Can astrological patterns predict fertility?

Some fundamentals of astrology 

In order to apply astrology to the area of human reproduction, we must first detail some of its fundamentals. This begins with an examination of the nature of the zodiac.1, 2 The zodiac is viewed as the space surrounding the earth and is divided into 12 equal, contiguous parts. Each part contains a unique cluster of stars called a constellation. As illustrated in Figure 1, each constellation has a name, such as Aries, Taurus, Gemini, etc. These are often referred to in astrology magazines as birth signs, based on where the sun was localized in the zodiac when one was born. Such horoscopes are of questionable accuracy because a precise birth chart/astrological chart/horoscope must be made based on all the planets in one's chart.

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FIGURE 1. Sample birth chart Planets are noted in red.

As can be seen in Figure 1, there are seven planets (Jupiter, Mars, Venus, Saturn, Mercury, Sun and Moon) and two Moon “nodes” or satellite planets (Ketu and Rahu). For convenience sake, Sun and Moon have been mentioned here as planets. This may seem a bit erudite; however, for the time being, we must put aside the lessons learned from Copernicus. Sun appears to revolve around the outside of the earth—and through the zodiac—and takes approximately 365 days to repeat its revolution. Other planets also revolve, but at varying rates of speed, through the zodiac. Thus, at one's birth, the planets are located in various constellations. When analyzing an individual's astrological chart, the astrologer notes where each planet was located in the zodiac at the time of the birth; this forms the basis of the birth chart.

One other important aspect that guides the astrologer is the Ascendant, that sign of the zodiac which is rising in the Eastern horizon at the moment of an individual's birth.

Analyzing a chart for the birth of children 

The fifth “house” is the area of the chart which tells the most about children (see Table 1). The term house simply denotes a certain area of the sky or zodiac. In the Hindu system, each sign of the zodiac constitutes one house of the chart.3, 4 There are 12 houses corresponding to 12 zodiac signs in a chart. One can count the houses starting with the Moon or starting with the Ascendant. The houses are then counted in a clockwise manner. Reading the chart using both the Moon and the Ascendant gives the greatest amount of information.

TABLE 1. Planets in the fifth house

	Sun	Person may have difficulties with children. In a woman's chart, it can give difficulty in childbirth, and unhappiness concerning children, such as unwanted pregnancies, abortions, or miscarriages.
	Moon	Normally brings good results. The person may have many children, and the children will bring happiness.
	Mercury	Gives benefits in the area of children. Mercury is associated with twins, multiple births, and with births involving the use of reproductive technologies.
	Venus	A very beneficial planet, generally indicates the person will have children and a good relationship with them. The person will tend to have more daughters than sons.
	Mars	Considered to be a negative planet, it indicates few children or trouble from children. Can indicate the possibility of abortions or miscarriages.
	Jupiter	Jupiter is considered the best of all the planets. Indicates good fortune in childbirth and in relationships with one's children.
	Saturn	Considered the most malefic of all the planets. Indicates delays or hindrance in childbirth. If children are born at all, they come later in the person's life and after much struggle. Abortions, miscarriages, and unwanted pregnancies are indicated.
	Rahu	Indicates few children or troubles with children. Can also indicate abortions.
	Ketu	Indicates few children or unhappiness through children. The person may have children out of wedlock or metaphysically oriented children.

In Figure 1, the fifth house from the Ascendant is Leo, and the fifth house from Moon is Gemini. Gemini is the constellation with the stars Castors and Pallox, known as the twins. Gemini, as the fifth house from the Moon, forecasts the possibility of twins or multiple pregnancies. Notice also that the planet Jupiter sits in the fifth house. Jupiter is associated with the birth of male children. This parent had two children, both sons, born less than 11 months apart. The planets that tend to indicate male children are: Jupiter, Mars, Moon, and Sun. Those indicating female children are: Saturn, Venus, and Moon. Mercury is neutral and can give boys or girls or twins.

In astrology, each sign or house is associated with a fixed “ruling” planet. The signs and their associated planetary rulers are: Aries—Mars; Taurus—Venus; Gemini— Mercury; Cancer—Moon; Leo—Sun; Virgo—Mercury; Libra—Venus; Scorpio—Mars; Sagittarius—Jupiter; Capricorn—Saturn; Aquarius—Saturn; and Pisces—Jupiter. In addition to noting the fifth house and any planets therein, astrologers make note of the ruler of the fifth house. The location of the fifth house ruler provides additional and important information regarding children. Indications regarding conception, pregnancy, and relationships with children are listed in Table 2 and depend on the placement of the fifth house ruler. (Remember, the first house begins with either the Moon and/or the Ascendant.)

