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A Beginner's Guide to Astrology

Western Astrology is approximately 3000 years old, it based on the study and observation of the cosmos by the Babylonians and Mesopotamians, and subsequently developed in the Islamicate and Medieval Greco-Roman world.

This ancient practice has guided millions of people across millennia. It acts as a wonderful compass to help point us towards a deeper understanding and awareness of ourselves, as well as fostering greater self-acceptance and empowerment. Like a mirror, it can reflect back our true selves to us.

There are four main branches of Astrology: Natal/Horoscopic, predictive, electional (this electing of auspicious moments), and horary (the divinatory answering of questions).

Most Astrology in practice is Horoscopic and predictive. Natal Astrology is done by analysing the Chart of the moment we were born to understand ourselves (and others!) better; and predictive Astrology then looks at that Chart in comparison with where the Planets currently are (the transits) along with other timing techniques to create forecasts (this can also be done “mundanely” i.e. for world events).

If you’re an Astrology beginner, read on for a breakdown of components:

The components of Western Astrology

Astrology is largely based on four main components: the Planets, the Zodiac Signs, the Houses, and the aspects.

The Tropical Zodiac typically used in Western Astrology is seasonal (not constellation as is commonly believed in pop culture). It begins at the Vernal Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere when the Sun enters Aries, thus signalling the start of Aries Season. It then cycles through a Zodiac Sign every 30 days.

The Planets are the main actors in Astrology and what we look to for the actions being carried out, like literal actors in the play. This makes the Zodiac Signs the costumes they wear. For example, Mars is the Planet of drive and energy, in Aries this is bold and fiery action, in Cancer this is softer and more heart-centric, less direct.

The Houses are the division of the sky in which this action is taking place, like the set design in the play. They start with the 1st House/Rising Sign, which depicts the Zodiac Sign that was rising on the eastern horizon at the moment of casting the Chart, and follows through anti-clockwise in Zodiacal order, moving through different areas of life.

For example, Mars in Aries is bold action; if we are looking at a Cancer Rising Chart this would put it in the 10th House of Careers, symbolising professional energy and determination.

Finally, the aspects are like the conversation the Planets are having between each other. They depict where in the sky they are to another, their degrees of distance visually. Some aspects are more challenging than others. In the example above, if Mars is also conjunct (aligned) with Venus, then this can sweeten its tone; if it is squaring Saturn (a harsh aspect) it can dampen its fire a bit, making it less forthright than other Mars in Aries.

The Signs of the Zodiac

Each Sign has a corresponding element. Fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius), as you can imagine, are passionate and fiery. Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) are grounded, sensual and pragmatic. Air signs (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) are light-hearted, intellectual and curious. And Water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) tend to be more in-tune with their emotional side and intuition.

The Signs also have a “mode” or “quality” which is cardinal, fixed or mutable. Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn) kick off new seasons and so are great at taking initiative. Fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius) occur in the middle of seasons thus are more stable and consistent. Mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces) are the last in a season and so are good at ushering in the winds of change.

Lastly, Signs can also be nocturnal or diurnal, this denotes whether its energy is more inward-facing and receptive, or outward-facing and active. The Water and Earth Signs are nocturnal, while the Fire and Air Signs are diurnal.

Characteristics of the Zodiac Signs:

ARIES - The start of the Zodiac, Cardinal Fire Aries is bold, impulsive, forthright, and pioneering. Ruled by Mars, the warrior, it is self-assured and active.
TAURUS - Next is earthy Taurus, Fixed Earth. Venusian Taurus is grounded, sensual, practical, and material. It appreciates good quality and the finer things in life.
GEMINI - Then comes Gemini, Mutable Air, ruled by Mercury the messenger. Gemini is curious, excitable, and interested in the world around it.
CANCER - Next is Cancer, Cardinal Water, the Summer Solstice. Ruled by the Moon, Cancer is protective, sensitive, and nurturing.
LEO - Then is Leo, Fixed Fire ruled by the shining Sun. Leo is regal, authoritative, and playful.
VIRGO - Virgo comes next, Mutable Earth. Also Mercurial, Virgo is astute, analytical, and meticulous, concerned with healing, betterment, and being of service.
LIBRA - Cardinal Air, the Autumn Equinox. Ruled by Venus, this is the art gallery as opposed to the lush garden of Taurus. Libra is aesthetic, just, and relational.
SCORPIO - Then comes Martial Fixed Water; deep, penetrating, persevering, determined, resolute, private, and intense.
SAGITTARIUS - Mutable Fire ruled by Jupiter, Sagittarius is spiritual, philosophical, optimistic, and adventurous, free-spirited and expansive.
CAPRICORN - Cardinal Earth, the Winter Solstice, Saturnian Capricorn is dutiful and responsible, strongly valuing integrity, quality, and reliability.
AQUARIUS - Saturnian Fixed Air, Aquarius creates its own rules and envisions its own way of doing things. Seeking like-minded community, it also requires solitude.
PISCES - Mutable Water ruled by Jupiter, Pisces is a fluid dreamer and believer, flowing with its tides.

