Dr Bernadette Brady

May 27, Sunday 11 am

UAC 2018

Charts of Conflict
www.BernadetteBrady.com
www.AstroLogos.com
Guido Bonatti (1210-1290)
Thirteenth century Italian military astrologer. He served the
communal governments of Florence, Siena, and Forlì. Bonatti's
astrological reputation was written up in Dante's Divine Comedy,
where he is depicted as residing in hell, with his head reversed in
punishment for looking at the future.

Guido Bonatti - Solar System, De Astronomia Libri

Sources

Bonatti wrote the Liber Astronomiae, which was an encyclopaedia work covering
all known areas of astrology. The astrology of Europe was undergoing a
revolution of change due to the introduction of Islamic, Arabic, Jewish, and
Persian astrology bought to Europe by scholars in the late-twelfth century. In this
regard his work documents this transition and also, as he speaks of his sources, it
reveals the Islamic authors being carried into the west.

His work on military astrology makes up part of his 'Tractatus Sextus‘. This was
translated by Rober Zoller and printed in the Astrological Lodge’s Quarterly in
4 parts in the 1990s.

More recently:
Bonatti, Guido. Book of Astronomy. Translated by Benjamin N. Dykes. Golden
Valley, Minnesota: The Cazimi Press, 2007, pp. 485 – 516, chapters 21 to chapter
28.
Bonatti lists two types of conflict

The first was where two armies or opposing

sides encountered each other on a field of
battle – this is a Field Battle.

The second was where a castle was being

besieged – where one army was at a
disadvantage as it tried to take a fortified castle.

Today such battles can be seen when there is a

contest on a level playing field or when in a conflict
one player holds a distinct advantage and the
attacker has to win in order to claim victory with a
‘draw’ meaning a loss to one side.
 ‘And suppose he wanted to start some battle, or go with the army
against someone… give the 1st house to him and its Lord, and see
from what planet the Moon separates, and give it likewise to him.
And you will give the 7th, and its Lord, and the planet to whom
the Moon is then joined, to the adversary.’ p.485

‘The 1st signifies the one beginning the battle because the first
thing which comes in war is the one beginning it.’ p.504

‘Look to the 7th house for the enemy’ p.506

Thus for Bonatti the 1st house belonged to the instigator of

the battle or conflict and the 7th is the enemy or the one
being attacked.

Bonatti, Guido. Book of Astronomy. Translated by Benjamin N. Dykes. Golden Valley, Minnesota:
Field Battles
This is a battle between two planets. The astrologer decides what
constitutes the beginning of the conflict and then uses the 1st
house and its ruler to represent the challenger and the 7th house
and its ruler to represent the one who receives the challenge –
using old rulerships.

A key point, therefore, is to identify who is the challenger and

who is receiving the challenge.

Sports: The Home Team normally receives the Away Team and the game is played on the
Home Team’s field. In this case then it is clear that the Away Team is the challenger.

Tournaments: In a match or a tournament the question can be more difficult. All teams or
players are not on their home ‘turf’. The astrologer then has to decide who is the player with
the most to lose, the favourite or the one defending their title. That person or team will be
the ‘home’ team.
 Field Battles - working with the planets

Bonatti wrote: ‘You ought to know that the

superior planets, that is Saturn, Jupiter and
Mars, are stronger in combat and battles than
the inferiors, namely the Sun, Venus, Mercury
and the Moon.’ 1

Bonatti, Guido. Book of Astronomy. Translated by Benjamin N. Dykes. Golden Valley, Minnesota: The
Cazimi Press, 2007. p.486
As one is always looking for a conflict between 1st and 7th house rulers
there are, therefore, set planetary battles:

Saturn, ruling Capricorn and Aquarius will only ever be in conflict with the Sun Leo, or
the Moon Cancer.
Planning and control vs emotions and favouritism.

Mars ruling Aries and Scorpio will only ever be in conflict with Venus as the ruler of
Libra and Taurus.
Strength and power vs elegance and brilliance.

