Astrology

THE ABC OF ASTROLOGY

The world around us is filled with symbols, some of them more obvious to the eye and some that pass unnoticed, only rarely attracting our attention. The impact of astrology on the world of symbols can not be neglected. There are many symbols that are either based on zodiac signs, or at least have an astrological component combined with something else, and of course many more symbols not connected to astrology at all. However, knowing some basics about astrology can help us to better understand a particular symbol, or perhaps it reveals some aspects or “deeper” meanings that were not visible to us before.

What follows is a list of basic components of astrology, meant as a reminder of some general properties.

For those who wish to learn more about astrology itself, I recommend further readings.

ASCENDANT, ASPECTS, ASTROLOGICAL HOUSES,
DESCENDANT, ECLIPTIC, ELEMENTS, INCONJUNCT,
IMUM COLEI - IC, MEDIUM COLEI - MC, PLANETS,ZODIAC

ARIES 

• 21.March - 20.April
• Fire sign
• ruled by Mars
• cardinal
• will power, courage, energy, vitality, activity, ambitions, persistence

also see: Zodiac

AQUARIUS    

• 21.January - 18.February
• Air sign
• ruled by Uranus
• fixed
• independent, exotic, extravagant, communicative, loyal
• generous, impartial, calm, caring, reformer

also see: Zodiac

ASCENDANT

• a point in zodiac which is ascending over the eastern horizon from the place of your birth at the time of your birth.
• if you would be born exactly at sunrise , your ascendant would be the same as your sun sign
• it marks the beginning of the 1. house
• because of Earth rotation all 12 Zodiac signs rise and fall during one 24 hour day
• the planet that rules the Zodiac sign of the ascendant is also the chart ruler
• ascendant shows our identity and individuality, temperament, physical appearance, … It shows how we handle every day situations and how others perceive us

also see: descendant , 1. house

ASPECTS

• aspect is an angle between two planets
• it shows the effects that the planets exert on each other
• Major aspects
  • Conjunction = 0°
  • Opposition = 180°
  • Trine = 120°
  • Square = 90°
  • Sextile = 60°
• Minor aspects
  • Inconjunct = 150°
  • Biquintile = 144°
  • Sesquiquadrate = 135°
  • Quintile = 72°
  • Semisextile =30°

ASTROLOGICAL HOUSES

All zodiac signs and all planets travel every day through all 12 houses. The I. House starts with ascendant . The houses describe different aspects of a person’s life.

There are many different systems, most commonly used are :

• Placidus
• Koch

Division of houses:

• angular (cardinal): I.house, IV.house, VII.house, X.house
• succedent (fixed): II.house, V.house, VIII.house, XI.house
• cadent (mutual): III.house, VI.house , IX.house, XII.house

BIQUINTILE

• angle =144° (144°±2°)
• weak, harmonious aspect

also see: aspects

CANCER   

• 22.June - 22.July
• Water sign
• ruled by Moon
• cardinal
• defensive, protective, self-sufficient, independent, stubborn
• love, emotions, a family person

also see: Zodiac

CAPRICORN  

• 21.December - 20.January
• Earth sign
• ruled by Saturn
• cardinal
• responsible, reliable, practical, persistent, active
• prudence, ambitions, not likely to take risks

also see: Zodiac

CONJUNCTION

• angle = 0° (0°±10° if the aspect is between Sun and Moon ,0°±8° for other planets)
• the effects of planets involved are intensified
• it works directly, explicit
• harmonious aspect

also see: aspects

DESCENDANT

• the point exactly opposite from the ascendant
• a point in Zodiac which falls in the western horizon at the place and time of our birth
• it marks the beginning of the 7. house
• describes our relationships with self and others

also see: ascendant, 7. house

ECLIPTIC

• the apparent line drawn by the Sun on the sky during one year
• In approximately one month time the Sun moves from one constellation (zodiac sign) to another, and passes through all 12 signs in one year.

