Chart Patterns
- Written by Philip Graves; expanded 13-16 Jan 2004
One of the most obvious considerations when looking at a natal figure is the pattern of distribution of the planets (counting the luminaries and Pluto as planets) around the figure. Even without finer analysis of aspects and placements, this holds clues to certain qualities of the energies that the individual will experience.
The bowl chart describes the arrangement of all the planets within one 180º half of the figure (but spanning an arc of more than 120º), which will cover five, six or seven adjacent houses and signs. This implies self-containment of the individual, with some difficulty in self-expression, but the desire to teach others what has been personally learned. The life will be focused most intensively on the areas indicated by the houses occupied, at the expense of the others. This will in some cases emphasise one of the four hemispheres (see houses / angles article page 3). The first planet in the sequence (following the normal anticlockwise ordering of the signs) is known as the 'leading planet' and serves as a leading point on which the individual's attention will be focused.
The bucket chart is the same as the bowl chart except for one planet being in the opposite half of the figure. This odd planet out (sometimes known as a 'singleton') shows, in the context of its sign and house placement, a direction or goal that the individual should and probably uncompromisingly will follow. Depending on whether the singleton is in a personal or social house, the goal will be hidden from or apparent to others.
The bundle chart is the same as the bowl chart but with all the planets within a 120º section of the figure, which will span one, two, three, four or five adjacent houses and signs. It implies the limiting of the personal focus and opportunities to a narrow range of areas of life, making it difficult for the individual to integrate in areas outside these, and leading to inhibition.
The locomotive chart is the same as the bowl chart but with all the planets within a 240º section of the figure (but spanning more than 180º), which will cover seven, eight or nine adjacent houses and signs. It is associated with ambition, drive, energy and perseverance. The leading planet (following the anticlockwise order) shows by its sign and house placement qualities and areas of focus for development in relation to this ambition, which will be publicly revealed if in a social house, but kept private if in a personal house.
The seesaw chart is an arrangement characterised by five pairs of planets in mutual opposition aspect, or at least in opposing houses. This strongly highlights awareness of conflicting perspectives and viewpoints, each with its own validity, so indecision over judgements is a common by-product. It also indicates conflict between personal wishes and outer-world application, along the lines of the themes of the personal and social houses involved in each opposition.
The splash chart features the planets scattered around the figure, so that at least two are on the opposite half of the figure from the majority (so distinguishing from the bucket chart), and there is no 120º portion entirely unoccupied (so distinguishing from the locomotive chart), and without the arrangement of oppositions that characterises the seesaw chart. In all these respects it is identical to the 'splay' chart (below). But its defining characteristic is that no two consecutive houses or signs are empty (unoccupied by a planet). It implies a multiplicity of personal interests, and the scattered application of energies, which when negatively expressed leads to superficiality and dilettantism, but when positively expressed can show a desire for complete learning about all areas of life and the world.
The splay chart is the same as the splash chart with the exception that at least two consecutive houses or signs are unoccupied at at least one point in the figure. Frequently, the planets will be found to be scattered in small groups at irregular intervals around the figure, though sometimes a grand trine can be present. This chart pattern renders the individual highly independent, and resistant to being categorised, criticised, organised or forced into conformity by others. An emphasis on the angular houses will favour public distinction.
This article taken from
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01.10.2006.