Uranian Astrology
Planetary Pictures: Meaning and How to Use It
A planetary picture is a three-factor midpoint equation. When the midpoint of planets A and B is occupied by planet C, you write it as A/B = C. This is the core interpretive tool in Uranian astrology, developed by Alfred Witte and codified in the Regelwerk fur Planetenbilder (Rules for Planetary Pictures), first published in 1928.
Quick Facts
- Formula
- A/B = C (midpoint of A and B equals C)
- Standard reference
- Rules for Planetary Pictures (Witte/Lefeldt, 1928)
- Standard orb
- 1 to 1.5 degrees for natal work
Keywords
What the equation means
A/B = C says that the midpoint of A and B falls on C. In plain language: the blended theme of A and B is being expressed through C. If Sun/Mars = MC, the blend of identity (Sun) and drive (Mars) is focused on career and public standing (MC).
The equation works in all directions. A/B = C also means A/C = B and B/C = A. All three pairings share the same structural relationship. Uranian astrologers check all three readings to get the full picture.
How to combine meanings
Each planet has core themes. Sun = identity, Moon = emotional needs, Mercury = communication, Venus = values and attraction, Mars = drive and conflict, Jupiter = growth and excess, Saturn = structure and limitation. The midpoint blends two of these, and the third factor shows where or how the blend manifests.
Venus/Saturn = Moon, for example, might describe emotional experiences (Moon) colored by the tension between desire (Venus) and restriction (Saturn). In practice, this often shows up as loyalty, loneliness in partnerships, or emotional caution.
Witte and the Regelwerk
Alfred Witte developed the planetary picture system in Hamburg in the 1920s. His student Friedrich Sieggrun and collaborator Ludwig Rudolph helped systematize the interpretations. The Regelwerk fur Planetenbilder (Rules for Planetary Pictures) was first published in 1928 and remains the standard reference.
The Regelwerk contains a keyword delineation for every possible three-factor combination. The entries are short, almost telegraphic: "Joint enterprises. Working together with others. Community work." The brevity is intentional. The reader is expected to adapt the keywords to context.
Filtering for relevance
A full midpoint table for a chart can produce dozens of planetary pictures. Not all of them are equally important. The standard approach is to prioritize pictures that involve personal points: the Ascendant, Midheaven, Sun, Moon, and Lunar Node.
Orb matters too. A picture with a 0.1-degree orb is much more reliable than one at 1.4 degrees. When you are starting out, focus on the tightest structures first. If the chart has a planetary picture at 0.2 degrees, that one is likely describing something the person recognizes immediately.
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Why this page exists
This topic page is intentionally tied to live tools so you can move from a concept into an actual chart workflow. Use the guide to get oriented, then use the calculator to see how the idea behaves in your own data.