INTRODUCTION

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association [1] is a “complex developmental disorder associated across multiple contexts'' and  "restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities." It includes at a minimum the following symptoms:

• Difficulties with social interaction 

• Challenges and delays in communication 

• Restricted or repetitive patterns of thought and behavior

There are also other symptoms like sensory disconnection, impulse control, etc which is associated with ASD.  This research is to test if the astrological signatures found in the charts of people who have been diagnosed with Autism will be a reflection of these issues. Based on the symptoms associated with Autism, one would expect Saturn to play a big role as most of their symptoms involve restriction and/or  delay in some manner. 

RESEARCH TECHNIQUE

To obtain data, autism schools, autism associations and school’s administrators were contacted and interviewed.  In some cases parents of children were directly contacted to collect data. A total number of 189 birth data with birth time was obtained. This research like other Community-based studies show that sex ratio is heavily skewed towards males in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). However, the data was not separated based on the specific diagnosis like “aspergers”, etc.  The data was analyzed for prominent signs, houses, aspects to angles, aspects between all planets,  midpoints with focal planets as ascendant or midheaven, all midpoints,  aspects to nodes and midpoints with node as focal point.  More focus was given to hard aspects  Since there is very limited research  found regarding astrological findings related to autism, an exploratory research tool in  “Sirius software” [2]  was first used to find prominent astrological signatures in the study group. The signatures that were prominent in the study or test group (more than the Chi square limit), were further analyzed using control groups and tested for “significance” using a  t-test. For the purpose of convenience, four diverse control groups (soccer and rugby players, writers, scientists and politicians) available in Sirius were used.  The main idea of this study was to have a better understanding of the astrological factors that may be related to Autism. 

 

LITERATURE REVIEW   

A brief literature review was done by doing an internet search and although not much was found, there were few studies relating Autism to season and month of year. According to an article which was published in Autism Research [3],  there is correlation between Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)  and spring births. According to this research, a total of 86 children with ASD were identified and there was some evidence for an excess of children with ASD being conceived during the summer months with a rate per 1,000 conceptions of 9.5 in summer compared to 5.1, 4.6, 5.7 in spring, autumn and winter, respectively. Another research about birth season and autism points out that Autism is more often seen in children born in March [4]. The validity of season/month was tested in this research and more births were  observed in September-October, which is the period of Libra. The observed number of charts with the Sun in Libra were higher than the expected value. So there seems to be no consensus with other studies conducted.   Also, when the date was analyzed based on division into four seasons, spring (March–May); summer (June–August); autumn (September–November) and winter (December–February), no significant association between seasons was found as well.

Another article in Mountain Astrologer [5] talked about the rising incidence of ASD in Pluto in Sagittarius generation, and the opposition of Mars and Saturn during this specific period. Although  not all aspects of this study were re-tested,  the analysis showed that midpoint Mars/Saturn in association with the Ascendant was significantly higher. 

SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS 

The data was analyzed for planets (including Chiron) that were involved in prominent hard aspects and midpoint configuration and the most important findings are shared below  

House Positions 

When time of the year, signs and houses were analyzed, the only factor that stood out was Chiron in 6th house. So this was further analyzed with the 4 control groups  and as seen below in Table 1, it was significant with all the four control groups.  According to Melanie Reinhart [6] “Chiron describes the nature of wounds we have received in the early stages of life” and this seems reflective with people diagnosed with ASD, with early wounding in their  “physical and mental health” which is an  area ruled by 6th house. Also Ms.Reinhart mentions that with Chiron in the 6th house “control is often an issue - either too much or too little! Life in general and body in particular may be controlled rigidly” which is again very related to lack of “impulse control seen in ASD.  Impulse control can be evident with ASD as “tantrum behaviors, aggression and extreme reactions to minor issues” and can affect  “day to day social functioning. Interrupting others during conversation, challenges with focus and being easily distracted, problems” [7]. 

Table 1 - T-test results for Chiron in 6th 

 

Aspects Involving the Ascendant, Midheaven and Between Planets 

When hard aspects to angles (Ascendant and Midheaven) were analyzed in the study group, there was no particular aspect that was found to be prominent and hence not analysed further. 

When hard aspects between planets were examined, both Venus-Sun and Pluto-Uranus are above the chi-square limit along with the Moon Neptune aspect as seen in Figure 1. Since Uranus and Pluto hard aspects only occur once in 20 years approximately, it could be attributable to the generational planet bias.   With the sample size obtained and kind of data analyzed, it is hard to say that more autistic kids are born during a generational aspect like Uranus Pluto. So this aspect will not be considered as an astro-signature for autism.

