Idiot's guide to natal astrology

Juno11 · #1 11-26-2011, 12:49 PM

Ok, so I'm not entirely new to astrology, but compared to people on this forum I'm mos def a noob.

In this thread I'll post every question, smart or stupid, that I have on interpreting natal charts, and I hope you'll help me out!

First question is a basic one, but I need to get some clarification:

What are the houses? How are they different from the signs and planets? What do they represent that signs and planets do not?

Moog · #2 11-26-2011, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juno11

Ok, so I'm not entirely new to astrology, but compared to people on this forum I'm mos def a noob.

In this thread I'll post every question, smart or stupid, that I have on interpreting natal charts, and I hope you'll help me out!

First question is a basic one, but I need to get some clarification:

What are the houses? How are they different from the signs and planets? What do they represent that signs and planets do not?

Here's a link that might help. http://www.horoscope-horoscopes-astr...astrology2.htm

It uses the 'Planet - Actor, Sign - Costume, House - Setting' metaphor.

Here's my own (clumsy) explanation:

The houses refer to topical experience areas in a person's life. Examples: The 7th refers to relationships, 4th the home life, 9th is religious and philosophical views etc.

I see the signs as a kind of energetic quality, or flavour. The signs say 'in what manner' and the houses say 'where'

A simple example: I have Virgo on the 11th house cusp. This means that I tend to relate socially (11th house) through service, by being interested in the health and welfare of those in my society (Virgo).

To me, planets modify exactly what our relationships with those houses and signs is like. They show how we personally relate to those life topics.

Example: I have both lights (the Sun and the Moon) in Virgo, in the 11th, so 11th house matters are of a particular importance to me. I also have Saturn up there too, so I actually find it colossally frustrating to bring my interest in helping people into successful and rewarding manifestations.

If they were actors, then in my story there would be a villain (Saturn) screwing with my heroes (Sun and Moon) in their attempts to heal the world.

Hope this is helpful.

Juno11 · #3 11-26-2011, 02:44 PM

Ok, so let's say I have Mars in the 4th house in Pisces.

Will that say that in matters of family and domestic issues I will have a very strong, aggressive will to establish a family and a home, and i will do it through compassion and and love, but might get lost by my dreams and passive behaviour to actually realize my will?

Am I completely lost?

Moog · #4 11-26-2011, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juno11

Ok, so let's say I have Mars in the 4th house in Pisces.

Will that say that in matters of family and domestic issues I will have a very strong, aggressive will to establish a family and a home, and i will do it through compassion and and love, but might get lost by my dreams and passive behaviour to actually realize my will?

Am I completely lost?

You are definitely thinking along the correct lines!

There are other factors to look at that will refine your understanding of the meaning of the symbols. I don't want to overload you with too much, but how Mars is aspected is important, as is looking at the sign ruler of Pisces (Jupiter or Neptune, depending on your preference).

Juno11 · #5 11-26-2011, 03:38 PM

Allright. Next question:

What are the aspects? How can an idiot use them to interpret something? What do you actually interpret with aspects?

astrologer50 · #6 11-26-2011, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juno11

Ok, so I'm not entirely new to astrology, but compared to people on this forum I'm mos def a noob.

In this thread I'll post every question, smart or stupid, that I have on interpreting natal charts, and I hope you'll help me out!

First question is a basic one, but I need to get some clarification:

What are the houses? How are they different from the signs and planets? What do they represent that signs and planets do not?

Juno11 · #7 11-26-2011, 04:48 PM

Thanks for all the links Astrologer50!

I'll try to read some of the links, but I'll keep posting questions here as well as I tend to understand it better when people explain it to me in their own words.

So, back to the aspects:

Is an aspect the trinity placement of planet+sign+house?

astrologer50 · #8 11-26-2011, 05:24 PM

more or less, planets are modified by signs, where they express are houses and how they express are *aspects*

ask anything you like, it's so refreshing to here someone really wants to learn

May I suggest you read the 'welcome to the world of astrology’ and other ---sticky' at the top of this forum? It has some great explanations, links etc. At the top of every forum there are lots of ‘stickys’ which explain matters in that forum, along with guidelines & tips

There is a 'plethora' of information on AW, espec in the 'stickys' at the top of every forum, our Education forum and Recommendations forum to. Plus we have a good search feature,[but not foolproof obviously, so try here first] bit like google using keywords – initially select advanced and try just selecting 'titles' rather than posts

Juno11 · #9 11-26-2011, 05:35 PM

So, if "Mars in Pisces in the 4th house" is an aspect, what is let's say "Moon trine Uranus"? Is that an aspect too?

astrologer50 · #10 11-26-2011, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juno11

So, if "Mars in Pisces in the 4th house" is an aspect, what is let's say "Moon trine Uranus"? Is that an aspect too?

can you post the chart please? we are all visual people....

