Basic Astrology-For Beginners

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lillyjgc

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Starting out with astrology
The best place to begin learning about Natal astrology is with your own chart.
So firstly, you will need to draw up a chart and the site to which most people go is here:
http://www.astro.com/ (The chart drawing is a free service)

Drawing up your Chart
You will be directed to a page that is headed “Please select your horoscope here”.
Go down the right side of the page until you see *Horoscope Chart Drawings.* Choose *Extended Chart Selection*

You will then be taken to a new page where you click on *add a new Person* and you enter the birth data as requested.
The time of your birth is the most important data of all. Use any means you can to verify the accuracy of your birth time. This is very important. Approximations will alter the house cusps and may change the house rulerships. Later on your Progressed chart will also be inaccurate.

Under *Methods* Choose *Natal Chart Wheel*
Where it says * Chart Drawing style* : choose *Web Default style*. (Keep it simple to begin with).
Then *CLICK HERE TO SHOW THE CHART*.
Your chart will then open and an option on the left hand top corner to save it to your computer.
So now you have your chart.

Natal Chart shows the position of the planets in the sky when you were born.
Transits are the position of the planets in the sky right now but you can also enter a future date into astro.com to find out the position of the planets at a future date.
Progressions = are based on a day for a year system, progression use the first 100 days or so of your life.( example: if you were born on the 27 June 1990 you are 0 yrs old; on the 28 June 1990 you are 1 yr old, on the 29 June 1990 you are 2 yrs old and so on.)

Natal and Transits Chart in Astrodienst : The inner circle is your natal chart, the outside green planets are the transits (the current position of the planets). As well as showing them on the chart, astro.com has a detailed box (bottom left hand corner). Details in blue are your natal details, details in green are the transit details.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Planets show *WHAT*
Planets represent fundamental urges and principles. For example Planet Mars is the planet of Action, Mercury the planet of Communication and Saturn the Lord of Time and Karma, and so on. The configuration of the planets will show the interplay between the planets which may assist or inhibit their behaviour in our lives.

Sign shows *HOW*
The sun when placed in Aries, will behave much differently to when it is placed in Cancer. You need to understand the energy of both the Sign and the planet to determine How the planet will behave in your chart.

House shows *WHERE*
Houses show us an arena of life where the particular urge and style of expression will be experienced. The houses of the horoscope usually refer to a more material, or tangible experience for the individual.

## Firstly you will notice that there are lines dividing the circle into 12 slices. These are the Houses. Beginning at the left hand side of the chart the Houses are numbered in an anticlockwise direction. Houses are like the *rooms* of your life. Planets travel through those rooms.

Before you can advance any further, you need to know what the Houses represent.
Your birth chart is a map of how the sky was at the very moment of your birth and the Ascendant point, is your emergence into the world. From this can be determined *which planet resides in which house (room). At the time of your birth, one of the Twelve signs of the Zodiac was rising on the Eastern horizon. That point is where your chart/ life begins. It is usually abbreviated to* Asc.*
It marks the beginning of House One in your chart. You will also notice glyphs that represent a sign of the Zodiac, from Aries to Pisces, again anti-clockwise. There are many Internet sites that have valuable information about the glyphs, and the Signs and the mythology associated with them.
http://astrology.suite101.com/article.cfm/mythology_and_the_zodiac_leo_and_virgo
http://www.astrologer.ru/book/myth_astrology/index.html.en


Traditional houses is referring to this set-up:
Luna: Third, Seventh
Mercury: First, Sixth
Venus: Fifth, Twelfth
Sol: Ninth, Fourth, Eleventh
Mars: Sixth, Third, Tenth
Jupiter: Eleventh, Second, Ninth
Saturn: Twelfth, First, Eighth

