Ben Dykes say in Trad astrology for today that planets in houses describe events in our life not our attitudes to those topics. This isnt true. Skeptics Rudolf Smit and Geoffrey Dean have Saturn in 9th and have a skeptic attitude. James Randi has Saturn in 7th ruling the 9th. Those arent events but attitudes.

I haven't read Ben's book, but I presume the point he wants to make is that, for instance, planets in the 2nd house will relate to actual financial gains or losses, not (just) to our attitude towards money. It may be more correct to say that they relate to both, though. A well-disposed Saturn, for instance, may give slow gains over time due to hoarding. That's an event (or a process), but also relates to attitude.

Hi Carl,

In the Introduction to Traditional Astrology For Today Dykes mentions that one of his reasons for writing the book is to teach traditional concepts to astrologers who may not be familiar with them. On page 1, he writes: "I can guide you through some basic differences between traditional and modern approaches, and help you figure out where to go from here. Even if you don't become a full-fledged traditionalist, you will improve your astrology with the concepts and techniques in this book."

On page 2, he says: "Many people can get the mistaken impression that following traditional practices means abandoning whatever else you've done in astrology -- as though traditional astrology is just a series of "No's" to anything modern. Actually, there is much overlap between modern and traditional practices...Adopting traditional practices mainly involves a shift of emphasis and priority, not the rejection of everything else."

In my view, the book just compares modern vs. traditional methods; it's not advocating fundamentalism.

With Saturn in the 7th ruling the 9th, I would say that this person has a disciplined, practical and structured approach regarding cultural, religious or moral values in relationships. What we could translate as 'Show me the money!'
Rather than describing events, houses show 'areas' where the 'attitudes' will manifest.
And by extension, we can knit on possible manifestations.

this makes me think of how attitudes shape events.. they are connected, even if some like to think they aren't... a good topic for the philosophy section..

Thank you all.
One if the reasons I like Liz Greene' s book on Saturn and S. Arroyo's Astrology karma and transformarion is that what they say rings true to.me. Lets not be fundamentalist
Steven Spielberg has Saturn in 2nd house. He is rich but Saturn rules his 7th and during a 7th house profection he lost half his fortune to his ex.
I dont know if he is an hoarder, but his wealth doesnt sem to come from saturn or its ruler the sun in 6th house.
I'll have a look at his lot of fortune