Everything you need to learn first about Astrology.
Do you want to learn real Astrology? Here is all you need to know to grasp the rules of breaking down a natal chart. It is a lot of information, so it is subdivided, and outlined, but you are encouraged to reach out with any questions you may have about the following information.
1. Understanding the Zodiac Wheel: The Foundation of Astrology
The Zodiac is a Map of the Sky: The zodiac is a celestial coordinate system, divided into 12 sections, each corresponding to a constellation. These sections (signs) represent fundamental archetypes.
The Signs are Archetypes: Zodiac signs are archetypal energy; representing a spectrum of characteristics. For example: Aries represents initiation and action, while Libra embodies balance and relationship. These are primal forces in the human psyche.
Elements & Modalities: Signs are grouped by elements (fire, earth, air, water) and modalities (cardinal, fixed, mutable). Elements describe the quality of the energy (fiery and enthusiastic, earthy and practical, etc.), while modalities indicate how this energy behaves (initiating, stabilizing, or changing).
2. The Planets as Cosmic Actors
Planets are Energetic Forces: Planets represent the fundamental forces or "actors" in the cosmos, each playing a distinct role. For example, Mars is the force of aggression and drive, Venus governs love and harmony, while Saturn represents structure, discipline, and time.
Rulerships of Signs: Each planet rules over one or more signs (e.g., Mars rules Aries and Scorpio, Venus rules Taurus and Libra). This relationship reveals the planet’s most natural expression of energy.
Planetary Dignity: Planetary dignity (rulership, exaltation, detriment, and fall) is when a planet in its rulership or exaltation is strong and effective, while in its detriment or fall it struggles to express its energy positively.
3. Houses as Areas of Life
The 12 Houses Correspond to Life’s Areas: The houses are the canvas on which the planets act. Each house corresponds to a different domain of life. Here are a few examples, see below for all 12 Houses:
1st house: Self and identity
2nd house: Finances and resources
7th house: Relationships and partnerships
10th house: Career and public life
Houses are Personal and Unique: The house placement of planets shows where in life certain energies manifest. Here we can see how astrology is highly individualistic, as each person’s house placements are unique based on their time and place of birth.
4. Aspects: Cosmic Conversations
Aspects Reveal Planetary Relationships: Aspects are the angles between planets, showing how their energies interact. A trine (120 degrees) represents harmonious energy, while a square (90 degrees) often signals tension or challenge.
Major Aspects to Focus On:
Conjunction (0°): Two planets are fused together; their energies are intensified.
Opposition (180°): Tension, polarization, but potential for balance.
Square (90°): Conflict or friction, pushing for growth and change.
Trine (120°): Ease and flow between energies, talents, and natural gifts.
Sextile (60°): Opportunity for growth, cooperation between planets.
5. Interpretation is Storytelling
Synthesis Over Fragmentation: When we learn how to read a chart, we no longer see planets, signs, and houses in isolation. Synthesizing all parts of a chart into a cohesive narrative is much easier to interpret. We start by asking:
What story is being told by the placement of the Sun and Moon?
How do the rising sign and planetary aspects weave into this story?
What are the major life themes suggested by the dominant element or modality in the chart?
Person-Centered Astrology: Interpretation that reflects the person as a whole, not just individual planets or signs, is most helpful. We must aim to blend the symbolic language into a narrative that speaks to the soul of the individual, like a painting with combining elements to give the full picture.
6. The Sun, Moon, and Ascendant: The Core of the Personality
The Trinity of Personality:
The Sun: The ego and core identity, where one shines.
The Moon: Emotional nature and subconscious patterns, deeply tied to past experiences and instincts.
The Ascendant (Rising Sign): The outer persona or how one appears to the world, the "mask" we wear in social settings.
The Importance of the Sun-Moon Relationship: The relationship between the Sun and Moon (and their aspects) is one of the most essential dynamics in the chart. It reveals how the conscious self and unconscious self interact.