Go here to learn about the Houses.
http://www.myastrologybook.com/12-astrology-houses-in-your-astrology-book.htm
http://www.astrologyweekly.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8463
http://www.astrologyweekly.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?forumid=41
http://asabovesobelow.com/creativeastrology/house_cusps_and_systems.htm
http://groups.msn.com/horoscopeschat/housesangles3.msnw
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrological_houses
http://moonvalleyastrologer.com/tutorial.htm
http://www.sacred-texts.com/astro/aia/aia05.htm
http://www.astrolozy.com/article19.asp
http://www.bobmarksastrologer.com/planetsinhouses.htm
http://www.north-node.com/astrology-tutorials/planets-in-houses
http://www.horoscopeswithin.com/planetsinhouses.php
http://www.cafeastrology.com/articles/housesofthehoroscope.html
http://www.astro.com/astrology/in_house2_e.htm
http://mysite.verizon.net/bonniehill/pages.aux/astrology/tobey/tobey.09.html
http://astrology.about.com/od/thehouses/a/TheHouses.htm
http://www.astrologyzine.com/teach-a3.shtml
http://www.renaissanceastrology.com/houses.html


The Different House Systems
The houses of the horoscope are shown in the chart wheel as "pie" shaped divisions.
The 12 houses in a chart are determined by the exact clock time of birth. The houses
represent a more physical plane area of of life, whereas the sign describes an approach.
For example: the 7th house is marriage and partners.
The sign Libra acts diplomatically and seeks fairness and justice.
There are at least a dozen or more house systems used by astrologers according to personal preference.

Learn about them here:
http://www.astrologyweekly.com/forum/showpost.php?p=86199&postcount=6
http://www.skyviewzone.com/birthinfoforms2/housesexplained.htm
http://lessons.astrology.com/course...ion-Astrology/4378-Astrological-House-Systems
http://astrocom.com/articles/infospecials/IHSX.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Astrological_house_systems
http://astrology.horoscope.com/horoscopes/house-systems.html
http://www.cyberspacei.com/englishwiz/library/names/zodiac/contents.htm
http://www.astrology-numerology.com/housecusps.html
http://www.astro.com/astrology/in_house1_e.htm


Signs the planets are in.
http://www.skyscript.co.uk/

House Rulers in Houses
http://www.cafeastrology.com/natal/rulersofhousesinhouses.html

Aspects formed by planets to one another.
Aspects on a Chart
The natal chart is made up of 360 degrees, each sign is made up on 30 degrees, 12 signs in the zodiac, calculation - 12 * 30 = 360 degrees.
Aspects are formed by the difference in the number of degrees between planets.
Aspect/Degree
Conjunct = 0 degrees:
Sextile = 60 degrees
Square = 90 degrees
Trine = 120 degrees
Opp = 180 degrees
Quincunx= 150 degrees.

Learn more about ASPECTS here:
http://www.astrologyweekly.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?forumid=40
http://www.antiquus-astrology.com/Chap2-5.html
http://www.astrologyweekly.com/astrological-aspects/index.phposition
http://www.skyscript.co.uk/aspects2.html
http://www.cafeastrology.com/articles/aspectsinastrology.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrological_aspect
http://www.astrology-numerology.com/aspects.html
http://www.bobmarksastrologer.com/aspects.htm
http://www.astro.com/astrology/in_aspect_e.htm
http://www2.bitstream.net/~bunlion/bpi/BigAspRt.html


The Minor Aspects (By Nessy.)
Reproduced from another discussion on Astrology Weekly

The Quintile: 72'
When the circle is divided by five, the angle formed is 72'. Increasing attention is being paid nowadays both to the quintile and to its double, the biquintile (2 x 72' = 144').
The quintile bestows a naturally well-developed capacity which is merely waiting to be brought to the surface. It is usually thought of as an intellectual aspect, being described as mercurial in its action. Like the biquintile, it is regarded as harmonious.

The biquintile has the same effect as the quintile while, at the same time, there is something very creative about it and often something occult or hidden. Admittedly, not all authors agree about the way it acts. John Addey, for instance, gives it the meaning of purposefulness and points out that we often find this aspect in people in positions of power, and also in people who are striving for power. Both aspects belong to the minor group and therefore are still not much used.

