“To understand astrology is to understand the divine order of the universe”
The study of the movements and positions of celestial bodies and their influence of our lives here on earth.
Astrology is the most ancient and powerful of all the sciences because it encompasses all of science; math, numbers, geometry, physics, astronomy, mythology, psychology and spirituality!
The origins of Astrology date back to around 2000 BCE and can be traced to ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, and ancient China!
There is so much we can learn from the ancient wisdom, but lets discuss the basic terms, definitions, and principles within Astrology.
What is a Horoscope?
A horoscope is an astrological chart or diagram representing the positions of the Sun, Moon, Planets, astrological aspects and sensitive angles at the time of an event, such as the moment of a your birth. The word horoscope is derived from Greek words hora and scopos meaning “time” “observer”.
What is a Sun sign?
The Sun’s position on a person’s birthday determines the ‘Sun Sign’.
Your Sun sign is the pattern of your overall personality and represents your ego. The sign in which your Sun falls influences the goals you choose and how you accomplish those goals.
Sun is also the sign for Father, ruling the physical body, ego, self-confidence, masculine energy, giving out energy and leadership.
What is a Moon Sign?
The Moon sign is calculated by the Moon position at time of birth.
The Moon expresses your emotions and your subconscious/programmed self. It explains your emotional needs and your reactions to experiences.
Moon is also the sign for mother, and It rules the mind and intelligence, emotions, females, receiving energy. The moon is also associated with intuition and inner vulnerabilities.
What is a Rising or Ascendent Sign?
The rising sign is literally the zodiac sign that is rising on the eastern horizon at the time of birth (This is why the time of birth is important, because without it the chart cannot be calculated).
Our Ascendent is our “first impression” sign, how you appear to others and the world around you.
The ascendent determines which planets govern the 12 planetary houses and rules the first house itself.
There are 12 Zodiac Signs in Astrology:
ARIES
Dynamic, Energetic, Courageous
Date – 3/21 – 4/20
Element – Fire
Quality – Cardinal
TAURUS
Determined, Stable, Reliable
Date – 4/21 – 5/20
Element – Earth
Quality – Fixed
GEMINI
Adaptable, Versatile, Optimistic
Date – 5/21 – 6/21
Element – Air
Quality – Mutable
CANCER
Intuitive, Tenacious, Sensitive
Date – 6/22 – 7/22
Element – Water
Quality – Cardinal
LEO
Ambitious, Extroverted, Creative
Date – 7/23-8/22
Element – Fire
Quality – Fixed
VIRGO
Logical, Fair, Reliable
Date – 8/23 – 9/22
Element – Earth
Quality – Mutable
LIBRA
Idealistic, Fair-minded, Charming
Date – 9/23 – 10/22
Element – Air
Quality – Cardinal
SCORPIO
Determined, Intuitive, Passionate
Date – 10/23 – 11/21
Element – Water
Quality – Fixed
SAGITATTIUS
Philosophical, Social, Freedom
Date – 11/22 – 12/21
Element – Fire
Quality – Mutable
CAPRICORN
Ambitious, Industrious, Practical
Date – 12/22 – 1/19
Element – Earth
Quality – Cardinal
AQUARIUS
Individualistic, Innovator, Logical
Date – 1/20 – 2/18
Element – Air
Quality – Fixed
PISCES
Selfless, Compassionate, Artistic
Date – 2/19 – 3/20
Element – Water
Quality – Mutable
Each Zodiac Sign has a Quality + Element
The elements and their qualities give specific meanings to the signs and houses, as they are a very important component to the world and life.
There are 4 Elements: Fire, Earth, Water and Air
There are 3 Qualities: Cardinal, Fixed and Mutable
Water Sign: Emotionally oriented; Intuitive + emotional, nurturers, and sensitive to the environment
Air Sign: Intellectually oriented; Social + objective, communicators, and seek information in everything
Earth Sign: Sensually oriented; Patient + practical, hard workers, and seek stability in everything
Fire Sign: Action oriented; Spontaneous + enthusiastic, pursuers, and seek adventure in everything
To better understand your Quality, you must first know what Element you are.
Cardinal Signs:
Leaders, Ambitious, Self-centered, Enthusiastic
If you are a Cardinal sign, your job is to initiate the season. You are the leader which brings forth that season. Cardinal signs are pioneering and enterprising. Aries (spring), Cancer (summer), Libra (autumn), and Capricorn (winter), are the Cardinal signs.
Fixed Signs:
Reliable, Stubborn, Strong Willed, Determined
If you are a Fixed sign, you are the second month in that season and it is your job to maintain that season. Fixed signs concentrate energy and solidify ideas. Taurus (spring), Leo (summer), Scorpio (autumn), and Aquarius (winter), are the Fixed signs.
Mutable Signs:
Flexible, Adaptable, Impressionable, Versatile
If you are a Mutable sign, your sign is the third (and final) month within each season. The role for these signs is to prepare for the transition to the next season and their traits are communication, flexibility, and destruction. Mutable signs are Gemini (late spring), Virgo (late summer), Sagittarius (late autumn) and Pisces (late winter).
There are 4 prominent Astrological Systems:
Vedic Astrology
Chinese Astrology
Western Astrology
Celtic Astrology
Each one has slightly different views, because they originated from different parts of the world!
Personally, I love understanding all of them, but my favorite is Vedic (eastern) astrology!
