Abigail and Brittany Hensel
μαθήματα αστρολογίας, σχολή αστρολογίας, ωριαία αστρολογία, μαθήματα ωριαίασ αστρολογιασ astrologia
μαθήματα ωριαίασ αστρολογίασ
Recently, a publication in the press prompted me to look into the horoscope of Abigail and Brittany Hensel, who fall into the rare and challenging category of conjoined twins, also referred to as Siamese twins.1 Once again, I was amazed by the wonders of nature and the miracle of astrology.
The first thing that stands out in this horoscope is the recurring theme of duality, which seems particularly emphasised. The angular cusps are in double-bodied signs, the ascendant’s ruler Mercury is located in a double-bodied sign, as is the Sun. The ascendant is in conjunction with the fixed star Menkalinan,2 a double star, and on the ascendant’s cusp is Jupiter, the ruler of double-bodied signs. Jupiter, magnificent, exalted, and fundamentally and incidentally omnipotent, is so close to the ascendant that we can’t help but associate it with the head, especially when we see these unique beings who share one body and have faces that are beautiful, bright, lively, and sparkling. What other planet but Jupiter could better express this unique configuration on the ascendant? A little further from the Ascendant and always in the 1st house, the house that signifies the physical body, we encounter Chiron, the dual-natured asteroid, mythologically classified as a Centaur, associated directly with wounds, trauma, and healing, in close opposition to his revolutionary progenitor Uranus and the nebulous Neptune, the modern ruler of the Sun in the horoscope. Another “coincidence” is that Chiron is also on a double star, Alhena.3 The wound, the trauma, the peculiarity of the physical image is immediately apparent, and Chiron’s opposition to his grandfather Uranus connects to the ancestral line and the nature of the split that created such a different and unconventional form.
The significator of illness, Mars, is powerful due to its exaltation in Capricorn and becomes the great malefactor, hiding its secrets in the 8th house. It is closely connected to Saturn, which is equally strong due to its rulership. The result of their cooperation? The two malefic planets bring illness disguised as deprivation. Was it the warlike Mars who, with swords and knives, attacked the ascendant, not in a frontal assault but through a treacherous, invisible quincunx strategy? In a realm of "inheritance", was it Saturn's restrictive influence that did not provide enough space for two bodies to develop and had to merge into one? However, Mars, though trapped in a dark house, makes his presence felt in other crucial points of the horoscope. The ascendant is within his bounds, the ruler of the ascendant, Mercury, is in his triplicity, and Jupiter on the ascendant is in Mars' triplicity and bounds. This recurring "underground" presence of the malefactor seems to be indicative of his strength.
On closer inspection, the horoscope reveals a mixture of contradictory combinations, a play between the visible and the invisible. On one hand, the strong presence of water, forming a large, relatively loose triangle in watery spaces, suggests great sensitivity, empathy, insight, depth, rich imagination, vision, and talents. The placement of three planets in the 8th house aligns with these introverted qualities, contrasting with the ascendant in Gemini, characterised by extroversion, communication, wit, movement, and outwardly expressed activity. It's like a game of introversion versus extroversion and vice versa.
The placement of Venus is particularly notable. Venus, the planet associated with beauty, pleasure, and love, is the ruler of the 5th house of joy and creativity as well as the 12th house, which relates to our psyche. In this horoscope, Venus is challenging to place in the 8th house, close to the malefic planets and in exact opposition to the radiant Moon in Leo. These two planets, both connected with feminine qualities, are in conflict along an axis that suggests insecurities, fears, and our sense of self-worth or our relationships with others. One is in the absolute light, in the kingdom of Leo, while the other is in a dark and hidden place.