The Sextile: 60'
When the circle is divided by six, the angle formed is 60'. A sextile functions as a weak trine and is therefore harmonious. Like the trine, the sextile bestows talent, but the native needs even greater application to exploit it. So the sextile is something of a doubtful aspect because its promise is not too easily realized. Hesitancy and talent requiring harmonious development are typical of the sextile, which is seen as the weakest of the major aspects and by some astrologers (who, after all, may be expected to find fault with traditional ideas) even as a minor aspect. People with many sextiles in their charts often turn out to be wavers who might do much but never make the most of themselves.

The Septile:51*25'43''
Here the circle is divided by seven and the angle is an angle that is rather troublesome to calculate. The septile is generally said to have a harmonious if veryweak action. Harmony and union are the key words of this very little used minor aspect. Kepler, who introduced many minor aspects, rejected the septile because there is no rational construction for the heptagon. Other astrologers do favour it, although they are not yet in agreement about its use.

The Semisquare: 45'
Here the circle is divided by eight and the angle formed is 45', or half a square (90'). See figure 5. The significance of this minor aspect is much the same as that of the square, but weaker. Hence its action is rather disharmonious and difficult, and gives rise to tensions and irritation. It has proportionally less energy than the square, although a certain amount of activity does emanate from it. Three times the angle of the semisquare makes the sesquisquare (also called the sesquiquadrate), or 3 X 45' = 135', the effects of which are approximately those of the semisquare.

The Novile: 40'
Here the circle is divided by nine and the angle formed is 40'. The novile is a bone of contention and Kepler himself treated it dismissively. Opinions are much divided over this minor aspect and precious little can be found on it in the literature.

The Decile: 36'
Here the circle is divided by ten and the angle formed is 36'. The decile is a minor aspect to which mental ingenuity is ascribed, as well as insight into the inner workings of nature and her forces.
Three times the angle of the decile makes the tridecile (108% an aspect which is becoming increasingly important. It bestows formidable talent, in spite of the fact that the joint action of the planets concerned (unlike what we find in the trine for example) is almost completely hidden. It promotes mental growth, spiritual and possibilities for improvement.

The Semisextile: 30
When the circle is divided by twelve, the angle formed is 30'. A certain amount of doubt hangs over this minor aspect: some authorities say it is weakly harmonious while others calls it weakly disharmonious. Either way, the semisextile (causes little inconveniences which can be the harbingers of fresh possibilities. Five times the angle of the semisextile makes 150', or the inconjunct (also called the quincunx). There is a growing tendency to class the inconjunct with the major aspects. A glance at recent works on chart interpretation will confirm this. Its significance is internal tension, the source and direction of which cannot be pinpointed by the conscious mind for a long time, although it causes it gnawing sense of uneasiness. This tension of the inconjunct (quincunx) can suddenly well up into consciousness and then discharge itself into it situation that makes you feel that you are standing with your back against the wall. It can also create problems through unconscious negligence. In short, it is a rather awkward, troublesome and stressful aspect with which it is not easy to come to terms. However, once its tension has been brought under control, it can prove quite productive.

The Quindecile: 24'
When the circle is divided by 15, the resulting angle is 24'. This aspect was used by Llewellyn George, who assigned a weakly harmonious significance to it. Rather surprisingly, Kepler (did not show much interest in it; but his comparison of musical tones and planetary aspects does mention the interval of 24', which he equated musically with a minor second. So Kepler definitely knew the aspect even though, as we have said, he did nothing with it. In any case, little agreement exists over this minor aspect, which is seldom noticed in the literature. According to Llewellyn George, its influence (and that of the vigintile, the decile and the tridecile) is so subtle that the radical effects are extremely difficult to trace. Oddly enough, he goes on to say that they ought to be studied in progressions.

The Vigintile: 18'
Here the circle is divided by 20 and the angle formed is 18'. This minor aspect is regarded as harmonious. It is said to promote new possibilities. Kepler left this aspect out of consideration.

