Conjuction

A conjunction is easy to spot in a chart: It is two or more planets situated closely together, generally within an orb of eight degrees. It is one of the major Aspects; neither a hard nor soft energy is specifically ascribed to it. While conjunctions are often found within the same Sign, they can also fall within adjacent Signs. For example, Mars at 27 degrees Gemini is conjunct Venus at 1 degree Cancer. Here we see an orb of influence of 4 degrees. As with all Aspects, the more exact the angular measurement, or specificity of the orb, the more intense the energy. Therefore, a conjunction at 0 or 1 degrees would be much more powerful than one at 4 degrees. Conjunctions tend to add great emphasis to the planets and Sign(s) involved. There is no mistaking the effects of a conjunction, for they are palpable and often in full view. Pluto conjunct the Sun can give great intensity and power to the individual, while Mars conjunct Venus can point to an assertive lover. The House in which a conjunction rests is also affected by the presence of neighborly planets. Were the Mars/Venus conjunction noted above in the Fourth House of Home, it could presage domestic battle (or even bliss) between a couple. The energy of a conjunction can be either favorable or unfavorable, depending on the planets involved. What is important to remember when considering a conjunction is that the tenor of the planets will be enhanced, magnified. This is not likely to be subtle energy. When three or more planets are in conjunction, a stellium is formed. Again, these planets may fall in the same or adjacent Signs. A stellium has an energy all its own and also greatly influences the Sign and House where it resides.

Aspects

Along with the Signs and Houses of the Zodiac, the Aspects are key to our interpretation of a horoscope. Aspects address the angular relationship between planets and points in the Zodiac. To keep it simple, assume that the circle of the Zodiac is divided into twelve equal pie-shaped slices (which, in fact, it is, for the Signs). Since a circle is 360 degrees, each slice of pie (or Sign) is 30 degrees. Using the Earth as the center of the horoscope, we can make the following statement: if Venus is at 1 degree Aries and Mars is at 1 degree Cancer, these planets are 90 degrees apart and therefore making a mathematical square angle, or for our purposes, a square , to each other. Taking this a step further, if Mercury is at 1 degree Libra in the above horoscope, it will find itself 180 degrees away from Venus, or in a direct opposition aspect to that planet. The major Aspects are conjunctions (at 0 degrees, or planets which are right next to each other), sextiles (60 degrees apart), squares (a 90 degree separation), trines (120 degrees in distance), and oppositions (180 degrees apart). Squares and oppositions are also known as hard Aspects in that the energy from these Aspects generally represents challenges to be overcome or a balance that needs to be found. Sextiles and trines are considered soft Aspects in that their energy is generally harmonious and beneficent. The energy resulting from a conjunction can be either positive or negative, depending on the planets involved and other Aspects, and factors, in the horoscope. Minor Aspects which are often considered when viewing a horoscope are semi-sextiles (a 30 degree separation between planets) and quincunxes (a 150 degree distance). Other minor Aspects are addressed only if their angle is very precise. Speaking of precision, Aspects between planets are usually not at the exact angular distances listed above. In order to calculate Aspects, Astrologers adhere to an orb of influence, or a set number of degrees within which a specific aspect is effective. For example, two planets which are 86 degrees apart may well form a square to each other even though they are not at a precise 90 degree square angle. It's safe to say, however, that the closer the planets are to each other, the stronger the aspect's energy. Most Astrologers are comfortable using an orb of 8 degrees for major Aspects, or 8 degrees on either side of the angle (Aspects) being referenced (again, for a square, this would mean an orb beginning at 82 degrees and ending at 98 degrees). For minor Aspects, an orb of between 1 and 3 degrees is considered reasonable. Aspects and orbs are both subject to interpretation as to their energy and distance, respectively. Lastly, Astrologers are quick to use the entire horoscope as an aid in gleaning the message of the various Aspects. Orbs It is a matter of personal opinion and experience in deciding whether or not two planets can be considered within the orb of a specific aspect. The following is a quick guide for orbs and aspects. Degrees Orb Conjunction 0 10 Semi-Sextile 30 2 Sextile 60 6 Square 90 8 Trine 120 8 Qunicunx 150 2 Opposition 180 10

