Babytalk - Interpreting the Charts of Children

BABYTALK – Interpreting the Chart for Small Children

Marion D. March

How could this topic deserve the length of an entire lecture or article? What can possibly
be so different in delineating a chart for a toddler as opposed to that of an adult—after all,
astrology is always astrology, isn’t it? The planets don’t change, nor do the aspects or
house positions or anything else. So why?
There are two very important reasons, and within these two are a myriad of delicate
questions that require thought, a gentle hand, careful evaluation of the ethics involved, and
much more.
1. A baby, small child or even elementary age school child, will not have a personal
consultation with the astrologer – instead all the information will be told to a mother
or father, or both parents; maybe even a grandparent or guardian. How much
personal information should we, the astrologers, give to a third person? Where
does the help stop and invasion of privacy start? Do we give a child a chance of a
better and richer life when we tell the parents that it has certain talents which
should be encouraged from early on? Most people will say “yes” to that question.
But what about telling parents that their precious little one could develop into quite
a sexpot? Are we saving the innocent lamb from unwanted abortions, herpes, a
broken heart and other hardships, or are we revealing a most private potential that is
nobody’s business except the individual and whomever he or she decides to share it
with? Are we maybe even actualizing something that is merely a potential by
drawing the adults’ attention to it?
2. And that brings us to reason number 2: with a baby or very young child, you have
only the potential to work with. No established pattern, no bad habits, no excuses,
no lack of time, priority or any other causes that will eventually shape a person one
way rather than another. Isn’t that wonderful? We, you and I, the astrologer, can
detect all that’s good and wholesome and helpful and evolved and tell the parent,
and as a result that child is going to flourish and blossom into a perfect rose. Or is it?
How may astrologers already suffer from a “let’s play God” complex and this poor
little innocent babe may turn out to be their next victim.
If I sound worried – you’re right. The power trip this can put you on is awesome and
dangerous. Because what we really tell the parent is our interpretation of good and bad,
wholesome or degenerate, evolved or sinning. We the astrologers are mere humans, our
values and mores are fashioned by our own upbringing, parental influences, environment,
traumas, success and failures. Yet here we are, ready to judge how a parent can best
proceed to help their child achieve what we deem best for that child.
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Now that I really have you worried (I hope) I have achieved an important part of my goal,
namely to make you aware that we are NOT omnipotent.
That we need to consider many things when delineating a child.
That we must mention all of the potential talents or abilities without forcing our own
opinion onto the thinking of the parent.
That we need to leave lots and lots of room for individual growth.
That we must carefully seek the balance between emphasizing possible positive traits and
still warning against possible negative ones.
That our first and foremost role is to help the parent give the child parental guidance, not to
run the child’s life.
That in most cases parents get so involved in doing things FOR their children, that they
forget to do things WITH them, or to just enjoy them, and most important to LOVE them.
Words or theory alone are not enough to really stick in your mind, and we will work with
some actual cases, to illustrate some of the issues and problems and possible solutions.
But there is one more theoretical point I would like to raise.
Looking back at your own clientele, friends and family you have dealt with as well as your
personal experience – how important do you think stress and challenges are in your life? Do
you think you would be where you are if everything had always gone your way? Has most of
your growth come through life’s tough moments or through the easy times?
Astrologically speaking, I am of course referring to squares, and in a lesser way,
oppositions and conjunctions in a chart. We need a good square to grow up, to learn to
stand on our own feet, to defend ourselves, to fight back when necessary. It’s the old
Aries/1st house/fire syndrome, versus Cancer/4th house/water or the Capricorn/10th/earth.
Aries’ fire feels threatened by Cancer’s water which could put it out as well as by
Capricorn’s earth which could smother it. Therefore Aries immediately learns to fight back.
“No way are you going to extinguish my flame, mother” (4th house). “I will not let you
smother my fire, father” (10th house). That is nature’s way of helping us become a person in
our own right.
So don’t feel that every square is terrible, traumatic, bad, hard, difficult and all other
worrisome adjectives some astrologers might tag that poor square with – because without
that square, we would probably be only half as good as we are. Please keep this in mind,
especially when dealing with children, squares are positive growth potential.
