Charles E. O. Carter, an important astrologer of the early twentieth century,
discussed alcoholism and drug addiction in An Encyclopedia of Psychological Astrology.
Carter associated alcoholism and drug addiction with a number of different factors. In
the birth chart of an alcoholic, according to Carter, the Sun and the Moon are almost
always weak by sign and house position, “or else they are badly afflicted, especially in
or from Fire or Water, or both.” Furthermore, “the fifth house (the house of pleasure
and entertainment) is nearly always afflicted by Neptune or by planets in watery signs,
and Mars is very frequently afflicted by Neptune, in or from Pisces.”
A more recent study, reported in Ann Parker’s Astrology and Alcoholism,con-
firmed the importance of Neptune. Parker, however, also found that the planet
Uranus was significantly represented in the horoscopes of alcoholics, especially Moon-
Uranus aspects. She explains this unusual finding by pointing out that a Moon-
Uranus contact, “even linked in good aspect, represents great emotional excitability
and self-will, both charcteristic of the alchoholic.” When linked by a hard aspect,
“these planets produce states of fear and anxiety, extreme self will, a craving for sensa-
tion, restlessness, and a tendency to exaggerate and magnify things,” all of which are
associated with alcoholic personalities.Sources:
Carter, Charles E. O. An Encyclopedia of Psychological Astrology.1924. Reprint, London: Theo-
sophical Publishing House, 1963.
Parker, Ann E. Astrology and Alcoholism.York Beach, ME: Samuel Weiser, 1982.ALETHEIA
Aletheia, asteroid 259 (the 259th asteroid to be discovered, on June 28, 1886), is
approximately 103 kilometers in diameter and has an orbital period of 5.6 years. It is
named after the Greek word for “truth” or “sincerity.” When prominent in a natal
chart, Aletheia shows a sincere person. Its location by sign and house indicates where
one is most sincere or experiences sincerity. When afflicted, Aletheia may signify
insincerity or confrontations with unpleasant truths.Sources:
Kowal, Charles T. Asteroids: Their Nature and Utilization.Chichester, West Sussex, UK: Ellis
Horwood Limited, 1988.
Room, Adrian. Dictionary of Astronomical Names.London: Routledge, 1988.
Schwartz, Jacob. Asteroid Name Encyclopedia.St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 1995.ALMAGEST
Almagestis a treatise on astronomy by the famous astronomer-mathematician Ptolemy.ALMANAC
An almanac is a book or booklet containing sets of tables, particularly calendrical tables,
announcing astronomical or astrological events (such as Moon phases, eclipses, and
beginnings of seasons) and carrying historical facts, information on planting by theAletheia
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