The Astrological Houses

1st HOUSE The First House is also known as the House of Self as well as the Ascendant or Rising Sign. It describes your outer personality and physical attributes. It is the image we project to the world, our mask and outward behaviour. It represents the head and face and is ruled by the sign Aries and the planet Mars . 2nd HOUSE The Second House is also known as the House of Possessions . It describes your material assets, monetary income, and the potential ways it may be earned. It also indicates what you value throughout life. This is the house of personal finance. It represents the neck, nose and throat and is ruled by the sign Taurus and the planet Venus . 3rd HOUSE The Third House is also known as the House of Communication . It is the way which we express ourselves (through speech, written etc...) and think on an intellectual level. It also describes siblings, neighbors and our local environment as well as early education, mechanical dexterity, and short trips.It represents the hands, shoulders and lungs and is ruled by the sign Gemini and the planet Mercury . 4th HOUSE The Fourth House is also known as the House of Home . It describes your residence, real estate, domestic environment, ancestry, heritage and roots as well as the past. It also indicates one's Mother. It represents the breasts and digestion and is ruled by the sign Cancer and the Moon . 5th HOUSE The Fifth House is also known as the House of Pleasure . It describes romance, creativity, children, fun, talent, gambling, and enjoyment. It also rules the dramatic, and one's artistic ability. It represents the heart and back and is ruled by the sign Leo and the Sun . 6th HOUSE The Sixth House is also known as the House of Health . It is your job, routine, daily responsibilities, diet, employees, pets, and physical fitness. It also describes fulfilling your duty and obligations, and the conscious mind. It represents the stomach and intestines and is ruled by the sign Virgo and the planet Mercury . 7th HOUSE The Seventh House is also known as the House of Partnership . It describes marriage, joint partnership or ventures, and business partnerships. It also rules divorce, legalities, open confrontations, contracts, lawsuits, and negotiations. It represents the kidneys and is ruled by the sign Libra and the planet Venus . 8th HOUSE The Eighth House is also known as the House of Sex . It describes shared resources, inheritance, alimony, taxes, support one receives from others, and surgery. It is also the house of sexual behaviour, procreation, regeneration, death, and reincarnation. It represents the sex organs and is ruled by the sign Scorpio and the planets Mars and Pluto . 9th HOUSE The Ninth House is also known as the House of Philosophy . It describes religion, travel and foreign countries, in-laws, higher education, publishing, import/export and ethics. It represents the hips and thighs and is ruled by the sign Sagittarius and the planet Jupiter . 10th HOUSE The Tenth House is also known as the House of Social Status . It describes one's vocation, career, profession, ambition, reputation, authority, prestige, one's achievements and governmentand. As well as one's father and his influence. It represents the skin, teeth, bones and shins. It is ruled by the sign Capricorn and the planet Saturn . 11th HOUSE The Eleventh House is also known as the House of Friends . It describes friendships and acquaintances, as well as hopes and wishes. It rules groups, organizations, associations, humanitarianism and philanthropic attitudes, and one's originality. It represents the ankles and is ruled by the sign Aquarius and the planets Saturn and Uranus . 12th HOUSE The Twelfth House is also known as the House of the Unconscious . It describes the hidden or unknown, the subconscious mind, the intangible, sleep, dreams, sympathy, karma and spiritual debt. It rules solitude, confinement, fears, sorrow, secrets, hidden enemies, non-reality, drugs, institutions, public welfare and charity. It represents the feet and is ruled by the sign Pisces and the planets Jupiter and Neptune .

The 12 Star Signs:

Originally referred to as your Sun Sign, your Star Sign represents the Sign of the Zodiac that the Sun was in at your birth. The Sun rules will power and ego. It is the core of your potential and uniqueness as an individual; who you are and what you are about. Your Sun Sign represents the main direction and focus you want your life to take and your determination to accomplish what you set out to do. It is your personal honesty and integrity and your ability to command respect and authority, to impress and influence others.

