10. Jupiter, the Planet of Expansion

In the natal chart Jupiter reveals how individuals grow within their culture, their religious beliefs and traditions. It also shows how people come together as a society and cooperate with each other. It also reveals the compassionate nature toward those less fortunate. Jupiter also rules universities, the legal profession, charitable organizations, as well as churches (especially of organized religions) of all sizes. Here is how it affects the signs as well as the afflicted results.

Jupiter in Aries: courageous, true believers in embarking on crusades for the betterment of the masses. Unfortunately if the planet is afflicted, they promise more than they deliver, squander money and are extremely careless.

Jupiter in Taurus: can consider material resources as forms of energy that flow, grow and sustains life. Those with this placement must learn generosity as well as wisdom when it comes to spending. Fond of the finer things in life and luxury, can overindulge if afflicted.

Jupiter in Gemini: intellectually advanced and curious, restless, but needs to immerse fully into study instead of dabbling in many areas. There is ability to express self through writing and lecturing, however, if placement is afflicted, the superficial knowledge can make them intellectual snobs.

Jupiter in Cancer: the early childhood instilled morals, generosity and religious principles which become part of the basic expression when adulthood is reached. They strive for a comfortable home environment. If afflicted there can be self indulgent tendencies toward material comforts.

Jupiter in Leo: energetic, benevolent, optimistic, expect admiration in return. Fond of social gatherings, parades and art firms depicting history or religion. If afflicted, can become compulsive in gambling or stock trading.

Jupiter in Virgo: too much precision hinders this planet’s expansiveness. Must learn cooperation and allow others to assist in large projects. Honest, loves order unless afflicted, then sloppy and lazy. Can drift from one unsatisfactory job to another.

Jupiter in Libra: natives tend to search for partners with similar spiritual values and philosophic thought, and influences religious, educational and social ideas of friends and other close associates. If afflicted, they tend to have double standards and can be jealous and vindictive with intimate ties.

Jupiter in Scorpio: interests in finance, investments, taxes, real estate and insurance. Can be intense in beliefs, standards and principles. Also an affinity in matters of the occult and reincarnation. If afflicted, may use mystical forces and psychic phenomena for personal gains.

Jupiter in Sagittarius: likely to embrace some social system of thought to govern one’s way of life. Fond of foreign lands and culture, travel and adventure, education, history, philosophy and religion. Can be narrow-minded if afflicted and quite chauvinistic.

Jupiter in Capricorn: over-concerned with ethics, business and morals, law, political, and economic status. Power-driven, which may interfere with close relationships and they mask their frustration and loneliness with an air of cold austerity. If afflicted, can be penny pinching and dollar destructive.

Jupiter in Aquarius: extremely tolerant of the lifestyles of others, desires to connect in some measure with people of all walks and religions. Works to uplift and improve social and moral organizations; broad-minded and pioneering. If afflicted, can scatter energies and promise more than they can deliver.

Jupiter in Pisces: compassionate, intuitive, tend to champion those less fortunate. Must take caution as they may be taken advantage of. If the slower moving planets Uranus, Neptune or Pluto aspect Jupiter there can be some psychic affinity. If afflicted, must stay clear of cults, gurus and astral illusions.

If you want to purchase astrological textbooks, you should memorize the planets in signs and houses from your natal charts. Read the interpretation and see how accurate the book you intend to buy is with regard to your chart makeup. If the book is accurate when it comes to you, it will probably serve you well when you start researching the charts of your friends and family members. In a future article, I will recommend textbooks that will get you started on the right track. 

Questions from Readers 1

I am happy to answer questions from readers who are serious in learning about astrology and reading their own charts.

Q: I was born on September 23^rd. I notice some newspaper columns have me under Virgo and some Libra. Which is correct?

A: You were born on the cusp between Virgo and Libra. The only way to be certain of which sign you were born under is to get a natal chart constructed. Even looking up the date in an ephemeris (a book that shows the daily planetary positions as well as the signs) would give you an idea of what sign the Sun was in on your day, but a chart using your time of birth would be more accurate.

Q: Can you look at a chart and tell what sort of illness a person can get?

A: There is Medical Astrology, and yes with certain planets in houses and in aspect, an experienced astrologer can see sensitive areas in a person’s chart that could be cause for concern, physically as well as mentally.