Despite the challenges it suggests, this horoscope also speaks of a supportive family environment, which is not very common in such cases. Often, parents buckle under the weight of practical and psychological difficulties, but this doesn’t seem to have happened here. Both mother and father are in strategic positions, showing up to offer help, support, and strength. We find Mercury, the ruler of the 4th house, high in the horoscope along with the Sun, the natural significator of the father, in a mutually applying trine with Pluto. We learn that these gifted girls managed to coordinate their movements early on, functioning with great precision. We see them riding bikes, scooters, playing ball, clapping, cooking, painting, and even getting their driver's license at 16 and driving with exceptional ease. Moreover, they became teachers and work as a unique teaching duo, a harmonious concert, setting a resonant example of willpower, perseverance, optimism, joy, and giving! Mars, representing action, is professional in Capricorn, delving deep into the 8th house, while dominant Saturn enhances his professionalism, providing stability, patience, persistence, and seriousness.
From a very young age, we hear them say they want to become teachers, and this doesn’t surprise us. Jupiter, the planet associated with knowledge and teaching, and Mercury, the child of Jupiter (Logios,4 one of his many epithets), clearly express this. Jupiter, as the ruler of the 10th house, is on the ascendant, and Mercury, near the midheaven and in Jupiter's domain, participates in the exact trine between Jupiter and the cusp of the 10th house. It's evident that they are born for this profession. Additionally, the Moon’s Nodes on the 3/9 axis, the axis of knowledge and teaching, emphasise the knowledge we receive and the knowledge we can impart. Their tight square to Pluto provides the necessary strength through hardship to overcome challenges and succeed in this role.
The significant contribution of their mother is also evident. Jupiter, ruling the 10th house, reveals her quality and works beneficially for these unique beings. Along with all their other qualities, they gained great exposure, fame, and recognition from a very young age, becoming shining examples for many others with diverse abilities and their families. Mercury and the Sun in their 10th house, supported by Pluto, ensured they wouldn't go unnoticed. Their story received extensive coverage from American media from a very young age, making them known worldwide. Besides numerous shows on the internet, we see and hear them as guests on Oprah Winfrey’s show at six years old, answering their hostess’s questions with remarkable grace, sweetness, and charm. This was when their progressed Mercury was conjunct the Sun and trine Pluto.
We heard Abigail and Brittany's parents say that other parents with similar issues had reached out to them, sharing that learning about their story gave them the courage, strength, and hope to face their own children's challenges. It's true that we often see families with similar stories unable to cope, with one or even both parents giving up and abandoning their children and family under the weight of the circumstances. Here, on the contrary, we find the parents united, standing firmly by their daughters. With an optimistic outlook, they expanded their family further by having two more children, undeterred by the challenges and difficulties.
Abigail and Brittany. Names with a positive sign, adorning two gifted beings: Abigail in Hebrew means a source of joy, and Brittany reminds us of the Great, glorious Great Britain. One stem with two flowers. And one might think, how beautifully, how beautifully the grace of Jupiter has expressed itself upon them!
1 The term originated from the brothers Chang and Eng Bunker (1811–1874), who were born in Siam (Thailand), travelled extensively around the world, and became known as Siamese Twins.
2 Menkalinan has the qualities of Mercury and Mars and is believed to symbolise an individual's acceptance of carrying extra burdens (in this case, the body agreeing to bear two heads) or taking on additional responsibilities, resulting in a more challenging life.
3 Alhena is thought to have the qualities of Mercury and partly Venus. It is associated with intellectual gifts, curiosity, refinement, and the ability to form good relationships.
4 Hermes Logios, or Hermes the Eloquent, is an epithet of the Greek god Hermes. It refers to his role as the god of language, writing, and eloquence. Hermes was considered the messenger of the gods and the patron of speech, writing, and communication. The epithet "Logios" comes from the Greek word "logos" meaning word, speech, or reason. It emphasises Hermes' association with language and eloquence. As Hermes Logios, he was worshipped as the god who bestowed the gift of fluent speech and the ability to persuade through words. Hermes Logios was sometimes depicted holding a scroll or writing tablet, symbolising his role as the god of literature and learning.