A quick astrological reference guide

The following table was designed to help you understand each sign of the zodiac easily. Find your sign and read across. If you can't see the whole grid please scroll or expand your window. sign symbol keyword house Body element quality day/night ruling planet Aries ram self 1 head,face fire cardinal day Mars Taurus bull possessions 2 neck,throat earth fixed night Venus Gemini twins communication 3 lungs,arms air mutable day Mercury Cancer crab home 4 breasts, digestion water cardinal night Moon Leo lion pleasure 5 heart, back fire fixed day Sun Virgo virgin health 6 stomach, intestines earth mutable night Mercury Libra scales partner 7 kidneys air cardinal day Venus Scorpio scorpion sex 8 sex organs water fixed night Mars/Pluto Sagittarius archer philosophy 9 hips, thighs fire mutable day Jupiter Capricorn seagoat social status 10 skin, teeth, bones earth cardinal night Saturn Aquarius water-bearer friends 11 ankles air fixed day Saturn/Uranus Pisces fish unconscious 12 feet water mutable night Jupiter/Neptune

The Qualities

The three Qualities defined in Astrology are, after the Elements, the second major classification that defines the nature of the Signs. The Qualities assign the Signs into Quadruplicities, groups of four Signs each that reflect the three common modes of Signs. Signs that are 90 degrees apart or opposite each other -- 180 degrees, also known as Signs in Polarity -- have the same quality. The Signs that belong to the same quality generally do not function smoothly together despite their likeness -- or perhaps because of them. They are often uneasy with each other, but those in polarity complement each other even though tension sometimes exists between them. Within a horoscope, the Quality describes a person's attitudes in life and they way they approach projects. The three Qualities are Cardinal, Fixed, and Mutable. The Cardinal Signs are Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn. These four Signs are the initiators of the Zodiac. Their common characteristics include action and drive; they have initiative and strong motivation. On a team, Cardinal Signs are the people who come up with ideas and get the project moving, but they are not very good at completion and follow-through. The Cardinal Houses are 1, 4, 7, and 10; if a chart has a number of Planets in these Houses, the horoscope is weighted toward Cardinal energy. The Fixed Signs are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius. These four Signs are the members of the Zodiac who dedicate themselves to seeing projects through to completion. Their common characteristics include determination and persistence; they are stable and self-reliant. On a team, Fixed Signs are the people who keep a project going and see it through to the end, but they can also be stubborn and inflexible. The Fixed Houses are 2, 5, 8, and 11; if a chart has a number of Planets in these Houses, the horoscope is weighted toward Fixed energy. The Mutable Signs are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces. These four Signs are the flexible members of the Zodiac, happy to fill an assigned role. Their common characteristics include adaptability and changeability; they are flexible and versatile. On a team, Mutable Signs adapt easily to changing conditions, and they don't have a particular agenda, but they can be wishy-washy or inconsistent. The Mutable Houses are 3, 6, 9, and 12; if a chart has a number of Planets in these Houses, the horoscope is weighted toward Mutable energy. Many people don't realize how important the Elements and Qualities are in true Astrology. It's the combination of Elements and Qualities that makes the Signs what they are; they combine in twelve distinct ways, one for each Sign. Sign Quality Element Aries Cardinal Fire Taurus Fixed Earth Gemini Mutable Air Cancer Cardinal Water Leo Fixed Fire Virgo Mutable Earth Sign Quality Element Libra Cardinal Air Scorpio Fixed Water Sagittarius Mutable Fire Capricorn Cardinal Earth Aquarius Fixed Air Pisces Mutable Water Learning the Elements and Qualities can help you a great deal when you read a chart. In fact, the Elements and Qualities form the basis of chart reading, enabling you to understand what motivates a person. Together they are a quick reference for Astrology.

