These are just a few of the questions that can be answered with an understanding of the age-old art of Astrology. The ancient Hebrews, Nostradamus, William Lilly, Johannes Kepler, Copernicus and Carl Jung, are just a few of the people who undertook studying “the science of the stars” to further enhance their knowledge of existence. When armed with the desire for truth, the thirst for knowledge, the need for interconnectedness and understanding, we first must look to ourselves. We need to use all the tools available to us today to increase our awareness of “as above, so below." Astrology is one of those tools.

To begin with, we look at the key factors that make up astrology. There are twelve sections of the sky which make up the twelve different signs of the Zodiac.

These signs each consist of 30 degrees, the total of which is 360 degrees or a circle.. The cusp is the place between any two signs. For instance, once we reach 29 degrees of Cancer we move to 0 degrees of Leo the next sign. The twelve signs are divided and subdivided into different categories. They alternated beginning with Aries as masculine, Taurus as feminine and so forth.. They are further subdivided into the four elements of fire, earth, air, and water, beginning with Aries as fire, Taurus as earth, Gemini as air and Cancer as water. This is repeated throughout all twelve. They are further classified as Cardinal, referring to leadership qualities, Fixed, referring to unyielding qualities and Mutable, relating to flexibility. These alternate respectively from Aries through the signs.

The twelve houses are divisions of the astrology chart. Each house represents a distinct area of life and clues to the potential energy operating within this sphere. The house that a planet falls in tells us where the energy from that particular planet manifests..

Aspects are energetic forces between the planets. These are dual forces both positive and negative. This is a mathematical calculation as measured from the Earth showing the relationship between two planets and they way in which they interact. How do the planets get along with each other, and how do they dance? When there is a 90 degree angle, two planets are said to be squaring. This generally indicates obstacles to be overcome. Aries is 90 degrees from Cancer and these signs are said to square each other. The conjunction shows planets that are together or close at a range of 0 -10 degrees. The opposition is 180 degrees and shows awareness of what we cannot change. An example of this would be Taurus and Scorpio which are opposite in the Zodiac. The trine is 120 degrees and shows a harmonious energy. Gemini and Libra are an example of a trine. The sextile is 60 degrees and shows opportunity. An inconjunct is 150 degrees and shows two planets that are in discordant energy. Aspects are calculated by signs, not houses. There are a number of other aspects depending on the angle the planets are making to each other.

The next factor taken into consideration in a chart is the Moon’s Nodes. These are important as they refer to the two points where the Moon’s path around the Earth, crosses the path around the Sun. This results in a North Node and a South Node. Generally speaking, the South Node shows a level of comfort achieved from the individual’s past and the North Node shows the direction one must travel to evolve and develop. There interpretation is significant in the chart and a bit lengthy to expound on here. Further reading would be suggested.

The date, time and place of birth of anyone or anything is all that is necessary to construct a chart. All of the aforementioned factors are mapped out and analyzed. These are the fundamental building blocks utilized by an experienced astrologer who can then further tap into the subtleties and nuances of the energy emanating from a particular chart. The chart is not the “end all” but a tool used in the beginning of a guided relationship assisting a client in determining what choices are available in a particular area of life. Guidance and information regarding past present and future is available through chart interpretation. However, predictions can be difficult as Free will is always present, respected and taken into consideration.

The Sun was located in a particular spot in the Zodiac on the day and time you were born. This is referred to as “your sign." If you were born March 20 to April 19, you would be an Aries, from April 19 to May 20 a Taurus and so forth. These dates vary slightly from year to year. If you were born “on the Cusp”, this means when the Sun was moving from one sign to another, you would want to check an Ephemerides as to it’s exact placement on the day of your birth. Although it is believed that all heavenly bodies, including Asteroids and Comets, have influence on the myriad forms of life , Astrology is particularly interested in the following due to their size and location to Earth; Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto and the two lights, the Sun and the Moon.. The chart determines the soul’s aforementioned planetary locations, signs and degrees. The ascendant, or “rising sign”, is determined by the rotation of the Earth which turns 1 degree every 4 minutes and thirty degrees every two hours. This means that every sign consecutively appears on the horizon every 24 hours. The sign rising changes every couple of hours. This would then give a particular energy to the chart and a shade to the personality as one sign could have one of twelve different rising signs all broken down into thirty degrees. This can only be calculated if the exact birth time is known.

