The Aricentric (Mars-Centered) Chart

by Stephanie Clement

Stephanie Jean Clement, Ph,D., has been a professional astrologer since 1974. Her work includes writing books and text for astrological interpretations, as well as editing books and other materials. She lives in Florida with her husband, two dogs, and a cat. See her books at Amazon.com. Purchase her Saturn's Promise interpretation report here.

See Stephanie’s book, Planets and Planet-Centered Astrology, the only book on the subject of planet-centered charts available anywhere.

When my friend Mark Lipson first showed me an Aricentric (Mars-centered) chart, I fell in love with the concept of transpersonal perspectives for astrologers. I had worked with heliocentric astrology, but now I had Mars and all the other planets as well!

To get you into the frame of mind of the planet-centered systems, I will consider four points:

1. The transpersonal or esoteric nature of Mars

2. the importance of aspect patterns or lack of them

3. the nature of Phobos and Deimos, the moons of Mars

4. some of the uses of planet-centered charts with clients or for research.

Nature of the Planets

From our study of geocentric astrology we have learned about the nature of the planets from our point of view - a person-centered perspective. We know how progressions and transits feel, and we know the effects which accompany them. We can infer the nature of the planet from these kinds of observations, but we constantly color that nature with our own thoughts and feelings.

It is true that we cannot achieve a fully egoless view of anything, much less the planets. Yet it is the goal of transpersonal endeavors to achieve whatever clarity each of us is capable of. Looking at a planet-centered chart is rather like looking at another individual's chart in the sense that we are seeking to understand something outside ourselves. We put ourselves into the other person's shoes by examining the patterns in the geocentric chart. We can just as well put ourselves into another planet's shoes by examining the planet-centered chart.

The Sun - The Solar Logos - provides the most powerful indication of your potential and mission. From any planet-centered perspective, the Sun indicates purpose, or more precisely, how we become aware of that purpose.

Awareness is reflected in the fact that the Sun is in the opposite sign in a planet-centered chart from the position of that planet in the heliocentric chart. The Shift in point of view delivers the kind of awareness we associate with the opposition aspect. From a geocentric point of view something similar happens. If Mars is in Aries in the geocentric chart, then the Earth will be in Libra in the Aricentric chart.

When we consider the geocentric (or egocentric) charts that we use with clients, we see the problems reflected in transits to natal patterns. We gather information from the client about how they are responding to those challenges. Often it is easy to see how things will turn out, so we can counsel the client to take certain actions. Sometimes we cannot find good suggestions, or the client is unable or unwilling to hear what we are suggesting. This is an opportunity to use the planet-centered chart to present choices in a different light. Because of the above-mentioned polarity between the two charts, we can present choices from the other planet's perspective, thereby re-connecting the client with abilities they inherently possess.

Counseling with planet-centered charts is not like forging a new trail - it is like reminding the client of their own talents, their own skills. It allows us to put them in touch with choices they have overlooked or forgotten, without requiring them to learn anything new.

As astrologers we don't have to learn very much that is new either. The planets are still the planets, the signs are still the signs, the aspects are still the aspects. What we DO get from a planet-centered chart is a more detailed map of that individual client's capabilities. We see the possibilities that the client is NOT showing us in conversation, body language, etc. We simply delineate those possibilities as alternatives, reminding the client that they are there.

This is so simple that it may seem transparent to you, the reader. Yet the effect on your client will be a joyful experience. You take them out of their pain for a little while. You offer a safer, livelier, more open view of their current situation by delineating their birthright from another perspective.

How to Use the Aricentric Chart

The following is a sample of what can be done with the Aricentric chart. I have used the chart for the autumnal equinox just past.

I usually look at the geocentric chart first: this chart is filled with creative possibility. I have filtered out everything but a star pattern made up of two bi-quintiles, two quincunxes and one sesqui-square. This star suggest to me the fully create and interactive processes that are available to everyone at this time. Energy is there for creating new structure, clear communication, intuitive or spiritual inspiration, and personal emotional fulfillment. The path has some tension to it, but also the capacity for adjustment and the availability of inherent creativity and talent.

In examining the Aricentric chart, you will note the letters "De" and "Ph", designations for Deimos and Phobos, the moons of Mars. Whereas you already know how to delineate the planetary relationships, as the planets remain themselves in planet-centered charts, you are not familiar with Deimos and Phobos, the two players that address Mars' perspective most directly in the Aricentric chart.