Q: What exactly are the Nodes? Why are they called Dragon’s Head and Tail?

A: North Node, or Dragon’s Head (Caput Draconis) and South Node or Dragon’s Tail (Cauda Draconis) are sensitive points on the ecliptic. Even though all planets except the Sun and Earth have Nodes, only the Moon’s Nodes are significant as far as human destiny is concerned. North Node stands for karmic credit – your karmic objectives in this lifetime. It reveals soul growth and evolution. The house placement shows the area of life in which you need to develop, or become aware of.  The South Node represents karmic debt or things left over from your past life shows what urges drive our lives as well as connections with regard to relationships. In comparison charts, relationships that seem fated usually have a South Node connection. Used also in transits as the Nodes signify major releases of certain energies shown by whichever planet aspecting or houses the Natal nodes reside.

Q: When I list my time of birth, should it be exactly what it says on my birth certificate or should I convert it to standard time?

A: You should always use what is listed on your birth certificate. Many astrologers will ask you to double check the AM/PM part; most certificates list the time as it reads on the clock with no conversion. The astrologer will change it or the software used will automatically convert it if it is daylight savings or war time, or in some cases, both.

Q: What do you call a chart that uses two people’s birth info?

A: Comparison, Compatibility or Relationship Chart, which are used when a couple first encounters each other. A Composite Chart is constructed of two natal planetary placements divided to make one chart. Many astrologers use the Composite to see how the world sees this relationship or where the tension lies in the relationship. This can also be for other pairings -- mother and child, brother and sister, etc.

Q: Can you recommend a beginner’s astrological textbook that is easy to understand?

A: Yes, two come to mind. My interest in astrology started with a book by Alan Oken called “Alan Oken’s Complete Astrology: The Classic Guide to Modern Astrology.” Another great beginner’s book is “Chart Interpretation Handbook: Guidelines for Understanding the Essentials of the Birth Chart” by Stephen Arroyo. Check and see if these books are available online through Amazon.com.

Q: Professional astrological software is a little more expensive than I can afford. What astrology freeware or shareware do you recommend?

A: I can think of 3 sites. I started with Astrology for Windows which is software developed by John Halloran, which led to getting the deluxe software later Halloran. AstroWin is another and finally, Astrolog.

9. Mars & Your Action, Reaction & Attraction

I hope you have visited one of the many free horoscope sites and entered your birth data in order to have a copy of your natal chart. If you haven’t, two easy-to-use sites are astrotheme.com and http://www.horoscopeswithin.com/birthchart.php, they will give you some helpful descriptions of planets in signs and houses at the time you were born. If you want a natal or solar wheel to print out, you can visit astro.com, new-astrology.com or astro.cafeastrology.com.

Mars in the natal chart reveals action, attraction and reaction. Locate what sign Mars occupied using your natal or solar chart, then read these gender specific capsules.

MARS IN ARIES

Women: attracted to self-confident, take charge type of partners.

Men: react in an aggressive, enthusiastic, passionate manner.

MARS IN TAURUS

Women: attracted to financially secure, established partners.

Men: fond of luxury and earthly pleasures, are truly sensual individuals.

MARS IN GEMINI

Women: attracted to intelligent stimulation and mates eager to change for the better.

Men: quite cerebral even in relationships; can be flirtatious as well as fickle.

MARS IN CANCER

Women: attracted to protective men who provide stable homes for them.

Men: moody, sensitive, protective; need partners who mother them.

MARS IN LEO

Women: attracted to outgoing partners, self confident and stylish.

Men: definitely lion-like; charming, warm-hearted, need to be admired.

MARS IN VIRGO

Women: attracted to practical, conventional and intelligent partners.

Men: appear cold, calculating, analytical; need encouragement from mates.

MARS IN LIBRA

Women: attracted to calm, cool, well-groomed, romantic partners.

Men: turn-offs include crude, coarse or improper behavior.

MARS IN SCORPIO

Women: attracted to passionate, spontaneous professional partners.

Men: intensely passionate; once committed to their partners are usually loyal.

MARS IN SAGITTARIUS

Women: attracted to outgoing, adventurous, animal-loving partners.

Men: freedom-loving; can be affectionate, tender and quite self-indulgent.

MARS IN CAPRICORN

Women: attracted to partners with practical and realistic goals; high achievers.

