The 9th Harmonic

Did you know that the path of the Sun, known as the ecliptic, can be divided in many different ways?

While the Babylonians divided the zodiac into 12 signs, the Egyptians divided it into 36 signs (decans) and the Vedic astrologers of India use 27 lunar signs (nakshatras).

Many astrologers also find that important astrological information can be found by using harmonics, which are created by dividing the zodiac into sections, each with 12 smaller zodiac signs. The most widely used method is to divide the zodiac into 9 equal sections, with 108 signs in total (9x12). This is called the 9th Harmonic of the zodiac (shown below).

In this harmonic, there are 9 places on the ecliptic where each sign can be found. These signs are 1/9th their original size, but add to 30 degrees in total. A chart can be created where planets in each sign are combined together into a 12 sign diagram, looking just like a normal birth chart (1st Harmonic).

Planetary positions in the 9th Harmonic have great importance in our birth charts, adding tremendous depth to the analysis of ourselves. For instance, a person with their Sun in the Scorpio section of Gemini will be far more introspective and intense than a typical Gemini.

Also, conjunctions of planets (in the same sign) in the 9th Harmonic chart shine right through as major forces in our personalities, which are usually hidden from sight in the normal birth chart. 

For instance, OJ Simpson has a 9th Harmonic Sun-Mars conjunction in Scorpio revealing his talent for athletics and his issues with anger and possessiveness. His 1st Harmonic chart is Cancer dominant, which only shows us the personable, caring veneer of his personality.

Any astrological analysis not including the 9th Harmonic chart will only give a partial picture of a person. The 1st Harmonic chart tends to show us the outer nature of a person, while the 9th Harmonic chart tends to show us the inner nature of a person. 

However, the 9th Harmonic chart will often be the more dynamic chart and dominate the character of the individual. In these cases, the 1st Harmonic chart will not be as relevant to the character of the person.

In my analysis of the 9th Harmonic of the Tropical (seasonal) zodiac, just as many key findings were seen as in the 1st Harmonic study and it was found that the two harmonics even have a strong correlation with each other. Nineteen of the 80 study groups were statistically strong in the same sign(s) in both the 1st & 9th Harmonics. 

If there were no correlation between the influences of planetary positions in the two harmonics, then only 2 to 3 study groups would have been strong in the same sign, which is exactly what was found when I studied the Constellational (Sidereal) zodiac. 

Even more importantly, the signs in which these study groups were doubly strong could mostly have been anticipated through knowledge of the zodiac signs. 

For instance, Culinary professionals were strong in both harmonics in nurturing, home-loving Cancer, while Military personnel were strong in both harmonics in the hard-working, disciplined signs Virgo and Capricorn. Psychiatrists were strong in both harmonics in probing, analytical Scorpio, while Scientists were strong in both harmonics in explorative, knowledge-seeking Sagittarius.