We know that the draconian card has a mystical dimension, it is believed that it represents our soul or higher self. Building on this premise, it represents parts of our makeup that feel innate or ingrained. The draconian chart seems to reinforce and support the energies and behavioral needs suggested in the natal chart. It also highlights the challenges, even the obstacles that seek a solution that will give way to the necessary growth and development in this life.
The draconic card in consultation sheds light on where the energy should be focused. It illuminates developmental themes of the greatest importance and confirms the ‘great bells’ in the natal horoscope. We can figure this out very quickly — within 5 or 10 minutes. If a client’s draconic card doesn’t speak to you, don’t incorporate it into your consultation. However, doing so will bring valuable ideas to the discussion.
Basically, there are 3 main areas to focus on:
1. Considering that the draconian planets and points tend to feel intrinsic or natural, we can combine the energies of the natal Sun with the draconian Sun, the prevailing need of the natal Moon with the draconian Moon, and the identity projection of the natal Sun. Ascendant with the Draconic Ascendant. The natal and draconic work together.
For example, our client has the draconian Sun in Virgo with the natal Sun in Aquarius. We can say to our client, “The horoscope suggests that the energies are intrinsically working to refine and discriminate, and intellectualize with others in an insightful way that probably comes quite naturally to him.”
Draconic Moon in Capricorn with natal Moon in Gemini: “There is a great need to be bright, smart and resourceful and at the same time getting things done probably feels second nature to you.”
Sagittarius Draconic Rising with natal Taurus Rising: “The horoscope suggests that your identity is comfortable approaching the world in a self-assertive way while at the same time looking to build something of value.”
We can delve into the behavioral needs of each inner planet: how you need to think (Mercury), socialize (Venus), and apply energy (Mars). Simply mix two needs realizing that the draconic planet feels innate in the individual.
2. Place the draconic card on the outer wheel, the natal card on the inner wheel. Draconic planets conjunct or opposite natal angles are dominant forces that will be very apparent in your client’s life.
I offer two examples of people I know very well. A woman shows partile draconian Saturn conjunct her natal Scorpio Ascendant. This suggests that the initial impression she projects is tightly structured and controlled; need to control their environment and those within it. There may be an insistence on being the ‘authority’, on being right and never setting foot on the wrong ground. Why is this? Does the draconian saturn echo the worries in the natal horoscope linked to the father? Natal Saturn rules the 3rd mentality. It is angular about the IC and receives a square from Neptune. We cannot deny the importance of Saturn when it is crying out for attention in the natal and in synastry with the draconian!
Also, draconic Mercury in Leo is closely conjunct your natal Midheaven. We feel his ego and pride in expressing his intelligence. In the natal, Mercury in Sagittarius is peregrine and rules the 11th house. This suggests that arrogant ways of thinking and the need to prove what he knows are behaviors that more than compensate for concerns about kindness. We need to talk to her about her relationship with her father, how it affected her mindset and influenced the way he interacts with others.
A homosexual man has natal Mercury conjunct Venus in Pisces in the eighth house. In synastry, draconic Mercury-Venus straddles the natal Descendant! The restriction of idealism in the natal now becomes an important statement, projected publicly for all to see. Is this illuminating the importance of your sexual profile and your personal relationships? Against what does idealism protect? Why is he making such a bold statement?
Draconic Pluto and Uranus are closely conjunct your natal Leo Ascendant. Why the need to be very individualistic, to be unique and different from the rest of the world and to follow an unconventional lifestyle? Why do you need to be the center of attention (echoing your natal Moon in Aries) but at the same time you need to hide from intimacy and keep others out? Natal Uranus rules the seventh house. Natal Pluto rules the 4 directing our attention to natal Neptune in the 4 (feeling like the black sheep of the family) ruling the sexual profile of the 8! We need to ask about early home life and the influence of a father. How did this create a defense of idealism around sexuality and one-on-one relationships?
3. With the draconic chart on the outer wheel and the natal on the inner wheel, look for closely conjoined draconic planets or opposite natal planets. They will undoubtedly be making strong statements, pointing out areas of life that demand attention.
Radio personality Howard Stern (born January 12, 1954 at 1:10 pm in New York, NY; Rising 00 Gemini 57) shows a quadruple natal conjunction in Capricorn in the 9th house (North Node-Sun-Venus -Mercury). In synastry, Draconian Mars and Saturn in Capricorn are conjunct this natal stellium. Draconic Mars is also precisely opposite natal Uranus in the 3rd house!
We can feel the indomitable will and strategic administrative power (Mars with Saturn); Bold, impulsive energies, the serial communicator/speaker, who need to make things happen their way (Mars with Uranus)…and “make strong, emotional statements” (Draconian Mars = Mercury/natal Venus)! All of this is working to make things happen through 3rd/9th house issues. By asking Stern creative, open-ended questions, we can determine if this poses challenges or offers support for her growth and development.
Talk show host Johnny Carson (born October 23, 1925 at 7:15 am CST in Corning, IA; Rising 5 Scorpio 46) has draconic Venus in Leo precisely conjunct his natal Midheaven. Fittingly, Carson’s nickname was the “King of Late Night Television.”
In Carson’s natal chart, Venus sits in the second house, ruling the relationship in the seventh. Her stormy romantic life involved four high-profile marriages and two divorces. Carson often joked about his child support payments: “My producer really gave me something I needed for Christmas. He gave me a gift certificate to the Law Offices of Jacoby and Meyers.”
With the dragon on the outer wheel, Carson’s t-square to Mars squaring the Pluto-Jupiter-Moon opposition ‘clicks’ into precise alignment with natal Venus—creating a very serious Grand Square that suggests indecision and conflicting frustrated energies. -purposes!
Consider this configuration: Draconian Mars opposite natal Venus (too much passion leads to unwise choices in relationships); Draconian Pluto square natal Venus (extremism in emotional expression; waste of emotion, excessive longing, excessive suffering); Draconian Jupiter-Moon square natal Venus (self-indulgence, need for comfort/pampering; feeling overly sensitive, insecure about one’s popularity).
The point is: the draconian Venus front and center of the natal Midheaven is drawing attention to all things archetypal Venus, like love and romance. Relationships may have presented challenges for Carson, but also life lessons that were likely necessary for her growth and development in this lifetime.
The draconic chart offers the astrologer an incisive tool to extract important themes that challenge and reinforce growth. It is up to the astrologer to make the creative connections and formulate strong open-ended questions that will lead to a rich discussion and deeper understanding of what our client is here to seek, work with and learn in this lifetime.