Men: extremely sensitive, self-critical; needs tenderness and centering from mates.

MARS IN AQUARIUS

Women: attracted to unconventional lovers with original ideas and humanitarian goals.

Men: loves the unusual, experimental types; must maintain their freedom at all costs.

MARS IN PISCES

Women: attracted to romantic yet strong characters, gentle and kind.

Men: romantic, affectionate, tender, mysterious; seek same in partners.

8. Venus & How We Express Love

The planet Venus stands for the affections and how we express them. These are examples of Venus in the signs, so you need to get a natal chart constructed to know which sign Venus was in when you were born. There are several sites that offer free horoscope charts, and the one I find handy for beginners (it’s in English) is astrotheme.com. Register, look for the ‘free personalized horoscope in the left margin, enter your data, make note of what planets are in what signs and houses, then return to read how you express your feelings of love. 

  

Venus in Aries is usually very energetic and competitive when seeking the affections of the objects of their interests. Quite passionate in love and enthusiastic in the chase, they can be impulsive and unstable. They can also be self-centered and demanding.

Venus in Taurus is stable, constant and steadfast. They love good food, luxurious surroundings and an opulent lifestyle. They value artistic items and tend to purchase items of long lasting quality. They are close with nature and enjoy gardening. Can be possessive.

Venus in Gemini loves change, variety and spontaneity in their social lives, and capable of devoting themselves. They dislike people with coarse and rude attitudes, but can match them if provoked. They enjoy conversation with people whose minds are as agile as theirs.

Venus in Cancer is super sensitive when it comes to their romantic feelings. They hide their vulnerable feelings behind a dignified façade. They are moody (like the Moon ruler) and unpredictable. They mainly marry for domestic stability, a demonstrative partner makes them feel cherished.

Venus in Leo loves life, social gatherings, anywhere they can shine. They expect to be the life of any party. They are born romantics and use their natural acting abilities to court. Can be jealous, but enjoys showing off their object of desire. Affectionate, outgoing and usually quite loyal.

Venus in Virgo tends to be overly analytical; too critical of those they love which can alienate them. They have high standards for their ideal mates and sometimes their reluctance to open up and express themselves stands in the way of developing relationships.

Venus in Libra has no difficulty understanding the needs and feelings of their partners and seeks friends and lovers to share close personal bonds. They are considerate, social, romantic, affectionate and to them sex is not enough to base a relationship on.

Venus in Scorpio has intense emotions, sexual desires are strong, romantic drives are passionate as well as secretive. They have an all-or-nothing attitude toward love and romance, and if wronged, become very bitter, cold and calculating. Once betrayed, the trust aspect can never be repaired.

Venus in Sagittarius tends to be honest, open, sociable, outgoing, vivacious with a tendency to try and convert their lovers to their beliefs and principles. They usually marry in the traditional sense but are unafraid to walk on the wild side of romance. Loves travel, sports and outdoor fun.

Venus in Capricorn is like the other Earth signs, seek emotional security through status and wealth. Likes to be wooed and is usually reserved in their behavior, viewing public displays of affection with distain. Capable of extreme sensuality behind closed doors. They are loyal yet dignified.

Venus in Aquarius is popular, well liked, friendly yet aloof. Crude behavior bothers them like it does the other air signs but they can be unconventional when it comes to social behavior. The romantic interest must be a friend and bring plenty of intellectual stimulation.

Venus in Pisces is deeply compassionate, also able to understand the feelings of others. Sensitive, in need of clear messages of love and affections or they feel disappointed. Hesitant in expressing their feelings for fear of being hurt or rejected. Can be emotionally dependent or have others dependent on them. 

7. Mercury & Your Thinking Process

Mercury in your natal chart represents how you think and communicate – in both speech and writing. It shows through the intellect what you choose to retain and use as well as discard and/or ignore. If you had your chart calculated, you now know where Mercury was when you were born.

Mercury in Aries shows a way of thinking that is quick, decisive and can be combative. The decision-making process is impulsive and cannot tolerate those who dawdle and take too long to act. Fond of debate.

Mercury in Taurus is value-based thinking; what is practical, which means they have an affinity for business and managerial positions. Focusing on what is most important, means overlooking small details.

