Relocation = New Horizon in Life & in Astrology

Relocation astrology is based on the theory that if one moves to live, permanently, in a location far away from place of birth, the "template" of angles and house cusps in the natal chart swings around, independently of planetary positions (which remain always the same), to provide what's known as a relocated chart. A substantial change in location of the chart's angles (at 1st, 4th, 7th and 10th house positions) could present, at the very least, a change of outlook in the chart's owner. One's outlook is bound to change after a major permanent move, astrology or no astrology!

Using my own case as an example: I moved almost 5000 miles from England to Oklahoma. When relocated, my natal mid-ish Cancer ascendant falls now in late Aquarius or very early Pisces. I can never be exact because I don't know my exact time of birth. (I have natal Sun at 6.46/8 Aquarius). The move has placed natal 8th house Sun into 12th house, put Jupiter instead of Pluto in first house, possibly even right on the ascendant. Pisces used to lie in the mid-heaven area (with Jupiter) but Sagittarius is now there instead, with Mars, in last degree of Scorpio, the closest planet.

I'm still the same old me, but surrounded by different landscape, a different set of people, different benefits, different challenges. My natal Cancer ascendant is, and always will be a part of my personality. Cancerian characteristics didn't disappear the minute I arrived in Oklahoma! Most of my relocated chart is compatible with natal orientation, important planets remain emphasised but in different ways. I didn't choose the new location; one might say that it was thrust upon me, by fate, and that fate was kind.

Has having different signs at ascendant and mid-heaven changed anything for me? Maybe - a little. My relocated 12th house Sun has a rather doleful reputation...confinement, hidden enemies, self-undoing, loss....la-di-da! I choose not to believe that old fashioned stuff. The world has moved on from times when astrologers first came to those conclusions. It has been said that 12th house Sun is often found in the charts of writers. They spend much time alone, writing (not confined, mind you). That fits my present situation - blogging since 2006!

What I believe happens in relocation is that the fresh location adds an overlay, to highlight signs and/or planets and aspects which had previously been taking something of a backseat in the personality. Consequently the brighter light which, natally, had fallen on some signs/planets/aspects, becomes dimmer at the new location. Relocation simply causes re-orientation of the whole chart. I guess that transits to natal chart might be reflected more clearly, outwardly, in the relocated astrological house position, but retain some inner echo of natal house position. I have to admit to not having done much research on this particular point in my own chart, not being a keen follower of astrological house lore. Also, as the relocated Aquarius/Pisces cusp ascendant kind of matches my natal Sun which is semi-sextile-twinned by degree with Jupiter in Pisces - there's a similarity there to natal chart. I'm perhaps not the best subject for research into this particular corner of astrology.

RELOCATION

When a person moves home, to live permanently at a substantial distance from the location where they were born, their natal chart skews around - sometimes a little, sometimes a lot, depending on the distance and direction involved. Natal charts are calculated with great precision, according to date time and place of birth. The only component capable of change during a lifetime from that trio is "place". Planets remain in the same signs at the same degrees, while the rising sign, midheaven, house positions adjust to take into consideration the new location.

Place of birth, as well as time of birth, determines exactly where the angles of the chart will fall - the angles being the ascendant (horizon), and its opposite point; the midheaven and its opposite point. The position of the four points, and planets close to them, form an important part of any personality blueprint. A substantial change in the location of the angles could present at the very least, a change of outlook in the chart's owner. The signs and planets affected will indicate the type of change. Makes sense! One's outlook is bound to change after a major permanent move.

Those living in smaller countries, the UK for instance, are not as likely to be noticeably affected by astrological relocation after moving home within that country. There'll be minor changes to the angles in their chart, but the effect isn't likely to be dramatic. A person moving from the UK to a location thousands of miles away, sometimes as far as the opposite hemisphere, is likely to experience a noticeable change.

The effect of one's original, natal, ascendant and angles will not suddenly disappear though. That remains for ever - can't be eradicated. What I believe happens is that the new location adds an overlay, to highlight signs and/or planets and aspects which had previously been taking something of a backseat in the personality. Consequently, the brighter light which, natally, had fallen on some signs/planets/aspects, becomes dimmer at the new location. Planets in signs, and their degrees, do not change, relocation simply causes re-orientation of the whole chart.



My own case is an example of how relocation can work, astrologically. For reasons I'll mention, though, mine might not be one of the best examples. Natally I have Cancer rising, Pisces at midheaven. By moving my life's stage westward, almost 5,000miles to Oklahoma (middle of the USA), my natal chart swung around (diagram, right) to move Aquarius from 8th house position to become the ascending sign, with Sagittarius at midheaven. These two signs are not "foreign" to my personality though. Aquarius is my Sun sign and I have Venus in Sagittarius. I have a "splash" pattern chart with planets in every sign but two - perhaps if one of those empty signs had become highlighted by moving into the ascendant position, a change would have been more noticeable to me. Another point to take into consideration is my age. I'm unlikely to be as radically affected by such a move as a much younger person would have been. My natal orientation is already well imprinted within me.

I do often wonder whether I'd have dived quite as enthusiastically into learning some of the finer points of astrology, buying the software, and launching into astrology blogging, had I remained in the UK. My re-located Aquarian ascendant might have something to do with this. Basically though, underneath it all, I am still the same ol', same ol' me.

RELOCATION.

Relocation astrology is based on the theory that if one moves to live permanently in a location reasonably far away from place of birth, the "template" of house cusps in the natal chart swings around independently of the planetary positions. The angles: ascendant, midheaven, and opposite points will therefore lie at different points on the chart, accentuating areas of personality or opportunity which, until relocation, had been less prominent. The degree and sign position of planets remain exactly as natal. Nowadays it's easy enough to obtain a relocation chart using personal astrology software, or from Astrodienst.

Using my own case as an example: I moved almost 5000 miles from the UK to Oklahoma, which lies in the middle of the USA.

When relocated, my natal Cancer ascendant falls on 22.32 Aquarius (natal Sun is also in Aquarius, but at 6.47).

The move has placed natal 8th house Sun into 12th house, put Jupiter instead of Pluto in first house.

Jupiter in Pisces used to lie close to midheaven, 6.36 Sagittarius is now at MC, with Mars, right at the end of Scorpio, the closest planet.

I'm still the same old me. My natal Cancer ascendant is a part of my personality, it always will be, wherever I am living. My Cancerian characteristics didn't disappear when I arrived in Oklahoma.

Most of my relocation chart is compatible with natal positions, important planets remain emphasised but in a different way. I didn't choose the new location - one could say that it was thrust upon me. Perhaps I was lucky! It didn't feel quite that way at 5.30am this morning when the tornado siren sounded and we had to leap from bed and stay on alert !

Has having a new sign on the ascendant and midheaven changed anything? In theory having the same sign rising which contains natal Sun ought to emphasise the qualities of that sign. Have I become "more Aquarian"? Maybe - a little bit. I'm more vocal than I used to be about politics, global warming, etc. - stuff which affects humanity at large. My relocated 12th house Sun, if one chooses to believe it, has a rather doleful reputation...confinement, hidden enemies, self-undoing, loss....la-di-da! I choose not to believe that old fashioned stuff. The world has moved on from the times when astrologers first came to those conclusions. It has been said that 12th house Sun is often found in the charts of writers. They spend much time alone, writing (not confined, mind you). That fits my present situation!

So, I can see arguments both ways regarding relocation astrology -"the jury's out". It's something to watch in future. Transiting Neptune is currently on my relocated ascendant. Another crazy ride with Neptune, if I get one, will be sure proof that my relocated chart does work!