Decewe, it really is not so complicated. Mixing the aspects is way more difficult.
You take the planet and read the meaning of it, like Mars, initiative, energy, egocentricity, dynamic behavior, aggression etc.
OK, now look in which sign you find this Mars. Mars is a fire planet. Do you find Mars in Water, Earth or Fire ? Is it mutual, fixed or cardinal? That also changes the way these elements will influence this Mars.Especially in Water or Earth, Mars cannot really do what he wants, these elements do not match his. Mars in Air will mainly be active on a mental level, thinking, speaking, writing a lot, but when it is in a cardinal sign, then this Mars will do something more than just thinking and speaking about it. He is ambitious, he wants others to know what he knows, is he mutual? then he will be more curiously inclined, diving into all sorts of info, just for himself and in a fixed sign? That will make Mars a bit more inflexible and stubborn but quite determined and fixed in his ideas.
OK, now we know how that Mars will perform according to the sign background, you look in which house he falls.
Each house has a meaning, signifying a part in our development and an area where we can express that Mars quality. In the 1st it will be very personal and his behavior will be seen clearly by others, more so when Mars is closer to the Ascendant, in the 4th he will express his qualities mainly at home in family surroundings, in the 6th at work, in the 11th amongst friends. He will talk a lot(Air) or behave very conservatively (Earth and fixed) or be very emotionally involved (Water) with his friends and the same goes for his hopes and ideals.
This way you blend all your planets energies.
Now if you want to know if these energies are expressed harmoniously or not, then start looking at the aspects this Mars makes with other planets in your chart. Squares, oppositions, sometimes conjunctions, semi-squares, cause obstacles in the expression of his energy and problems, and the other good aspects are helpful.
There is a lot to learn initially in astrology and it really takes years and years to sort of get the feel immediately. But it will eventually happen, just dont be impatient. I am doing this already for almost 30 years and I am still learning, every day something new.
In the beginning dont even think about stars, points, chiron etc. That will all come later. They are not essential parts, they add information. You can do without them and still get a perfect interpretation. I started integrating them only after 20 years. (still dont like them really).
Hope this has helped clarify a few things for you. All the best with your studies.Cheers, Starlink
