The Meaning of Cazimi in Astrology
Do you have Cazimi planets in your birth chart, and are wondering what this might mean. I’ve created a video which takes a look at how to spot a Cazimi planet in a chart and how that might unfold in life. The transcript of the video is below.
Video transcript
Hi this is Helen from Jupiter’s realm tarot and astrology and in this video I’ll be covering the topic of kazimi in astrology and how it’s defined so that you know how to spot it in a chart what it means
Technical Definition of Cazimi
So firstly the technical definition. A planet is defined as being in Kazimi when it’s in conjunction with the sun, it’s also called Being in the Heart of the Sun, and we need to understand this in the context of the planet’s phasal relationship with the Sun.
As a planet gets to around 15 degrees from the Sun It starts to disappear from view in the sky due to the brightness of the sun and the proximity to that, and is called being Under the Beams which begins approximately 15 degree from the Sun (on either side).
Now within that there’s a tighter range which is called combustion, which is like an intensification of being under the beams, and that begins when a planet is roughly 8 degrees from the Sun. Both these conditions are seen as weakening or even debilitating a planet because they are no longer visible. Fifteen degrees and eight degrees are averages, and in reality planet might still be visible at say 12 degrees depending on atmospheric conditions, brightness of planet, time of year, but for interpretive astrological work we generally use 15 degrees and 8 degrees.
And then we have the Cazimi which occurs when a planet is at the same degree as the Sun. Now there are some variations across astrological traditions regarding how tight the range is for Cazimi, and I’ll get into in the next few slides.
Now here I’ve got three diagrams just to show how this looks in a chart, with Mercury going direct in these examples. On the left we have the condition of being under the beams, so in this example we have the Sun at 25 degrees, and Mercury at 15 degrees so because Mercury is within 15 degrees from the Sun it’s considered to be under the beams. Being under the beams in this example would begin when Mercury is at 10 degrees.
Going to the diagram on the right, the Sun at 22 degrees and Mercury at 17 degrees. As Mercury is within eight degrees of the Sun it’s considered combust.
In the middle diagram is the example of Cazimi. Now here I’m just using the 1 degree range so the Sun is at 19 degrees 12 minutes and Mercury is at 19 degrees 55 minutes. So we can see they’re within a one degree range.
In the Hellenistic tradition Cazimi applies across sign boundaries, as it’s about a planet’s proximity to the Sun. So for example, looking at the diagram on the left, Mercury would be considered under the beams if it was at 10 degrees Taurus.
Ok, so I did just say that the in the Hellenistic tradition a planet was considered Cazimi if it’s at the same degree, or within a 1 degree orb. Ancient astrologer Rhetorius who wrote in the 6th/7th century says
And the stars that are in the heart are said to be those that are conjoined partilely to the Sun either in the same degree or an adjacent degree
From the 9th Century, which is already into the Medieval period we have definition from astrology Salh ibn Bishir who says
…in the heart of the Sun (that is when they are with him in one degree)
But many Hellenistic astrologer nowadays use the same degree definition. For our purposes here we’ll be using that definition.
Later on, in the medieval tradition the range for Cazimi was tightened down to 16 minutes, so for a planet to be considered Cazimi it had to be in the same degree as the Sun but within 16 minutes of a degree.
So for example in the middle diagram marked Mediaeval (1) one the Sun is at 12 degrees 11 minutes and Jupiter is at 12 degrees 5 minutes so Jupiter’s in the same degree as sun is a 12 degrees and within 6 minutes.
The second version of that is that a planet has to be not only the same degree and within 16 minutes of the sun but it has to be within 16 minutes by latitude and longitude. With the other definitions we’re only really considering conjunction by longitude but this second definition is factoring in latitude. This types of Cazimi is extremely rare.
And I’ve got examples of that here. The image on the left shows the Jupiter Cazimi in April 2023 just measuring longitude, so in a chart it’s at the same degree of the Sun, but in the sky it’s not in the same minutes of latitude. And you can see it appears to be just below the sun.
On the right is the Venice Cazimi of 2012 where the Cazimi falls within the 16 minute range by longitude and latitude, and as you can see Venus appears to move across the face of the sun.
Most astrologers rooted in the hellenistic tradition will count the Jupiter 2023 transit as a Cazimi as well as Venus, but those rooted in medieval to modern astrology might only count the Venus 2012 transit as being Cazimi.