7. Transits: The Timing of the Cosmos
Transits Activate Potential: The natal chart is a static map, but transits are how the planets interact with that map over time. Transiting planets trigger the themes of the natal chart, activating specific energies and challenges at different points in life.
Saturn Return and Key Life Cycles: Saturn return, the first of which occurs around age 29 and signals a period of life restructuring. Other major life transits include Jupiter returns (expansive periods) and the Uranus opposition (mid-life awakening around age 40-42).
8. Retrogrades - Periods of Reflection
What Retrogrades Really Mean: When planets are retrograde, they appear to move backward in the sky from Earth's perspective. Retrogrades are not inherently negative but are periods for introspection and revisiting themes governed by that planet. For example, during Mercury retrograde, issues with communication arise because Mercury asks us to reflect and reconsider how we express and process information.
9. Astrology is Esoteric
Astrology as a Spiritual Tool: Astrology is more than just a predictive system, it is a tool for spiritual growth, self-reflection, and understanding the divine order of the universe. Learning the metaphysical and philosophical roots of astrology—Hermeticism, and Alchemy give astrology its deeper spiritual context.
Symbols and Archetypes: Astrology is the language of symbols; the planets, signs, and houses correspond to universal archetypes present in mythology, psychology, and mysticism. Astrology connects us with the unconscious mind, as Carl Jung discovered in his studies of archetypes and synchronicity.
10. Ethical Considerations and Empowering Interpretations
Avoid Fatalism: One of the most important lessons to learn is that astrology should empower, not limit. Avoid deterministic or fatalistic interpretations, as we are living on Earth with free will to enhance our personal growth. Even challenging aspects or periods of time can become opportunities for transformation.
Be Compassionate and Sensitive: If you practice astrology with a chart other than your own, realize that their Natal Chart can show many aspects of life that are personal and therefore, this knowledge becomes a responsibility, as Karma is delivered with interpretation. It’s essential to approach each reading with care, respect, and a sense of responsibility, as it can deeply affect the person receiving it.
The 12 Astrological Houses: Areas of Life
Each house corresponds to a specific realm of life and shows where planetary energies manifest in an individual’s experience. The houses can be understood as the "stage" on which the planetary energies act.
1st House: The House of Self
Keywords: Identity, physical appearance, how one presents to the world.
Significance: This house governs the outward personality and first impressions. It is linked to the Ascendant (Rising Sign), representing how you start things, your approach to life, and how others perceive you.
Ruler: Mars (Aries)
2nd House: The House of Resources
Keywords: Finances, possessions, values, self-worth.
Significance: This house focuses on personal resources, both material and immaterial. It reflects how we handle money, what we value, and our sense of security.
Ruler: Venus (Taurus)
3rd House: The House of Communication
Keywords: Communication, intellect, siblings, local environment.
Significance: Governing thought, speech, and interaction, the 3rd house relates to the mind and how we communicate. It also covers day-to-day travel and relationships with siblings and neighbors.
Ruler: Mercury (Gemini)
4th House: The House of Home and Roots
Keywords: Family, home, ancestry, private life.
Significance: This house governs our foundation, including our home environment, family, and emotional roots. It often reflects the relationship with the mother or primary caregiver.
Ruler: Moon (Cancer)
5th House: The House of Creativity and Pleasure
Keywords: Creativity, romance, children, hobbies, self-expression.
Significance: This house is about joy, play, and creative pursuits. It also governs love affairs, speculative ventures, and the relationship with one's children.
Ruler: Sun (Leo)
6th House: The House of Service and Health
Keywords: Work, service, health, routines.
Significance: This house represents daily work, habits, and health routines. It reveals how we serve others and ourselves through discipline and practice. It's associated with jobs rather than careers (more tied to day-to-day work than long-term ambitions).
Ruler: Mercury (Virgo)
7th House: The House of Partnerships
Keywords: Relationships, partnerships, marriage, open enemies.
Significance: The 7th house governs close, one-on-one relationships, both personal (like marriage) and professional (like business partnerships). It also rules over open adversaries—those who oppose us in a clear way.
