I discovered the complex pattern of interlocking isotraps (isotrap is short for Isosceles Trapezoid) around the Spring of 2018 using the Sirius 2.0 software. Sirius, at that time and still today with later versions, gives the ability to browse a variety of planetary aspect configurations in the various user selected vibrations. What I quickly began to notice is that nearly every chart under examination, using a more or less full list of vibrations to work with as a standard VA protocol, left me wondering why this patterning was not discussed before. And of course, as with many discoveries in life these things tend to happen among separated groups and over a relatively discrete length of time. However, to the best of my knowledge and with the combined many hundreds of years of astrologer’s knowledge with whom this information was shown, the idea of interlocking isotraps, at least in the way that I have found it, is a new idea.
Chalamet’s close Lunar Natal Interlocking Isotraps circled; all involve the Moon, ex: Moon, Venus, Mars, Pluto and Moon, Saturn, Jupiter, Sun
Looking deeper into these I started to see four to five and often more isotraps all strung together with very tight orbs at just fractions of a degree all in the same vibration for any given chart in question (usually with multiple core vibrations exhibiting four or more small orb “long chain” interlocking isotraps). Initially, I thought that this was some sort of software bug or mistake but some quick double checking showed that what I was seeing was real and important in some way. A few years later my discovery was confirmed in a July 2021 VA graduate/research meeting and declared a “new form of super symmetry.” The meeting was attended by myself, Avalon School of Astrology staff (Cosmic Patterns) and a handful of other VA graduates.
What are interlocking isotraps? The minimum qualification for the condition of interlocking isotraps is where two separate and distinct isotraps, a.k.a. midpoint to midpoint structures or two planetary pictures, share at least one planet in their respective four planet configurations, with a maximum of seven planets involved. You may also be wondering, “What’s an isotrap and why should I care?” In short, and to keep this very simple, an isotrap forms the shape of a pyramid with the top cut off, no matter how tall or short or how wide or narrow the pyramid is. At least that’s what it looks like in a dimension reduced, stereographic 2D format expressed in celestial longitude…Please keep in mind that I do, at times, make an attempt at humor, so please bear with me.
Another way of looking at this is that an isotrap is a resonance structure formed between four planets where the pair on either side form the same exact angle, while the pair on the top and bottom share the same midpoint, thus at times connecting all four planets in a non-obvious way. The tighter the overall orb, i.e., the closeness of exactitude of the configuration, the stronger and more powerful it is as with any aspect pattern. This is why midpoint isotraps are so powerful in VA as one or more planets occupy the midpoint of the isotrap, now involving five planets, creating a basic behavior pattern structure, but this is another topic and out of the scope of this article.
Chalamet’s 8V Isotrap, (8 min orb) featuring Venus, Sun, Mars and Saturn in the classic, more recognizable shape, “pyramid with the top cut off.” Chalamet can choose to be a hard worker and can make sacrifices to get the project finished. There is a toll on relationships, however, this is a choice here, although other configurations may speak to this. Can you see the other isotraps that interlock here? (Hint: Sun, Pluto, Mercury, Jupiter and Moon, Jupiter, Mercury, Pluto, with a 12 and 9 min orb respectively.)
While writing this article I had to ask myself how I should demonstrate these aspect configurations, so I thought that I would do a web search for “celebrity in the news today” (6 Jan 2025) and actor Timothée Chalamet is one of a handful that pops up. A quick astro.com (Astro-Databank) search revealed that he has a quoted birth certificate/record on file revealing an AA chart and that is very good for demonstration purposes, perhaps ranking just a few notches under an actual birth certificate in hand presented to the data collector. Next, I copied that information over to Sirius, saved and cast the chart and then selected List, Harmonic Patterns Listings followed by selecting Report 1 (Harmonic Triangles, Quadrangles & Midpt to Midpt). Scrolling down on Report 1 we see the final section of that report titled, “Midpoints to Midpoints.” The below list is not the entire list but I wanted to keep this as accessible as possible without too much data, while still demonstrating the idea of interlocking isotraps. (Again, Midpoint to Midpoint, Isotrap, and Planetary Picture are the exact same concepts in astrology!)
Amazingly, the data below is from Chalamet’s natal chart alone (see example chart above); as I had not even begun to calculate vibrational (harmonic) charts yet. This is a good thing as the Moon in the natal chart, or real time movement, is at it’s slowest possible (vibrational/harmonic charts speed the Moon up quite a bit). Also, nearly anyone curious can easily calculate this chart for free and demonstrate for themselves the interesting complexity of these patterns. Higher vibrational charts involving the Moon can be a bit tricky due to the fact that the Moon is fast, moving around 1 degree for every two hours of clock time and in the 8th vibration that’s about 1 degree every 15 minutes of time and the 16th about every 7.5 mins, etc. The first chart above shows all of the very close orb interlocking isotraps involving the Moon, for a total of 4, all under a half a degree and three under one quarter of a degree. The chart below shows 5 natal interlocking isotraps involving the Sun with an orb of 1 degree and under with two under a half a degree. What are the odds???