Mercury rules Gemini reveals versatility, curiosity and comfort in logic and reason. Capable of knowledge and aptitude in many professions, and can communicate eloquently. Too much stimuli leads to fragile nerves.

Mercury in Cancer shows emotions, whether their own or others around them, influence the thinking process. Can sometimes take things said to them too personally. Comfortable in real estate, catering and consumer goods.

Mercury in Leo reveals strong powers of concentration, ability to solve complex problems. Opinions are developed with great consideration and almost impossible to change. Affinity toward stock market analysis.

Mercury also rules Virgo, giving a precise, analytical mind. The curiosity that drives Gemini is turned into fascination in Virgo. Methodical and accurate, but can be buried in details. Can achieve success in areas of medicine, math and research.

Mercury in Libra reveals a curious mind; fascinated by psychology, and why people behave in certain manners. Decision making is slow as all sides are considered first. Successful in law, psychology, astrology and counseling.

Mercury in Scorpio, a determined, resourceful mind, and no qualms about telling it like it is. Prefer to work behind the scenes and alone, tendency to mistrust others, making them good scientists, investigators, and researchers.

Mercury in Sagittarius indicates a prophetic mind, insightful, concerned more with public opinion than logic and facts. A need to remember a popular idea does not mean it’s right. Affinity for professions in public institutions, universities and politics.

Mercury in Capricorn reveals a shrewd, disciplined mind, organized, thorough, realistic. It is rare to pull the wool over the eyes of Capricorn as they see things for what they are. Good mathematical as well as managerial skills. Can be ambitious and serious.

Mercury in Aquarius, an objective, original, intuitive and innovative mind. Nothing surprises them and they can shrug off experiences that unnerve or upset  others. Can be telepathic. Affinity for philanthropy, science, astrology and occult professions.

Mercury in Pisces, a sponge-like mind; collecting thoughts, sensations and memories of their own (as well as others). Unconscious emotions can influence as well as distort thinking. Many composers, artists and musicians have Mercury in this sign.

6. The Moon & Your Inner Self

The Moon shows a person’s emotional response to life’s situation. It also shows what childhood experiences color the emotions and reactions. It represents the home life, heritage, maternal figures as well as how the person interacts with the public at large and women in general. This luminary rules the sign Cancer.

Moon in Aries: Temperamental, impulsive, and independent, with a “my way or the highway” mentality. Tend to dominate those they love emotionally. Their tempers can flare up suddenly and once the outburst is released, the anger is soon forgotten.

Moon in Taurus: The Moon here is very strong because Taurus is the sign of exaltation. Emotions are steady, however, desires financial or material gain in order to feel secure. They are fond of good food, drink and usually very good at growing things.

Moon in Gemini: The nervous energy may bring practical ability, and for many, cause them to rationalize their emotions to the point that they don’t know what they really feel. They can spread their feelings so thin that others may call them superficial.

Moon in Cancer: Indicates a strong tie to home, family, mother, heritage and children. Extremely sensitive to the moods and feelings of others around them, and sometimes they tend to take things too personally, which may cause them to sulk and brood.

Moon in Leo: Tendency to dramatize their feelings out of an unconscious need to be admired, appreciated and loved. Just like the other fire signs (Aries, Sagittarius), Leo tends to emotionally dominate those within their home. Inclined to be stubborn.

Moon in Virgo: Great concern for health, diet as well as hygiene and housekeeping. Meticulous when it comes to detail, they make good cooks, who create meals that are not only tasty but healthy as well. Enjoys working quietly behind the scenes.

Moon in Libra: Courteous, gracious, dislikes vulgarity and can be easily upset by inharmonious domestic situations. Strongly sensitive to the attitudes and vibes of others around them, seeks approval of others to maintain balance and peace.

Moon in Scorpio: While the Moon in Taurus is exalted, in Scorpio it’s in its fall. Very possessive nature and when extreme, can hold grudges as well as plot revenge. Can be quite stubborn and tends to brood and revels in subtly influencing family members.

Moon in Sagittarius: Aspires to high but not very realistic goals. Fond of travel to foreign lands and will often take up residence far from the birthplace. Strong attachment to the religious and philosophic views of their parents. Beware of arrogant nature.

Moon in Capricorn: Cautious, reserved, somewhat cold and austere nature. Can take life almost too seriously and identifies mainly with material with few spiritual values. Like its opposite sign Cancer, can take things too personally and is insecure about self worth.

