StellaGraphia
There are plenty (in modern astrology mostly) that will tell you interceptions have meaning. I don't subscribe to that. It's an issue with the Placidus house system. A glitch, if you will. There are just some birth locations it can't deal with. Other house systems don't have that problem, so why use one that does? I have no issues with Placidus otherwise, but if one has a birth location where Placidus can't work properly, then just choose another house system, such as Whole Sign houses. Or if you don't like Whole Sign, use Equal House.
I've yet to see a single chart with Placidus-induced interceptions, where the particular supposed meaning derived from "intercepted signs" isn't quite easily explained just with good, solid traditional astrology chart delineation done with Whole or Equal houses.
Karmic Implications of Intercepted Houses
Delving deeper into the realm of psychological astrology, intercepted signs often carry karmic lessons. They hint at past life connections, suggesting areas where our souls might have faced challenges or left tasks unfinished.
These karmic imprints, symbolised by the intercepted signs, beckon us to address and integrate them in our current lifetime. By doing so, we not only achieve a sense of balance but also evolve spiritually, embracing the shadow energy that often accompanies these interceptions.
The Journey of Self-Discovery
Astrology, for many, is not just a hobby but a journey of self-discovery. The natal chart, a snapshot of the heavens at the time of one’s birth, is a personal map, guiding individuals through life’s challenges and opportunities. Within this map, intercepted signs act as hidden treasures, waiting to be unearthed.
The Psychological Impact of Intercepted Signs
Every zodiac sign represents specific energies, traits, and tendencies. When a sign is intercepted, it implies that these energies are not easily accessible or expressed. This can lead to feelings of frustration, suppression, or even a sense of being ‘incomplete’ in certain areas of life.
For instance, an intercepted Leo might struggle with self-expression and seeking validation, while an intercepted Virgo could indicate challenges in analytical thinking and organisation. Recognising these psychological patterns is the first step towards healing and integration.
The Role of Astrological Houses in Interceptions
The astrological houses in a natal chart represent different life areas, from self-identity to relationships, career, and spiritual growth. When a sign is intercepted within a house, it can provide clues about which life areas might be affected.
For example, if Taurus and Scorpio are intercepted in the 2nd and 8th houses respectively, it could indicate challenges related to self-worth, finances, and shared resources. By understanding the house’s significance, one can pinpoint areas of focus and work towards balance.
Embracing the Shadow Energy
Intercepted signs often carry a shadow energy. This is the repressed or unconscious side of our psyche, which can manifest as fears, insecurities, or even hidden talents. By confronting this shadow, individuals can achieve a deeper understanding of themselves and unlock potential they never knew they had.
Imagine the power of embracing an intercepted Aquarius’s innovative thinking or an intercepted Cancer’s deep emotional intuition. The possibilities are endless.
And posits that the "duplicated signs" are a way to solve some of the problems that arise with the blockages of that intercepted sign's energy. Other astrologers have written about working with the natal planets within the intercepted signs and the aspects they make to others in order to "remedy" the interception and access the sign's energy
For example, in my chart I have Pisces intercepted in the 1st house with Saturn Rx, and Virgo intercepted in the 7th house with Chiron. (Both heavy hitters, fml). If I were to follow Bob's advice, he writes:
With interception, in the house containing Pisces we have great difficulty discriminating, telling the difference between achievable goals and total fantasy. There can be great visions of things we would like to do, but without the help of Virgo, we don’t know how to do them. The house with the Pisces interception shows where we can be easily deceived, by ourselves as well as others.
Virgo is intercepted in the opposite house, and that’s where we can be too critical and judgmental. Without the help from the intercepted Pisces, Virgo becomes the true cynic, knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing.
It can work the other way too. In the house with the Virgo intercept, we may attract people who, at first, seem sunny, optimistic, and generous (Leo begins the house where Virgo is intercepted). It isn’t until we’ve been sucked in that they start tearing us apart with relentless criticism.
Look to Mercury and Neptune, rulers of the intercepted signs, for ways out of these difficulties. Look also to the duplicated signs, the ones appearing on the cusps of two houses. These will provide other ways out.
If I were to follow another astrologer's advice I would need to
1. Locate the signs that rules the house where the interceptions fall, i.e- Aquarius (1st) and Leo (7th). Become extra friendly with those energies as to get a "pass" from them sort of like gatekeepers.
2. Find the rulers of the intercepted houses, i.e: Neptune and Mercury. Since Neptune is in my 11th house (and conj Uranus which is my chart ruler [unless someone can convince me it's Saturn] ) this is apparently where I need to start working to pull the houses from interception.
3. My Neptune/Uranus conjunction is square my Moon/Mercury conjunction in the 8th therefore there will need to be an easing of the tension of those two conjunctions before I can use Neptune to begin the process of pulling the houses from interception.
4. Saturn intercepted creates issues with structure, more of a "free floating" approach to responsibility for the self, and boundary issues. The trine Saturn makes to my Sun and Venus in the 9th may not work as cleanly until I pull Saturn from interception (life force and goals lining up, aiding sun with personal responsibility/stability).
5. Chiron intercepted in Virgo 7th house, and trine almost exactly with uranus in the uranus/neptune conjunction 11th house. Something about being more help to other people who have been wounded similarly to me than to healing romantic partners, stepping into my own authority rather than giving it away.
6. Ruler of the 7th in the 9th and virgo/6th house ruling "unequal relationships"= needing a partner/intimate relationships you can "believe in"/needing them to believe in you/help you expand/grow.
Overall curious as to how you work with interceptions, how you view their influence on the natal chart and what methods you go about "solving" their issues.
Finally, I'm curious as to if it's possible to pull a sign completely out of interception so as to allow the energy to flow easier, or if it will always remain unacessable? I'm trying to figure out how to work with the issues of my Saturn before my Saturn return rolls around in ~2 years.
My Chart for reference:
Intercepted Planets
If a Planet is intercepted, then you might notice you struggle to connect with the aspects of your personality that the Planet represents.
For example, Mercury related to the way you think, communicate, and process information. If Mercury is intercepted, then you may struggle to believe in yourself or your ideas. Perhaps in your childhood, you were told that you were stupid or taught not to think critically. The Moon represents your emotions and inner world, so if your Moon is intercepted, you may struggle to connect with your own emotions. Perhaps as a child, you felt like your emotional expressions were invalidated or denied.
Intercepted Houses
Intercepted Houses work in pairs like the Signs do. For example, if the 3rd and 9th Houses are intercepted, then you may have difficulty with communication (3rd House) and notice struggles related to learning, belief systems, or religion (9th House). To discover how problems in the Houses might manifest, you look to the qualities of the intercepted Sign.
To use the example above, if Gemini in the 3rd House is intercepted, you might struggle with speaking up and finding your voice. With Sagittarius in the 9th House intercepted, you might attach yourself to your belief systems in a very black-and-white manner, which can be to your detriment.
Healing Your Natal Chart Shadow
The benefit to awakening to the shadow in your natal chart is that you now have the opportunity to heal it.
For the hypothetical individual with an intercepted Gemini in the 3rd House and Sagittarius on the 9th House, there are many opportunities for self-discovery and redefining yourself. Perhaps it’s time to discover your voice and practice using it to heal the intercepted 3rd House Gemini. Now would also be a good opportunity to re-evaluate your belief systems and how you relate to your beliefs. Maybe you’ve defined yourself by beliefs that no longer (or never did) serve you, but clung to them in an effort to make your own path.
Delving into the shadow in your natal chart can be extremely rewarding. Enjoy the process of self-discovery and healing that’s to come from seeing yourself as you are and deciding who you want to be instead!