Chalamet’s close Solar Natal Interlocking Isotraps circled
Midpoints to Midpoints (natal chart or “1v”)
Midpoints conjunct/opposition Midpoints with 15 Minute Orb
Moon/Mars conjunct Saturn/Uranus. Orb: 0 deg 05 min
Moon/Uranus conjunct Venus/Saturn. Orb: 0 deg 15 min
Moon/Pluto conjunct Venus/Mars. Orb: 0 deg 06 min
Midpoints conjunct/opposition Midpoints with 15 to 30 Minute Orb
Sun/Mars conjunct Jupiter/Uranus. Orb: 0 deg 22 min
Sun/Saturn conjunct Moon/Jupiter. Orb: 0 deg 27 min
Mars/Uranus conjunct Saturn/Pluto. Orb: 0 deg 21 min
Midpoints conjunct/opposition Midpoints with 30 Minute to 1 Degree Orb
Sun/Venus conjunct Mercury/Mars. Orb: 0 deg 48 min
Sun/Venus conjunct Mars/Neptune. Orb: 1 deg 00 min
Sun/Uranus conjunct Venus/Jupiter. Orb: 0 deg 42 min
Mercury/Neptune conjunct Mars/Uranus. Orb: 0 deg 48 min
Chalamet’s 23V chart illustrates one of the more striking “long chain” interlocking isotraps pattern that I have seen in a vibrational chart, this time with Neptune involved totaling 7 isotraps all connected and all under 1 degree with four coming in at 15 minutes or less as seen below in the Midpoints to Midpoints list. Notice that all planets are involved. I am confident that there are more amazing patterns like this all throughout Chalamet’s charts, however the primary goal of this article is to illustrate the concept of interlocking isotraps and perhaps provide a bit on interpretive technique; in other words, what does it all mean?
Chalamet’s seven 23V close orb interlocking isotraps featuring Neptune as the connecting planet. Note: 23V Neptune is at 24 Cap 19 while the 23V Moon is at 28 Cap 29, obscured by the circles in this crude graphic.
Midpoints to Midpoints (23V)
Midpoints conjunct/opposition Midpoints with 15 Minute Orb
Sun/Mercury conjunct Mars/Neptune. Orb: 0 deg 11 min
Venus/Mars conjunct Neptune/Pluto. Orb: 0 deg 15 min
Sun/Mercury opposition Saturn/Uranus. Orb: 0 deg 13 min
Mercury/Neptune opposition Jupiter/Pluto. Orb: 0 deg 01 min
Mars/Neptune opposition Saturn/Uranus. Orb: 0 deg 02 min
Midpoints conjunct/opposition Midpoints with 15 to 30 Minute Orb
Sun/Saturn opposition Uranus/Neptune. Orb: 0 deg 21 min
Midpoints conjunct/opposition Midpoints with 30 Minute to 1 Degree Orb
Sun/Moon conjunct Mercury/Venus. Orb: 0 deg 47 min
Mars/Jupiter conjunct Saturn/Pluto. Orb: 0 deg 44 min
Mercury/Uranus opposition Mars/Saturn. Orb: 0 deg 33 min
Venus/Saturn opposition Jupiter/Neptune. Orb: 0 deg 59 min
Jupiter/Uranus opposition Neptune/Pluto. Orb: 0 deg 46 min
My current idea is that interlocking isotraps describe a fabric of some kind for the person, organization, object, event, etc. in question. It’s likely that in and of themselves, they are doing very little per se but may function alternatively as the scenery in a person’s life or perhaps something like backdrop sounds, colors and shapes. In essence, these interlocking isotrap patterns are something that someone “wears.” Think of the behavior of a lion in in the flesh or close by vs. the perceived behavior of what could happen walking into a very dark room and suddenly noticing a full lion skin rug on the ground. There is a similar effect or nuance here as the lion just is and is acting in the world, i.e., aspect patterns, midpoints and midpoint isotraps, vs. a sensation that something could or did do those things, as with the rug, as the presence is certainly felt with the rug. Another example would be someone who looks the part of a politician, used car salesman, race car driver or surfer and yet the actual daily activity or profession is something very different, like medical doctor, school principal , patrol officer or sanitary management technician.
What’s more, interlocking isotraps seem to describe a mood or gravity that the person projects unconsciously. While a minimum of three or more planets in a very tight orb aspect configuration virtually guarantee at least a temporary pronounced behavior throughout a person’s life, interlocking isotraps paint a picture of something more pervasive and subtle, projecting “soft power” if you will. As the saying goes, “the clothes make the man,” so something similar is what I’m suggesting for interlocking isotraps. What we wear in the form of close orb, non-activated interlocking isotraps, is a potential behavior and not a guarantee like many aspect patterns. They are a “way” in other words. We can set the stage with a tone or a suggestion and thus assist in creating a vibrationally compatible environment using what we’ve got naturally. Or rather, just fit in and blend into those environments where we are a match to, realizing this or not.
Chalamet’s Lunar interlocking isotraps are about setting a tone for obsessively getting to the heart of what is happening here and now in this moment, in a passionate way and as a reflection from the past. Chalamet’s Solar interlocking isotraps demonstrate how the above is settled upon and put into action in the real world in a spontaneous and optimistic, relatable and yet career focused way, while in 23V, every planet is involved with Neptune as the settling factor. Neptune here show’s the risk and what is ideal, the illusion of social risk taking and the ideal that attracts us all to that image. With multiple Pluto involvements, this image is, “to die for” in a manner of speaking, and the man is popular as we know but there is something much more here. In plain language, Chalamet, has and is wearing “the look,” in a multitude of ways, however, ultimately, I’m thinking that his heart would rather have him in the director’s chair, rather than in the spotlight. There’s more stability there.
Thanks for reading and I hope that this article has raised some questions for you with regard to astrology’s most deep, intricate and hard to find aspect pattern types: interlocking isotraps.
Thaddeus