How to attach a chart as thumbnail
http://www.astrologyweekly.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12126

moon trine uranus is one aspect, mars must make a separate aspect to either moon OR uranus. they don't become threesomes.....

Juno11 · #11 11-26-2011, 05:41 PM

I am actually not referring to my own chart, the examples are random. I just get so confused by all the different concepts, so I figured the easiest way was to post my questions in my very own Idiot's Guide

Juno11 · #12 11-26-2011, 05:43 PM

Hmmm...Don't know why the image doesn't show in the post...

astrologer50 · #13 11-26-2011, 06:28 PM

the most common reason is not reducing the *image size* down to smallest 63%

astrologer50 · #14 11-26-2011, 08:44 PM

[off-topic comments - Moderator]

I use Equal House system (where each cusp is same as Ascendant) and am a modern astrologer. Lots of newcomers come into Astrology/forums and get a free chart from www.astro.com and the default ‘house system’ used is Placidus and think that’s just the norm and all there is……..BUT that is just the tip of the iceberg. You can change the default on astro.com in Extended Chart selection to Equal house and a few others if you wish to experiment…..

Within the mainstream here on AW of placidus/equal houses (the default on astro is placidus) only difference being some planets may move from one house to another thereby altering it's interpretation and it's 'only' with research will you find which planets 'fit you' in which houses. So my advice, do two charts, research any planets that move houses and see which you identity with - simple

Throughout the forums but mainly in natal astrology there are two main branches Placidus (unequal size houses) v Equal House (whereby each house is same size) but lots more……. For more information on these go here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal_house_system#Equal_House
http://www.astrolozy.com/article19.asp
http://www.skyviewzone.com/birthinfoforms2/housesexplained.htm
For further research try here...
http://www.astrologyweekly.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3280&highlight=placidus+equal
http://www.astrologyweekly.com/forum/showthread.php?t=638&highlight=house+system
http://www.astrologyweekly.com/forum/showthread.php?p=152849#post152849
http://www.astryoologyweekly.com/forum/showthread.php?p=189223#post189223

It's only with study and research will you be able to assess where your planets are deposited and in which houses... thus see which 'glove fits'

astrologer50 · #15 11-27-2011, 09:35 AM

the *meaning of houses* is easily explained without going off topic....

house meanings are unilateral..

house meanings
http://www.horoscopeswithin.com/houses.php
http://www.astrologyzine.com/what-is-a-house-in-astrology.shtml
http://www.dkfoundation.co.uk/dkfoundation/BookKarma&NewDirections.htm
http://www.gotohoroscope.com/houses-in-chart.html
http://www.skyscript.co.uk/temples/h1.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_(astrology)
http://www.astro.com/astrology/in_house2_e.htm
http://www.skyviewzone.com/astrology/houses.htm

Juno11 · #16 11-27-2011, 03:04 PM

Thank you for links and explanations. I see this house thing is a touchy subject, haha!

Next question:

What are the red flag-aspects?

astrologer50 · #17 11-27-2011, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juno11

Allright. Next question:

What are the aspects? How can an idiot use them to interpret something? What do you actually interpret with aspects?

Basic astrology
Now basically your sun sign is your 'core beliefs, values, ego' and Asc is your physical body, mode of expression and mask and persona that we all wear and hide behind, but definitely not what's going on underneath. What's going on underneath is your Sun sign. Moon sign, house placements and aspects describe your emotional and intuitive responses, also describes your view of your mother, as saturn describes your father by sign and house position.

So, think of a glass milk bottle the bottle is your Asc and your sun the milk, but the milk still has to 'come out' through the glass neck of the milk bottle....

Now aspects within a natal chart represent 'facets' of our personality, because we are all multifaceted beings. What these do is 'break down and compartmentalise' these facets into smaller bite size chunks. This does take quite a lot of self analysis and objectivity to 'see yourself' and why you do certain things and behave in certain ways. Actually it can be quite good therapy...