ELEMENTS

• EARTH: practical, calm, patient, endurance, need for security
  Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
• WATER: emotions, perception, compassion, very sensitive, imaginative
  Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
• AIR: intellect, abstract thinking, companionship, idealistic, truth loving
  Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
• FIRE: dynamic, strong, aggressive, impulsive, temperament, will power, spontaneous
  Aries, Leo, Sagittarius

GEMINI    

• 22.May - 21.June
• Air sign
• ruled by Mercury
• mutual
• dualism, communication, education, individualism, independence

also see: Zodiac

INCONJUNCT

• angle =150° (150°±3°)
• neutral aspect (its neither positive nor negative)
• requires compromises, adaptation

also see: aspects

IMUM COLEI - IC

• the opposite point of mid-heaven (MC)
• lowest point, bottom of sky
• it marks the beginning of the 4. house
• it indicates our foundations, new beginnings in life in general

also see: medium colei , 4. house

JUPITER  

• ruler of Sagittarius ( and used to be the ruler of Pisces )
• friendship, honor, wisdom,mercy, higher goals, traveling

also see: planets

LEO   

• 23.July - 23.August
• Fire sign
• ruled by Sun
• fixed
• creative, charismatic, influential
• vitality, energy, power

also see: Zodiac

LIBRA    

• 23.September - 23.October
• Air sign
• ruled by Venus
• cardinal
• practical, balanced, elegant, gentle, tactful, righteous

also see: Zodiac

MARS  

• ruler of Aries ( and used to be the ruler of Scorpio )
• action, energy, temperament, determination
• describes how we react when provoked or feeling in danger

also see: planets

MEDIUM COLEI - MC

• the point where the ecliptic crosses the meridian
• it literary means the middle of the sky; it is the uppermost point of the sky at the time of our birth
• it marks the beginning of the 10. house
• it indicates our status in society , aim in life, life goals

also see: imum colei , 10. house

MERCURY   

• ruler of Gemini ( and used to be the ruler of Virgo )
• communication, education, intellect, common sense
• describes the way our mind works

also see: planets

MOON  

• ruler of Cancer
• feelings, emotions, intuition, sub-consciusnes, memories
• describes emotional nature

also see: planets

NEPTUNE   

• ruler of Pisces
• inner world, illusions, imagination, dream world, idealism

also see: planets

OPPOSITION

• angle = 180° (180°±8°)
• creates tension between planets involved, usually with positive effects
• challenges in life, provoking changes, providing motivation

also see: aspects

PISCES    

• 19.February - 20.March
• Water sign
• ruled by Neptune
• mutual
• imaginative, sensitive, compassionate
• dream world, illusions, uncertainty, instability

also see: Zodiac

PLANETS

• Astrology is a geocentric system; it examines the effects of the planets on the life forms on earth
  • Sun
  • Moon
  • Mercury
  • Venus
  • Mars
  • Jupiter
  • Saturn
  • Uranus
  • Neptune
  • Pluto

PLUTO  

• ruler of Scorpio
• sub-consciusness, changes, transformation, revolution

also see: planets

QUINTILE

• angle = 72° (72°±2°)
• harmonious aspect
• shows a persons talents

also see: aspects

QUALITY

• CARDINAL: taking the lead, initiating development, moving in new directions, taking risks
  Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn
• FIXED: stability, routine, tradition, strong willed, difficulties to adapt to changes
  Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius
• MUTABLE: seeking changes, fast adapting to changes, unpredictable
  Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces

SAGITTARIUS   

• 22.November - 20.December
• Fire sign
• ruled by Jupiter
• mutual
• free spirited, cheerful, spontaneous, truth-loving
• research, wisdom, humor

also see: Zodiac

SATURN   

• ruler of Capricorn ( and used to be the ruler of Aquarius )
• restrictions, karma, stability, control, endurance, concentration

also see: planets

SCORPIO    

• 23.October - 22.November
• Water sign
• ruled by Pluto
• fixed
• impulsive, passionate, need for attention
• transformation, change, regeneration

also see: Zodiac

SEMISEXTILE

• angle = 30° (30°±2°)
• harmonious aspect
• weaker sextile

also see: aspects

SEMISQUARE

• angle = 45° (45°±2°)
• minor tensions
• weaker square

also see: aspects

SESQUIQUADRATE

• angle = 135° (135°±2°)
• harmonious aspect
• action-reaction principle

also see: aspects

SEXTILE

• angle = 60° (60°±6°)
• planets involved work together in harmony
• always between air and fire signs or between water and earth zodiac signs
• good communication

