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Basic astrology requires an understanding
of the parts of a birth chart or natal chart, and of how the astrology
symbols can be interpreted and synthesised. The planets, signs, houses and aspects are
the nuts and bolts of astrology. Below is an overview of how
these components fit together in all astrological charts.
Follow the links on the left to find out more basic
astrology information about specific
planets and points, the astrological elements and qualities,
and a step-by-step astrology chart
interpretation system.
Overview: Planets,
Signs, Houses & Aspects What
does it all mean? The sign and house that each planet occupies, and it’s aspect to all of the other planets. Planets can be compared to energy - each planet provides us with some kind of energy, whether it is passion, determination, caution, imagination etc. The twelve signs of the zodiac can be compared to a manner of doing things. Each sign ‘does’ things in different ways, so each energy will be expressed in a different manner. Determination, for instance, can be expressed in a solid, step by step manner, or it can be expressed in a ‘succeed at all costs’ attitude, to give just two examples. Each energy, expressed in whichever manner, directs itself mainly at a particular area of our lives, be it work, health, family matters, love, and so on. The houses of the zodiac can be compared to these areas of interest or concern. So, if you consider a particular planet (energy) in a particular sign (manner) in a particular house (area of interest), you can judge how this person is likely to behave and act in that sphere of their life. This applies to every planet. Once the sign and house positions of all of the planets have been calculated, it is clear that some are at particular angles to each other. An astrological angle is called an aspect, and different aspects between the planets signify different things. When two planets are within a few degrees of each other, for instance, this usually means that the energies of the two planets combine together harmoniously in your life, and you benefit from both. When they are directly opposite one another, however, this tends to mean that the two energies are at conflict with one another, and this may signify some degree of tension or unease in some parts of life. Everyone has ‘good’ and ‘bad’ aspects - there is no such thing as a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ chart. Some charts have more difficult aspects than others - this is not necessarily bad news, however. It might mean that although they have had a difficult start in life, that person has had to cultivate a strong and winning personality that has in the end served them well. Equally, somebody may have a chart that is quite full of easy, pleasant aspects - but that person may ultimately have quite a tedious life and take too much for granted, lacking the get up and go to achieve what they really want. Every planet occupies a sign of the zodiac and a house of the zodiac; some signs or houses may have more than one planet present in them, some may have none. This is a very simplified explanation, but perhaps serves to give a basic insight into how astrology ‘works’. To look at an example: Joe Bloggs has a birth chart that shows Mars in Capricorn in the 10th house. Mars provides us with determination and raw active ‘I want’ energy. Capricorn expresses itself solidly, with ambition and a real ‘stick at it’ attitude. The 10th house generally deals with our aspirations for our working lives and career. You could therefore say that Joe Bloggs is likely to be very determined to get to the top of his chosen career, and will work hard and steadily to ensure his success. However, the planet Saturn is 90 degrees away, in Libra, in the 7th house. Saturn therefore makes a square aspect to Joe’s determined Mars. Saturn is the planet of limitation, responsibility and delay. Libra expresses itself many ways, but in this situation probably through social contacts. And the 7th house is the house of close relationships or marriage. In this case, it would seem that despite Joe’s wish to succeed, he is shy and hesitant in public, and doesn’t really have the confidence to push himself forward. It also seems that his own anxiety about his career may have repercussions on his marriage, which otherwise would have been peaceful and trouble free. Perhaps he wishes to succeed more for his wife’s sake than for his, trying to live up to her expectations. It may well be that somewhere in the rest of the chart of the mythical Joe Bloggs lies the answer - perhaps Pluto steps in with a dramatic change of circumstances, or perhaps with a push from Venus Joe will decide to become self-employed and leave the rat race. Who knows? But in a real chart, we would be able to look for and find the solution to this particular dilemma, and advise Joe accordingly. Keywords SUN: Power, Vitality, Healthiness, Self-Expression, Dignity, Pride MOON: Repose, Fluctuation, Emotionality, Possessiveness, Sensitivity MERCURY: Communication, Mentality, Perceptiveness, Logicality, Cleverness VENUS: Harmony, Unison, Relatedness, Gracefulness, Peacefulness, Tact MARS: Strength, Determination, Passion, Action, Courage, Impulsiveness JUPITER: Expansion, Preservation, Joviality, Justice, Generosity, Optimism SATURN: Limitation, Responsibility, Seriousness, Cautiousness, Patience URANUS: Change, Revolution, Disruption, Originality, Rebelliousness NEPTUNE: Impressionability, Idealism, Nebulousness, Gullibility, Spirituality PLUTO: Elimination, Renewal, Regeneration The Signs and Their Manners of Working in KeywordsARIES: Assertively, Bossily, Recklessly, Courageously, Impulsively TAURUS: Possessively, Slowly, Solidly, Step by Step, Tenaciously GEMINI: Communicatively, with alert Versatility, Quickly CANCER: Protectively, Nostalgically, Nurturingly, with Care LEO: Creatively, Joyfully, Arrogantly VIRGO: Critically, with attention to detail, Fussily, Perfectly LIBRA: Harmoniously, Unitedly, Softly, Gently, Socially SCORPIO: Passionately, Secretively, Deeply, Penetratingly, Spitefully SAGITTARIUS: Freely, Optimistically, Open-Mindedly CAPRICORN: Prudently, Carefully, Ambitiously, Coolly AQUARIUS: Detachedly, Scientifically, Aloofly, Unusually PISCES: Confusedly, Dreamily, Uncertainly, Sensitively The Houses and their Spheres of Activity in Keywords ONE: The Self, Outward Mannerism, How others see you TWO: Possessions and money, financial security THREE: Communications, mental interests, siblings FOUR: The Home, family, emotional security FIVE: Creativity, Risks, Pleasures, Children, Love Affairs SIX: Health, service, duty SEVEN: Marriage, Love, partnerships, close relationships EIGHT: Other people’s possessions, legacies, shared feelings, The Life Force - birth, sex, death, afterlife NINE: Travel, justice, philosophy TEN: Status, attainment, career or work aspirations ELEVEN: Friendships, wider interests, humanitarian issues, objectives, public image TWELVE: Retirement, escape, hidden subconscious, dreams and fears The Aspects and their Implications CONJUNCTION 0O Strong focal point. Energies of the two planets are fused but not modified. OPPOSITION 180O Tension and conflict. The energies of the two planets are at loggerheads. SQUARE 90O Difficulty and discord. The energies are fighting to become dominant. TRINE 120O Strongly helpful. The energies flow freely and complement one another. SEXTILE 60O Generally helpful, but occasionally both energies are wasted. QUINCUNX 150O Stressful. The two energies strain each other, neither working to best effect. SEMI-SEXTILE 30O Slightly stressful, although one energy may be dominant and work well. SEMI-SQUARE 45O Difficult, but less so than the square. SESQUIQUADRATE 135O Irritating and annoying rather than difficult. Energies are unpredictable. |
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