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Let me share with you the chart that, indirectly, got me started in astrology. It is my
daughter's. My mother wanted to give me a little surprise gift and had a then rather well
known European astrologer, a Mrs. Bendix, interpret both my children’s horoscopes. We
were living in America, but my husband and I went to visit my mother rather regularly in
Switzerland. On one of those visits, when the children were 5 and 2-1/2 years old
respectively, she insisted that I finally listen to the astrologer and find out about my
children. As open-minded as I had been raised, I really was not too excited to hear what a
woman who had never set eyes on my kids, could possibly tell me about them.
My daughter Mikki is chart #1 of the handouts [see chart next page]. After some rather
informative input about Mikki’s potential characteristics, Mrs. Bendix started to tell me
about her relationship to her younger brother. How she loved him and could relate to his
feelings (Pisces on the 3rd house) but how he always seemed to upset her emotional
applecart (ruler Neptune inconjunct Jupiter in the 3rd, in fact part of a yod with Jupiter the
finger, Pluto the other inconjunct). This same statement could of course be confirmed with
Venus and Mars conjunct each other in the 3rd house.
Well I was of course amazed, because brother Nick used to drive Mikki up a tree, yet she
adored him and understood him better than anyone else. Mrs. Bendix looked at my son’s
chart to add that he needed his sister more than she needed him. This by the way is still
true even today. She also indicated that they could probably get along well in very active
situations (keep that Mars which is involved in a T-square, as busy as possible!). It worked.
They never fought on skiing trips or youth group outings, but boy did he irritate her when we
tried to spend a leisurely afternoon “en famille.’
The most valuable thing Mrs. Bendix told me was that she felt Mikki was quite musical and
that music could be soothing to her often frazzled nerves and always striving ego. She felt
that instrument or voice, either or both would help. She added that Nick was also musical,
but that we should, if possible, avoid letting them play the same instrument, for many
reasons. Which become obvious once you study astrology and look at both horoscopes.
I can’t tell you how much music has helped, how many times Mikki was able to flee into it
for relief of tension, for uplifting of spirits, for the pure joy of it. Would I have gotten her into
it at an early age without astrological advice? Would I have put my husband’s hard-earned
money into piano lessons and later voice lessons? Would I have insisted that Nick stay with
the flute and piccolo through mutilated Bach and Mozart? Maybe – but with her advice in
my ears, I made sure that, despite financial ups and downs, music stayed a priority for my
children – and I have never regretted it.

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This experience stayed so alive in my mind, that I started studying astrology as soon as my
children were in school long enough for me to have some time for myself and a dear friend
invited me to audit an astrology class. I was lucky to have such a responsible astrologer as
a role model, and I have since tried to be helpful to many young parents and caring
grandparents.
Let us try to pick a few important factors from some of the actual cases I have reproduced
here.
Chart #2 – called Bolly – has Sagittarius rising and his chart ruler Jupiter is unaspected in
the 7th house. His Taurus Moon in the 5th house is inconjunct Neptune in the 1st and Pluto in
the 10th, forming a yod. A second yod is formed by making Neptune the finger, still
inconjunct the Moon on one side, and the Sun on the other. Two rather powerful
configurations, involving the luminaries as well as Neptune which conjuncts the
Ascendant. Quite a few adjustments will be necessary in order to use the creative potential
of putting ideas and imagination into tangible form and application (Neptune and
Ascendant trine Saturn).
The Moon’s 5th house position could be helped in early years by looking at the Mars
rulership of the house, and realizing that physical activity could be very helpful in working
out frustrations, as well as fulfilling some of the fiery needs of a Sagittarian Ascendant and
Leo signature.
(The ‘Signature’ is derived by searching for the predominance of quality – fixed in this chart,
and element – fire, using the Ascendant to break the tie.) This Leo signature, usually
working like a second Ascendant, indicates a child, and later young man, who would prefer
activities where he can excel or “look good.” You might suggest some out-door type of
activities, since Sagittarian energies often relate to the great outdoors. Horseback riding,
skiing, possibly water sport (with Neptune so close to the Ascendant) could all be plausible
suggestions.
