astro-mcp/agent-guides/karmic-astrology.md

Karmic Astrology — Agent Interpretation Guide

For agents using the astro MCP to perform karmic chart interpretation. Resource URI: astro://guides/karmic-astrology

Quick Reference: Tool Call Strategy

karmic natal reading    → calculate_natal_chart(birth_data, include_karmic=true)
karmic + full analysis  → calculate_natal_chart(birth_data, include_overview=true, include_patterns=true, include_karmic=true)
karmic synastry         → calculate_synastry_chart(p1, p2, karmic_filter=true)
karmic relationship     → get_karmic_relationship_summary(p1_id, p2_id)

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Framework

Karmic astrology interprets the natal chart as a map of the soul's journey across lifetimes. The core principle: the chart shows karmic conditions, not fixed fate. Free will operates in how one responds to these conditions.

Reading Order for Karmic Analysis:

1. Lunar Nodes by sign and house — the backbone of karmic interpretation
2. Saturn by sign, house, and aspects — karma, responsibility, lessons
3. Pluto by sign and house, plus Pluto's Polarity Point — evolutionary astrology layer
4. Retrograde planets — unfinished business from past lives
5. 12th house and its ruler — spiritual karma, unconscious patterns
6. Key aspect patterns — Node squares, Saturn-Node contacts, Pluto-South Node
7. Transits to the nodal axis — timing of karmic activations

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Standard Karmic Reading Workflow

Step 1: Nodal Axis

Data from: calculate_natal_chart with include_karmic=true → karmic.nodal_axis

1. South Node sign: Past-life patterns, comfort zone, innate talents that can become limitations
2. North Node sign: Growth direction, qualities the soul is developing, the "unfamiliar but necessary" path
3. Nodal axis houses: Where the karmic drama plays out in life
4. Nodal axis aspects (from karmic.nodal_aspects):
   • Planets conjunct South Node: Past-life energy, gifts and attachments you fall back into
   • Planets conjunct North Node: Present-life growth catalysts
   • Planets square the nodes: "Skipped steps" — unresolved issues that must be re-engaged

Step 2: Saturn — Lord of Karma

Data from: karmic.saturn + karmic.saturn_aspects

1. Saturn sign: Style of karma and psychological coloration
2. Saturn house: Life area where karma is most active
3. Saturn retrograde: Unfinished past-life duties, misused authority, avoided responsibility
4. Saturn hard aspects (conjunction, square, opposition) to personal planets:
   • Saturn–Sun: Misuse of authority or being controlled by it → lesson: healthy ego, integrity
   • Saturn–Moon: Family/emotional wounding → lesson: emotional maturity
   • Saturn–Venus: Love/money exploited or withheld → lesson: self-worth, boundaries
   • Saturn–Mars: Violence, aggression, or cowardice → lesson: disciplined action
   • Saturn–Jupiter: Excess, dogmatism → lesson: faith with realism

Step 3: Pluto — Evolutionary Layer

Data from: karmic.pluto_polarity_point

1. Pluto sign and house: Core past-life desires that shaped prior incarnations
2. Pluto's Polarity Point (PPP): The point opposite Pluto — what must be developed to balance Pluto's existing center of gravity. Engaging the PPP house/sign is how the soul evolves out of repetitive past-life patterns.

Step 4: Retrograde Planets

Data from: overview.retrograde_planets (from include_overview=true)

• Retrograde planets indicate unfinished business from past lives
• They "break the time barrier," carrying karmic material into the present incarnation
• Prioritize retrograde personal planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars) in karmic reading
• Retrograde Saturn and Pluto add significant karmic weight

Step 5: 12th House — Spiritual Karma

Data from: karmic.twelfth_house

• The 12th house holds spiritual and collective karma
• Planets here indicate unconscious patterns and past-life memories
• The 12th house ruler's sign and house show how spiritual lessons manifest
• Strong 12th house emphasis can indicate past lives of isolation, monasticism, or hidden service

Step 6: Synthesis

1. Start with the nodal axis — what is the soul moving from and toward?
2. Add Saturn — where must discipline and responsibility be applied?
3. Add Pluto — what deep soul desires and transformations are at work?
4. Check retrogrades — which functions carry unfinished business?
5. Check 12th house — what spiritual or hidden karma is present?
6. Identify repeated themes across all indicators

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Karmic Synastry: Relationship Karma

Call: calculate_synastry_chart with karmic_filter=true or get_karmic_relationship_summary

Key Indicators Across All Three Layers

Synastry (interchart aspects):

• One person's Saturn on the other's South Node: Past-life bonds with themes of duty, control, or unfinished business
• One person's Pluto on the other's South Node: Powerful past-life intensity (power, trauma, obsession)
• One person's planet conjunct the other's North Node: Fated connection; the planet person helps the Node person grow
• One person's planet conjunct the other's South Node: "I've known you forever" feeling; past-life familiarity
• Saturn square either person's nodes: Karmic tension block; forces confrontation with unfinished lessons

Composite chart:

• Composite Saturn sign/house: Where the relationship itself carries karmic weight
• Composite Pluto sign/house: Power dynamics and transformation potential
• Composite Node axis: The relationship's karmic purpose

Davison chart:

• Davison Saturn: The relationship's structural karma
• Davison Pluto: Deep transformation within the relationship
• Davison Node axis: Long-term karmic evolution of the relationship

Node Pairs by Sign — Quick Reference

North Node	South Node	Core Theme
Aries	Libra	Independence vs. over-cooperation
Taurus	Scorpio	Stability vs. crisis-seeking
Gemini	Sagittarius	Curiosity vs. rigid certainty
Cancer	Capricorn	Emotional openness vs. control
Leo	Aquarius	Self-expression vs. detachment
Virgo	Pisces	Discernment vs. escapism
Libra	Aries	Cooperation vs. self-assertion
Scorpio	Taurus	Transformation vs. stagnation
Sagittarius	Gemini	Faith vs. scattered thinking
Capricorn	Cancer	Self-reliance vs. dependence
Aquarius	Leo	Collective vs. personal drama
Pisces	Virgo	Surrender vs. perfectionism

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Transit Triggers for Karmic Periods

Call: get_transit_preview with date range

Transit	Karmic Meaning
Saturn conjunct South Node	Confronting past-life patterns; karmic reckoning
Saturn conjunct North Node	Pushed toward growth; serious life-direction lessons
Pluto conjunct South Node	Deep transformation of past-life patterns; slow and intense
Pluto conjunct North Node	Transformative growth; power struggles around life direction
Node return (~18.6 years)	Completion of a karmic cycle; major nodal activation
Eclipse conjunct natal nodes	Fateful turning point; activation of nodal axis
Saturn return (~28-30)	Karmic turning point; conscious engagement with nodal axis

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Important Caveats

• Karma explains the "why," not the "what will happen"
• The chart shows karmic conditions, not fixed destiny
• Free will operates in how one responds to these conditions
• Difficult karmic indicators are growth opportunities, not punishments
• Past-life conditioning shows up as psychological patterns, not necessarily literal events