The god Ares (or Mars) had two sons with Aphrodite - Deimos and Phobos. These two are depicted on the shield of Atreides, a Greek general. During the battle of Troy Ares asked his sons to go among the soldiers, sowing terror and panic among them. I only found similar war-like references to Phobos and Deimos; however, the fact that their mother is Aphrodite is a clue to their natures. Another clue lies in the nature of Mars, the Latin counterpart of Ares. Mars was more interested in agricultural pursuits. Let's explore the difference between these two sons, keeping in mind that they will show us the nature of Mars energy from the Aricentric perspective.

Traditional astrology imparts the quality of courage to Mars. Yet his sons are the vehicle of terror and panic. The differentiation of fear into two parts refines our understanding of courage. The soldiers of both Greece and Troy were presumably filled with courage - Mars energy. They had the skills necessary to enter battle. Knowing this, Ares sent his sons to tip the balance of the battle. Deimos embodies terror and Phobos panic. Think of the word phobia - the intense fear that makes us run away from something. Running away is a sign of cowardice, one side of the "fight or flight" response found throughout nature. Panic can arise when we least expect it. Soldiers can go through battle after battle and crack at the oddest times. Actors perform again and again, yet often experience stage fright just before going on.

Terror, on the other hand, is a thoughtful process. It arises as the result of rumination about the details of what is to come. We can work up remarkable anxiety if we dwell on the problems we face and the lack of tools we seem to have to deal with them. A soldier my be in a complete state of terror and still remember his role in the battle plan. He is no more or less courageous than the individual who panics. He is simply equipped differently on the emotional level.

Ares and Aphrodite provide complementary energies to Phobos and Deimos. Ares is the soldier, the aggressive side of this energy, while Aphrodite is filled with beauty and social graces. She embodies love. Esoteric astrology speaks of devotion, and Mars is a Sixth Ray planet. Aphrodite is one embodiment of devotion or its object.in connection with Mars.

Both Phobos and Deimos share Mars' qualities. Phobos focuses on action while Deimos focuses on thought. Phobos is compulsive while Deimos is obsessive. Passion has its active and thoughtful qualities. In all applications Mars has its active and thoughtful side.

Out of Sign Grand Trine

The Aricentic chart for the equinox has a different kind energy pattern from the geocentric chart. The filter shows a "Kite" pattern, a Grand Trine with an opposition that also forms two sextiles. This pattern was present at the time of the Harmonic Convergence, and signals a period in which awareness provides the opportunity for constructive growth. However, Neptune is "out of sign".

When the planets in the Grand Trine are NOT all in the same element, as in this case, you attempt to utilize the easy energy in any and all situations, even though another response might be more appropriate. When this happens, you may try again and again, with little success. It is worth while to cultivate other avenues of expression, as shown in the chart, in order to maintain a full range of potential choices.

If you have difficulty in manifesting the fullest potential of the out-of-sign Grand Trine, you may want to work with each of the three combinations individually, trying each aspect by itself. Do this by studying the planets involved in each aspect, considering how their energies work best together, considering the elements in which they fall. By working with each pair, the proper flows will be established. Then the full potential of the Grand Trine will be at your disposal, emotionally satisfying and easily activated.

The main difficulty with a Grand Trine of planets in two elements is the fact that the energy of one element is not allowed to build to the point that it overflows its container, spilling out creatively into the world. Just as the power begins to build, the second element diminishes the energy is some way. This situation can be remedied by allowing the complementary nature of the second element to enhance some quality of the first. In this way the out-of-element grand trine can become even more energizing and effective than one with all the planets in the same element.

In the equinox example Phobos is the focal point in Virgo. This suggests that during the three month period following the equinox, we may find ourselves acting before we think, relying on the feeling that everything is concrete and that we know all the pertinent details. With Neptune in Aquarius instead of Capricorn, we discover that things are not what they seem, and that actions may not bring the desired results.

Deimos at the apex of the Kite in Pisces provides the opportunity for thought before we take action, and ties Neptune and the Earth together through a third element, water. If we go with the "flow" with situations for a while, we will understand the overall picture as well as the details, and intelligent activity will be the result.

Stephanie can interpret a planet-centered chart for you as part of any astrology reading. If you have a planet that is giving you problems, this is a great way to obtain a new perspective!

Reprinted with permission from Stephanie Clement.

Stephanie Clement is a professional astrologer and has a Ph.D. in Transpersonal Psychology. Her published works include Charting Your Career, Power of the Midheaven, and Charting Your Spiritual Path with Astrology.