro-information!
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Thanks, Anne. I really enjoyed reading your post and learning something new! My SN is at 22 Gemini in between my Mars and Saturn, 2nd/3rd house cusp. I came across my first astrology book at the age of 10 and it felt very familiar to me. I could get lost in studying it for hours, it quickly became a life long love affair. My natal Venus in Aq and Uranus in Li are both trine my SN. My kind of language. 🙂 #12thhouseSunChironMercury
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Many thanks, my fellow 12th house person! It’s just great to have your feedback to add to all the others – adds weight to the experiential evidence supporting the theory that 24/5 degrees Gemini is connected to the love of and practice of astrology…
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Hi Anne
My Sun/Moon midpoint is 24 Gemini 31 – does that count?? I am a keen astrologer. 🙂
Rachel
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That’s one of the most significant midpoints, Rachel. So I think it certainly does count!
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It’s an interesting theory. I only have Jupiter in wide conjunction with that degree at 28 Gem and the moon square it from 28 Pisces. I suppose you could include an inconjunct from Venus In Cap. Does that count? I was first interested in astrology from the age of six, but possibly only because my family had one of those seventies style clocks on our wall that depicted the zodiac symbols in place of the hours. However, I think it would only have been a matter of time, even without the clock, because I was a very curious and mystical child, the kind that likes to draw diagrams of their theory about the nature of time and who or what created the universe and the creator (Moon conjunct Scheat in Pisces in 9th – loves to think and theorise). However on the broader subject of Uranus itself as the astrologer’s calling card, if you will, I have it conjunct my MC by parallel from Virgo, which is also said to be the astrologer’s sign, by some, because of its strong analyical urge.
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Thanks for this thoughtful comment, Paula. I think that the significators you have given, even without my knowing what houses are involved, would be sufficient to indicate both an attraction to mystical subjects such as astrology and a desire to investigate and practise – the Virgo/MC/Uranus link I agree adds weighting to your being drawn to astrology in particular. I had Uranus transiting my Scorpio IC/South Node when I first encountered astrology via an encounter with a complete stranger who read my horoscope – without my requesting it, since I was a dismisser at that time. Here is the story, if you’re interested…: https://astrologyquestionsandanswers.com/2016/01/04/how-i-became-an-astrologer-against-all-the-odds/
Re orbs – I’m pretty relaxed about that. I think a 3 degree orb for links to a zodiacal point is fine, and I go with Liz Greene in viewing 10 degree orbs between planets as having relevance too.
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Thank you for such an interesting article. My ascendant is 24.25 Capricorn, Moon is 25.55 Taurus, and when I discovered astrology, my IC had progressed to 24 Gemini. My husband’s ascendant is 24.25 Gemini! He’s the one who gave me “The Birthday Book” and it was that book that got me hooked.
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That is so very interesting, Lydia! Thanks – I love this story of how you first got involved. It very often seems as though Fate is at work, does it not? If you check out the link in my previous response to Paula’s comment, you’ll find my ‘first encounter’ story. That, in retrospect, also feels like Fate…
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8.2.19:
Anne Sweeney:
I have Venus at 25° 24′ Gemini in the 12th house along with Sun, Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus in that house too. I am one of the ‘ old hands’ from the early days of the SAA in Edinburgh. I have written about, given talks about and taught astrology. I think I could say I love it.
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Hello Anne, ah yes, those were the days. I still have fond memories of doing talks at the SAA and of your indefatigable band of keen astrologers. These days, apart from teaching a small tutorial group and doing some mentoring, I’m happy to lurk behind my 12th House sofa and just send my writing out…good to hear from a fellow 12th-Houser, and for your feedback. Yes…I love it too 🤩
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8.2.19:
Reshma Mudirakkal:
I have my moon at 24 Gemini 33 trine Uranus in Libra. I had no interest in astrology till a new friend, convinced me I would fit right in a bodywork class she was organizing. At the time I was already studying so much yet I agreed, only after a series of synchronicities First half hour of seminar opened with archetypal energies of the organ function energy – the un-manifest body through symbolism of the planets, teacher was Petra Elmendorff. It was a defining moment for me, right there was the gateways to the inner self I was looking for. A language that was so familiar to me and a study that is ever deepening and delightfully, never ending. On that day, I had my progressed Sun in Sag oppose the moon and transiting Mars conj moon (I am a scorpio). Thanks for the post, I’ve never quite looked at this degree in terms of astrology really, something to keep an eye on 🙂
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Reshma, what very interesting feedback! Thank you for contributing – there has been such a fascinating series of 24/5 Gemini stories in response to this post. Wonderful stuff!