Remember back to your school days an opposition is 180', square 90', trine 120', and sextile 60' Now challenged aspects are conj (depending on the planets, cos some like each other and some really don't) squares and oppositions. Easy aspects are conj (if the planets get along) eg: Jupiter conj Moon, sextile and trine. Quincunx is inbetween (depending on the planets) causes health strains and unresolved or hard to balance planets/energies.

planets in houses
http://www.horoscopeswithin.com/planetsinhouses.php
Houses/signs are like the backdrop of a stage/theatre, planets in houses behave like actors on a stage, the *aspects* show how these planets/actor behave in a house

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juno11

Thank you for links and explanations. I see this house thing is a touchy subject, haha!

Next question:

What are the red flag-aspects?

once you get your chart, pref from astro you will notice the aspect grid bottom left, which is full of tiny drawnings like

90' square

120' trine

conjunction + or - 8' for but sun/moon upto 10'

180' oppositions.

sextiles =60' + or - 6'

Orbs can be quite contentious as well, but these are mainstream and mine that I use.....

Now it's the red lines, in the aspect grid, conjunctions, squares and oppositions that can be problematic... trines and sextiles are easy flowing. All depends on whether the two planets 'get along' are benefics or malific...

generally the 'outers' are malifics..

Juno11 · #18 11-27-2011, 05:30 PM

Now we're talkin' astrologer 50! This helped a lot, very good and thorough explanation. Thanks.

Next question:

Which planets go well together and which do not, and why?

astrologer50 · #19 11-27-2011, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juno11

Now we're talkin' astrologer 50! This helped a lot, very good and thorough explanation. Thanks.

Next question:

Which planets go well together and which do not, and why?

personal planets, sun, moon, mercury, venus, mars and jupiter, but if they do have hard aspects/squares they are likely to be less problematic than have hard aspects/squares with 'outer's

Saturn, uranus, neptune and pluto.
http://www.bobmarksastrologer.com/ThePlanets.htm

http://www.skyviewzone.com/astrology/chartreading.htm

http://moonvalleyastrologer.com/tutorial.htm

Rebel Uranian · #20 11-27-2011, 06:46 PM

Neptune, as the higher octave of Venus, is a benefic planet. The malefics are Mars, Saturn, Uranus, and Pluto. Anything that's not the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, or Saturn has no rulership but if it's a transcendental/higher octave planet then it's dignified where it's lower octave is dignified and it'll act like its lower octave but in a weird way. If it's an asteroid or Lot or Node or anything of that sort, then it doesn't really get dignity, but it's obvious that it'll work better in the 1st or 11th or 10th house than in the 6th or 12th or 8th, or conjunct Venus rather than Saturn. Not everything the malefics do is bad, as the best houses are considered to be the 1st, 10th, and 11th. The 1st is naturally ruled by Aries and Mars, the 10th is Capricorn and Saturn, and the 11th is Aquarius and Saturn. Of course the 8th with Scorpio and Mars is generally considered bad.

For which planets like being conjunct and parallel and which ones don't, it varies a lot, but I think you just have to use sense regarding the nature of the planets involved, especially if you're using anything other than the Sun through Saturn including points such as Lots and Nodes.

Juno11 · #21 11-27-2011, 06:58 PM

So, does that mean that sun trine Venus is a very good aspect, but Venus tribe Saturn us not so good even though its a trine aspect?

Rebel Uranian · #22 11-27-2011, 07:35 PM

Sun trine Saturn is not bad IMO, but being bad is a different matter than being easy. Conjunctions and parallels are not the same thing as trines. All trines are easy aspects. An easy aspect means that the energies are harmonious and "mix" in an easy way, and a hard aspect involves tension and discord.

Juno11 · #23 11-30-2011, 12:09 PM

Next question:

what's a stellium and what's a cusp?

astrologer50 · #24 11-30-2011, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juno11

Next question:

what's a stellium and what's a cusp?

3 or more planets conjunct each other. House cusp is the 'division' ie; Asc =1st house , 2nd cusp cover matters ruled by 2nd house, we look where it's placed and how it functions..

purely maths, 360' = full circle, divide it be 30' and you get 12 houses. Of course this only works for Equal house and whole house because they use unequal size houses...

stelliums in houses
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080418162943AA1TzLE
http://www.lunarliving.org/astrology/stellium_grandquintile.shtml
http://www.astrologyweekly.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33102
http://www.skyscript.co.uk/aspects2.html
http://skywriter.wordpress.com/2010/02/19/a-few-last-insights-into-stelliums-from-readers/

astrologer50 · #25 11-30-2011, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juno11

So, does that mean that sun trine Venus is a very good aspect, but Venus tribe Saturn us not so good even though its a trine aspect?

trines suggest an *easier* flow of energy. with saturn in the mix it would bit caution, hard work, and a more reserved expression. All keywords for saturn..