So that’s a bit about how you define Cazimi in a chart, depending on which tradition you follow.
And if anyone’s interested these images were captured using the online software at theSkyLive.com I’ll leave a link in in the description
Interpretation of Cazimi
So let’s have a look at what cazimi means in terms of interpretation in a birth chat.
It was generally considered a more fortunate place than being in combustion or under the beams. It was likened to sitting on the King’s throne and had associations with solar qualities of the Sun..
Sahl ibn Bishir wrote:
The tenth [condition of strength for a planet] is that the planets are in the heart of the Sun.
and:
…at that time the foturnes increase good fortune, and the infortunes decrease evil.
Abu Ma’Shar in the 9th century writes:
...they are in the heart, indicative of good fortune.
and also says:
Some people say that when a star is in the heart of the Sun, it becomes stronger; nevertheless I say that in that moment the star is similar to a man who purifies himself and who therefore does not have strength in the purification, but he regains his health afterwards
Abraham ibn Ezra 12th says:
A planet joined to the Sun is like a man sharing a chair with the King.
and William Lilly in the 17th century writes:
When a planet is within 16 minutes of the Sun he is said to be in Cazimi, or the heart of the Sun, and then it’s an addition of fortune, and he is wondrous strong.
and also says:
All authors do hold a planet in cazimi to be fortified thereby.
So there’s a long tradition of Cazimi being like a respite from combustion – there’s some level of strength and importance to this placement.. Abu Ma’shars Interpretation of purification is interesting as fire has long be associated with purification, cleansing, and distilling, transforming something negative into something positive. The planet has moved from a state of being weakened through combustion, which some ancient authors likened to someone being on their sick bed, to Cazimi. So it’s like a healing moment although the planet is still under the rays of the sun so hasn’t got it’s own light, meaning full autonomy and power back yet, but it’s able to effect it’s significations through union with the Sun.
Regarding the analogy of being seated with the king, if you kind of think about that symbolically, what that can mean, you know the seat of the king going back to rulers in ancient times, they would have power, influence and leadership, and if you’ve got connections with someone like that you will benefit. You too can partake of that power and influence to some degree – it can elevate you, bring protection, privilege or opportunity. So we get these kind of meanings coming through for a planet that’s Cazimi.
Another interpretation is that the Sun has access to the qualities of the planet so takes those on as part of itself. These can therefore manifest as an expression of the spirit or life goals, or life path story too.
Something else to consider is that ‘strong’ doesn’t necessarily mean better or positive. A planet can be strong in the chart whilst representing challenging themes. The dignity of the planet is still a factor in the expression of the planet in Cazimi. And of course being Cazimi will also affect the houses that the Cazimi planet rules. The Sun’s placment in the chart can also be a factor , for example the sign that it’s in and condition of the ruler.
So let’s look as some examples. In any chart there are multiple factors to consider, and wer’e not doing full chart delineation, so I’ll keep it simple as possible to illustrate the concept of cazimi.
Ian Millar
The first chart is that of Ian Millar who is a Canadian equestrian athelete, coach and trainer with a deep love of horses. Mars is in Capricorn in the third house at 15°04’, and the Sun at 15°05’, so in a tight conjunction meeting both Hellenistic and medieval definitions of Cazimi. Mars is the malefic in sect and is exalted, indicating a more productive expression of Mars in the life.
The Cazimi expresses Mars significations of competition, and athletisim. As the Sun rules the Midheaven and tenth house we can see how this is expressed in his career, as well as his spirit, general life path and goals (indicated by the Sun).
Being his first house ruler it also reflects the Mars qualities of that competitive spirit with focus and determination as part of his personality. The Capricorn placement also emphasies these qualities, for example he was legendary for his work ethic and attention to planning and detail. He said in an interview that he had been essentially competing for over fifty years for the Canadian team, and even kept on working after retirement, still remaining very active, saying that he didn’t see the point of retirement.
He’s highly respected and has been extremely successful, reaching the top of his field winning numerous gold, silver & bronze medals including an Olympic medal, and breaking records too. He was also inducted into two sports halls of fame in Canada and given the Member of the Order of Canada, which is considered a very high honour.