Jupiter ruling Pisces and Sagittarius will only ever be in conflict with Mercury being the
ruler of Virgo and Gemini.
Inspiration and belief in victory vs speed and quick thinking.
 O N
P Games of Halves or
M
Quarters
Q Some sports, like tennis, are played as a
continuum, as they only have short breaks.
However, many team sports are played in halves
or even quarters. Every break and then
R O recommencement requires a new chart;
however, superior planets rule one side of the
zodiac, while inferior planets rule the other side.
Thus if a team starts by being ruled by a superior
P planet, it will generally maintain that planet or
another superior planet for the whole match.
S
The interesting games are when this switches eg:
Q Venus switching at half time to Mars for a 1st
house team.
S
R
Bonatti’s Major Points in Field Battles

1. The ruler of the 1st house is the challenger.

2. The ruler of the 7th house is the receiver of the challenge.
3. Judge the strength of each ruler via:
1. Its zodiacal condition.
2. Its house position.
3. Its applying Ptolemaic aspect.
4. Whether it is retrograde or direct.
5. Superior planets are always stronger than inferior planets.
4. The planet receiving the last Ptolemaic aspect from the Moon also
belongs to the 1st House. Judge its strength and condition.
5. The planet receiving the next Ptolemaic aspect from the Moon also
belongs to the 7th House. Judge its strength and condition.
6. The ruler is the strongest of the above points and will win the contest.

Sounds simple - but it is knowing how to make that

judgement of strength which is the key!
 Bonatti’s Major Points in
Field Battles
• Judge the strength of each ruler via:
• Its zodiacal condition
• Its house position
• Its apply Ptolemaic aspect
• Whether it is retrograde or direct
• Superior planets are always stronger then inferior
planets.
• Aspects of the Moon.

This 6th century mosaic

pavement is in a synagogue.
Beit Alpha, Israel.
Essential Dignities – an overview

Terms - Egyptian

Key:
Rulership: The King in his kingdom
Exaltation: The honoured guest
Triplicity: To be in a relative’s house
Term: To be amongst one’s allies and
supporters
Face: To be prepared but in an alien
environment

Tip: Beware a Jupiter in rulership

– over confident.
Strength of a Planet via its house
1. Judge the strength of each ruler via:
1. Its zodiacal condition
2. Its house position
3. Its applying Ptolemaic aspect
4. Whether it is retrograde or direct
5. Superior planets are always stronger than inferior planets
6. The aspects of the Moon. The last aspected planet helps the
challenger and the next helps the defender of the challenge

House Position: A planet gains strength by being in an angular house and is

weakened by being in a cadent house. The succedent house neither strengthens
nor weakens.

Exception: If the ruler of the 1st is in the 7th or vice versa, then that planet is
greatly weakened, for the lord of the 1st is in the place of its enemy – captured!
Strength of a Planet via its applying aspect
1. Judge the strength of each ruler via:
1. Its zodiacal condition
2. Its house position
3. Its next applying Ptolemaic aspect
4. Whether it is retrograde or direct
5. Superior planets are always stronger than
inferior planets
Aspect: What is the next Ptolemaic aspect and is this to a planet
that helps the ruler? Is there reception to the ruler?

Reception: When the ruler of a sign forms an aspect to a planet in

that sign, then the first planet must give to the second planet. eg:
Mars in Aquarius forming an aspect to Saturn, Saturn then must
give to Mars. This can get complicated, eg, Mars in Libra ruling a
team forming an aspect to Venus. Venus - which rules the other
team - must give to Mars!
Strength of a Planet via its direction
1. Judge the strength of each ruler via:
1. Its zodiacal condition
2. Its house position
3. Its next applying Ptolemaic aspect
4. Whether it is retrograde or direct
5. Superior planets are always stronger than
inferior planets

Direction: A retrograde planet is meant to be weaker than a direct

planet. This is important for long conflicts but not so for short
encounters. Stationary planets can be like wild cards – odd things
happen in the match.

Luminaries – these cannot be retrograde or direct. Also I have found no

support for the Moon being affected as a ruler by its phase. A dark
Moon seems just as strong as a full moon etc.
Trying it out…..
Take a forthcoming sporting event
or contest and look at the chart/s .

