UNDERSTANDING THE 29th DEGREE
29º - THE ANARETIC DEGREE
“Only one who devotes himself to a cause with his whole
strength and soul can be a true master.
For this reason mastery demands all of a person”
Albert Einstein
29º
Decoding the twentyninth degree
What is the 29th degree?
If we think of the astrological wheel it is divided into the twelve signs. Each sign is equivalent to 30 degrees of the wheel. As we do not use the 30th degree we use 0º as the start and 29º as the culmination. In effect the 29th degree ranges from 29º00’00’ to 29º59’59. When we have a planet at this degree in our chart we need to look at the sign it is in as well as the planet and we can determine what area of life we are required to master.
Why is it so important?
The beginning or end of any sign is a crossover. It is where we reach the end and start a new beginning (like a new moon energy in a way). So in a natal chart to have this degree is important and indicates that in this lifetime we are developing a huge part of our soul evolution. The twenty ninth degree is about mastery. It is often called the ‘degree of fate’.
Why is called anaretic?
The term "anaretic" comes from the Greek "anaretikos," meaning "destructive. It signifies the end of a cycle and a point of critical transformation before a planet or the entire chart moves into a new sign. So the energy here is in ‘finality’. It can be challenging but is also highly rewarding as we master the planet and sign that the degree is in. Often it can be seen as destructive - but if we view this as deconstruction what emerges from that (think the Tower card in the tarot) is something bigger and greater than what we could ever have imagined.
Will you explore this?
YES! I am still building and writing this site as I go. I plan for this to be organic and so over time I will start to add my findings as I work my way through the chart and explore the workings of different signs and planets in this critical degree.
Why me?
Being such a critical degree we can often find that over our lifetime we may be involved in huge changes and transformations. Many times we may feel like the butterfly emerging from the cocoon or in the mush of the middle transformation. Remember though that if you have this YOU CHOSE THIS as a way of evolving your soul journey. Lessons are to be learnt and they are not always easy. However the rewards are plentiful as we learn, grow and progress. You will find that opportunities do present themselves and they may feel ‘fated’ or even ‘destined’. So ignore the naysayers and embrace what you have been chosen to do.
How can the 29º affect my life?
One of the big ways that the anaretic degree works is by causing indecision. As we think of karmic circumstances we can often doubt ourselves or overthink or even procrastinate (yes that’s me!). Often we feel a pull to ‘just get things done’. Everything feels urgent and crucial. It can result in anxiety and I certainly have experienced that. Something we need to do though is start to look at the next sign (like peering through a window) and see the potential that is offered there as we start to complete the energy of the sign we are in and move towards mastering new energies.
Why the 29º is so important to me?
In my natal birth chart I not only have Saturn at 29º of Taurus (in the 12th house) but I also have a 29º ascendant in Gemini. Not the easiest placements in the world but ones in which I am beginning to understand and work with. If you have any planets at 29º I would love to hear from you and and find out how these energies have played out in your life. I am a life-long student of astrology and I would love you to contribute to my studies. Pop me an email if you do. Or pop a comment at the bottom of the research blog post.