Natal Chart Comparison Part 2: Analysis of the Ascendant
This is Part 2 of the chart comparison of Ilona Maher and Jeffrey Dahmer. For the introductory post, read Part 1.
Natal Charts of Ilona Maher & Jeffrey Dahmer
To recap, we’re comparing the charts of Ilona Maher and Jeffrey Dahmer to show why similar charts are fundamentally different.
This post & the ones that follow will outline how to fully analyze a natal chart, based on the system that I learned. And to that end, the only place to begin is the Ascendant. Why? Because it represents 80% of the influence of the chart. The sign on the house of LIFE is fundamental to how we interact with the world and how it interacts with us.
Here, both charts have Libra on the Ascendant. Libra is a Masculine, Cardinal, Air sign associated with the 7th house of the Archetype, or the Natural Zodiac. Libras are self-starters, goal-oriented, with an emphasis on relationships and the exchange of information between people. Ruled by Venus, there is a natural charm, diplomacy, and sociability inherent in Libras. The rest of the analysis of the Ascendants will show how this archetypal energy is modified in each chart by various factors.
Starting with Ilona, let’s look at where the ruler of this Libra Ascendant is by House & Sign position.
Maher: Venus, Ruler of the Ascendant in the 10th house disposed by Moon in Leo
Venus, as ruler of Libra, is found in Ilona’s 10th house in Cancer. The easiest way to start to integrate that information is to first break it down: She has Venus, planet of love, beauty & relationships; in the 10th house of career, outer achievements/reputation; in the sign of Cancer, which is intuitive, nurturing, and wants to propagate life. The house position of the ruler indicates an intrinsic connection between those house affairs and the person. The sign position modifies the expression of the planet, and in Cancer, now adds emotion, intuition, and perhaps a clinginess to the way she expresses herself.
Next, look to the dispositor of Venus, in this case the Moon. Dispositor is just a fancy term for the planet that rules the sign the planet is in. So, since the Moon rules Cancer, the Moon is the dispositor of Venus. If a planet is not in a sign it naturally rules, it has a dispositor and it shows a type of partnership between both planets. This can be helpful or more challenging depending on the two planets that are combined. See the last part of this post for more on Rulership & Planetary Dignities.
In Ilona’s chart this Moon is in Leo, also in the 10th house. You could say that this Venus is influenced by an instinct (the Moon) for leadership and individuality (Leo). With both the Ruler & its dispositor in the 10th house, you could say she’s very ambitious and future-oriented. Career and achievements are a huge priority for her.
How else could we describe her? I would say this is someone who is outwardly charming, social, popular (or wants to be). Someone who is nurturing and wants to include others, but likes to be in charge. Maybe also a bit of a people pleaser early in life. As she has matures, that dispositor becomes more influential and that leadership ability grows stronger.
As you get more proficient, include the Ascendant Ruler by Exaltation, which in this case is Saturn, shown on her 7th House cusp in Aries (remember our 16 point scale). Saturn in Aries is considered in Fall, but can also show controlled energy. It may be difficult in terms of relationships sitting on the 7th house cusp, but can be beneficial in developing determination and discipline. It is disposed by Mars in Cancer sitting right next to Venus, and both are disposed by the Moon in Leo.
Dahmer: Venus, Ruler of the Ascendant, in the 8th House in Taurus in Domicile (no Dispositor)
Now let’s look at Jeffrey’s Venus. This time Venus is in the 8th House in Taurus, putting the planet of love, beauty & relationships in the house related to sex, death, resources of others, and things that are hidden. This is in the fixed sign of Taurus, which is related to possessions, the senses, and material security. He has an intrinsic connection to 8th house affairs, and since Venus is the natural ruler of Taurus, it’s in domicile and there is no dispositor. The sense is that the Venus stays in the 8th house, or you could say is trapped there.
Now, not everyone with the ruler of 1 in 8 is a serial killer, obviously. And if there were stronger mitigating factors, this configuration could indicate an investment banker, broker, fine art dealer, philanthropist, etc. As we’ll see, other factors are just too strong and pushed him in a different, violent direction.
If we consider the ruler of Libra by Exaltation, Saturn, we see it in Capricorn in the 3rd House, but so close to the cusp, I would consider it working for the 4th. That would certainly explain a lot about the harsh, difficult upbringing, especially related to his mother. Notice it is another planet in domicile, meaning it doesn’t have to partner with another planet and can express its nature with little hinderance. It’s also angular and rules an angle (4th), increasing its strength. Now, Saturn in Capricorn can be excellent for foresight, diligence, and perseverance, but it can lack empathy since it’s more concerned with self-preservation (vs. it’s opposite, Cancer, the protection and survival of others).
The next step is to look at planets that aspect the cusp of the Ascendant. You can think of planets that are connected to the Ascendant (rulership, aspects, in the first house, etc.) as modifiers to the archetypal energies of the sign. They’re the person’s tools in their toolbox of self-expression and motivation.
Starting with Ilona, we see multiple planets making aspects to the cusp. I generally use an 8 degree orb, although sometimes I’ll allow a wider one for a luminary or focal planet.
