- Zodiac Signs
“Zodiac” is probably the astrology term that you are most familiar with. The term is derived from the Greek word, ‘zodiakos’, meaning ‘circle of animals’. There are twelve zodiac signs in tropical astrology. Each zodiac sign is associated with planets, stones, elements, houses, and more, which we will get into.
Aries ♈︎ March 21-April 20
Aries is the first sign of the zodiac. They are strong-willed and full of light. Driven by action, they are extremely creative, with a low tolerance for incompetence. They are naturally ambitious and a magnet for success. Natural leaders. Aries must learn to balance their enthusiasm with patience to avoid unnecessary aggression and bossiness.
Taurus ♉︎ April 21-May 20
Taurus, the bull sign, is strong-willed and grounded. They love the finer things in life and appreciate beauty, simplicity, and pleasure. Taurus is the most stubborn of the zodiac, as they are often very secreted in their ways. They benefit from sitting back and learning to appreciate what they have the positive influences on the world around them.
Gemini ♊︎ May 21-June 20
Often misunderstood, Gemini’s are the catalyst of the air signs in the zodiac. They are kind, intellectual, and social. Symbolized by the twin sign, Gemini’s are mutable signs, making them easily adaptable and able to cater to any and every kind of person. This makes them jacks of all trades, skilled in many aspects of life. However, if unevolved, these traits can lead to mischief and manipulation.
Cancer ♋︎ June 21-July 21
Cancers are ruled by the moon, making them very in touch with their emotions. They express their emotions well both outwardly and inwardly, making them comfortable in sharing how they feel, and often very blunt, whether the feelings are positive or negative. Because they are deeply caring, while also emotionally expressive, they can often handle trauma and tribulations well, making them good doctors and teachers.
Leo ♌︎ July 22-August 22
Leos ruled by the sun, bring the sun into every room that they walk in. They are confident, charismatic, and outgoing. You can count on them, to be honest with you, and you can always count on them to lift your spirits and pull you in for a great time. On the other hand, however, they can be arrogant, possessive, and selfish, especially if they don’t practice gratitude.
Virgo ♍︎ August 23-September 22
Virgos are the mother of the zodiac. They are wise, nurturing, and supportive. Their altruistic nature makes them great friends and partners, as they are intuitive and know what they want and what energies they vibe with right away. Often, Virgos are viewed as judgemental, as they have alow tolerance for incompetence. They are very organized and analytical and don’t like to sugarcoat anything.
Libra ♎︎ September 23-October 22
Ruled by Venus, Libras are sensual, loving, and charming individuals. They are persuasive and have the ability to see multiple sides of a situation, making them balanced and fair. Libras love to indulge in all things beautiful and opulent, but can sometimes be arrogant and act as people pleasers.
Scorpio ♏︎ October 23-November 21
Scorpios are often characterized are dark, and are in turn misunderstood and sometimes mistreated. The reality is, however, that they are often very vibrant and deep individuals. Scorpios are very passionate, and once they can identify what their gifts are, they have the power to use their passion to manifest their desires into reality. Ruled by Pluto, Scorpios are observant and see things that others do not. However, Scorpios tend to bottle up their emotions leading them to lash out in extreme emotions when they are too emotionally overwhelmed.
Sagittarius ♐︎ November 22-December 20
Sagittarius is the ninth sign of the zodiac, ruling the ninth house, exemplary of exploration, knowledge expansion, and travel. As a mutable sign, they are very adaptive and know how to bring a spark to any situation or endeavor. They often appreciate culture and explore realities outside of their own. Most Saggitaruis’, if in-tuned, are chill and easy-going, but you don’t want to get on their bad sides, as their fiery element can become very apparent.
Capricorn ♑︎ December 21-Janurary 20
Capricorns are trailblazers in success, drive, and power. They are naturally destined for success, as their witty nature is very captivating and respectable. Sometimes, they can be opportunistic, getting in where they see fit in order to gain what they desire. This rigid nature is polar to their deeply caring nature, and they want to see themselves and those around them thrive.
Aquarius ♒︎ January 21-February 18
Ruled by Uranus, Aquariuses has a calm demeanor and are free-spirited individuals. They are layered, making them sometimes hard to understand. Aquariuses are rebellious in nature, ruled by change, invention and advancements. However, because they are so revolutionary in thought, they can become withdrawn, frantic and overzealous.
Pisces ♓︎ Feburary 19-March 20
Pisces is the last sign of the zodiac, ruling the 12th house, the house of karma, illusion, death, and rebirth. Pisces are elusive, imaginative, and deeply emotional water signs. Their emotional depth is often hard for others to comprehend and accept, but this depth manifests into supreme creativity. They are mystical beings who can be impulsive and manipulative, especially due to their ability to fantasize about situations.
- Planets
The planets in the sky manifest in our charts as physical representations of the physiological areas of our personality. Each planet holds a strong universal function.
