Alien Constructs
The following information is primarily based on the work of the late Edwin Steinbrecher whom I studied with from 1985 through 1988.
Since that time, I have analyzed thousands of my clients’ charts for greater clarity on the topic and consequently, I have added my own expanded rules and applications. This material is copyrighted, but you may freely quote it provided you cite the source as Edwin Steinbrecher and Stephanie Jourdan, Ph.D.
Astrologically-speaking what is an alien?
An alien or alien construct occurs when one of the outer planets is near or at the same degree number as the Sun, the Moon, the ascendant, the descendant or the chart ruler in the birth chart.
Outer planets include Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.
The chart ruler is the planet that corresponds to the sign of the ascendant. The ruler of the native’s shadow and spirit is the planet that corresponds to the sign of the descendant, which is 180 degrees opposite of the ascendant.
When a soul chooses a birth date, time and location that includes an alien construct, he/she/they is allowing him/her/their self to be a conduit for that planet’s character and expression. As a rule, the outer planets rule impersonal phenomena within an individual’s life. This is no longer the case for the individual born during the time an alien construct was in formation.
For instance, among other things, Saturn rules time, gravity, cynicism, foundations, logic, higher order, authority, manifestation, lead (the element), law, fame, corporations, government and the physical plane of existence. These are important things and dynamics, but they pertain more to the world and its systems. Can an individual be cynical, famous and logical? Yes, of course. However, in a Saturn alien’s chart, one or more of Saturn’s qualities tend to color everything in their life and are even tools for self-actualization.
Uranus rules atmosphere, irreversible change, the future, earthquakes, electricity, inventions, conceptions, quantum leaps, innovations, events, the Internet, television, radio, breakdowns, breakthroughs, chaos, Divine Foolishness, genius, community, politics and the causal plane.
Neptune rules the collective unconscious, addictions, spiritual essence, ghosts, emotions, the dream world, being out-of-body, clouds, the ocean, institutions, music, ideals, film, iconic images and the astral plane.
Pluto rules power, the occult, the destruction of everything not built upon truth, research, surgery, shamans, the stock market, transformation, taxes, birth, death, sex and that which can be seen by only a few.
Edwin Steinbrecher named the outer planet patterns alien to denote that individuals possessing such a chart are different from other humans; more like a different species than simply different.
Aliens typically have pretty rough childhoods, especially adolescence. However, they do seem to possess a supernatural ability.
Saturnian Aliens manifest easily.
Uranian Aliens channel.
Neptunian Aliens are empaths, telepaths or psychics
Plutonian Aliens transform raw energy into a higher form or vibration as in the Rumplestiltskin fable of spinning straw into gold Plutonians also assist others cross over at death. They also help younger aliens learn the ropes of coping with the needs of the alien pattern planet.
Getting down to brass tacks.
An alien chart contains one or more of the following conditions:
- One of the outer planets is at or within 15 degrees of the Sun. This is a power alien construct.
- One of the outer planets is at or within 10 degrees of the Moon. This is a vessel alien construct.
- One of the outer planets is at or within 10 degrees of the Ascendant. This is an instrument alien construct.
- One of the outer planets is at or within 7 degrees of the Descendant. This is a shadow alien construct.
- One of the outer planets is positioned at a degree number that is the same as the ruler of the Ascendant or is within two degree of the same number. This is an Activator alien construct.
- Mercury, Venus, Chiron or Jupiter (bridge planets) sits between the Sun, Moon, Ascendant or chart ruler and the outer planet within 10 degrees of each. This is a Bridge alien construct.
Here is an example of an outer planet being at or within 15 degrees of the Sun: The person is born with their Sun located at 28 degrees Aquarius and their Saturn was a 7 degrees Pisces.
There are 30 degrees per sign, so we would start at 28 and count off fifteen numbers in either direction to see whether there is an outer planet within that 15-degree orb.
We will start from the Sun at 28 degrees. As we count counter-clockwise, it would be 29, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13. The counting has gone beyond the sign it commenced with, in this example Aquarius, and has entered the next consecutive sign of Pisces. Since Saturn is at 7 degrees Pisces, it is well within the 15-degree orb.
If it had been at 13 degrees Aquarius, it would also have been within the 15-degree orb. Both directions are included. As we count clockwise from the Sun at 28 degrees, it would be 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21, 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14 and 13.
When considering whether an outer planet is at or within 10 degrees of the Moon, count off ten degrees in both directions. If the person has their Moon located at 4 degrees Leo and Pluto at 15 degrees Leo, it would not be considered an alien construct.
To demonstrate with this example of the Moon at 4 degrees Leo, we count in each direction. First, counterclockwise in the sign of Leo: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14. Second, clockwise starting in Leo and moving backwards into the sign of Cancer: 3, 2, 1, 0, 29, 28, 27, 26, 25 and 24. Since Pluto is at 15 degrees, it is one degree outside the 10-degree orb.