Moon in Aquarius: Capable of sympathizing with the needs of humanity as a whole. Tends to be friendly but in an impersonal way. Demands freedom within the domestic sphere, where their relationships can be unusual. Can be fearful of emotional ties.

Moon in Pisces: A vivid imagination, to the point of creating their own world to protect themselves due to a supersensitive emotional nature. Feelings can be hurt easily, can also be excessively shy, yet there is an affinity for poetic artistic or musical pursuits.

5. Astrological Houses in a Nutshell

The astrological chart wheel is broken down into twelve equal 30° houses and each represent specific areas. In the traditional method, the first six are the personal houses and the last six, the social. Just a note, if you’re looking at your chart and you have no planets in say your second house, it does not mean you don’t value anything, or that you won’t be able to make money. However if you have a group of planets (known as a stellium) in one house, this is something that would catch an astrologer’s attention. Here are the keywords, philosophical as well as traditional meanings to each of the 12 houses.

1^st House – Ascendant (also known as the Rising Sign)

Philosophical interpretation:  Awareness of self; the particular destiny

Keywords:  Person outlook

Traditional interpretation: Personality, body form, outlook

2^nd House

Philosophical interpretation: Life substance to be used by self, the social substance, unable to work out destiny, wealth

Keywords:  How you make money

Traditional interpretation: Health, wealth, possessions, financial gain or loss

3^rd House

Philosophical interpretation: The environment, relationship of personal self to physical, substance

Keywords: Communication, family

Traditional interpretation: Brethren, neighbors, short journeys, letters, lower mind

4^th House -- Nadir

Philosophical interpretation: The soul, base of operations, father, concretization of self

Keywords: Home, parents, land

Traditional interpretation: Home, parents, father, end of life, land and real estate

5^th House

Philosophical interpretation: Exteriorization of self, creative and procreative activity, recreations

Keywords: Recreation, procreation, creation

Traditional interpretation: Children, artistic creations, speculations, recreations

6^th House

Philosophical interpretation: Conflicts, resulting from H5, enmity of other personal selves, including the cells of one’s own body

Keywords: Employment, illness

Traditional interpretation: Sickness, service, private enemies

7^th House -- Descendant

Philosophical interpretation: The sense of human relationship on a basis of giving & taking. Interchange of vital energies and ideas

Keywords: One to one relationships

Traditional interpretation: Marriage & Partnerships

8^th House

Philosophical interpretation: Destruction of personal limitations as a result of human interchange. Enlargement of viewpoint, regeneration

Keywords: Rebirth, sometimes death, joint finances

Traditional interpretation: Death & legacies

9^th House

Philosophical interpretation: The abstract mind, mental adjustment to racial ideas and collective needs

Keywords: Religion & Education

Traditional interpretation: Religion, philosophy, science, writing, distant travels

10^th House -- Midheaven

Philosophical interpretation: base of operation in human society, business, mother in whom racial consciousness and the rational soul are concretized

Keywords: Profession, self discipline, sacrifice

Traditional interpretation: Honor, fame, public position, mother

11^th House

Philosophical interpretation: Circle of acquaintances and the friends, new ideals of human and social relationships, dreams and efforts

Keywords: Friends, dreams

Traditional interpretation: friends, wishes, hopes, flatterers

12^th House

Philosophical interpretation: Conflict with the inertial forces of society, forces which brought the self into incarnation, overcoming of karma

Keywords: Self undoing

Traditional interpretation: Hidden enemies, fate, confinement

4. Planetary Aspects & Keywords

The sky chart is a circle – 360 degrees, and each of the twelve signs is divided into 30 degrees. Aspects are the angles between planets and depending on which planets (as well as their energies) involved, some aspects can last a few hours, a day, several weeks or years. Many effects of the planetary alignments could be barely noticeable and others can be apparent as a Mack truck. Some are considered to be beneficial (or easy), and some detrimental (or difficult). In layperson’s terms, the aspects are referred to as soft and hard aspects. Aspects are used in natal astrology when constructing charts and when looking at transits which are when current planets aspect the natal planets.

The major aspects are the conjunction, sextile, square, opposition and trine. There are minor aspects such as semi-sextile, quintile, decile and biquintile, etc., but are used to shore up the major aspects and help to balance out the energy.