Taken separately and in order of exactness:
Maher: Aspects to the cusp of the Ascendant
Pluto sextile adds willpower, magnetism, and intensity.
The Moon sextile adds sensitivity, intuition, and a instinct for leadership.
Uranus trine provides a need for freedom and in domicile, SPEED, both physical and mental. There’s also a rebelliousness or originality in thought and action with this combination.
Venus square provides a second connection to the Ascendant and anytime you have repetition, the planet becomes more influential. Venus sends the aspect from her 10th, motivating her and connecting her to honors.
Saturn opposite suggests a block or struggle to achieve 7th house affairs. She’s notably had issues with online harassment over her body from trolls on the internet. Used effectively, Saturn in Aries can be used as a motivator to concentrate her energy and develop discipline.
Jupiter square gives optimism and faith. In Capricorn, however, it’s considered in fall, and can act like it’s “benumbed,” or unable to fully utilize its benefic energy. I like to think of Jupiter in Capricorn as practical optimism. Almost like saying to yourself, “Wow, things are great. But I better not get used to it. I have to keep working to maintain this.”
Dahmer: Aspects to the cusp of the Ascendant
With Jeffrey, he has the following planets aspecting his Ascendant. Again, in order of exactness.
The Moon opposite adds instincts and intuition, but in his 7th, can make relationships difficult. The idea is that there is tension in relationships related to emotional needs. Either they can’t be satisfied by the partner, or he can’t authentically express them.
Saturn square can make one rigid in their habits and bring obstacles or hardship. In domicile in Capricorn, there is also a strong need for self-preservation and material security
Uranus sextile adds originality and rebellion, like Ilona, but in Leo and the 10th house, can indicate an outsized need for power and control.
Notice all of them are in angular houses, adding strength, and that The Moon and Saturn are connected to strong Malefics. Saturn being in its own domicile of Capricorn, and the Moon disposed by a powerful Mars in Aries.
Now let’s look as aspects to the Ruler of the Ascendant, which again is Venus in both charts.
Maher: Aspects to Venus, Ruler of the Ascendant
Ilona has Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, and Mercury, while Jeffrey has Uranus and Saturn. All of these planets have their respective difficulties: Saturn and Mars are the traditional Malefics, Uranus can also be considered a Malefic due to its disruptive nature, and with Ilona, we have Jupiter in Fall and Mercury in the 12th house.
Dahmer: Aspects to Venus, Ruler of the Ascendant
However, Jeffrey has the more challenging configuration since Saturn is powerful in domicile and, along with Uranus, are connected to his angular houses. Additionally, notice that Uranus and Saturn are the rulers of his 5th house of Pleasures with Aquarius on the cusp. These two planets suggest he enjoys things that are unusual, cruel, or selfish.
Ilona’s Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars are somewhat weakened in Fall, so despite challenging aspects, they’re less harmful. They all also ultimately come under the influence (dispositorship) of a beneficial Venus or Moon, rulers of Ilona’s 1st and 10th. Her life isn’t without difficulties, it’s just she’s better able to organize and control her responses. Additionally, her Mercury is in Virgo, the sign of both its domicile and exaltation. I would read its placement in the 12th house as extremely analytical and strategic behind the scenes, although she may be critical of herself.
To develop your own skills, analyze the aspects to Saturn as Ruler of the Ascendant by Exaltation. This provides additional insight into the expression of the Ascendant.
The last piece in analyzing the Ascendent is to look at any planets physically IN the first house. We see Ilona doesn’t have any but Jeffrey has Neptune in Scorpio. This is the planet of fantasy, illusion, and dissolution in the sign of sex, death, and the resources of others. Bonus points if you noticed the Ruler of the Ascendant is in the 8th and the planet in the Ascendant is in the sign that rules the 8th in The Archetype.
Dahmer: Neptune in the 1st House + Dispositors
This Neptune is ruler of his 6th, the House associated with sickness, service, and daily habits. The expression I learned with this combination is the person seems to be “born sick." As ruler of Pisces and in a fellow water sign, I would take this as prone to mental rather than physical illness. Now, like everything in Astrology, something like this can be mitigated in different ways, but you should pay attention to how this Neptune is configured to other pieces of the chart before you judge.
Unfortunately, the dispositors of this Neptune are Mars in Aries in the 6th (repetition!) and Pluto in Virgo in the 11th. The positive expression of Pluto in Virgo can lead to transformative processes related to health or service to others, a purification of one’s thoughts and actions (authenticity), etc. but this Mars in Aries is too strong, and through a sextile to his Mercury, dispositor of Pluto, corrupts this energy. Violent fantasies is the keyword combination here of Neptune and Mars.
Lastly, we look at the aspects to Neptune coming from Pluto and Jupiter. What are they doing? Intensifying (Pluto) and expanding (Jupiter) the violent sexual fantasies that are in-born.
Dahmer: Aspects to Neptune in the 1st House
Through a thorough analysis of the Ascendant, we see the fuller picture of the personality and the person’s motivation and drive. Post 3 will cover analysis of the MC, but the steps are exactly the same.