With Mars ruling the sixth house of animals, whilst being in the third house which can represent mobility, we see how these topics are also given prominence in his life connected with the Mars themes I’ve mentioned, and through being conjoined to the Sun. Andwe see how the Cazimi reflects the influence, elevation and leadership status he achieved.
Jens Jørgen Thorsen
The next example is the chart of Jens Jørgen Thorsen (I hope I’ve pronounced that correctly) which is an interesting contrast to Ian Millar and illustrates how dignity factors in to the expression of a planet in Cazimi, as both charts have a Mars cazimi. Thorsen was a Danish artist, musician, director, producer, actor, and film maker during the 1960’s and 70’s.
His chart has Mars in the fifth house in Aquarius, at 12°27’, with the Sun at 12°49’. So Mars is Cazimi, according to the Hellenistic definition. In his chart we see another side of Mars being expressed. In this case the qualities of contention, conflict, rebelliousness, independence, scandal and action, which are being elevated through the Cazimi in his life and in relation to fifth house topics of creativity and sexuality. But also the Cazimi being in Saturn’s air sign of Aquarius brings through themes of separation and boundaries regarding society and thoughts and ideas.
Thorson was internationally famous for creating extremely provocative and controversial art and adult films based on his political and philosophical beliefs about societal and personal freedoms. This often caused furore around his films, and debate about censorship, the treatment of women, and sexuality.
He also created public displays protesting government and social issues. He was actively involved in activist artist collectives which were counter-cultural and focused on anti-government control in society.
The Cazimi reflects the Mars qualities present in what he did in life, and elevation in the form of notoriety, with challenges and setbacks which included financial ones (Mars rules his second house of finances). But some of his work did have success in some countries whilst being banned in others, with opposition going as high up as from the Pope and the British Prime Minister in one well publicised case.
So his work was certainly influential in terms of the stir it caused and debates it raised. His aim was to provoke and shake up the system. Apparently he was described as “the rowdiest gate-crasher and general shit-stirrer of Danish cinema”, and the controversy he created did give him credibility in like minded circles, albeit with opposition from the rest of society.
Mars here isn’t exalted like in Millars chart, and the Sun is in detriment which may contribute to some of the challenges in his work, but I think also expresses the anti-conformist or outsider kind nature of what he did and his approach. But I’m not sure he saw that as problematic, although it did result in him being blocked from making one particular film for many years.
Mars qualities of rebelliousness, contention and conflict were clearly part of his own personal approach and also the outcome of his actions in a notable way in his life. We can clearly see how the cazimi indicates these being a strong part of his spirit and life path. Ultimately these are things that he has been remembered for.
So I hope that’s helped illustrate how the significations of a planet in Cazimi is made prominent and influential in the life, indicating solar qualities of being a leader or having power or influence in some way. If you have a planet in Cazimi please share your experinece in the comments below I’d love to hear from you. Thanks very much for watching, bye for now.
Sources:
- Ma’shar, A.(2020) The Great Introduction to the Science of the the Judgement of the Stars. Translated by Dykes, B.N. Minneapolis:The Cazimi Press
- Bishir, S.B. (2019), Principles, Elections, Questions, Nativities. Translated by Dykes, B.N. Minneapolis:The Cazimi Press
- Rhetorius, Rhetorius The EgyptianEposition and Explanation of the Entire Art of Astrologh from the Treasure of Antiochus. Translated by Holden, J.H. Tempe: American Federation of Astrologers Inc.
- Lily, W. (1999), Christian Astrology. Retyped & Anotated by Houding, D. UK: Amazon
- Due South, Jaffer, N. ‘Retirement? It’s Not in Ian Millar’s Vocabulary’. Available at: https://horsesport.com/due-south/retirement-its-not-in-ian-millars-vocabulary/ (accessed July 2023)
- Evans, M. The Magic of Ian Millar. Available at https://www.horsejournals.com/riding-training/english/hunter-jumper/magic-ian-millar(accessed August 2023)
- Cowe, J.(2016) ‘Sex and the City: A Situationist Reading of Jens Jorgen Thorsen’s Film Adaptation of Henry Miller’s Quiet Days in Clichy’, European Journal of American Studies. Available at: https://journals.openedition.org/ejas/11624?lang=en (accessed July 2023)
- Astro Databank, https://www.astro.com/astro-databank/Thorsen,_Jens_Jorgen
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Millar
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jens_Jørgen_Thorsen