Guide to astrology basics
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AstrologyThe Sun in astrologyThe Sun is the centre of the birth chart: it gives the solar sign, the one used in newspaper horoscopes. Astronomical facts, myths, symbolism and the real scope of this reading.AstrologyThe Moon in astrologyIn astrology, the Moon symbolises emotions, habits and the need for security. Astronomical facts, myths, lunar sign, its rhythm through the zodiac and the limits of this reading.AstrologyMercury in astrologyMercury, the fastest body and the one closest to the Sun, symbolises communication and thought. The myth of Hermes, astronomical facts, apparent retrograde motion and the limits of this reading.AstrologyVenus in astrologyVenus, the brightest planet, symbolises attraction, values and harmony. The myth of Aphrodite and Ishtar, the 584-day cycle, the signs it rules and the limits of this reading.AstrologyMars in astrologyMars, the red planet, symbolises energy, action, desire and self-assertion. The myth of Ares, astronomical facts, ruled signs, retrograde motion and the limits of this reading.AstrologyJupiter in astrologyJupiter, the largest planet, symbolises expansion, optimism and the quest for meaning. The myth of Zeus, the twelve-year cycle, ruled signs, Jupiter's return and the limits of this reading.AstrologySaturn in astrologySaturn, the ringed planet, symbolises time, structure and responsibility. The myth of Cronus, the 29-year cycle, Saturn's return, the signs it rules and the limits of this reading.AstrologyUranus in astrologyUranus, discovered in 1781, symbolises rupture, originality and freedom. Found by Herschel, with an 84-year orbit, the sign of Aquarius, Uranus opposition and the limits of this reading.AstrologyNeptune in astrologyNeptune, discovered through calculation in 1846, symbolises dreams, intuition and illusion. The myth of Poseidon, a 165-year cycle, the sign of Pisces, astrological readings and limits.AstrologyPluto in astrologyPluto, discovered in 1930 and reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006, symbolises transformation and depth. The myth of Hades, a 248-year cycle, Scorpio and astrological reading, with its limits.AstrologyFire signsAries, Leo and Sagittarius form the element of fire: momentum, enthusiasm, warmth. The Greek origin of the four elements, qualities, humours, planets, houses and the limits of this reading.AstrologyEarth signsTaurus, Virgo and Capricorn form the element of earth: the concrete, endurance, practical sense. The Greek origin of the four elements, qualities, humours, planets, houses and the limits of this reading.AstrologyAir signsGemini, Libra and Aquarius form the element of air: ideas, relationships, communication. The Greek origin of the four elements, qualities, humours, planets, houses and the limits of this reading.AstrologyWater signsCancer, Scorpio and Pisces form the element of water: emotions, memory, intuition. The Greek origin of the four elements, qualities, humours, planets, houses and the limits of this reading.AstrologyCardinal, Fixed and Mutable SignsCardinal, fixed, mutable: the three modalities that sort the twelve signs by their place within the season. Table with elements, origin, squares, houses and limits.AstrologyThe Twelve Astrological HousesThe houses divide the sky into twelve sectors starting from the eastern horizon. The meaning of each one, angular, succedent and cadent houses, systems (Placidus, whole sign), a simple way to read them and their limits.AstrologyAspects: Conjunction, Opposition, Trine, SquareAn aspect is the angle between two heavenly bodies in a chart. The five major aspects, orb, step-by-step calculation, minor aspects, patterns and the limits of this reading.AstrologyThe Ascendant: Calculation and MeaningThe ascendant is the sign that was rising on the eastern horizon at the moment and place of birth. Principle of the calculation, pace (about one sign every two hours), symbolic meaning and limits.AstrologyReading Your Natal Chart Step by StepA natal chart is a map of the sky at a given moment and place. The data to gather, how to read the wheel, an eight-step method, a fictional example, pitfalls (the Barnum effect) and the limits of this reading.
The meanings mentioned belong to tradition and symbolism. They are neither promises of results nor medical advice.