Make sure that you do not have

too much emotional involvement
with the outcome so you can be
unbiased.

The World Cup is about to start in

Russia.
Forth Coming World Cup – Russia 2018 – First round matches, 7th house team in bold

Russia vs Saudi Arabia 14 June 2018, 16:00 at the Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow –
Russia 72% chance of win

Egypt vs Uruguay 15 June 2018, 13:00 at the Central Stadium, Yekaterinburg –

Egypt 17%, Draw 27% Uruguay 56%

Morocco vs Iran 15 June 2018, 16:00 at Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg –

Morocco 42%, Draw 31%, Iran 27%

Portugal vs Spain 15 June 2018, 19:00 at Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi- – Portugal 22%,
Draw 27%, Spain 51%

Frances vs Australia 15 June 2018, 11:00 at Kazan Arena, Kazan - France 79%
chance of win.

Argentina vs Iceland 15 June 2018, 14:00 at Otkrytiye Arena, Moscow - Argentina

72%, Draw 20% Iceland 8%
 Russia is the 7th house = Venus

Venus in Leo in the 9th but via the NN

relating to the MC

Its next apply Ptolemaic aspect is:

Conjunct North Node

Moon- next aspect to Mercury.

Saudi Arabia = 1st house Mars

Mars in Aquarius in the 3rd house but
conjunct the IC.

Its next apply aspect is square to

Jupiter, which is rules.

Moon – last aspect sextile Uranus 7th

house.
Although Saudi Arabia is given only a small chance to win the chart
favours them – they may fight this game out to a unexpected draw! The second half will start around 1 hour
later and Scorpio will still be rising.
 Spain is the favourite thus is the 7th house
= Mercury

Mercury in Cancer in the 7th - angular

Its next apply Ptolemaic aspect is: Opp.

Saturn in rulership and it is direct.

Moon – next aspect opp Pluto

Portugal= 1st house Jupiter

Jupiter is in Scorpio and retrograde in the
11th house.

Its next apply aspect is a trine to Neptune,

which it rules.

Moon – last aspect trine Neptune.

Spain is favourite and also favoured by the chart. The second half will start around 1 hour
later and Sag will still be rising.
Summary of Field Battles
Uses
1. The ruler of the 1st house is the challenger:
The Away Team or the non-favourite. Any sporting activity on a equal footing.
2. The ruler of the 7th house is the receiver of the
challenge:
The Home Team or the favourite Any law case which is on an equal
footing.
3. Judge the strength of each ruler via:
1. Its zodiacal condition, its house position, its Any team conflict, friendly or other.
applying Ptolemaic aspect, and whether it is
retrograde or direct.
2. Superior planets are always stronger than Any time you go ‘into battle’ for a point
inferior planets. or an issue.
4. The challenger also gets the planet which received
the last Ptolemaic aspect from the Moon. Any time of negotiation – contracts or
5. The defender also gains the planet which received
the next Ptolemaic aspect from the Moon.
agreements where you have one
position and the other person has
The ruler, which is the strongest of the above points, is another.
favoured to win the contest.
Castle Besiegement
Times when a draw means you lose!
Castle Besiegement
• This is a different type of battle defined by the
strengths of the two parties where a nil result, a draw,
is a loss for one but a win for the other.

• In Bonatti’s time this type of battle was an assault on

a castle. If the attacking army could not take the castle
then it was, in effect, a draw, with the attacker leaving
the battle with no gain and thus the castle wins. This
is, therefore, any engagement where the holder of the
trophy or title has an intrinsic advantage over the
challenger. They must be beaten in order to lose the
trophy.

• In everyday life this is any contest where one person

is trying to gain something that belongs to another, or
entering into a negotiation where the other party
holds all the power.
Castle Besiegement

Bonatti wrote in discussing horary:

‘Whence if a question was made to you about some besieged city or

castle, or one that is blockaded, as to whether it will be captured after
the blockade or not, look at the 1st house [for the attacker] and the 4th
house (which signifies the besieged city or castle).’ 1

He then goes into a discussion about the potential of the 10th house to
represent the castle. He concludes, however, that by the use of derived
houses, the 4th house is the home of the enemy and thus represents the
castle being besieged.