The same applies when considering whether an outer planet is at or within 10 degrees of the Ascendant.
The same applies when considering whether an outer planet is at or within 7 degrees of the Descendant.
To determine whether an outer planet is at the same degree as the descendant, look at the ASC symbol for the ascendant and then look across the wheel in the 7th house to plot the descendant exactly 180 degrees opposite the ascendant. Check the degree of the Ascendant. Before the symbol is a number that represents how many degrees have passed in the sign at the time of birth. After the symbol for the sign of the ascendant is the number that represents how many minutes have elapsed towards the next degree. There are thirty degrees per sign and, of course, sixty minutes per hour. If the number is over 30, then you are definitely looking at the minute number.
Check to see whether there is also a symbol for one of the outer planets at that same degree and sign of the descendant. It does not need to be at the same minute, but it can be the prior degree if it is under an hour away. And it can be a number up to 7 degrees ahead or behind.
For example, if the descendant is 21 degrees Scorpio and Neptune is located between 14 and 28 degrees Scorpio and, the native is considered a Neptune Shadow Alien.
Once you know what planet rules the ascendant, check to see whether one of the outer planets is at the same degree as that planet creating an Activator construct.
The person is born with Gemini rising. The planetary ruler of Gemini is Mercury. The planet Mercury is at 13 degrees Virgo and the planet Pluto is at 13 degrees Cancer.
Some signs have co-rulers, such as Aries, which is ruled by both Mars and the Sun. In this instance, either planet would qualify.
Rulers of signs:
Aries is ruled by Mars and the Sun.
Taurus is ruled by Venus.
Gemini is ruled by Mercury.
Cancer is ruled by the Moon.
Leo is ruled by the Sun.
Virgo is ruled by Mercury and the dwarf planet Chiron.
Libra is ruled by Venus.
Scorpio is ruled by Pluto and Mars.
Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter.
Capricorn is ruled by Saturn.
Aquarius is ruled by Uranus and Saturn.
Pisces is ruled by Neptune and Jupiter.
When considering whether an outer planet is linked by a Bridge planet to the Sun, Moon, the Ascendant or the chart ruler, the bridge planet should be located between the two. There can be a maximum of ten degrees between the bridge planet and the Sun, Moon, Ascendant or chart ruler on one side and no more than then degrees between the bridge planet and the outer planet on the other side.
For instance, if the person has their Moon located at 25 degrees Cancer, Venus at 29 degrees Cancer and Saturn 9 degrees Leo, he would qualify as a Saturn Vessel Alien even though the span of the number of degrees between the Moon and Saturn is 19 degrees. Venus as the bridge planet is within a 10-degree arc of both the Moon and Saturn.
To demonstrate, we count in each direction away from both sides of the Moon to see what lies within a ten degree orb. First, counterclockwise, starting in the sign of Cancer, we count 26, 27, 28, 29 and continue up through six more digits in the succeeding sign of Leo, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Second, clockwise, starting in Cancer and moving backwards, we count 24, 23, 22, 21, 20, 19, 18, 17, 16 and 15. Venus is only four degrees away from the Moon, so it is within 10 degrees. If we count from the Venus towards Saturn, we see that it is within 10 degrees of Saturn: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9.
What are all the different kinds of alien charts?
1) Power Constructs
Saturn
A Saturn Power Alien Construct occurs when Saturn is at or within 15 degrees of the Sun. Or when the Sun and the planet Saturn are at the same degree in their respective signs.
Uranus
A Uranian Power Alien Construct occurs when Uranus is at or within 15 degrees of the Sun. Or when the Sun and the planet Uranus are at the same degree in their respective signs.
Neptune
A Neptunian Power Alien Construct occurs when Neptune is at or within 15 degrees of the Sun. Or when the Sun and the planet Neptune are at the same degree in their respective signs.
Pluto
A Plutonian Power Alien Construct occurs when Pluto is at or within 15 degrees of the Sun. Or when the Sun and the planet Pluto are at the same degree in their respective signs.
2) Vessel Constructs
Saturn
A Saturnian Vessel Alien Construct occurs when Saturn is at or within 10 degrees of the Moon. Or when the Moon and the planet Saturn are at the same degree in their respective signs.
Uranus
A Uranian Vessel Alien Construct occurs when Uranus is at or within 10 degrees of the Moon. Or when the Moon and the planet Uranus are at the same degree in their respective signs.
Neptune
A Neptunian Vessel Alien Construct occurs when Neptune is at or within 10 degrees of the Moon. Or when the Moon and the planet Neptune are at the same degree in their respective signs.
Pluto
A Plutonian Vessel Alien Construct occurs when Pluto is at or within 10 degrees of the Moon. Or when the Moon and the planet Pluto are at the same degree in their respective signs.
3) Instrument Constructs
Saturn
A Saturnian Instrument Alien Construct occurs when Saturn is at or within 10 degrees of the Ascendant.