Saturn aspects should always be carefully watched in any horoscope. Bolly has a very
exact Moon/Saturn square. That could indicate a tendency to feeling unloved by one or
both of the parents, not getting as much tenderness or affection as his needy Cancer Sun
desires, yet is reluctant to show. It could also signify that he perceives one of the parents,
usually the mother, as too domineering or strong or demanding, which in turn can make
him fearful of not being able to live up to parental expectations. The best early antidote
would be to urge both parents to give Bolly lots and lots of hugging and kissing, regardless
of how many times he might protest. Touching is especially important, in this case more
than words, since we are dealing with a Taurus (tactile) Moon.
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When the parents first consulted me, they indicated that they were opting for a second
child, but not before a four to five year interval. Though I hate any kind of “predictions,” my
hunch had been that a sibling for Bolly could be expected before three years, since the
Midheaven (status) was the first applying aspect to Uranus, ruler of the 3rd house of
siblings. 5 Libra 28 to 7 Scorpio 42. This seemed confirmed by the Ascendant conjoining
Neptune, ruler of the interception in the 3rd house, in 3 years. 10 Sagittarius 34 to 13
Sagittarius 59. There were a few other indicators, such as Moon exact sextile Sun in 2 – 1/2
years and so on.
This new birth would be particularly important, considering the Moon/Saturn square.
Regardless of how much Bolly might like a baby sibling, intermingled with his emotions
would probably be feelings of denial, resentment, loss of love and loss of status as the one
and only baby. This would be the time to show Bolly more caring and devotion than ever.
Unexpectedly the mother developed female problems and was told she could have an
operation, or, should she wish to become pregnant, it could be handled at the time of birth.
Of course she opted for the pregnancy and 2 years and 3 months after his birth, Bolly had a
baby sister. Her Moon at 17 Cancer sits smack on his Sun, and there is a deep bond of love
between the two children. With Uranus, ruler of Bolly’s 3rd in the 11th house, I presume they
can stay good friends throughout their lives.
Do you tell the parents that colors and working with tactile materials such as fingerpaint,
playdough, arts and craft materials etc. would be soothing for Bolly? (Mars, ruler of the 5th
house in Taurus in the 6th, Moon in Taurus in the 5th; Moon in aspect to Neptune; Saturn in
Leo sextile Neptune, and more.) Of course!
Do you tell them that if he cannot work out a possible feeling of inadequacy, it may lead to
sexual overcompensation? (Moon, ruler of the 8th in 5th in Taurus square Saturn.) Of course
not! You don’t know at all how he is going to develop, nor how he might express or work out
his hangups or frustrations, and most certainly his possible sex life is nobody’s business at
this point in time.
There is another important factor to be kept in mind. The financial, cultural, ethnic and
religious background of the adults consulting you, as well as their station in life. You
really should know what their goals, ideals, beliefs and thoughts on childraising are in order
to give them sound and usable advice. Families with strong Latin heritage have different
expectations of girls than boys. So do Mideastern people and orthodox Jews. A child raised
in Europe will be imbued with different sexual mores than one raised in the United States.
Parents’ views on the importance of education also change from country to country. These

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are just a few examples, again to make you think before you impart guidelines to others
which are just based on our own particular thinking and background.
To show you the difference between a fairly well-off but average family (Bolly’s) and a
“royal” one, I have included the chart (#3) of little Prince William of England, heir to the
throne, and first born of Prince Charles and Princess Diana. His horoscope has many
similarities to Chart #2, Bolly. The bonny prince also has Sagittarius rising, Neptune
conjunct the Ascendant and the Sun in Cancer. He too has a strong Yod involving the
Ascendant and Neptune on one side, Pluto on the other, and all three inconjunct a planet in
Taurus. With Bolly it was the Moon, with the Prince it is Venus – and an important Venus at
that, since it is exactly conjunct his mother’s Venus and exactly opposite his father’s Sun.
(It also happens to be a point that seems to run through the entire royal succession, since it
is opposite grandma’s (Queen Elizabeth) MC and Saturn, conjunct grandpa’s (Crown Prince
Philip) MC and conjunct brother Harry’s Moon. Harry, by the way, was born 2 years and 3
months after William, on September 15, 1984.
