Astrology Basics

Hi! I know I mentioned I would have an astrology page on my index page, and it's a subject I know quite a bit about-but getting that information into a workable web-page friendly format isn't coming to me easily at the moment.
So bear with me as I get this set up- this page is one I can tell will take a LOT of editing!

The astrological system most folks in the U.S. are familiar with is sun-sign oriented. There are a lot of astrological columns which appear in daily newspapers, dial-in telephone lines, monthly magazines, web-sites, and many more places which will give you a "HOROSCOPE" based on the position of the sun on the day of your birth. But there is much, much more to a true natal horoscope than this.
A true, complete, horoscope takes into account the planets, the signs of their placement, and the houses that those signs occupy. The explanation commonly given for the way to understand all otf these, (and I wish I could recall which astrologer originated this), is to consider the planets as actors, the signs as their roles, and the house placements as the settings for the action. In the western,(tropical) horoscope system, consideration traditionally is given to the position of the Sun, Moon, Ascendant (rising sign degree), Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, and the North and South Nodes of the Moon. Some horoscopes also include the positions of the asteroids Chiron,(the wounded healer)and Juno, Ceres, Vesta, and Pallas Athena (the four ladies). For the position of all of these to be determined, it is necessary to know your exact birth time and place. The placement of these points and bodies can then be determined using an ephemeris, or book of tables. This used to require quite a bit of time and mathematical skill, but today, with the arrival of computerized astrological programs, access to this information is exploding, and it is easier and easier to get a complete birth chart.

Think for a moment about the movement of the Earth. It rotates once on its axis every twenty-four hours. As it does so, the path of the zodiac, or ecliptic, appears to rise and set in succession from horizon to horizon. The degree which appears on the horizon at the time of birth is the ASCENDANT. The point setting on the opposite side of the circle is the DESCENDANT. The highest point between them is know as the MIDHEAVEN, or MC, and its opposite point is the IC. These points are known as the Cusps, or leading edges, of the first, fourth, seventh, and tenth houses, which are collectively know as the ANGULAR houses, or the "Angles" for short. Planets found in these houses are considered to have special emphasis in the chart.

After the placements within the chart are determined, the angles, or aspects, created between the planets and cardinal points of the chart are made. The 360 degree circle of the chart is divided successively by whole numbers to determine these aspects: 360 divided by 1=a CONJUNCTION, or 2 planets occupying the same degree.The power of these planets is strengthened and compounded by this position. 360 divided by 2=180 degrees, or an OPPOSITION, an aspect of forces which require balance of their tension. 360 divided by 3 is the 120 degree angle called the TRINE, a complementary smoothly integrated aspect. Next comes the 90 degree angle, or the SQUARE- which can be a stumbling block, but often is simply a challenge which inspires the individual to effort and achievement. 360 divided by 5 produces what is known as the QUINTILE, an aspect of 72 degrees. This aspect often highlights some natural talent of the individual. Next in consideration is the 60 degree angle of the SEXTILE, another harmonious aspect which shows some opportunity presented to the individual.

The table presented above shows the currently accepted planetary rulers of the signs. However, you should be aware that before the discovery of Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto, the ruler of Scorpio was considered to be Mars, the ruler of Aquarius was Saturn, and the ruler of Pisces was Jupiter.
I consider the triplicities to be indicators of energy flow. Cardinal signs tend to be initiators, in today's jargon, they are "proactive". Fixed signs like things the way they are, they tend to be stubborn and opinionated. Mutable signs are "reactive", they are good diplomats and like to smooth out difficulties, but they often have difficulty establishing direction when left on their own.
Fire signs are indicative of physical and social activity, earth signs indicate material and financial matters, air is the element of communication and intellectual pursuits, and water is the element of emotion and intuition.

I have been reading books and constructing charts for quite some time. The first book I read which opened my eyes to the role that the positions of the planets played in the natal chart was Heaven Knows What by Grant Lewi, which I purchased at the age of 15 in 1970. It is a book which anyone can learn from- no previous understanding of astrology or mathematical skill is necessary, but the aspects created using this book are not always completely accurate, as the horoscope is erected against a template of a chart wheel divided into 36 equal divisions. With today's availability of detailed charts, I would recommend Astrology for Yourself by Douglas Bloch and Demetra George, and The Only Way to Learn Astrology series by Marion D. March and Joan Mc Evers as texts for the beginning student. Another series of books useful to your bookshelf if astrology is your interest is the Planets In...(Houses/ Aspect/ Love/ Youth/ Transit, etc.) series, published by Para Research.

While I am building tables to present more detailed information, feel free to visit the following sites. The Mountain Astrologer is one of the best astrology magazines around, and although some of its subject matter may be too advanced for a beginner, it does provide eye-opening exposure to what's happening in the field today. Project Hindsight is a group of astrologers who have undertaken the task of translating ancient texts from Greek and Latin. The Astrological Society of Connecticut is our state organization which sponsors monthly lectures and periodic "New Age" fairs. Stay tuned for further developments.

Blessed Be!

Links to other sites on the Web

The Mountain Astrologer
Project Hindsight
Astrological Society of Connecticut

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