Submitted by LOGOS - Overseer on
A review of Joan Grant's natal chart certainly validates her amazing abilities and talents. Joan's Sun and Moon were conjunct in the sign of Aries in the 11th house basically defining her as an initiator and groundbreaker. The evolutionary planet Pluto is closely conjunct the Ascendant in the sign of Gemini, the sign of writing. According to astrologer Ada Muir in her book The Degrees of the Zodiac Analyzed, Pluto at 22º (rounded off) Gemini means, "One who obtains recognition through literature."
She further states that the Ascendant at 23º (rounded off) Gemini pertains to one who, "will study mysticism as a solution to later problems." Pluto so closely conjunct the Ascendant not only says volumes about the magnetism of Joan's personality and projection onto others but also strongly relates to her ability to "tap in" to past lives.
When Pluto resides in the occult 12th house, it can signify the ability to regenerate the unconscious mind by bringing buried issues or "secrets" into consciousness. People with this placement often have interest in psychology or occultism. Clairvoyant capacities and psychic insight are often second to none. There can exist uncanny prowess to telepathically "tune into" others and in Joan's chart, this provides evidence that she was indeed able to transcend intervals of time in order to not only be able to relive her own past lives but also the specific past lives of those in anxious states due to past life trauma. Pluto energy operating through the auspices of Gemini signifies "breakthrough" discoveries and Joan's regression work with her psychiatrist husband was certainly considered advanced during the years they were in practice. Pluto in Gemini in the 12th house is also significant of one who has a good imagination and this trait shines brightly in Joan's various writings.
Can we access that Joan Grant was destined to write about reincarnation? Mercury, her planet of writing, in the sign of Pisces conjunct Saturn (the Lord of Karma), square Pluto, intercepted in the 10th house of Career and trine the North Node (Destiny) certainly confirms this. Further, the South Node at Anaretic degree (expertise) in Capricorn in the 8th House of Death in an out of sign conjunction with the 9th House (published writing) cusp also at Anaretic degree clearly implies one whose writings will center on occult matters pertaining to the penetration of the mysteries of death and the hereafter. The South Node in Capricorn in the 8th house traditionally has very mystical leanings. It is believed by some that those with such a placement will pass through the Capricorn Gate of Death where the Soul is judged based upon its human performance as designated by 8th House designs. The Nodal axis straddling the 2nd-8th Houses in the signs of Cancer/Capricorn implies secrets from past incarnations that are carefully guarded and the need to present the "Self" with dignity in the current lifetime. According to Muir, the South Node in Capricorn at 29º (rounded off) indicates, "Given the same conditions the same results are likely to recur." Joan carried her Egyptian training along with her through many lifetimes before finding a lifetime to make her ability public. Does the placement of her Nodal Axis indicate the right circumstances and comic pressure to bring it all about in her Joan Grant lifetime? It certainly does seem so! It is further interesting to note that the sign of Capricorn on the 8th House cusp traditionally implies one who lives to an old age. Joan Grant died in 1989 at age 81.
Very obvious in Joan's chart are the numerous "pairs" of planets and points working together via conjunction. Along with the Pluto/Ascendant coupling are: Sun conjunct Moon, Chiron conjunct the Midheaven, Mercury conjunct Saturn, Mars conjunct Uranus, and Jupiter conjunct Neptune.
The Sun/Moon coupling often refers to one who is willful and creative where their "Selfhood" is involved. Emanating from the sign of Aries, Joan's tendency would be to focus her energies in a single area of expression. The "Lights" emanating from the 11th House also put emphasis on Joan's aspirations and her friendships and associations. Her friends were an integral part of her support system. The "far memory" of the life of Sekeeta first occurred while vacationing at the home of her dear friend Daisy Sartorius. The Moon in this pair is involved in a T-Square configuration as the apex of the Uranus/Neptune opposition. As the opposition involves two angular houses the intuitive sensitivity provided by the awareness of the Uranian and Neptunian energies filtered through the Moon becomes paramount. Joan probably knew at an early age that her gift should be honed carefully because she was very aware that through her astral experiences she could not only be subject to harmful energies but destructive ones as well. The T-Square also describes her as a psychic pioneer who was unwilling to choose sides in any religious, political or social mores of the day. She was in many ways, a rebel with a cause.
In addition to what has been mentioned previously about the Mercury and Saturn pair, this planetary relationship refers to a scientific mind. Foresight is a gift of this pair so in a sense Joan had total movement to "look" both forward and backward. Saturn, the Lord of Karma rules the occult 8th House of Death in her chart so more emphasis is thrown on the unearthing of hidden occult matters and detective work involving the matters of life and death, and reincarnation. As the Mercury/Saturn pair is intercepted in the 10th house of Career and Reputation, the publishing of her first book about reincarnation around the time of her first Saturn Return is appropriate.
Mars is conjunct Uranus in the sign of Capricorn in the 7th House of relationships and it opposes the Jupiter/Neptune in Cancer pair in the 1st House of Self. Aside from the implication of even more psychic ability, Joan is characterized as someone who suffered from "mysterious" neurosis and one who was very opinionated. This is true of Joan for she struggled with a phobia regarding snakes that she was only able to overcome after she recognized it as residual fear from two past lives where she died from snake bites. She was also strong in her conviction about reincarnation which surely antagonized those who were caught up in the religious standards of that time. Uranus in the 7th house traditionally refers to one who is married several times and Joan was married three times. The Mars/Uranus pair also lets us know that she did not like to be told what to do particularly by a mate. There are no retrograde planets in Joan's chart which equates to "what you see is what you get" and this plays into her Arien nature which coveys the same message.
Chiron conjunct the Midheaven is absolutely the marker of a metaphysician. Chiron also trines her Ascendant/Pluto and sextiles her Moon. For Joan, metaphysics couldn't have been an easier life's work!