All of this raises one more important point to be discussed – namely the actual
relationship from one chart to the other, not just the child’s perception. The little prince
may have a difficult Venus which requires many adjustments on his part, and some of that
will reflect in his perception of his mother, Princess Diana. The Moon square Mars may also
add to that feeling. Yet the fact that his Venus actually conjuncts Diana’s Venus, will help
us, the astrologer, to determine how the mother/son relationship could be handled through
their natural affection for each other. Whenever you can obtain the actual birthtimes for the
parents, it will make it easier to find solutions to handling possible difficulties between the
parents and the child.
Back to the problem of station in life, which, if you were to help Prince William, would
certainly require a different approach than counselling Bolly’s parents. Eight planets above
and eight planets west could indicate the very public life expected of him, and others
pulling the strings and telling him what he should and should not do.
Jupiter and Pluto highest in the chart, all very “regal” and probably indicative of someone
who may wish (or is born) to lead. Sun conjunct Moon in Cancer in the 7th could give him a
sensitive and caring attitude toward his public, and Neptune so close to the Ascendant will
probably add charm and charisma and enable him to be many different things to many
different people.
It is hoped that Venus on the fixed star Caput Algol will not lead to decapitation as in the old
days of his royal forebears, nor for him to “lose his head and heart” (Venus in the 5th) as did
his great uncle Edward, Duke of Windsor. Instead we would urge his parents to let him
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pursue his artistic leanings and lose his head in that area rather than with females or
unsavory company (Venus inconjunct Pluto and Neptune). Bolly, by the way, nearly lost his
head when at birth the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck and just about strangled
him; forceps saved his life.
In my own practice, I have devised a “client” chart which I hand to each person I deal with,
so that they can follow me if they wish astrological explanations, and should they want to
consult another astrologer, at least they have the basic information they need [see form
next page]. I also ask each client to bring some tapes so that everything we discuss can be
recorded and referred to at some later time, if necessary. For very young children, who have
as yet no personal input, I always add something in writing.
My opening statement usually includes a little preamble about what astrology can and
cannot do, that the chart shows the potential and characteristics a person is born with, but
how much or how little is used, will depend on the individual’s free will. I also discuss the
role parents, hereditary factors, environment and upbringing play in the development of the
child. These opening statements, taped segments and explanatory horoscopes have
proven most valuable over the years and added to the mutual understanding between
parent and astrologer.
Let me share one more chart with you. I am on purpose choosing another one with a
Sagittarius Ascendant, because it is so important in astrology to realize that a similar wheel
does by no means indicate a similar person. This little girl, whom we shall call Tina (chart
#4) has Sagittarius rising and Neptune close to the Ascendant. Both oppose her Sun in
Gemini in the 6th house and square Jupiter in Pisces in the 3rd, forming a T-square. Neptune
and Jupiter are in mutual reception.
There are two strong yods in this horoscope. Moon as the finger at nearly 4 Sagittarius is
inconjunct Venus at 4 Taurus and the Saturn/Mercury conjunction 5 and 6 Cancer
respectively. The other Yod is even tighter, with Venus as the finger at 4 Taurus, inconjunct
Pluto at 4 Libra and the Moon at 4 Sagittarius. This T-square plus the inconjuncts
Moon/Venus, Moon/Saturn as well as the Moon in the 12th house, make Tina a rather
vulnerable little girl.
Despite the versatile and usually easy-going Gemini Sun, the 6th house position places
certain demands on her that a Gemini Sun, especially one with a Jupiter square, could
come to resent. One warning I did give the parents is to help Tina cultivate concentration
and persistence. I also suggested that she may be quite mind oriented (Sun in Gemini, ruler
Mercury in 7th house, Aquarius on 3rd house cusp, Uranus in Libra) and that the best way to
reach her may be with logic.
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With a 6th house Sun I also thought it advisable to explain that Tina should be taught to take
good care of her physical needs through proper diet, sleep pattern, exercise, etc., else she
could flee into some sort of ‘sickness’ whenever her nerves act up. She probably would be
a rather highstrung youngster, which may be much easier on her than on her folks. It also
would be helpful if the father were to play an active role in his daughter’s upbringing.