1. Bonatti, Guido. Book of Astronomy. Translated by Benjamin N. Dykes. Golden Valley, Minnesota: The Cazimi
Press, 2007. p.512-3
Castle Besiegement
Bonatti wrote,

‘Whence if you were to find the Lord of the 1st strong and fortunate, or you were to
find him joined to the Lord of the 4th (or with the Moon) in the 1st , or in the 10th or
even in the 11th, or in another place which is not unfortunate (as the 12th, 8th or 6th
are), indeed so that the Lord of the 1st receives the Lord of the 4th, or even if the
Moon receives him (even if she is not received by him), it signifies the taking of the
city, and its capture. Likewise if the Lord of the 4th were with the malefics, impeded,
it signifies its capture; or if there were malefics in the 4th without one of the benefics
or its praiseworthy aspect, it signifies its capture. You may say the same if the Tail of
the Dragon were there, because it signifies loss and evacuation.’ 2

2. Bonatti, Guido. Book of Astronomy. Translated by Benjamin N. Dykes. Golden Valley, Minnesota: The Cazimi
Press, 2007. p.513
The strength of a position is judged in the following way:
1. The ruler of the 1st house is the challenger.
2. The ruler of the 4th house is the castle itself.
3. Superior planets are always stronger than inferior
planets.
4. Consider the condition of the Moon to look for a nil
result.
5. Judge the strength of the 1st house and 4th house
ruler by:
1. Its zodiacal condition.
2. Whether it is retrograde or direct.
6. The Ptolemaic aspects – to its ruler, or the Moon, or
the other ruler.
Different to field battles
7. The house position of the Lords of the 1st and 4th
because there is more
house.
emphases on houses and the
8. The planets contained in the 1st or 4th house.
aspects of the Moon and the
two rulers.
 Consider the condition of the Moon to look for a nil result.
• Is the Moon in detriment or fall?
• Is the Moon applying to a malefic? (This is debatable.)
• Is the Moon combust – close to the Sun?
• Is the Moon apply or separating from a conjunction or the South Node?
• Is the Moon’s dispositor combust?
• Is the Moon’s dispositor applying or separating from a conjunction or
the South Node?
• Is the dispositor retrograde?
Any of the above implies that little will come from the situation – thus either
a victory for the castle or, if the contest permits, a draw.
Tip: It is worth paying attention to the Moon for any sporting event that can easily result in a
draw – soccer for example. Although soccer is a field battle, a weakened Moon can imply little
results from the match (although a draw is worth points), while a Moon in the degree of the
Node is a wild card!
1st House Lord’s relationship to the 4th.

As with field battles, judge the strength of

the planet using the essential dignities but
also paying attention to :

• If the Lord of the 1st has any form of

dignity in the degree of the castle (4th
house cusp), then this greatly aids the
challenger.

• If the Lord of the 1st also rules the 4th

then the conflict is decided beforehand.
Essential Dignities – an overview

Terms - Egyptian

Key:
Rulership: The King in his kingdom
Exaltation: The honoured guest
Triplicity: To be in a relative’s house
Term: To be amongst one’s allies and
supporters
Face: To be prepared but in an alien
environment

Tip: Beware a Jupiter in rulership

– over confident.
The strength of a planet is judge by

1. The ruler of the 1st house is the challenger.

2. The ruler of the 4th house is the castle itself.
3. Superior planets are always stronger than inferior planets.
4. Consider the condition of the Moon to look for a nil result.
5. Judge the strength of the 1st house and 4th house ruler by:
1. Its zodiacal condition.
2. Whether it is retrograde or direct.
6. The Ptolemaic aspects – to its ruler, or the Moon, or the other
ruler.
7. The house position of the Lords of the 1st and 4th house.
8. The planets contained in the 1st or 4th house.
Aspects of the ruler of the 1st or 4th house to the angles

• If the Lord of the 1st house is in aspect

to either the Ascendant or the IC, then
the challenger is greatly aided.