Each sign has a planetary ruler and some even share the same as do Gemini and Virgo.The following is a brief description of each of the planets touching on some of the vital factors with which they are associated.

SUN is said to rule LEO which is a Fixed, masculine, fire sign represented by the Lion. It is also associated with the father in our chart. It has to do with ego and those qualities and abilities that differentiate us from others. It is life-giving and relates to our creative abilities and vitality. It’s color is gold and it rules the heart and circulatory system.

MOON presides over CANCER which is a Cardinal, feminine, water sign represented by the Crab. It rules our intuition and those qualities that we associate with motherhood; sensitivity, nurturing, caring, loving, emotional and feeling. It symbolizes the mother in a chart. It is connected with water and emotional cleansing. She is associated with both pink and silver and she rules over the breasts and female organs.

MERCURY, the “Winged Messenger,” has a dual rulership. GEMINI is the first which is a Mutable, masculine, air sign represented by the twins.. It represents how we think and communicate, translate information, reason and write. It is associated with our nervous system, lungs and upper body including the hands.

It is also said to rule over VIRGO, meaning “young girl” in Latin. This is a Mutable, feminine, earth sign depicted by the Virgin holding a sheaf of wheat. Virgo is associated with the body’s process of assimilation.

VENUS has a dual rulership of both TAURUS and LIBRA.
This is the planet that signifies personal affection and our ability to draw things to us.

MARS is the first planet lying beyond the Earth and is associated with ARIES, a Cardinal, masculine, fire sign. Aries is depicted as the Ram. Mars represents our drive and where we assert ourselves. This rules our physical self and those aspirations we choose to follow. It also dictates where and how we fight our battles and how we recuperate after them. Mars rules the face and head in a chart and represents our courage as well as our temper.

JUPITER rules SAGITTARIUS which is a Mutable, masculine, fire sign. It is signified by the Centaur which is half man, half horse. Jupiter is where our blessings come forth, where we desire growth, how and what we like to explore and our optimistic nature. Jupiter rules the hips and thighs which are those parts of our body that assist us in moving forward.

SATURN rules CAPRICORN, a Cardinal, feminine, earth sign. It’s symbol is the goat. Slowly and methodically, it climbs the mountain of success looking to the future for rewards. This planet is the area of our limitations and where and how we focus our energy. Saturn is the mouse in the suit of armor. It shows us the areas in life we express fear and what we need to overcome to live a creative existence. Saturn is connected with the bones, knees and joints in the physical body.

URANUS relates to AQUARIUS, which is a Fixed, masculine, air sign. It’s sign is symbolized as the water bearer. It represents our intuition, flashes of insight, rebelliousness, inventions, and our ultimate destiny. It cannot be controlled.. This is the planet of freedom and individualism. Uranus is associated with the Age of Aquarius also referred to as “New Age”, and progressive thinking. It rules over circulation in the body and ankles..

NEPTUNE rules PISCES which is a Mutable, feminine, water sign. Its symbol is the two fish swimming in different directions. This is the highest and last sign of the zodiac. Sometimes Pisces is referred to as “the doormat of the Universe” since this is the most sensitive, emotional and deeply suffering of all the signs. Neptune relates to music, compassion and illusion, dreams and deception, drugs, alcohol and psychic abilities. Neptune’s motto is “serve or suffer.” It is associated with the feet and tends to show some difficulty accustoming itself to walking on Earth and livingon the material plane.

PLUTO rules SCORPIO which is a Fixed. feminine, water sign. Its symbol is the Scorpion and is known to have the capability of stinging like one if angered .It is the area of regeneration through an expanded viewpoint. It also covers the areas of sex and death and the mysteries that surround life. It is symbolized by the Phoenix rising from the ashes. Pluto is strength, power and destruction with the intention of being born again stronger and more powerful. It is associated with the sex organs.

It is important for those wishing to learn Astrology to study the signs, their meanings and symbols, and their oppositions. Also, by dividing them into groups and categories, it will be easier to commit to memory. Each of us must work to balance and integrate the energies of our opposing sign into our psyche as a way of expressing the fullness of the polarity.