Figure 1 - Hard Aspects between Planets 

When Venus-Sun and Moon-Neptune hard aspects were tested separately with 4 different control groups; soccer players, writers, politicians and scientists, Venus-Sun hard aspects were not found to be significant.  On the other hand, Moon Neptune aspects were found to be slightly significant with p value of 0.05 with only 2 of the 4 control groups as seen in table 2.  Moon Neptune aspects are usually correlated to high sensitivity to emotions, environment, etc.  This is also evident in ASD as heightened sensitivity to sensory stimuli in the environment. They experience “world "turned up too loud," and many autistic individuals have that same experience—especially about seemingly "small" stimuli, like the rub of clothing texture or an intrusive noise” [8]. However, since this was only found in 2 of 4 control groups and so was not used as part of the astro-signature. 

Midpoints with Focal Planets as Ascendant and Midheaven

In previous studies, it has been observed that midpoints are effective both in natal chart readings and in understanding mundane or mass events, like in mass shootings and accidents. For example, previous studies show that Mars/Uranus midpoints are related to school shootings [9] and Sun/Uranus or Saturn/Uranus midpoints with accidents [10]. Specifically, midpoints related to the angles are very relevant as they are very personal, fast moving,  and hence cannot be attributable to other factors like generational bias.  Also, aspects and midpoints related to angles show what is easily visible to others and also refers to the native’s viewpoint of the world. 

When we look at the prominent midpoint configurations in the autism data, we can say that Mars/Saturn=Ascendant and Saturn/Neptune=Midheaven are prominent in the study group.  Mars/Saturn=Ascendant midpoint occurs in higher frequency than normally expected, relative to other midpoints as seen in Figure 2, while Saturn/Neptune= MC is very close to the Chi square limit, as seen in Figure 3, and hence both were chosen for further analysis with control groups. This is a very interesting and relevant finding because Mars/Saturn, and Saturn/Neptune along with Neptune/Mars are considered the three important midpoints related to health.

Figure 2 -  Midpoints aspects to Ascendant 

Figure 3 - Midpoint Aspects involving Midheaven

However, when we tested both the signatures with the 4 control groups, Mars/Saturn was found to be slightly significant with 3 out of the 4 control groups but Neptune/Saturn=MC was found significant with only 2 out of the 4 control groups.  So only Mars/Saturn = ascendant was considered as part of  the astro-signature.  According to Ebertin [11], Mars/Saturn = Ascendant is “a person whose advancement in life takes place with great difficulty” This also shows the frustration and restriction felt by people with ASD diagnosis in channeling their energy towards specific activities or goals.  Also an article published in mountain astrologer in relation to Autism [5], says about Mars Saturn opposition as “producing tension with both the proprioceptive sense (an inner sense of how our bodies are positioned in space) and impulse control (both associated with Mars), and the tactile and auditory senses”.

Table 3- T-test Results for Mars- Saturn midpoint

 

Midpoints with Moon Nodes as the Focal Planet 

 

Moon Nodes were also studied as they may signify important life lessons [12]. When the midpoints to the node were examined, we see that the three midpoints  Sun/Pluto=Node , Jupiter/Saturn=Node and Mars/Sun=Node were prominent,  So these were further analyzed with the control group. For this study “True Moon Nodes” were used.

Figure 4 - Midpoint Aspects involving Moon Nodes 

 

 

When the prominent midpoint structures were compared to 4 control groups, Sun/Pluto=Node and Mars/Sun=Node were significant in all 4 control groups, while Jupiter/Saturn=Node was significant in 3 out of the 4 control groups as shown in Figure 4..   So only Mars/Sun= node was used as part of the final astrosignature.

 

Table 4 - T-test results for midpoint structures related to nodes. 

 

 

All Midpoint Combinations involving angles 

 

When all midpoint combinations were  analyzed, the two most prominent midpoint structures were  Saturn/MC= Jupiter, and  Mercury/MC=Saturn as seen in Figure 5.  When we tested the results with the 4 different control groups the findings appear to me moderately significant with Mercury/MC=Saturn, and borderline significant with Saturn/MC= Jupiter.. Both have Saturn as part of the midpoint structure involving the midheaven - which shows the obvious limitations in their life.  According to Ebertin [11] Saturn and MC in a midpoint structure are related to “hindered growth and development”. 

 

 

                 Figure 5 - All midpoint combinations involving angles 

 

Table 5 - T-test results for Saturn/MC and Mercury/MC

 

 

Midpoint Structure between all Planets 

The midpoint combinations that were found to be most prominent in the study group were tested further.   The first four rankings of the midpoint combinations with the same control group; Mercury/Mars = Jupiter midpoint gave significant results in all groups. It is important to note that since angles are not involved, these midpoint structures probably apply to all people during the specific period, and are not personal as when angles are involved.   The results for the first four midpoint combinations’s test results are shown in Table 6.