Ruler: Venus (Libra)
8th House: The House of Transformation
Keywords: Death, rebirth, sexuality, shared resources, secrets.
Significance: This house represents deep transformation, as well as shared resources such as inheritance, taxes, and intimacy. It's tied to life's mysteries, including death and the occult.
Ruler: Pluto (Scorpio), traditionally Mars
9th House: The House of Philosophy and Expansion
Keywords: Higher learning, travel, philosophy, religion.
Significance: This house governs higher education, philosophy, spirituality, long-distance travel, and the quest for truth. It reflects our search for meaning and our beliefs about life and the universe.
Ruler: Jupiter (Sagittarius)
10th House: The House of Career and Public Life
Keywords: Career, reputation, status, authority, long-term goals.
Significance: This house is associated with public life and professional reputation, often tied to career aspirations and achievements. It also represents the relationship with the father or authority figures.
Ruler: Saturn (Capricorn)
11th House: The House of Friends and Aspirations
Keywords: Friendships, groups, community, hopes, and dreams.
Significance: This house governs social connections, friendships, and group dynamics. It also reflects long-term aspirations and visions for the future, as well as the desire for social progress.
Ruler: Uranus (Aquarius), traditionally Saturn
12th House: The House of the Unconscious
Keywords: The unconscious, hidden enemies, solitude, karma, spirituality.
Significance: This house represents the unconscious mind, spirituality, and the dissolution of boundaries. It governs what is hidden, including self-undoing, karma, and institutions like hospitals or prisons.
Ruler: Neptune (Pisces), traditionally Jupiter
Personas of the Planets: Cosmic Archetypes
Each planet represents an archetype, an essential energy that manifests in life in specific ways. Here's a breakdown of each planet's persona.
The Sun: The King/Queen
Keywords: Core identity, vitality, purpose.
Archetype: The sovereign of the self. The Sun represents who you are at your essence, your ego, your sense of purpose, and your conscious will to shine in life.
The Moon: The Nurturer
Keywords: Emotions, intuition, inner world, nurturing.
Archetype: The mother or caretaker. The Moon reflects how you feel and react emotionally, your instincts, and your inner life. It is linked to your past, your memories, and your deepest emotional needs.
Mercury: The Messenger
Keywords: Communication, intellect, learning.
Archetype: The trickster or the scribe. Mercury governs how you think, communicate, and process information. It also rules commerce, travel, and short journeys.
Venus: The Lover
Keywords: Love, beauty, harmony, pleasure.
Archetype: The goddess of love and attraction. Venus reflects your values, what you love, your aesthetic sense, and how you attract and experience pleasure in life.
Mars: The Warrior
Keywords: Action, drive, aggression, desire.
Archetype: The soldier or fighter. Mars governs your assertiveness, how you pursue desires, and how you express anger or passion. It’s your action-taking energy.
Jupiter: The Guru
Keywords: Expansion, abundance, wisdom, luck.
Archetype: The teacher or sage. Jupiter represents growth, optimism, and the pursuit of higher knowledge. It’s the planet of luck, faith, and personal expansion.
Saturn: The Taskmaster
Keywords: Discipline, structure, responsibility, time.
Archetype: The judge or elder. Saturn governs limits, structure, and long-term goals. It asks for patience, hard work, and accountability, often teaching through hardship and delay.
Uranus: The Rebel
Keywords: Innovation, freedom, disruption, change.
Archetype: The revolutionary or eccentric. Uranus symbolizes sudden changes, breakthroughs, and the drive for freedom. It often brings radical, unexpected developments.
Neptune: The Mystic
Keywords: Dreams, spirituality, illusion, inspiration.
Archetype: The visionary or mystic. Neptune rules imagination, dreams, and the dissolution of boundaries. It’s about spiritual yearning, idealism, and often illusion.
Pluto: The Transformer
Keywords: Power, transformation, rebirth, death.
Archetype: The alchemist or underworld ruler. Pluto represents the cycle of death and rebirth, transformation, and deep, often hidden power dynamics. It uncovers the truth and brings profound change.