Astro-locality mapping and Astro*Carto*Graphy®

The best known technique of astro-locality mapping in modern times has been promoted and popularised by Jim Lewis under the registered name “Astro*Carto*Graphy®”.

Astro*Carto*Graphy® is simply a method of showing where on Earth the planets for a given chart would be actually crossing the horizon or meridian. This method enables the astrologer to see quickly and clearly where planets, and other cosmic entities, are rising and setting (or crossing the Ascendant and Descendant), culminating (or crossing the Midheaven or MC) and at the lower point of culmination (or crossing the Imum Coeli or IC). The idea is that these planetary lines will affect the individual's life wherever there is contact with or proximity to that line, either through physically moving to that line or by carrying out certain activities which have some association with a place on that line. This technique, called “In Mundo” mapping, is based on the right ascension and declination of each planet.

A slightly different technique, which is also offered in Solar Maps, is to use the celestial latitude and longitude of each planet, as a result of which the astrologer can see lines along which these planets would have the same zodiacal longitude as the Ascendant, Descendant, MC or IC. This normally gives very similar lines to Astro*Carto*Graphy®, and differs significantly only for planets which are not near the ecliptic. For example Pluto is often many degrees away from the ecliptic, so the lines along which it is rising and setting will differ somewhat from the lines along which it is conjunct the Ascendant and Descendant in longitude. (Note, though that lines for Planets on the MC and IC are identical under either technique.) This technique, called “Zodiacal” mapping, is analogous to showing where, if a relocated chart was cast, planets would be exactly on the MC, IC, Ascendant or Descendant of the chart.

In Solar Maps we have referred to lines of these types as Planet/Angle lines. You have the option of sticking to the Astro*Carto*Graphy® technique of using In Mundo lines, or of trying the ecliptical technique using Zodiacal lines.

An Example

We will look at an Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating, renowned for his desire to break away from the English Monarchy and launching Australia into Republicanism. If we cast Paul Keating’s chart (18 Jan 1944, 12:05 PM AEDT -11:00, Sydney, 33S55 151E10) and display it on a map of the UK, then we can see that Mr Keating has the line Pluto on the MC running through England, near London. If we did a relocated chart for Keating in London, then we would see that Pluto was very near the MC of that chart. This placement indicates power issues in his public or professional life. A struggle for supremacy with the English Monarchy would be a most appropriate interpretation for this planetary line. It is likely that Mr Keating will always face powerful career issues when having contact with England. The North Node on the MC line does not run so close to London, but adds to the feeling that he will have to deal with issues affecting the British public in his career. (Note that Mr Keating's birth time of 12:05 PM is only one of several published times. However, this example seems to add further confirmation that this time may be the correct one.)

It is interesting to note that Gandhi (see the previous example) who also has Pluto near the MC of his London relocated chart, also worked towards breaking his country’s ties to Britain. Gandhi was successful, but Keating failed when a 1999 referendum on the matter obtained a result in favour of remaining a monarchy.