The Elements

The four Elements defined in Astrology are the major classifications that define the nature of the Signs. The Elements assign the Signs into Triplicities, groups of three Signs each that reflect the four common types of Signs. The Elements in Astrology are not "made up;" they are the same Elements known by ancient people: Fire, Earth, Air, and Water. These four Elements sustain life and enable man's survival, both in ancient times and today. How they combine with each other and in us determine how we deal with the world around us; in Astrology they are an important way for us to come in tune with nature and understand how nature effect us, both within ourselves and in our interactions with each other. They teach us that we are not separate from nature, we are nature. The Elements influence the way we think, and within a horoscope they can be seen as a quick summary of the Planetary influences. The Elements indicate a person's first reaction to what happens to them, how they think, how that individual will respond to what occurs in their life. If you understand what is prominent in your chart and in the charts of others -- if you have a number of Planets in Fire Signs, for example -- you get a very good indication of what motivates and inspires that person. Conversely, the Elements that are lacking in a chart indicate the areas of life in which a person may need additional strength. Each Element reflects a quality of human nature and corresponds with the Suits in both playing cards and the Tarot. Element Keyword Suit Tarot Fire Physical Clubs Wands Earth Practical Diamonds Coins Air Intellectual Spades Swords Water Emotional Hearts Cups The first Element is Fire, which is assigned to Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius. Fire rules the first, fifth, and ninth Houses. Man could not survive without Fire; in ancient times is was relied upon for light and heat. Although it seems less important in modern life, it is Fire that generates electricity for warmth and to power light bulbs, and it runs our cars. It is the basic building block of technology. Fire Sign people thus radiate warmth and heat, but they can also get too hot: and if they do, don't touch! Fire Signs can be rash, but they are courageous and creative; they bring enthusiasm, spontaneity, and zeal to the Zodiac. The second Element is Earth, which is assigned to Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. Earth rules the second, sixth, and tenth Houses. Earth is what grounds us and supports us; it literally holds us up. In both ancient times and today, it was under our feet, stabilizing us, and providing us with crops and homes; Mother Earth is an appropriate epithet. Earth Sign people are practical and logical in a sometimes illogical world. Earth Signs can be possessive, but they are cautious and conservative; they bring dependability, practicality, and reliability to the Zodiac. The third Element is Air, which is assigned to Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius. Air rules the third, seventh, and eleventh Houses. Although invisible, Air is all around us; we quite literally could not breathe without it! It transmits sound and light, without which we couldn't communicate. Air Sign people are intellectual and mentally driven. Air Signs can be cold, but they are alert and curious; they bring intellect, perception, and logic to the Zodiac. The fourth Element is Water, which is assigned to Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. Water rules the fourth, eighth. and twelfth Houses. One needs only look at a map and see the Water that covers most of the Earth to understand its importance. Water is sacred in some cultures, and it purifies and washes away dirt while gently nourishing the crops that need rain to survive. Water Sign people are emotional and nurturing. Water Signs can be easily hurt, but they are receptive and responsive; they bring sensitivity, responsiveness, and emotional depth to the Zodiac. When we think about how to combine the Elements of each Sign, to understand how people of different Elements work together, we think about how they go together in nature. When one Element dominates another, it can throw the partnership off balance. If Fire and Fire are unbalanced, they throw off a lot of sparks and quickly runs out of control. If Fire and Earth are unbalanced, Fire burns the Earth away or is smothered by it. If Fire and Air are unbalanced, Fire turns the Air smoky and consumes it or is blown out. If Fire and Water are unbalanced, Fire boils the Water away or is itself doused by it. If Earth and Earth are unbalanced, they become heavy and unwieldy. If Earth and Air are unbalanced, vision is obscured by the wind-whipped dust. If Earth and Water are unbalanced, it turns to mud. If Air and Air are unbalanced, storms may rage out of control. If Air and Water are unbalanced, they may be whipped together into a frothy foam, devoid of substance. If Water and Water are unbalanced, floods may obliterate everything in their path.