The conjunction can be considered a variable influence depending on the planets involved in the conjunction. The acceptable “orb” (or variance) between these two conjuncting planets can be anywhere between 0° to 3°. Because of the important influence of the Sun and Moon in an individual’s chart, the orb between these luminaries and another planet can range from 0° to 6° on either side of the placement. Say if a planet is at 29° Libra, and another is nearby at 2° Scorpio (which is another sign), this is just as much a conjunction as say, a planet at 26° Libra. 

The sextile is one of the easy aspects with two planets being 60° apart. The planets involved are usually situated in elementally compatible signs and represents talents, affinities or opportunities which can be well utilized.

The square is a 90° angle and can be a tension aspect when you consider which planets are involved. One thing about the square, it can be a ‘lesson learned’ aspect where you grow from the results whether positive or negative.

The trine, one of the most harmonious aspects, is when two planets form an angle of 120° and usually form within the same element, which are earth, air, fire and water. It also shows the creative talents and opportunities available when the person is motivated to succeed.

A minor aspect which many astrologers use to show complexity is the inconjunct (also known as quincunx), at 150° apart. It can also show stress and tension so on occasion it is used to back up the square. It can also show creative genius.

The opposition, 180° shows planets exactly opposite and the polarity creates variable degrees of tension. Like the conjunction, the orb of 3° between planets or 6° between luminaries and planets is the standard.

3. Astrological Sign Keywords

Here are some keywords you can keep in mind for the Sun signs and the Rising signs. All twelve are listed by sign, dates*, motto, quality, element, traits (positive and negative), what the sign stands for in the chart, and parts of the body ruled by each sign. *A note about the dates, although they seem fixed, you need a natal chart constructed if you were born between two signs (cusp).

ARIES  3/21 - 4/20  “I AM”  QUALITY:CARDINAL  ELEMENT: FIRE. Traits: Courageous, passionate, violent, quick-tempered, impulsive, dynamic, defiant, hyperactive, domineering, self-centered, warlike, competitive, impatient, daring, thoughtless, impulsive, rash, enthusiastic, rebellious, sensual, hostile, bold.  In the chart: where you need to be independent. Rules the head.

TAURUS  4/21 - 5/20  “I HAVE”  QUALITY: FIXED  ELEMENT: EARTH. Traits: Humane, realistic, faithful, compassionate, loud, focused, holds grudges, spiteful, cautious, calm, friendly, indulgent, refined, serene, perceptive, hopeful, sturdy, tenacious, patient, tough, materialistic, possessive. In the chart: where you most desire luxury and comfort, most stubborn. Rules the neck and throat.

GEMINI  5/21 - 6/21 “I THINK”  QUALITY: MUTABLE  ELEMENT: AIR.Traits: Perceptive, clever, intellectual, imaginative, quick-witted, humorous, indecisive, forgetful, crafty, good memory/mimicry, restless, fault-finding, shallow, inquisitiveness, flexible, sociable, sarcasm, unconcerned, charming, ironical. In the chart: where you learn, how you communicate or confuse. Rules the arms, lungs and thorax.

CANCER 6/22 - 7/22  “I FEEL”  QUALITY: CARDINAL  ELEMENT: WATER. Traits: Reflective, receptive, psychic, passive, mediumistic, vulnerable, romantic, anxious, evasive, cautious, changeable, domesticity, nostalgic, poetic-minded, touchy, emotional, protective, indolent, moody, adaptability. In the chart: where you are most nurturing as well as secretive. Rules the stomach and breasts.

LEO  7/23 - 8/22  “I WILL”  QUALITY: FIXED  ELEMENT: FIRE. Traits: Ambitious, loyal, pompous, creative, proud, determined, arrogant, dignified, lover of form and ceremony, confident, egotist, quick-tempered, honorable, charismatic, stubborn, self-sufficient, vital, influential. In the chart: where your pride is, your ability to grow, creatively. Rules the heart, spine, and according to many astrologers – eyes.

VIRGO  8/23 - 9/22 “I ANALYZE”  QUALITY: MUTABLE  ELEMENT: EARTH. Traits: Industrious, anxious, intellectual, nervous, modest, attentive to details, shrewd, obstinate, well-organized, perfectionist, profuse, forgetful, critical, versatile, flexible, sarcastic, sensible, artful, skeptic, irritating, petty, restless. In the chart: where you deserve recognition, and work the hardest. Rules the intestines and bowels.