Sun ☉
The sun rules our ego and how we exert our basic identity. It is a key piece of our personality and plays the prominent role in our chart that the sun plays in our solar system, acting as the driving force that gives all of the other planets life.
Moon ☾
The moon is our guide, ruling our moods and emotions. Our overall development and how we paster situations and experiences are determined by the moon. One who is in tune with nature is in tune with the moon, making is more emotionally balanced, calmer, and more resilient.
Mercury ☿
Mercury rules our intellect and communication, acting as the messenger in our chart. It is the planet of our mental facilities, dictating how we learn and explicate that acquired knowledge and logic.
Venus ♀
Venus is the fiery planet of love. It acts as the muse, controlling the divine feminine. It is where we express love, beauty, and creativity. Material things in our life are often guided by our venus, and it influences what we attract.
Mars ♂
Our divine masculine is ruled by mars. It is the opposing force of venus, the planet of war, showing in our chart how we show bravery and determination. Mars rules how we assert ourselves, and where we act in force, aggression, and how we exert our energy into the world.
Jupiter ♃
Jupiter, “the philosopher”, is the planet of growth expansion, and knowledge. Jupiter is huge in size and has a strong influence on our solar system and in our charts. It expands everything it touches and teaches us to find the beauty and silver lining in everything.
Saturn ♄
Saturn, “the oppressor” shows us where we are forced to learn life’s hardest lessons. This slow-moving planet invites us to reflect on the lessons we have learned and how we can change, adapt and grow from them. Saturn wisdom indicates where we make progress and show resilience.
Uranus ♅
“The rebel” Uranus, is the planet of freedom, rebellion, discovery, and invention. Uranus stays in a sign for an entire generation, influencing how the inventions and discoveries this generation makes. It is a liberating planet that is unconventional, putting a new spin on existing structures.
Neptune ♆
Neptune is “the mystic” planet. Its cosmic knowledge teaches us spiritual lessons and heightens our overall psychic awareness. Also ruling a generation, this planet increases our receptiveness to the lessons taught by the universe. It forces us to decolonize our minds and tap into what enhances us spiritually.
Pluto ♇
While Pluto is now considered a dwarf planet, it holds a strong influence in astrology. It is the planet of death, rebirth, and drastic change. Pluto represents the beginning and end of a cycle and initiates large-scale changes. It represents how we honor our ancestors, rebuild our society, and create new lives.
Ascendant ↑
While not a planet, our ascendant plays an imperative role in our birth chart. Also known as your “rising sign”, the rising sign sits at the top of your chart and is the sign that rose in the sign that rose in the eastern horizon when you were born. It determines your physical appearance and the impression that you leave on other people and other things.
- Elements
The four elements of the world, Fire, Earth, Water, and Air, play an imperative role in astrology, as they are each associated with three zodiac signs.
Fire- Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Fire brings things to life, but can also cause destruction. Fire placements are leaders, creatives and bring the light everywhere they go. They are determined, energetic, and passionate, with a very “can do” attitude. However, if they are not conscious of the cause and effect of their actions, their fire can burn.
Earth- Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
The earth is very connected with the physical realm, in turn, connected to the natural energies of the universe. Earth placements are honest, nurturing, and rooted. If not careful, they can be over-indulgent, materialistic, and lack innovation due to logic overpowering their emotions. Earth signs are very intuitive, and their ambition allows them to manifest their ideas into reality.
Air- Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Air signs represent the exchanges in ideas, information, and expansion. These bubbly signs can often have their heads in the clouds, daydreaming, but are excellent communicators. They are innovative and great at building networks, however, their breezy energy can become a tornado if they are not balanced.
Water-Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Deeply emotional, water signs are associated with the mystic realm and the unknown. There is so little that we know about our bodies of water on earth, yet they have such a deep impact on our everyday lives. These are exemplary water sign characteristics. They are sensitive, empathetic, and emotionally responsive. They are great at adapting to different situations, like water which can transform to liquid, solid, and gas, However, this fluidity can lead to manipulation and create a flood of hypersensitivity.
- Modalities
The twelve zodiac signs are divided into three modes: cardinal, fixed, and mutable, exemplifying how their elemental energy is expressed.
Cardinal- Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn
Each of these signs kicks off a new season (spring, summer, fall, winter), and incites change in the universe. It represents where we lead and generate ideas.
Fixed- Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius
Fixed signs maintain systems, by enhancing the energy of already-established institutions. Fixed energy creates stability, offers loyalty and consistency, but challenges to learn to adapt to new environments, often making them stubborn.
Mutable – Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces
Mutable energy is easily adaptable, curious, and intellectual. It represents in our charge how we initiate change and transformation, and become adaptable. The challenge here is to avoid fleeing the scene when conflict arises.
- Houses
Houses move with the earth. As the earth moves on its axis, it changes the position of the houses in relation to the zodiac signs.
