Apollo's Chariot - The Meaning of the Astrological Sun

Liz Greene
Many people are familiar with astrology only through Sun-sign columns in newspapers, but they have
little understanding of what it really means to be born 'under' a particular zodiac sign. The astrological
student may know that the Sun is the most important factor in the birth horoscope; but frequently used
terms such as 'self expression' give little insight into this most profound and complex of astrological
symbols.
The seminars in this volume explore the many dimensions of the astrological Sun, from the Sun as a
father symbol to its importance as a significator of personal identity, vocation, and spiritual values.
Also examined are progressions of the Sun to natal planets, and major planetary aspects to the natal
Sun. With so little written work available on the Sun in the horoscope, this innovative volume offers
psychological and astrological perspectives, which will be invaluable for both the student and the
professional astrologer.
Review by Chris Lorenz - Horoscope 2002
Liz Greene's multi-dimensional teaching style makes her one of the best astrologers in the world. From
extrapolating the essence of ancient myths, to clarifying modern psychology, to nuts and bolts
explanations of the natal horoscope, she bridges the mystical with the personal to make a genuine
impact on whoever comes under her spell. And, in the process, she transforms therapeutic astrology
froma jumble of psychobabble into meaningful prose.
In Apollo's Chariot, transcribed from a Liz Greene seminar, we learn what the astrological Sun
represents in the natal horoscope and how much we've missed through false or incorrect assumptions.
Almost everyone knows what his Sun-Sign is, but those who follow the newspapers' daily horoscopes
are missing out on the range of symbolism and potential growth available. Most individuals are not
living out their Sun, but are more likely responding to their Moon sign. The Sun remains a dormant
quality until - or unless - we are willing to forsake what others think in favour of developing our own
creative potential, as signified by the Sun's meaning according to its house position and planetary
aspects around the natal chart.
How this works in real life is, and always has been, a major personal challenge for almost everyone.
The ancients recognised the value of personal development and encoded the lessons in their myths, the
stories of the heroes who successfully completed the struggles. Among the ancient myths that most
clearly define the process of expressing the Sun's qualities is the collection of stories around Apollo, the
Greek Sun-God. Apollo is not the actual Sun in these myths, but the carrier of the Sun, the vehicle. In
this way, Apollo symbolizes that within each of us that is immortal, something that lies outside the
horoscope and the physical body. Ms. Greene summarizes what the Sun in the Chart says. 'I am born
into a mortal body. My span is finite. But I am a carrier for that which is eternal and cannot be changed
in form, except as divine fire.'
Primarily, we begin to express the sun through creativity, and then we make a connection with
something that makes us feel like a child of the divine. Through further understanding of Apollo's
myth, we learn how to develop our creative potential, mature, find our true vocation,and, surprisingly,
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end family curses. As in the Greek myth of the House of Thebes, or the curse of the House of Atrius,
some family members seemed doomed. In modern generations, individuals can do the same
compulsive absurdities that ruined their parents and grandparents. The Sun's power can end these
cycles, because the moment we become truly ourselves we are no longer our family.
Following the introductory discussion on Apollo, Greene presents the horoscope of a well-known
celebrity who has a Taurus Sun in the twelfth house. The twelfth house is one of those concerned with
the collective, like the eight and eleventh. With the Sun in the twelfth, the individual is concerned with
the collective dreams, longings and yearnings for redemption. It deals with family compulsions and
curses. Because this seminar was given in London, we may not be surprised that this horoscope belongs
to Prime Minister Tony Blair, but the lessons and insights have immediate applications to Americans
since President George W. Bush also has the Sun in the twelfth house.
Most of the seminar's two sessions are devoted to discussions generated around specific charts, both
from the attending astrologers, and from recognized celebrities. A large allotment of time goes to charts
with their Suns in the eighth and eleventh houses, so that by covering the eighth, eleventh and twelfth
houses she is looking into those houses ruled by the three outer planets. Interspersed throughout the
dialogue (audience comments and questions are frequent and bring the subject matter to life) the reader
will find many gems of astrological knowledge. Keep a coloured marker handy to underscore