  

LIBRA  9/23 - 10/22  “I BALANCE”  QUALITY: CARDINAL  ELEMENT: AIR. Traits: Harmonious, sympathetic, humane, fair, charming, seductive, refined, romantic, thoughtless, learned, vain, calm, diplomatic, hesitant, flirtatious, poised, loud, perceptive, cool or even insensitive, popular, tolerant, indulgent. In the chart: where we are most involved socially and creatively. Rules kidneys, bladder.

SCORPIO  10/23 - 11/21  “I CREATE”  QUALITY: FIXED  ELEMENT: WATER. Traits: Conscientious, incorruptible, tenacity, domineering, sadistic, tyrannical, intense, creative, cunning, self-centered, suspicious, destructive, violent, stubborn, arrogant, defiance, fanaticism, intuitive, lewdness, passion, sensuality. In the chart: where we are the most insecure emotionally or sexually. Rules the sex organs, anus.

SAGITTARIUS  11/22 - 12/20  “I PERCEIVE”  QUALITY: MUTABLE  ELEMENT: FIRE. Traits: Benevolent, honest, moral, freedom-loving, charitable, sincere, jovial, bold, energetic, exuberant, wasteful, hypocritical, independent, stubborn, devoted, self-sufficient, sociable, straight-forward, spiritual, prophetic. In the chart: where our wisdom, spiritually and holistically lies. Rules the thighs and liver.

CAPRICORN  12/21 - 1/19  “I USE”  QUALITY: CARDINAL  ELEMENT: EARTH. Traits: Cautious, prudent, calculating, reserved, skeptical, serious, melancholic, honest, responsible, persistent, moralistic, secretive, aloof, disciplined, faithful, petty, cruel, cold, focused, hard-working, patient, frugal, inflexible, stubborn. In the chart: where we show leadership and the fatalistic. Rules the bones and skin.

AQUARIUS  1/20 - 2/18  “I KNOW”  QUALITY: FIXED  ELEMENT: AIR. Traits: Original, inventive, contradictory, generous, impassive, unconventional, humanistic, grotesque, destructive, erratic, detached, idealistic, intuitive, curious, impulsive, charitable, elusive, eccentric, versatile, sarcastic, aloof. In the chart: where you are the most rebellious inventive or progressive. Rules the ankles and the legs.

PISCES  2/19 - 3/20  “I BELIEVE”  QUALITY: MUTABLE  ELEMENT: WATER. Traits: Absent-minded, psychic, intuitive, wild, romantic, inspirational, irrational, vacillating, moody, super sensitive, scheming, duality, poetic, seductive, secretive, unpredictable, musical, artistic, weirdness, mystical. In the chart: manifestation of dreams, fantasies, beliefs, imagination. Rules the feet and blood circulation.

2. Planets in Astrology

Planets in Astrology, What Do They Mean?

The Sun and Moon are luminaries, and considered the most important parts of the planets in astrological chart interpretation. The planets are split into two categories – fast moving through the signs: Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars and slow moving – Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. As planets move through each of the zodiac signs, their energies affect individuals in different ways. The easiest way to associate certain traits to each planet is to give them keywords. Even though there are positive and negative traits, it will be easier to balance them when describing the signs that each planet rules.

Sun stands for ego, creative self-expression, pride, leadership, the expression of one’s own power, potential, will, father and men in general, loyalty, courage, aspirations

Moon stands for emotions, home, early childhood and the kind of attitudes instilled, feelings, mother, women in general; shows how one reacts to the actions of others. Also indicates how one eats and food preferences, unconscious

Mercury represents ideas, intellect, analytical abilities, thinking and thought processes, style of communication; what information one chooses to accept or ignore, learning ability

Venus stands for one’s affections, how one expresses emotions in love, love, seduction, creativity as well as what one looks for in a mate, also one’s attitude toward money and social values, artistic talents, sensuality

Mars represents what motivates one to action, one’s drive, energy, aggression, assertion, anger, arousal and temper; also one’s desires, sexual drive

