Traditional Essential dignities

Beware any Western astrologer who ignores the traditional essential dignities as their entire philosophy and astrology practice will be new age. The "modern" planets of Uranus, Pluto and Neptune symbolise the darkness and corruption of the modern age. Saturn, Mars and Jupiter are the traditional rulers of Aquarius, Scorpio and Pisces, respectively.  How could something so deeply personal be ruled by objects that cannot be seen without a Telescope? With the exception of Uranus which you might appear as a tiny dot if you have amazing eyesight. When we return to the Golden age, which is a tribal society without modern technologies, we will not be able to see these objects in the skies. 

Modern, new age astrologers have also come up with nonsense like "evolutionary astrology," which ignores many thousands of years of astrological research. Although it may sound more pleasing to sensitive people, candy coating astrological placements is not useful. Neither is using purely psychological techniques to over-come difficult placements. Any troublesome planet in a birth chart indicates a spiritual or karmic problem and can only be overcome by spiritual practices. 

The nature of Uranus symbolises everything that is anti-nature and anti-tradition. Neptune is connected to deception, addictions, new age ideas, misplaced empathy and communism. Pluto is connected to destruction. Of course we  can still use these modern planets in astrology, but they are malefic and connected to modern ideas and lifestyles and are not fit to be the rulers of any sign. For more information, you can watch my presentation on this subject - https://youtu.be/6pZ1vOarpA0

 The planets are not the cause of any issues but the reflection of our actions and changes within societies.

I continue to use the traditional rulers of the signs. The modern planets of Neptune, Uranus and Pluto of course are still  important in astrology, however they represent partially the complexity of modern life. The fixed sign Aquarius is still Saturnian. When I think of Aquarius and its traditional ruler, Saturn, I think of the ideal Monarch, leader of a country or tribe of people. One who enforces boundaries and rules with an iron fist when necessary, but does so for the good of the whole tribe and protection of the people, remaining uncorrupted without any desires for selfish gain. 

The assignment of the modern planets as rulers for the signs was questionable at best. At worst, it was part of the subversion of  Solar based astrology.  I can read a chart to 100% accuracy only using the traditional planets. The modern planets of course have their uses but they are not the rulers. 

Vedic astrologers continue to mostly only use the 7 classical planets in astrology. I am a Western astrologer but many of my methods are Vedic techniques. Western astrology is an entirely different system based on the ecliptic (from the Greeks)  which comes up with similar results. 

It was never created to remain in alignment with the stars, Ptolemy was very clear about this in his work - "Tetrabiblos." Anyone who continues to perpetuate this myth has not studied astrology correctly. In my astrology courses I teach my students authentic astrology which is has not been contaminated by new age beliefs or by people who think that they know better than the ancient, Masters of astrology.