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Many
people scoff at astrology, believing that the art and science of casting a chart
to be foolish at best, evil and heretical at worst. After all, the planets are
so far away they couldn't possibly affect our behavior, could they? Yet over
thousands of years, cultures around the world have observed patterns of behavior
and personality traits common to particular planetary alignments. While
the horoscope has become a fixture in almost every periodical or website, how
could such broad statements apply to everyone born under that particular sign?
Well, they don't, and they can't. While the best astrologers can identify energy patterns, they are only patterns, not set in stone. Many factors affect an individual's situation and while astrology gives clues as to how energy may be flowing in general, no one can accurately predict exactly what will happen and when, at least by the positions of the planets. The
Basics
In astrology, the positions of the planets at the time of a person’s birth are believed to affect that person’s personality traits and potential life choices. While many people concern themselves with only their “Sun sign”, the sign in which the sun was at the time of their birth, the sun is only part of the picture. Not only do the moon and other planets have an effect, but so do the relationships among the celestial bodies. The terminology is a bit odd at first, but when you have the key it all becomes much clearer. Consider the sky as a huge wheel, turning as the earth revolves and presenting a different constellation over a particular point on the globe at any given time. By imagining the wheel as turning counter-clockwise to the earth’s clockwise motion, you can see how the planets move in relation to geographic location. A person’s place of birth is like a cog in the gear, meshing with that of the sky to produce a snapshot, if you will, of that person’s potentialities. The planetary movement is known as a transit. The Houses
Within this giant wheel
there are twelve spokes, with the horizon being the starting point, with the
signs moving in succession around the wheel in what are called houses. Each
house represents elements of a person’s life, and each has a natural planetary
ruler. As the astrological calendar begins in the spring with Aries, the
natural position of Aries is on the eastern horizon, with the signs moving
counterclockwise from there. Since Mars
rules Aries, the natural ruler of the first house is Mars. Divisions
between the houses are called cusps and sometimes a sign is on the cusp
of two houses When casting a natal, or
birth chart, the constellation rising over the horizon is called the ascendant.
Also known as the rising sign, the planet in the ascending
position rules the first house. From what would be the nine o'clock position on
a clock, houses run counterclockwise. Each sign measures 30°
though not every house is exactly 30°. This part of
the chart gets a bit complicated, so for now just remember that there are twelve
signs and twelve houses, each with planetary rulers that affect the fine-tuning
of the chart. Degrees and minutes designate the planets’ positions, as on a
map. Just as each house has characteristics, each planet has characteristics that are associated with it, different areas of personality and potential that falls under its influence. For instance, Mars was the Roman god of war, so in astrology Mars is associated with temper, drive and masculine traits. The position of each planet within each house creates influences on a person’s personality and the choices they may make in life. As the current planetary movement, or transit, meets those planets, the energies are altered. The Elements
Signs are also considered
by their element (fire, earth, water, and air), as well as quality (cardinal,
fixed, mutable). Aries, Leo and
Sagittarius are fire signs, known for their spontaneity,
enthusiasm, and romance. On the negative side, fire signs can be known for
bossiness and impatience. Taurus, Virgo, and
Capricorn, the earth signs, are seen as practical, dependable,
conservative and yet sensual. They love material comforts, and if taken to the
extreme can be materialistic and dull. The air signs, Gemini, Libra and Aquarius, tend to be intellectual and good communicators, and deal well with abstract thinking. However, they may tend to be impractical and emotionally detached. Water signs Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces share the traits
of sensitivity and intuition, and are emotional and responsive. They can be
easily influenced by the environment, and may tend toward self-indulgence,
self-pity, and indecision. More planets in one element over another emphasizes the qualities of that element, as does having other aspects such as ascendant and midheaven in the same element as more than two or three planets. The Qualities
The qualities,
or modes, give clues as to the method of operation for that sign. The cardinal
signs of Aries, Capricorn, Libra, and Cancer lead into their respective seasons,
and as such are initiators, happiest when getting things started. They may also
exhibit an enhanced sense of courage and enthusiasm Fixed
signs Leo,
Taurus, Aquarius, and Scorpio anchor their seasons and represent the ability to
stay with a project, relationship or idea until it is complete or until they are
satisfied. However, sometimes this strength becomes a liability when the person
does not know when to let go, or when resistance to change becomes stubbornness.
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