Point Six

THE INCENTIVE THRESHOLD

The planets in their interrelationships with each other establish a series of special thresholds of experience, or subordinate ASCENDANTS. These are identified as PARTS OF THE ZODIAC, and they can be very revealing in any interpretation of a horoscope. The technique is capable of almost illimitable ramification, and is given a full exposition in Parts and Nodes in Astrology. Only one of these PARTS has any general recognition, but there are few charts erected or interpreted without taking it into account. It is known as the PART OF FORTUNE, and is the projection of the sun to the moon. When the WILL is seen in this special complementation by the FEELING, or when the inner and simple urge-to-be reaches out to gain what often is its most immediate satisfaction in the general context of its possible experience, the result is a sharpened concern over the essentially personal rewards of existence. This reveals what well may be the foundation stimulus to effort. The point in the wheel where this projection culminates mathematically is identified as the incentive threshold. To calculate the place of the PART OF FORTUNE the zodiacal distance is taken counterclockwise from the sun to the moon, even if it is necessary to go practically all the way around the circle. These degrees are then measured off counterclockwise from the ASCENDANT. In common practice the moon's celestial [358] longitude is added to the ASCENDANT'S and the sun's subtracted from the sum to obtain the position of the PART.

For a practical or everyday understanding of the incentive in the case of Prince Charles it may be noted that his PART OF FORTUNE lies in the HOUSE of DUTY, the SIGN of DISCRIMINATION and in a degree symbolized by an ancient bas-relief carved in granite. In the reduction of this horoscopic formula to a statement that is both accurate insight and simple explanation, in the framework of the over-all perspective, the astrologer may observe that the NATIVE (1) in CIRCUMSTANCES will probably be led to action or reaction most characteristically as he feels it necessary to stir in the interest of something he has made important to himself by his own choice and continued involvement, (2) in FUNCTION will tend to act and react always through a care in making his choices and a desire for a refinement of his concern, and (3) in any passing or recurrent focus of the moment will always be conscious of the inevitabilities to be faced and of the chance of enduring consequences following on whatever he may do or refrain from doing as a particular individual. All this can be summarized by saying that the prince has a gift for remaining alert to his own interest and for minding his own business.

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