Unnamed: 15'
In this, the circle is divided by 24 but the resulting angle of 15` is not usually treated as an aspect. However, it is used to form the rarely mentioned aspects Billien 75 Trillien 105 and Tao 165. Interestingly enough, Kepler does not consider the aspect of 15, but he does speak of the Billien, to which he ascribes malice, treachery, passion and grief; also the Trillien which, according to him, leads to restlessness, conflict and shocks. In his view, the Tao aspect exposes the native to ambushes and crises.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orb_(astrology)

Calculating The Arabic Parts
http://www.noendpress.com/pvachier/arabicparts/index.php

Part of fortune By Natasa812
The Part of fortune is an Arabic part also called the Lot of fortune. It is a mathematically calculated point in a natal chart. It is not a planet. We calculate it differently for day births and differently for night births:
For day births (A.M.): Ascendant + Moon – Sun.
For night births (PM): Ascendant + Sun – Moon.
(You can also calculate it here: http://www.noendpress.com/pvachier/arabicparts/index.php)

The PF was also called the Part of the Moon or The Ascendant of the Moon in Traditional astrology.
It was said that this part signifies the life, the body and also its soul, its strength, fortune, substance and profit, gold and silver, praise and good reputation and honors and recognition over everything. It benefits more the rich men and magnates than others (Robert Zoller in his book "The Arabic Parts in Astrology")

Placed in a natal chart, it shows our fortune. It shows where our luck, success, vocation and / or natural talents are. Interpreting it, we have to take under consideration the house it is placed in, the house ruler, the aspect of the PF and the aspect of the house ruler.
Each house of a chart wheel, gives to the PF its "stamp". For example, if placed in the 6th house, it brings luck through your daily work, self improvement and discipline.

In 8th house, fortune will come from other people's money (lottery, rich husband) or gaining an inheritance…If placed in the twelfth, benefit may come from unknown sources.(Help from "behind the scenes")
When positively aspected by benefics, (Jupiter, Venus, Sun) it often denotes even better fortune for the houses ruled by these planets.

It will be less fortunate when aspected by malefics (Mars, Pluto, Saturn, Uranus) and especially when we are talking about difficult aspects like squares, oppositions or even conjunctions which can be obstacles to being fortunate in the area where we find the PF.

It is also important to look for the sign / house ruler, its condition, where it is placed in a chart and the aspects it receives.

Interpreting it in the horary chart, it is considered important only if a planet is moving towards a conjunction or opposition with the PF. If this particular planet is of non importance for the interpretation of a certain issue, then it's aspect to the PF is of no value. When PF conjuncts (within 2°) a housecusp in horary, that house is of importance to the querent.(not necessarily fortunate to the Querent).
Don't forget that a Part is nothing but a point in space, it cannot make an aspect to a planet, the planets make aspects to the Part.



Sabian Symbols
http://www.sabiansymbols.com/article-detail.asp?id=1453

Looking at the ELEMENTS, by Dr Richard Farr.
Element relationships will often yield valuable insights in many types of astrological charts, from medical to natal to synastry and more. The following element aphorisms may assist in such analysis:

Equal Fire and Air balance and favor one another
Equal Water and Earth balance and nurture one another
Dominant Fire consumes Air
Dominant Fire vaporizes and transmutes Water into Air
Dominant Fire hardens and ultimately carbonizes Earth
Dominant Air intensifies and flares Fire
Dominant Air roils Water and induces turbulence therein
Dominant Air breaks-up and scatters Earth
Water extinguishes Fire
Dominant Water absorbs and traps Air
Dominant Water softens Earth, muddies Earth, dissolves Earth
Earth smothers Fire
Earth absorbs Water
Earth absorbs and imprisons Air



Interpreting a Chart

This has been written by Starlink.

First of all you of course look at the placements of Sun, Moon and Ascendant in sign and house. Very important are planets who are rising (in the 1st house or near the Ascendant).
After that look at the following:
Look at the division of planets in the chart, how many East, how many West (of the MC/IC axis), North or South (of the Ascendant/Desc. axis).
When most planets are on the Asc.(East) side, the person will be able to exert him/herself without being held back by others or circumstances in the life, on the Desc. side, this is not so. There your "serving others before serving yourself" will play out stronger.