Tina may have some definite talents in the field of communication (chart ruler Jupiter in the
3rd house, square the Gemini Sun, Virgo on the Midheaven, Saturn, the great disciplinarian,
conjunct Mercury. Moon in the 12th in the zone considered strong for writers by the
Gauquelins, Jupiter and Sun also in the strong zones and many more implications pointing
to writing or similar fields). This kind of talent should be pointed out to a parent, since early
help, even before school, such as love affairs with books, early visits to libraries etc. are all
important. In this day and age, with the media offering such a variety of choices for women
as well as men, the world could be her oyster and only her schooling and education could
put limits on her various talents and potential. This too should be pointed out to a parent.
Since most of the children whose charts I have interpreted for a loving relative are too
young to really be judged, I will include the chart of one of my early attempts, and I am
grateful to say, successes. She was a friend of my daughter’s, and not quite 14 when I
talked to her parents. They were having a few problems with her, since her father – a
naturalized Italian, wanted his daughter to be interested in cooking, housekeeping, getting
married and raising a family. One look at her horoscope will show you that a career,
pursuing activities that allow her to express her excellent mind, and expressing herself in
ways that her father would consider “unfeminine” were much more important to her.
Despite Libra rising, and the usual charm that goes with a strong Libra (Moon and Neptune
in Libra flanking the Ascendant) Linda has Aries on the 7th house cusp and the ruler Mars is
in the 10th, indicating that she may look for a husband who can further her status and or
career, or may prefer the career and public exposure to any close one-to-one relationships.
She may prefer to express the Libra qualities in business partnerships, rather than
marriage. Jupiter is in the 7th.
As far as children are concerned, with Aquarius on the 5th and Uranus conjunct the MC, we
are repeating the theme of the 7th house. Rather than have children, she may wish to use
her creative abilities in career matters. All of this is doubly emphasized, since Uranus, and
in a less tight orb, Mars, are involved in a very active, cardinal T-square, which also
encompasses the Ascendant, the Moon, Neptune, and Jupiter.
Her Leo Sun wants to shine in 11th house ways, which could include working with friends,
groups and/or organizations. All of this is intensified because of Pluto conjunct the Sun.
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Pluto rules the 2nd house of earning ability and resources, again repeating a theme of
someone who may like to stand on her own feet, rather than play the traditional
wife/mother role expected and wished for by her father.
Mercury, dignified in Virgo and sextile Uranus, shows a rather brilliant and incisive mind. Its
12th house position could add a lot of insight and sensitivity toward others. Mercury rules
the 9th house of law, Libra is very emphasized in the chart, so is Jupiter; the Sun in Leo is
outgoing and strong enough to emote in passionate terms in front of a jury; Aries on the 7th
can be combative in one to one struggles, all requirements we have found to point to a legal
career, especially criminal or political law.
Though I did not as yet know all these astrological refinements, I did know enough to
suggest that the parents permit Linda to continue her studies and prepare herself for a
college career, possibly heading in the direction of law, psychology or some career where
the impersonal one-to-one type of relationship could be involved, but on a mental rather
than physical level.
I entered a rather lengthy discourse with the father of how an unsatisfied, frustrated
daughter would make him feel sad and guilty. (I did have his chart too, which was a great
help.) I also explained how Linda could always get married or have children, how the free
will always reigns supreme, but how she could not pursue a career of her choosing if she
did not get the right college preparation.
The parents agreed, the mother gladly, the father reluctantly, and Linda was permitted to
proceed with taking academic electives rather than cooking or basket weaving. She is now
a rather well-known lawyer in Washington DC, partner in an excellent law firm. She earns
lots of money. She never got married, nor does she want children, but she lives with a
delightful young man who is also a partner in her law firm. So much for an early success
story, but one easier to come by, since by the time I was consulted, Linda was already a
teenager with definite patterns, likes and dislikes.
Regardless of age, do remember that you are discussing another human being with a third
or fourth person. The human being in question may be too young to be present, but as a
person does have rights which you should not violate. Do try to listen to the parent and not
just talk. By listening to their thoughts, their fears and hopes, you will find it easier to
understand the child’s potential as shown in the horoscope. And most important, realize
that the words “astrological counseling,” so lightly used by so many of us, DOES NOT MEAN
TELLING SOMEONE ELSE HOW TO LIVE THEIR LIFE. Good luck to all of you.

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