also see: aspects

SQUARE

• angle = 90° (90°±8°)
• tension, challenges, obstacles in life
• action, energy, ambitions

also see: aspects

SUN   

• ruler of Leo
• power, strength, life energy, ego, individuality
• describes personality

also see: planets

TAURUS    

• 21.April - 21.May
• Earth sign
• ruled by Venus
• fixed
• practical, sensual, loyal, stubborn
• love, principles, need for stability

also see: Zodiac

TRINE

• angle = 120° (120°±8°)
• harmony between planets involved
• inspiring, beneficial
• too many trines and only a few or none squares can make a person passive

also see: aspects

URANUS   

• ruler of Aquarius
• changes, reforms, freedom, originality, individuality

also see: planets

VENUS    

• ruler of Taurus ( and used to be the ruler of Libra )
• love, beauty, harmony, joy, romance, desires, ability to sacrifice
• describes relationships , eroticism

also see: planets

VIRGO   

• 23.August - 22.September
• Earth sign
• ruled by Mercury
• mutual
• practical, reliable, critical, analytical, methodical, precise
• gentle, quiet, sympathetic

also see: Zodiac

ZODIAC

• there are 12 signs , each of them takes up 30º of Zodiac
• the Sun stays approximately one month in each sign, and travels through the entire Zodiac in one year
• Zodiac signs
  • Aries
  • Taurus
  • Gemini
  • Cancer
  • Leo
  • Virgo
  • Libra
  • Scorpio
  • Sagittarius
  • Capricorn
  • Aquarius
  • Pisces

I. HOUSE

• it is ruled by Mars
• associated with Aries
• contains the ascendant
• personality, ego, temperament, self-expression, self-image, physical appearance, attitude to life

also see:ascendant , astrological houses

II. HOUSE

• it is ruled by Venus
• associated with Taurus
• safety, security, daily life, values, attitude toward our property, material possession, our body

also see: astrological houses

III. HOUSE

• it is ruled by Mercury
• associated with Gemini
• communication, rational thinking, pure logic, interests, development, understanding of our surroundings

also see: astrological houses

IV. HOUSE

• it is ruled by Moon
• associated with Cancer
• contains the Imum Colei
• home, roots, origins, past, deepest emotions, family, tradition

also see:IC , astrological houses

V. HOUSE

• it is ruled by Sun
• associated with Leo
• self-expression, self-realization, creative power, the child within, satisfaction, pleasure, sexuality, eroticism

also see: astrological houses

VI. HOUSE

• it is ruled by Mercury
• associated with Virgo
• work, routine, everyday life, attitude towards health, adaptation, responsibility

also see: astrological houses

VII. HOUSE

• it is ruled by Venus
• associated with Libra
• contains the descendant
• love, relationships, social contacts, partnership

also see: descendant, astrological houses

VIII. HOUSE

• it is ruled by Pluto
• associated with Scorpio
• inner strength, values within relationships, ability to share , changes, transformations, new beginnings, strong emotions, the way we deal with loss

also see: astrological houses

IX. HOUSE

• it is ruled by Jupiter
• associated with Sagittarius
• our philosophical nature, religion, world view, ideals, visions, ethical and moral principles

also see: astrological houses

X. HOUSE

• it is ruled by Saturn
• associated with Capricorn
• contains the Medium Colei
• reputation, ambitions, occupation, career, social stand, fulfillment , public appearance

also see: MC, astrological houses

XI. HOUSE

• it is ruled by Uranus
• associated with Aquarius
• attitude toward others and society, free time, friendship, our group behavior

also see: astrological houses

XII. HOUSE

• it is ruled by Neptune
• associated with Pisces
• compassion, self-sacrifice, transcendental, mystical, inner world, escape from reality, retreat, dreams, suppressed problems

also see: astrological houses

Further readings

• www.astro.com
• www.astroworld.net
• Derek & Julia Parker: Parker’s astrology , Dorling Kindersley Limited, London 1991;
• Grant Lewi: Astrology for the millions , Llewellyn Publications, St. Paul, Minnesota U.S.A., 1998;
• Fred Gettings: The arkana dictionary of astrology , Arkana ,1990;