Jupiter stands for your ambition to succeed, luck, adventure, opportunities for growth, adventure and optimism; philosophical beliefs, religious standards, where one is likely to benefit materially and financially, generosity

Saturn represents self-control and self-discipline; your duties and responsibilities, life-structure, your fears, inhibitions, restrictions, anxieties, and self-imposed limits, lessons learned

Uranus stands for unconventionality, freedom, eccentricities, the force behind liberation, inventiveness, independence

Neptune represents imagination, impressionability, style, creativity, illusion and disillusion, charisma and spirituality, mysticism, faith, religion, inspiration

Pluto stands for transformation, restructuring of self and life, obsession, power struggles, control, trust and the violation of trust, instincts, occultism and hidden sciences, death and reincarnation

Chiron, part of a comet found in 1977, is relatively new as far as astrological interpretation goes. Chiron represents what you can teach and be taught, how you can heal and heal others, wisdom, and patience.

The positive and negative traits to each of the zodiac signs as well as the parts of the body they rule will be discussed next. 

What is Astrology?

1. What is Astrology?

Astrology is a science, not a sideline or fortune-telling device.  As professionals, we have taken an oath to treat astrology with the respect given a science, not entertainment. Sciences such as astronomy, meteorology, and alchemy came from the study of astrology in the ancient world. For those of you willing to learn the proper way to construct a chart and interpret it, I will point you in the right direction by covering the basics.  Even after 2000+ charts, I am still learning; it is a fascinating subject and I hope you will find it to be quite enlightening.  You will learn what connects us, separates us, motivates us, strengthens and weakens us.  You may even find out something rather hidden in your own planetary setup that you may need to understand in order to realize your dreams. Childhood behavior patterns that have followed you into adulthood, traits picked up from people and experiences you should be learning from, not repeating.

            I will go through the basics about the planets, signs, houses and aspects, as well as their influences, then chart construction and finally – analysis and interpretation. I hope you will be able to understand them better after I explain them to you. If you read your daily horoscope in the newspapers, magazines or online, this is called Sun Sign Astrology and is extremely popular around the world. A simplified, newspaper version of predictive horoscopes was invented in 1930, by an astrologer named R. H. Naylor. It deals with the 30-day zodiac sign the Sun was in when you were born and the only luminary that moves in a 24-hour period is the Moon, so the daily horoscope incorporates the fastest moving solar and lunar influences. It is also very general, because there are at least 5,000,000 people born under any given sign, so how can a couple of sentences be very accurate with regard to your life? 

            Basically horoscopic astrology is the visualization of the celestial bodies (especially planets) and their aspects at a certain moment in time. In other words, a chart is a map. Horoscope comes from a Greek word – horoskopos – which is also the word for ascendant – the first house in a chart. Although there are a few different uses of horoscopic astrology, the most popular application is natal astrology, where a chart of an individual is constructed using the date, place and time of birth in order to reveal certain characteristics, traits, talents as well as the strengths and weakness of the personality. Natal astrology is practiced in both Western and Eastern (Asian) systems. There are branches of horoscopic astrology such as electional, mundane and horary, and they deal mainly with events, subjects, business and politics. Natal astrology is the branch I will hope to explain to those of you who want to learn.

            It’s good to know how to calculate a chart manually; computers can sometimes make errors and that can throw off the accuracy a great deal, the wrong planetary placement or the wrong ascendant or rising sign can throw it off completely.  When calculating a natal chart, the birth time is important because it places your planetary make up into environments called houses.  I ask for the exact time from birth certificates as well as witnesses to the occasions.  This is essentially your key to the universe, so in order to have an accurate chart, the time has to be as exact as possible.  Some people have no idea of their time of birth and have no way of finding out, so a solar (Sun) chart is constructed, using either 5am or 12noon as the estimated time of birth. Natal astrology incorporates all the planets as well as the luminaries (Sun and Moon) at the time you were born, as well as the day and place. I want to suggest a free chart site that will calculate your data and give you some insight to your own Natal chart, but you have to register. It’s called Astro Theme: http://www.astrotheme.com/ and it will at least give you an idea of what your natal chart looks like. Look for the Natal Chart and Ascendant under Personality in the left hand margin of the home page. If you were born during Daylight Savings Time, do not knock off an hour, allow the software on Astro Theme to do it. I will introduce the Planets in my next article.