About Astrology

Astrology is one of those subjects which is easy to learn but can take a lifetime to master. Most people are familiar with the most basic aspect of Astrology, their Star Sign (or Sun Sign), and usually they can name at least one common trait of their Sign. Star Signs are popularized in daily newspaper columns, magazines, and other media. Unfortunately, many people think that their Star Sign is all there is to Astrology. While it is a good place to start, there is a lot more to Astrology than the Sun's position alone! Nor is Astrology a modern invention dating back only a few years, decades, or even centuries. Astrology has been studied for millennia, and it dates back as far as recorded history. The original Astrologers were priests and scholars, and they were looked up to as doctors and learned men. According to modern speculation, the Three Wise Men of Christian belief were Astrologers! At this time, Astrology was the same science as Astronomy and Psychology, whose modern descendants arose from Astrology. In ancient times, the Greeks and Romans based their system of Gods on what they believed was up in the sky. Zeus, who was equated with Jupiter, and the other Gods and Goddesses were based on the Planets visible to the ancients. Astrology was similarly popular in Babylon and Egypt, and it also rose in the Middle East, India, and China. Modern Astrology has changed with the discovery of new Planets: first Uranus in 1781, the Neptune and Pluto, and also the Asteroids. These three Planets have a stronger effect on generations as a whole rather than individuals, but they still have an important place in modern Astrology. Astrology is about the interaction between the Planets (including the Sun and Moon) and the Signs. The relationships between them and their interactions are mathematically based, and Astrology studies these mathematical cycles. Each Sign represents a different aspect of the whole human; Aries starts the cycle, representing the Self, and Pisces completes it, representing the mass unconscious of all mankind. In between, each other Sign carries the energy of a different phase of man's evolution within the universe. In some ways, the forces between the Planets involved in Astrology can be simplified into one word: gravity. The Sun has the greatest gravity and the strongest effect in Astrology, followed by the Moon, the Earth's satellite. The other Planets are not truly satellites of the Earth, but they nonetheless have gravity and thus effect the Earth as well. The Sun controls the Earth's motion and the Moon controls its tides, but the other Planets have their own effects on the Earth -- and on the people who live here. Sometimes their influence can be so strong that they outweigh the Sun's energy! Astrology can be understood as a philosophy that helps to explain life, rather than as a predictive tool. Rather than discussing what the Planets do to us, we can explain ourselves based on Planetary indications. The Signs work the same way: each of the twelve Signs is a unique combination of one of the four Elements and one of the three Qualities. The importance of Elements and Qualities in our lives is their demonstration that we are all part of the environment. There is a connection between all living things and all matter on this Planet. Astrology ties humans together: we are all faced with the same Planetary interactions, and we are all part of the same cycles. But despite all these connections, Astrology does not tie you into being a certain way and it doesn't not predict everything about you. Astrology explains the energy in your life and its potential challenges and possibilities, but you can evolve from your chart. Astrology is about you, in what you can learn from it can help you make a choice between free will and destiny. In addition, Astrology does not have to affect or change people's religious beliefs. In fact, religion has a nearly universal belief that the way you live your life affects whether you will go to heaven or hell (or a similar idea) when you die. Astrology is talking about the same thing when it speaks of karma: what you do in this lifetime determines what will happen to you in your next lifetime. The philosophies are the same; they are just said in different ways. There are many different categories of Astrology. Medical, business, and stock market Astrology are often practiced for health or financial reasons. Weather Astrology is popular in some areas. Mundane Astrology is the study of politics amd world events, while Electional Astrology helps people find favorable times or days to get married, start a business, begin a new job, and so on. Horary Astrology is predictive, studying questions based upon the specific moment they arise. But the most popular type of Astrology is Natal, which analyzes people based on their time and place of birth. There are two major types of Astrology practiced today in the Western World: Tropical and Siderial. Tropical Astrology assigns the Signs based on their position in relation to the Spring Equinox, which marks the Astrological New Year and is usually March 21. The Equinox represents 0 degrees Aries. Siderial Astrology assigns positions based on constellations, rather than in relation to the Equinox. At present, Siderial Astrology is 24 degrees behind Tropical Astrology, so a person born under 23 degrees Libra in Tropical Astrology is born at 29 degrees Virgo in Siderial Astrology. The Age of Aquarius is now upon us! This means technology is progressing forward, society's attitudes and values are changing and perhaps will slant more toward the radical. Astrology will become more accepted and even mainstream! By creating this site and providing information about Astrology which is both informative and entertaining I hope to move the perception of Astrology past "light entertainment" to a more valuable tool for people to use on a personal basis both with themselves and others. Enjoy!