Astrology is the observation of the planets & the affect of their respective characteristics, to us, here on Earth. Most skeptics would agree that the moon affects us here on Earth-i.e.: women’s cycles, planting cycles, and ofcourse, the oceans tides. Police will tell you that things are generally more hectic when there’s a full moon. Astrologers take it one step further & believe each planet (with the Sun & Moon included as planets) has it’s own distinct energies that affect us as individuals. We do not study the energy of our planet, Earth. Rather we observe the 10 other planets, as they appear to rotate around us in what is referred to as the Zodiac belt. The Zodiac is equally divided by 12 signs, Aries through Pisces.
Natal describes the exact position where each planet was at the exact minute you were born. Based on the date you were born, these are where the planets were ‘locked’ into a particular sign at your birth. The place and time of your birth will give you the exact degree of your planets, especially the moon, and set up the houses that become your birth chart. The sign on the first house cusp becomes your Ascendant or Rising Sign. Whatever degree is on your Ascendant, sets forth the configuration of your chart. Remember there are many different house systems. The most common in the US are Placidus and Koch. Different systems produce different charts, but the degree on the Ascendant/Descendant should always be the same. Not all houses are equal and will vary in the number of degrees. You may see a whole sign of 30 degrees sandwiched inbetween 2 others all in one house. This is called an intercepted sign. The one exception is the equal house cusp system which is what I use for Solar Charts ~ no birth time.
To look at a chart is the same as to read a story. First you must learn how to read!
Planets are the key ‘alphabet’ and are the back bone for everything you’ll ever learn in Astrology. They describe the qualities supplied in the chart — the ‘what’ that is going on. Therefore, you must understand them completely.
Signs are like creating words, as they describe ‘how’ the planetary energies get used based on what sign a planet falls in.
Each sign is ruled by an individual planet that helps to define it’s character.
Houses describe ‘where’ the energies and qualities of both the planets & signs are taking place. They kind of tie things together, like sentences.
Each house corresponds to a planet & it’s sign..
When you can grasp the basic knowledge of all three - planets, signs & houses- and start putting them all together, then you have the basis for your story which is, ofcourse, your chart.
By understanding the individual characteristics of each planet, the sign it rules, and the house it corresponds to you can start to interpret your own horoscope. It should also help you to appreciate the influence of Astrology in your daily life and in the lives of your loved ones.
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