• If the Lord of the 4th house is in an

aspect to either the Ascendant or the
MC, then the holder of the castle is
greatly aided.

This rule shows you the power of an aspect to the angles

 The Planets in the 1st or 4th houses

• If there are any benefices in the 4th house

this aids the castle – Jupiter, Moon, North
Node or Venus.

• If there are any malefics in the 4th house

this weakens the castle – Saturn, Mars
and the South Node.
 The Power of the Houses
Bonatti wrote,

‘Whence if you were to find the Lord of the 1st strong and fortunate, or you were to
find him joined to the Lord of the 4th (or with the Moon) in the 1st , or in the 10th or
even in the 11th, or in another place which is not unfortunate (as the 12th, 8th or 6th
are), indeed so that the Lord of the 1st receives the Lord of the 4th, or even if the
Moon receives him (even if she is not received by him), it signifies the taking of the
city, and its capture. Likewise if the Lord of the 4th were with the malefics, impeded,
it signifies its capture; or if there were malefics in the 4th without one of the benefics
or its praiseworthy aspect, it signifies its capture. You may say the same if the Tail of
the Dragon were there, because it signifies loss and evacuation.’ 2
The quest to
take the
White House
2016/17
Won the nomination at
18:39
27 July 2016 –
Philadelphia.

She began her quest to

take the White House
Clinton was the 1st house (Saturn) and the White
House is the 4th house (Venus).
Saturn has NO dignity in the degree of the IC – terms
of Mercury, Face of Venus.

The Attacker - Clinton

Saturn in Sag. In 11th and retrograde
Saturn does not aspect the angles
Saturn at 9 Sag has no dignity.
The ruler of Saturn is Jupiter in 8th in determent - Virgo.
The next aspect that Saturn makes is to Neptune.
The Moon’s next aspect is to Jupiter, in determent and in
the 8th.

The Castle
The Moon is in the fourth house and in exaltation so the
Castle is strong.
The ruler of the castle is the Venus in 7th house its ruler is
the Sun also in the 7th, strong.

The next aspect of the Moon is to Venus (which is the

castle), with reception (Moon in Venus’ sign). So the castle
will resist Clinton’s challenge.
Trump wins the Republican nomination
(Time from a tweet)

20 July 2016, 0:52 am, New York

Trump is the 1st house (Venus) and the White House
is the 4th house (the Moon).
The degree of the IC is in the terms of Jupiter and the
face of the Moon.

The Attack – Trump

Venus in Leo in the 4th house – in the castle!
Venus squares the Asc/Desc axis.
Venus at 9 Leo is in its own terms.
Strong support from its ‘tribe, its people’.
The ruler of Venus is the Sun on the IC – in the castle.
The next aspect that Venus makes is to Mercury, also in the
4th house.
The Moon’s next aspect is to Venus. Trump’s planets are in
the castle.

The Castle
There are three benefics in the 4th house – so the Castle is
strong – but ‘owned’ by Trump.
The ruler of the castle is the Moon in 10th house and its
ruler is Saturn in 7th, strong but also retrograde, weakened.
The next aspect of the Moon is to Venus (which is Trump),
no reception.
Summary of Castle Besiegement
Uses
1. The ruler of the 1st house is the attacker:
The non holder of the title. Any sporting activity, whether the
2. The ruler of the 4th house is the castle:
The one who holds the title or trophy.
holder of a title has to be beaten to
Judge the strength of each ruler via the following: lose the title.
1. Superior planets are always stronger than
inferior planets Any law case where one is going against
2. The planet’s zodiacal condition, its house the normal rulings.
position, its Ptolemaic aspects, and whether it is
retrograde or direct.
3. Consider planets or the south node in either the Any engagement with another where
1st or 4th houses. they hold all the power.
4. Look for the ruler of the 1st having dignity in the
degree of the 4th cusp.

If the 1st house ruler is deemed stronger, then it will

take the castle.
Battle and Conflict Charts
Old ways with new uses!