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Fascinating! And I have Jupiter at 25 Gemini in the 1st House. I’m a part time astrologer – writing, speaking and consultations
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Thanks, Mandi! With that powerful link to the discovery degree, looks like you were fated…
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Very interesting to come across this.
This degree figures centrally in my natal horoscope. And it’s remarkable that I came across this as the transiting N.node is currently in the middle of my Ac. and Uranus, opposite my Jupiter/Saturn.
I would venture that the influence of this point exceeds Astrology alone, into the study of all things Mystical and , Occult.
And that in the chart of Kepler too, with Neptune rising there.
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Hmmm. So I poke about, and I have 28 Varun in Gemini, which I had to google thusly. described here [ http://www.internationalastrologers.com/astrology_of_asteroids.htm ] as: Varuna is the all-knowing creator god in the mythology of India: “He knows the pathway of the wind” Varuna is the merciful, supportive, and heavenly king of both the gods and humans who controls the physical order of the universe. He expresses physical power in battle and pro-creative vigor as he upholds cosmic law and a path of order
I have another point at 28 Ceres in my Virgo area …. and Gemini is where my poor in detriment retro Mars hangs out, in my 4th H … which is probably why I never *leave* my house, hehe.
So a lot to chew over!
Also, I have recently read and finished Richard Tarnas’ Cosmos and Psyche, which is equally chew-worthy.
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Thanks for this piece of Indian mythology, AM. Glad I’ve provided food for chewing…and yes, I agree with your assessment of Cosmos and Psyche. It sets a pretty unassailable standard in chew-ability, I’d say!
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18.2.19:
Mari Kosik Aubuchon:
How intriguing! I had not heard of the discovery degree before.
This point makes these (<2°) aspects in my natal chart
– conjunct my Mercury at 23°53' Gem in my 3rd House
– square my Saturn at 24°35' Aries in my 1st House
– square my Uranus at 25°32' Virgo.in my 6th House
– trine my Ceres at 25°06' Libra in my 8th House (a topic of particular interest to me over the years)
I've been pursuing my fascination with and passion for astrology in one form or another since 1988 since the day that I saw Donna Cunningham's book Being a Lunar Type in a Solar World on a friend's bookshelf and the title grabbed me. I knew nothing about astrology before that beyond that other than that I was born under the sign of Cancer, which was symbolized by a crab and an odd little sideways 69.
That one book was all it took! In no time at all, I went to the city to buy a computer print-out of my chart (the kind with the perforated edges!) and two books: The Knot of Time by Lindsay River and Sally Gillespie and Demetra George's Astrology for Yourself. After that, the books began to pile up as did the papers on which I calculated birth charts (this begin years before I owned a computer). I found myself spending as much time studying astrology as I did on my college studies! 😀
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Thanks, Mari, for this most interesting and illuminating feedback. I haven’t seen mention of the Lindsay River book for a long time – it was one of my early favourites. And of course, the late and much-missed Donna Cunningham was a class act astrologer in a league all of her own. I, too, had that book of hers at one time. Keep going with your studies. You’ll never get to the end of it all…
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Thanks for this piece. My north node is 23 degrees Gemini opposite Pallas conj. South node. Been self studying and reading astrology books and online writers for 20 years or so. Sun is 24 degrees. Heavy Pisces and Virgo too, including healing. Been focusing on reiki but maybe it’s ok to keep up with astrology too?
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I would think so, with those links, Carrie!
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Ah, ok thank you!
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I apologize for double post. I missed this, for your research on 24/5 … I’ve long thought 24 degrees was unusually significant in many charts over the years, but couldn’t nail down why or how consistently.
Also, Chiron and Uranus are each 14 degrees here in opposition (14/5). 10th and 4th house axis in Pisces and Virgo.
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Thanks again, Carrie!
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I loved this article. Can fate be gently encouraged by guardian angels?
Sometimes I think they give you a not so gentle push in the right direction. Linden
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Thanks, Linden. Yes, I would agree with that ‘not so gentle push’ in terms of my own and others’ experiences….
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