All planets above the horizon: extrovert, public interests strong
All planets below the horizon: introvert, private interests strong.

Look at the element division. How many planets fall in Fire, Earth, Air
or water signs? Which is the weakest, which the strongest element?
Look at the division in houses. How many planets fall in F-E-A-W ?
Should one element be very weak or lacking in a chart, then see if that is compensated for by having that element on the Ascendant or if a lot of planets fall in a house which supports the element (Fire = 1-5-9th houses, Earth = 2-6-10th, Air = 3-6-9 and Water = 4-8-12th houses.)
Look if there is a lack of quality (Cardinal= initiative, Fixed = ability to see things through,

Mutable = Ability to be flexible & adaptable).
See if you can find a lack of a certain aspect. (no conjunctions or no oppositions for instance)
See if you find an unaspected planet. The energy of that planet will work without interference from other planetary energies in the chart and only temporarily influenced by transits.

Note the retrograde planets. Especially fast moving one's, like Mercury can move direct by progression, changing the energy from going inwards to outward.
See if you can find any configurations like:

T-square (between Cardinal, Fixed or Mutable signs)
Grand Cross (between Cardinal, Fixed or Mutable)
a Stellium (3 or more planets, conjuncting one another within one house. This shows a strong focus in the life on that life area.

A Yod
A Boomerang (A yod where the Apex opposes a 3rd planet)
A Grand Trine ( also in either one of the elements)
Grand sextile (very rare) and
Mystic Rectangle (not mystic at all but very practical).
See if you can find a planetary pattern, like:
a See-Saw (two groups of planets opposing one another like 4 above the Horizon, 6 below),
a Bowl( all planets placed in one half of the chart within an opposition of the 1stand last planet),

a Bucket, one planet opposing all the others, like a bowl
with a handle on it. This planet will be the focus energy influencing all others.

A Locomotive pattern. All ten planets are within 2/3rds of the chart leaving a 120° space. Some take no larger than 65° space. The "engine" of this locomotive is the planet heading the other planets in clockwise direction. This planet motivates the others into action.

A splash pattern. All 10 planets nicely divided throughout the chart. Very diverse energy.

A Bundle Pattern. (nearly the opposite of a splash). All planets are placed within the space of a trine (120°). Very contained energy.

A Splay Pattern. (also called the Tripoid pattern by Jansky). It shows three groups of planets forming a trine with one another, or at least some of them.

The Fan Pattern. Similar to the Bucket pattern, only the opposing planets are much more tight together. In the Bucket, the handle seems to work as the outlet for the other planets, whilst in a Fan, the singleton seems to spur the other planets on, into action.



Reference/Further Reading
http://www.geocities.com/wilsontctc/
http://www.astrologyweekly.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=41&order=desc
http://lessons.astrology.com/course/show/Beginners-Astrology/912-Sun-Conjunct-Planet-Interpretation
http://www.astrologyweekly.com/learn-astrology/astrology-lessons.php
http://www.angelfire.com/sc/jstroberg/interp.html#planets
http://www.sabian.org/15points.htm
http://www.chumpingstones.com/2008/...-to-make-and-read-your-chart-learn-astrology/
http://www.janspiller.com/101_astrologysymbols.php
http://www.dawnmountain.com/art_astbasics.html
http://www.astrologyweekly.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2126
http://mysite.verizon.net/bonniehill/pages.aux/astrology/tobey/tobey.13.html
http://radioastrology.com/modules/mtopics/

http://www.elbertwade.com/page60.html
http://www.auxmaillesgodefroy.com/keywords_for_aspects
http://www.auxmaillesgodefroy.com/physical_appearance
http://www.auxmaillesgodefroy.com/appearances_tables
http://www.auxmaillesgodefroy.com/lilly_appearances
http://www.auxmaillesgodefroy.com/aspects_outer_planets#@17

This was compiled from a large number of resources.Thankyou to all whose work is included.
Please feel free to add to this resource .
Lillyjgc
 
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