TABLE 2. The fifth house ruler provides additional and important information regarding children

	1st house	A very auspicious placement. Indicates happiness through children.
	2nd house	A good position indicating happiness from children.
	3rd house	Happiness from children, possibility of twins or multiple births. Person may use reproductive technologies to achieve pregnancy.
	4th house	A very good position indicating the person will have children and will get a good deal of happiness from children.
	5th house	Happy and prosperous children.
	6th house	A negative placement suggesting difficulties in having children. Hardships with children, difficulties and troubles with children.
	7th house	Fortunate for children. Happy and prosperous children.
	8th house	A negative placement that indicates little happiness concerning children. Shows possibilities of miscarriage or abortion.
	9th house	A good placement indicating successful, spiritual, and happy children.
	10th house	Good for children, suggests children who become well known.
	11th house	Good relationships with children, person may benefit from their children.
	12th house	Little happiness concerning children. May be abortions, miscarriages, few children, or bad relationships with children.

Analysis of couples' charts who have difficulty conceiving 

Let us focus on the charts of two sets of couples who have been having difficulty in conceiving.

Case 1 

Wife, KM, and husband, KH, have been married for ten years; have been trying to conceive for seven; and have just achieved pregnancy after their fifth cycle of in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure. In Figure 2, which shows KM's chart, her fifth house (counting from her Ascendant) is Cancer. The ruler of Cancer is the Moon, which is located in her sixth house. The ruler of the fifth house (located in the sixth) denotes difficulty in having children (see Table 2). Also the Moon is associated with Ketu, and Ketu can indicate difficulties in conception.

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FIGURE 2. Birth charts for case 1

However, if we look at the Moon as the first house, we see that Sagittarius is the fifth house, and the ruler of Sagittarius is Jupiter. Jupiter is located in the second house from the Moon—a fortunate house for children.

In considering the chart of her husband, KH, we look from his Ascendant and find that his fifth house is Aries. The ruler of Aries is Mars, located in the tenth house. This bodes well for children. However, we also see the planet Saturn located in the fifth house. Saturn is one of the worst indicators for having children: it usually suggests delays or problems in pregnancy. When we look at his chart with the Moon as the first house, Scorpio becomes the fifth house. Again, we see a malefic planet—the Sun—in the fifth house, suggesting difficulties with children. Mercury also shares the fifth house: this suggests that if children are borne, they could come through the use of reproductive technologies. This is quite interesting as the couple became pregnant through the means of an IVF procedure.

The ruler of the husband's (KH's) fifth house, Scorpio, is Mars; and Mars is in the third house from the Moon. The third house has a connection to technology and multiple births: this also is an indicator signifying the use of IVF. In analyzing the charts of these two individuals, it becomes apparent that both charts show many challenges in the area of children. Indeed, this couple has experienced not only fertility problems but also fertility treatments (in terms of technological approaches) as indicated through their charts.

Case 2 

Let us consider a second couple that has been trying unsuccessfully to conceive for the last two-to-three years ( Figure 3 ). In the wife's—SL's—chart, Pisces is the fifth house from the Moon. Saturn is in that house. Whenever Saturn is placed in the fifth house, it usually leads to many delays and difficulties in conception. When we look at Virgo, the fifth house from the Ascendant, we find the planet Mercury. This suggests that if SL conceives, it could result from the use of reproductive technology, and there is the possibility of twins or multiple births. SL's chart serves as a good example for discussion of planetary aspects and their influence. As well as looking at the planets' placement in the fifth house, we also must see how a planet influences the house. Every planet influences the planet directly across from itself. Hence, for SL, Saturn sits in Pisces directly across from her fifth house of Virgo. This ‘aspect' from Saturn is another indication that SL would have delays and problems in conception.

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FIGURE 3. Birth charts for case 2

In the case of CJ, SL's husband, if one looks from the Ascendant, one finds Saturn sitting in Pisces, the fifth house. Counting from the Moon, the fifth house is Gemini, which is ruled by Mercury. Like his wife's chart, CJ's chart suggests that if conception does occur, it may come through the use of some technology, and there could be twins or multiple births. Indeed, this couple is undergoing a second cycle of IVF procedure at this time.

Conclusion 

Through such analysis as is presented here, it appears that astrology can provide interesting information regarding fecundity and reproductive outcome. Although the scientific basis of how the planets can affect a reproductive or any other outcome is not clear, one consistently finds a strong association of planetary configurations in birth charts with various aspects of life. 5 It is generally hypothesized that these planets affect us through their electromagnetic and gravitational waves and energies. It seems unscientific to think that the Moon can alter the tides of the oceans and seas of our planet but not have an effect on a man's or a woman's body, which is comprised of approximately 60% water. Is there a correlation between the lunar cycle of 28 days and a woman's menstrual cycle of 28 days? One can only imagine the effects of planetary energies, such as those of Saturn and Jupiter, which are many times larger than the Moon and the Earth.

Astrology has passed the test of time and still remains an intriguing metaphysical science. With the body of knowledge we currently have and with additional research, astrology can serve as a useful tool in helping couples to know about their karmic patterns and psyche and to achieve their reproductive goals. Each member of mankind arrives to imprint on the surrounding world: In Ecclesiastes, “There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens.” 6 In the Autobiography of a Yogi, “A child is born at the hour of a particular day when the celestial rays are in mathematical harmony with his/her individual karma.” 7