Over at our awesome Chart Harmony Discord, I get asked questions. Recently, one of ’em was about what number of planets in the same sign constitutes a stellium. So…
Here’s my point o’ view:
The strictest definition of a stellium is at least 3 traditional planets or luminaries NOT INCLUDING SUN + MERCURY in the same sign (and using Whole Signs, that’d be in the same house as well, of course).
That means neither of my stelliums is a stellium. :\ (which is why this is not the definition I go by)
Because I have:
10H MC, Sun, Mercury, Mars (4 things… but only 2, per strictest traditional astro)
and
1H ASC, Moon, Jupiter, Uranus (4 things… but only 2, per strictest traditional astro)
And the number we want is 3.
Now, because what we are ACTUALLY MEASURING is energy, I have to ask, “Why so strict?” And, I’m reminded that a lot of the strictness came about at a time when people were specifically using astrology to disadvantage certain people while keeping those in power… in power.
When we aren’t looking for reasons to EXCLUDE people from having “powerful things” like a lot of concentrated energy in one sign/one house, I feel (and many astrologers — and app designers — feel) as though we can be a bit more generous with our definition of stellium.
So, I go with 3+ planets or luminaries in the same sign/same house (non-planetary mathematical POINTS are “bonus points” rather than THE THING that could push something over to “3 things”).
Back to me for illustration:
10H MC, Sun, Mercury, Mars (4 things… 3 planets/luminaries + 1 bonus point, therefore a stellium)
and
1H ASC, Moon, Jupiter, Uranus (4 things… 3 planets/luminaries + 1 bonus point, therefore a stellium)
Now, you’ll notice that I went outside the traditional planets with my 1H Uranus. And there’s a good argument for NOT counting an “outer” as part of a stellium.
So, I could be talked out of my 1H stellium… except for the fact that ever since my Uranus opposition (one of the more exciting/impactful midlife transits), Uranus is VERY MUCH a part of how I do my 1H doings. So… they count, IMO.
Does that help? Or give you more questions? Or both!?! 😉
Use the comments below to tell me about your chart-based concentrations of energy. Do you have a stellium?
Much love,
Bonnie Gillespie is living her dreams by helping others figure out how to live theirs. Wanna work with Bon? Start here. Thanks!
I’m still pretty new to this, I have 1H Venus, Chiron, Mercury, and Ascendant. Then I have 6H North Node, Vertex, Uranus, and Neptune. If I understood correctly my 1H is a stellium and the 6H isn’t because both planets are outer planets. Did I get that right?
Hey! For someone “new” at this, you’re doing great!!
It’s likely your 1H also wouldn’t be considered a stellium by most folks, because Chiron is not only NOT a traditional planet; it’s not a planet at all (same with Vertex and North Node). So, because that leaves your Venus, Mercury, and Ascendant as the players we’d consider, you’re in that same “depends on who you ask” situation I find myself in.
You didn’t mention what sign your 1H is, but I’d ask you: Do you really feel driven by that sign? Is it a big part of your personality? I mean, it already WILL be a big player because your Ascendant always is (it’s the driver of our Life-Car), but do you find yourself really leaning into that 1H sign for how you move through the world?
I’m more likely to call something a stellium than not, so I may still say that’s a 1H stellium you have. 😉
BTW, I also have my North Node in the 6H and it’s been a fascinating journey, learning how to practice my destiny on the daily. Some days are easier than others for using that new muscle! 😉
Hello , definitely new to this, i have in my 1h. Sun in Virgo, Venus in Virgo, Saturn in Virgo , ascendant in Virgo and my north node in Virgo.. would that be a true stellium ?? Id like to think having all that in one sign is a high concentration of Virgo Energy all in my 1h ugh 😩
No matter what, that is a LOT of 1H energy for you! I’d say that’s a stellium for sure! But others may say the Venus/Sun pairing is not unusual enough to “count.” For you, I’m sure it feels like you — in your very body — experience Ev.Er.Y.thing and with lots of sensitivity. So take a look at how each of those planets and placements tries to get your attention about what it is each one represents.
Like, for Venus, that would be love, money, enoughness, values, and valuables. You could find yourself actually having physical symptoms when something doesn’t agree with your values. It could make you physically uncomfortable when your own worth is disrespected.
And for Saturn, it’s about boundaries and saying no. You could feel yourself get physical signals when you allow your boundaries to be violated. You could even get unwell so you have to cancel something you agreed to attend (because that would be your body taking care of your boundaries where you hadn’t done so by declining the invitation up front).
Depending on where your Moon is, of course, this has your 1H as a very sensitive (“finely tuned”) location in your chart. That’s pretty powerful!