1st House- Lifeforce, appearances, outward personality
2nd House- Money, possessions, work
3rd House- Communication, intellect, the mind
4th House- Femininity, home, family
5th House- Masculinity, self-expression, love
6th House- Health, self-improvement, habits
7th House- Relationships, marriage, commitment
8th House-Sex, sharing, assets
9th House- Travel, philosophy, culture
10th House-Career, long-term goals, fame
11th House- Friends, aspirations, technology
12th House-Death, afterlife, rebirth
- Aspects
Conjunction: 0 Degrees ☌
Two planets that sit really close to each other or on top of each other, it is a conjunction. Conjunctions activate and heighten the energies of the two planets. It creates a strong blending and amplification of the planets which can play out in different ways depending on the planet, house, and zodiac placements.
Opposition: 180 Degrees ☍
When planets are directly opposite from each other, 180 degrees apart, it is called an opposition. This aspect represents reconciliation and balance. Oppositions are like sea-saws, or tug of war, always trying to balance the extremes of one another.
Square: 90 Degrees □
A square is when two planets are 90 degrees apart. When two planets are squared, it can create tension and friction between two energies. It’s as if they are both “squaring up” to be the most prominent planet in your birth chart. Understanding these placements, motivates them to be more prominent in your chart.
Trine: 120 Degrees △
The trine aspect, at 120 degrees, creates harmony between two planets. It enhances their positive qualities. These planets work side by side, to soothe you and promote personal growth.
Sextile: 60 Degrees ⚹
Planets are 60 degrees apart, form a sextile. The sextile aspect causes a positive enhancement between planets. It’s like opposites attracting, a powerful yin and yang pairing, an unlikely but beneficial connection.
- Moon Phases
New Moon- New beginnings, dreams, and manifestation
Waxing Crescent- Planning, taking action, goals
First Quarter Moon- problem-solving, making decisions, fixing mistakes
Waxing Gibbous- signs, revisal, attention to detail
Full Moon- abundance, gratitude, release
Waning Gibbous- supporting others, intuition, reflection
Last Quarter Moon- reconnecting, letting go, transition
Waning Crescent- resting, nourishment, surrender
- Asteroids
Asteroids give us extra insight into our natal charts. As the planets move throughout space, they leave behind a few things on their journey. These are asteroids. They act as support to the planets.
Chiron ⚷
Living between the conscious and unconscious Chiron, “the healer”, in our charts shows where we need to tend to an ongoing wound, and where we feel inadequate.
Ceres ⚳
Ceres, “the mother”, rules the ways in which we adapt to the ever-changing seasons of our lives. Our nurturing traits and our relationships with our parents are found in this placement. It has a heavy influence on our home and overall well-being.
Juno ⚵
Juno in our chart allows us to decide what an ideal relationship looks like to us. How our emotional needs are met, how we build bonds, and what we bring to the table in relationships. Jupiter is described as “the partner”
Vesta ⚶
Vesta represents a higher calling within ourselves. As the keeper”, it connects us with our true passions and desires and allows us to flourish in our true purpose. This part of our chart can be private, but also intense.
Pallas Athena ⚴
As “the warrior” Pallas Athena represents bravery, political involvement, liberation, and planning. This asteroid rules how we interact with the collective, and strategize to assure the collective success of our hometown, the people closest to us, and society as a whole.
Lilith ⚸
Lilith in our charts acts as “the shadow”, where we are, certain, very secreted in our thought process and not willing to compromise or give up. It is transformative when we are able to recognize our resilience and use it for personal growth.
Hygeia
Hygeia, “the purifier”, is the prime proponent of health. It rules our health issues, healing, eating habits, and exercise. This planet alerts us when we are neglecting our brain and not tapping into our intuition and catering to ur mental health.
Eris Î
“The destroyer” Eris is the mirror inside of ourselves. She transits slowly, holding the traits that we dislike the most and sometimes project onto others. These are the traits we find hard to digest and often rebel against.
Psyche
Psyche is “the goddess”, representing our psychic abilities and sensitivities to things around us. It rules what transpires in our mind and our souls and what we look for in soulmates and connections with others.
Eros 💘
Eros is “the lover”. It aids in understanding power dynamics in relationships. It rules love, sex, desires, and the blending of energy, playing an important role in our synastry with others.
- Retrogrades
You’ve probably heard of Mercury retrograde, but did you know that all planets go retrograde from time to time. A retrograde is when the planets stop and spin in reverse, in an optical illusion. This reverse planetary energy prompts us to look inward, do shadow work, and go with the flow. During retrogrades, it’s best to reflect and analyze rather than take action.
- Transits
Transits are the passage of a planet through a celestial body, as it moves through a sign or house. Transits are used for predictions and energies as time moves, as opposed to your natal chart, which is a snapshot in time.
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