The Planets

Each of the planets hold their own characteristics and areas they will affect most, so judging on where they currently are in the sky in relation to you and each other, we can build a framework of what the energies of a particular time will feel like. This is also where you will come across words such as trine, conjunct etc. which are the major aspects- a way to describe where the planets are and what this means in combination with other planets.

A conjunction is at 0 degrees with another planet and so is amplifying and unifying, a sextile is at 60 degrees and indicates harmony, a square is at 90 degrees and represents difficulties, a trine is at 120 degrees and indicates support, and an opposition is at 180 degrees which is a conflict of energies.

For example, when the moon (which rules our body and emotions) is in a trine with Saturn (who rules over dedication), they are at a 120 degree angle in the sky in respect to our viewpoint on Earth, which means that we could have favourable relations by being able to communicate how we feel with maturity, or in taking care of our health over the long term.

The representation of each of the celestial bodies is as follows:

SUN - Sense of self, life, vitality, purpose, aspiration. The sun is also the ruler of Leo.
MOON The moon governs our emotions, needs, and body. This is Cancer’s ruler.
MERCURY - Mercury governs the mind and communication, ruler of Gemini + Virgo.
VENUS - Venus governs desires, tastes, and money attitudes, ruler of Taurus + Libra.
MARS - Mars rules anger, energy, and drive. It is the ruler of Aries + Scorpio.
JUPITER- Governs our morals, beliefs, and abundance; ruler of Pisces + Sagittarius
SATURN - Planet of challenge, restraint + discipline. Ruler of Capricorn + Aquarius.

URANUS - A transpersonal Planet that signifies change, disruption, and upheaval.
NEPTUNE - This is the Planet of illusion, fantasy, confusion, and boundarylessness.
PLUTO - Brings about transformation, power struggles, and intensity.

To take a deeper dive into the world of Astrology, expand your cosmic awareness with our Complete Astrology + Natal Chart Guidebook!

The Houses

There are twelve houses that represent the cyclical nature of the zodiac cycle, based on segments of the sky taken as a pie and divided up into 12 “slices”. When a particular planet is in one of your Houses, its energy will be reflected on this area of life.

Here is an overview of what the houses represent:

1ST HOUSE - Your body, vitality, essence, and how you show up in the world (Rising)
2ND HOUSE - Your finances, income, resources, possessions, values, and self-worth
3RD HOUSE - Siblings, relatives, local neighbourhood, learning, communication
4TH HOUSE - Your home, family, house, upbringing, lineage, ancestry
5TH HOUSE - Your children, sex and sexuality, sense of joy and pleasure, creativity
6TH HOUSE - Health and injury, wellness, acts of service, colleagues, work
7TH HOUSE - Intimate relationships (spouse, best friend), open enemies
8TH HOUSE - Shared resources (tax, debt, partner’s money), inheritance
9TH HOUSE - Spirituality, beliefs, long-distance travel, education, religion
10TH HOUSE - Career, public image, legacy, vocation, sometimes parent
11TH HOUSE - Friendships, community, network, alliances, aspirations
12TH HOUSE - Patterns of self-undoing, retreat, solitude, mental health, spirit

So that’s a very brief introduction to Astrology, I hope it’s useful for you! There is, of course, much much more to say about the topic. If you’d like to read more, check out our post on What Your North and South Node Mean, Chiron Means in Astrology, and How To Find Your Decan.

Or, to discover what the stars have to say for you personally, book yourself in for a Natal Chart Reading with me and let’s uncover their secrets together!

Don’t forget to read our guide on Natal Chart Interpretation For Beginners for more detailed, personalised cosmic information.

If you would like a personalised session with me, book in a 1:1 Astro reading! I’d be honoured to guide you, I also have an offering specifically for students of Astrology. If you prefer to study Astrology alone instead, get our Cosmic Guidance: Astrology 101 Course or our Beginner’s Astrology + Birth Charts Guidebook.

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