“Is my idea to start a new business a good one; will it be successful; should I pursue this idea?” The idea to start a second business, one far removed from the client’s normal line of work, was nothing more than a creative idea at this stage. A seed had been planted and she wished to know that if she pursued this line of creative thought, if it would be beneficial for her financially and emotionally. It is advisable to assess these matters before investing money in the extensive preparation required to launch a new venture. Here the focus was primarily on the idea or brainchild of the client and we needed to determine whether or not she should invest anything more, including time, in putting her thoughts on paper and if there was merit in formulating a business plan, corporate identity, and everything else that is required when launching a new business.

The idea and its significator

Our creative ideas, in other words our brain children, belong in the fifth house. Lord Five, the ruler of the fifth house in this chart is the Moon, in dignity in her own sign of Cancer. Posited on the fixed star Alhena, of the nature of Venus and Mercury, it bestows creativity and panache. Alhena is also known as the ‘brand mark', which on a superficial level can be quite fitting for an idea that if successful, will leave its mark on the relevant industry. The creativity is further enhanced by the Ascendant on the fixed star Achernar, the end/mouth of the river. While this fixed star in certain contexts can be negative as it depicts a ‘flowing out/away’, I believed that in this context it was positive because we were dealing with creative thought and a fixed star on the Ascendant sets the tone of the chart.

The planet being the noun becomes the object or person in question. This highly dignified Moon, in her own sign, posited in an angular house with power to manifest, is encouraging and we can see that the idea, in principle, is sound.  The Moon is in close aspect to the querent, Lord One Jupiter, who exalts her, and the Moon exalts Jupiter in return; we have extremely positive mutual reception which means the querent will be good for the business and it beneficial for her in return. The negative indications are the Moon applying to square the great malefic Saturn, although he is well behaved in exaltation in Libra, and the antiscion of the Moon conjunct the South Node, another indication of Saturnine-stuff. It is not necessary to introduce extra players on the stage, suffice it to say that some restriction or difficulty may manifest in giving birth to this brain child but with the essential and accidental strength of the Moon, I believed any restrictions could be overcome. The Moon is in the detriment of Saturn again showing that Saturn would come off second best in the interaction.

The profit and its significator

We cannot assess the condition of the idea without assessing its profitability. Lord Five, the profit from the idea, is the Sun in Leo which is his own sign of rulership. We thus have a highly dignified idea and the profit to be gained from manifesting this idea, is as positive as the idea itself. The Sun is also in his mundane house, the fifth, and a good indication that the profit will remain where it should be and will not be squandered.  In so far as I could see there couldn't be a more positive indication that the brain child should indeed be birthed. Saturn again comes into the equation as the Sun is applying to Saturn by sextile and here we have a horrible mutual reception as both Saturn and the Sun are in each other’s detriment/fall. The Moon will however prohibit this aspect from perfecting and she has more power than Saturn and should be able to manage whatever Saturn signifies.

Conclusion

My advice to the client was to pursue the idea, at the very least to put thoughts on paper and investigate the practical side of birthing this idea; to possibly invest money up to a point as well, the point where the real viability could be determined. I believed that if she was able to manifest her ideas in reality, she would be successful. I did caution her that she should be prepared for matters to take slightly longer than she anticipated and also to allow for certain restrictions which could even pertain to legal aspects – both signified by Saturn. This horary is a lovely example of how to apply this methodology to enable us to see the wood for the trees to allow us to make an informed decision before rushing where angels fear to tread.