 

 

Table 6 - T-test results of midpoint structure between all planets 

 

ASTRO-SIGNATURE FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER 

Based on findings, the following rules were applied to select astro-signature.  These are not hard and fast rules but of help in shortlisting those that are most significant.  Please note that aspects and midpoint structures that involve an angle are much more significant as it is more personal to the individual.  Without involvement of angles, the midpoint structures or aspects apply broadly to anybody born during a specific period.  

• Aspects and Midpoints related to angles were included when there was significance with p values of 0.05 or less when compared to at least 3 out of the 4 control groups. 

• For all other aspects and midpoints that did not involve angles,  only those that were significant with p value of 0.05 or less with all the four control groups were considered.  

Two other Astro-signatures worth mentioning from the results are both related to Saturn/Neptune being part of the configuration. The Saturn/Neptune midpoint is considered as one of the important health related midpoints and is related to chronic health issues [13].  This is also consistent with ASD symptoms (given below). Saturn/Neptune = MC was significant with 2 out of the 4 control groups and Saturn/Neptune=Mars  was significant with 3 out of 4 control groups. 

When the top six astro-signatures short listed above and Chiron in 6th house are compared together with the 4 control groups, the results were very significant with a p value of 0.001  which is basically saying there is 99% probability that the results are not because of random reasons Table 8.

Table 7- T-test results for Final Astro-signature 

 

CONCLUSION

This research demonstrates once again that midpoints are highly decisive in a particular event or situation as compared to other planetary positions and configurations in a natal chart.  As anticipated Saturn showed up in four of the top six  midpoint structures reflecting the restriction and delays in many area of life, as seen in those with ASD diagnosis.The midpoints of Mars/Saturn, and Saturn/Neptune in relation to the ascendant and midheaven respectively are the most promising results in this study as these configurations are also considered as important health related midpoints.  Mars/Saturn in relation to ascendant shows the delay and struggle in  body coordination which is very often easily visible with ASD natives while Saturn/Neptune midpoint symbolizes prolonged illness which correlates with Autism being a lifelong disease. Also, two of the other midpoints related to the angles, Mercury/MC=Saturn and Saturn/MC= Jupiter also had Saturn as part of the configuration.  This study has a lot of potential especially if it can be repeated with more data. 

 

REFERENCES

1. “What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder?” American Psychiatric Association, https://www.psychiatry.org/Patients-Families/Autism/What-Is-Autism-Spectrum-Disorder 

2. “Astrology Software.” Cosmic Patterns Astrology Software, https://www.astrosoftware.com/

3. Hebert, Karen J. “Association of Autistic Spectrum Disorder with Season of Birth and Conception in a UK Cohort.” Autism research. 3.4 (2010): 185–190. 

4. Stevens, M C et al. “Season of birth effects in autism.” Journal of clinical and experimental neuropsychology vol. 22,3 (2000): 399-407. doi:10.1076/1380-3395(200006)22:3;1-V;FT399

5. Robertson, Raye. “Holding a Lighted Candle - The Pluto in Sagittarius Generation Makes Its Mark on Autism Research.” Astrodienst, https://www.astro.com/astrology/tma_article150811_e.htm

6. Reinhart, Melanie. Chiron and the Healing Journey: An Astrological and Psychological Perspective. Starwalker Press, 2009. 

7. “The Relationship between Autism and Impulse Control.” The Carmen B. Pingree Autism Center of Learning, 28 Aug. 2020, https://carmenbpingree.com/blog/the-relationship-between-autism-and-impulse-control/

8. Solo, Andre. “Do Highly Sensitive People Have Autism?” Psychology Today, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/highly-sensitive-refuge/201905/do-highly-sensitive-people-have-autism

9. Selva, Manda. “Midpoint Research: Mars Uranus Midpoint and School Shootings.” AstroManda, http://www.astromanda.com/Astrological-Research-Using-Midpoint/

10. Cochrane, David. “Accident Research with Midpoints.” ISAR, 9 Aug. 2017, https://isarastrology.org/Tr/David-Cochrane-Accident-Research-with-Midpoints/

11. Ebertin, Reinhold. The Combination of Stellar Influences. American Federation of Astrologers, 1994. 

12. Reinhart, Melanie. Incarnation: The Four Angles and the Moon's Nodes. Starwalker Press, 2014. 

13. Cornell, H. L. Encyclopedia of Medical Astrology. Samuel Weiser, 1984.