Or when the chart ruler, the ruler of the ascendant, and the planet Saturn are at the same degree in their respective signs. This is called an Activator Construct.
Uranus
A Uranian Instrument Alien Construct occurs when Uranus is at or within 10 degrees of the Ascendant.
Or when the chart ruler, the ruler of the ascendant, and the planet Uranus are at the same degree in their respective signs. This is called an Activator Construct.
Neptune
A Neptunian Instrument Alien Construct occurs when Neptune is at or within 10 degrees of the Ascendant.
Or when the chart ruler, the ruler of the ascendant, and the planet Neptune are at the same degree in their respective signs. This is called an Activator Construct.
Pluto
A Plutonian Instrument Alien Construct occurs when Pluto is at or within 10 degrees of the Ascendant.
Or when the chart ruler, the ruler of the ascendant, and the planet Pluto are at the same degree in their respective signs. This is called an Activator Construct.
4) Shadow Constructs
A Saturnian Shadow Alien Construct occurs when Saturn conjoins (aligned with) the Descendant. The Descendant is 180 opposite the Ascendant on the birth chart.
An Uranian Shadow Alien Construct occurs when Uranus conjoins (aligned with) the Descendant.
A Neptunian Shadow Alien Construct occurs when Neptune conjoins (aligned with) the Descendant.
A Plutonian Shadow Alien Construct occurs when Pluto conjoins (aligned with) the Descendant.
5) Activator Constructs
Mercury
A Mercury Activator Alien Construct occurs when Gemini or Virgo is rising and Mercury is at the same degree number as an outer planet.
Venus
A Venus Activator Alien Construct occurs when Taurus or Libra is rising and Venus is at the same degree number as an outer planet
Mars
A Mars Activator Alien Construct occurs when Aries or Scorpio is rising and Venus is at the same degree number as an outer planet.
Jupiter
A Jupiter Activator Alien Construct occurs when Sagittarius is rising and Jupiter is at the same degree number as an outer planet.
Saturn
A Saturnian Activator Alien Construct occurs when Capricorn is rising and Saturn is at the same degree number as Uranus, Neptune or Pluto.
Uranus
A Uranian Activator Alien Construct occurs when Aquarius is rising and Uranus is at the same degree number as Saturn, Neptune or Pluto.
Neptune
A Neptune Activator Alien Construct occurs when Pisces is rising and Neptune is at the same degree number as Saturn, Uranus or Pluto.
Pluto
A Plutonian Activator Alien Construct occurs when Scorpio is rising and Pluto is at the same degree number as Saturn, Uranus or Neptune.
Do certain types of aliens function better together?
Yes.
Saturnian aliens get along well with all the other aliens.
Uranian aliens get along well with other Uranians, plus Saturnians and Neptunians. They are sometimes too flakey, superficial or immature for Plutonians.
Neptunian aliens get along well with all the other aliens.
Plutonian aliens do best with Neptunians, but they can also be happy with Saturnians.
Uranian and Plutonian types can harmonize if one of them has their Moon in the same sign as the other’s alien sign, especially when it is the Sun and Pluto. For instance, the Uranian alien has his Sun or Moon or Ascendant and Uranus in the sign of Virgo and his Moon in Libra. The Plutonian alien has his Sun and Pluto in the sign of Libra. This Uranian alien has his Moon in the same sign as the Plutonian alien’s Pluto.
Each alien has special abilities. The Aliens can also suffer physical maladies due to unexpressed energy of the alien construct. This typically shows up as dental problems for Saturnian aliens, seizures for Uranian aliens, alcoholism for Neptunian aliens; and Venereal disease for Plutonian aliens.
If you are a Saturnian Alien, your life will probably flow a lot easier if you get regular chiropractic or osteopathic adjustments. You also need help balancing calcium in your body and should check into whether or not you need more magnesium and silica. Dental work has much more impact upon you than non-Saturnian Aliens, so find a dentist that really understands your specific needs who uses bio-compatible materials. You may want to take Arnica, a homeopathic remedy, after any dental work. All of the Aliens have a special relationship to the crystal kingdom, but especially Saturnian Aliens as they rule structure and form.
There are many crystals that will be of particular assistance to you. Nuummite is an invaluable manifestation tool in your hands. Jet will help you calm your emotions and negate your anxieties and onyx will help you let go of negative thoughts.
Uranian Aliens do well to work with Aragonite, Septarian Nodule (Dragon Stone), Rhodonite and blue sapphire. Aragonite frees them from stuck patterns or oppressive people and situations. Septarian Nodule keeps their brain in peak condition. Rhodonite enables meditation and channeling. Blue sapphire helps connect mind, body and spirit with clarity.
Neptunian Aliens benefit from elixirs made from jade, tourmaline and turquoise. Neptunian Vessels (Neptune conjunct the Moon) need Blue Moonstone to calm worry and aid digestion.
Plutonian Aliens need Black Tourmaline, Black Obsidian, Carnelian, rubies and turquoise.