Astrology
Zodiac
The term zodiac is usually used to refer to a division of the ecliptic into segments that are thought to be endowed with certain qualities and meanings in astrology.
Western Zodiac Signs
- Aries: Ram | Fire | Cardinal | First House | Yang
- Taurus: Bull | Earth | Fixed | Second House | Yin
- Gemini: Twins | Dual | Air | Mutable | Third House | Yang
- Cancer: Crabs | Cardinal | Fourth House | Yin
- Leo: Lion | Fire | Fixed | Fifth House | Yang
- Virgo: Virgin | Earth | Mutable | Sixth House | Yin
- Libra: Scales | Dual | Air | Cardinal | Seventh House | Yang
- Scorpio: Scorpion | Snake | Phoenix | Water | Fixed | Eighth House | Yin
- Sagittarius: Archer | Fire | Mutable | Ninth House | Yang
- Capricorn: Sea-Goat | Earth | Cardinal | Tenth House | Yin
- Aquarius: Water Bearer | Air | Fixed | Eleventh House | Yang
- Pisces: Fishes| Dog | Wolf | Dual | Water | Mutable | Twelfth House | Yin
Western Zodiac Cusp SignsCusp–The term cusp is used in astrology in order to refer to the border between either the signs of the zodiac or the twelve houses. Originally a technical term that was used primarily by practitioners of astrology, in recent times it has come to be used more widely by the public as a result of its application in Sun-sign astrology. Cusp is usually used in one of two ways:
- To refer to the area around the border between the twelve signs of the zodiac. Technically the cusp itself is the dividing line between two signs, although when it is used within the context of Sun-sign astrology it is usually considered to be an area around the border, rather than as just the border itself. Within this context, when a person is said to be “born on the cusp” of a sign, it usually means that the Sun was either at the very beginning or the very end of a sign of the zodiac when they were born.
- To refer to the border between each of the the twelve houses, especially in reference to the beginning of one house. This is the context in which the term cusp is used most frequently by astrologers. Within this context the cusp usually means the “beginning” of a specific house. This usage is important because it is the basis for determining the planetary rulers of the houses in a given chart. When the cusp or beginning of a certain house falls in a specific sign of the zodiac, the planet that rules that sign of the zodiac is said to become the ruler of the house as well.
Zodiac Sign Decans
There are different traditions of dividing the zodiac signs into parts, but one of the most enduring and suggestive is that of the 36 decans. According to this idea, each sign is split in three. The first part of the sign represents the "purest" type, whereas the second is somewhat influenced by the following sign in the same triplicity (element), and the third part again by the next sign of the element in counter-clockwise motion. This means that the first ten days of the sign of Aries is the purest Arian decan, the following ten days lends some qualities from Leo, the second fire sign in order, and finally the third decan has some affinity with Sagittarius.
While not in any way uncontroversial astrologically speaking, the idea is interesting and should be considered. Don't give it too much importance though. If you are born within the beginning ten days, you belong to first decan of your sign, the middle ten days the second, and so on. The notion can be applied to any planet placed in a zodiac sign, but is mostly used with sun signs.
Aries – Fire
- Ruler of first decan.............0° - 10° - Mars
- Ruler of second decan......10° - 20° - Sun
- Ruler of third decan...........20° - 30° - Jupiter
- Ruler of first decan.............0° - 10° - Venus
- Ruler of second decan......10° - 20° - Mercury
- Ruler of third decan...........20° - 30° - Saturn
- Ruler of first decan.............0° - 10° - Mercury
- Ruler of second decan......10° - 20° - Venus
- Ruler of third decan...........20° - 30° - Uranus
- Ruler of first decan.............0° - 10° - Moon
- Ruler of second decan......10° - 20° - Pluto
- Ruler of third decan...........20° - 30° - Neptune
- Ruler of first decan.............0° - 10° - Sun
- Ruler of second decan......10° - 20° - Jupiter
- Ruler of third decan...........20° - 30° - Mars
- Ruler of first decan.............0° - 10° - Mercury
- Ruler of second decan......10° - 20° - Saturn
- Ruler of third decan...........20° - 30° - Venus
- Ruler of first decan.............0° - 10° - Venus
- Ruler of second decan......10° - 20° - Uranus
- Ruler of third decan...........20° - 30° - Mercury
- Ruler of first decan.............0° - 10° - Pluto
- Ruler of second decan......10° - 20° - Neptune
- Ruler of third decan...........20° - 30° - Moon
- Ruler of first decan.............0° - 10° - Jupiter
- Ruler of second decan......10° - 20° - Mars
- Ruler of third decan...........20° - 30° - Sun
- Ruler of first decan.............0° - 10° - Saturn
- Ruler of second decan......10° - 20° - Venus
- Ruler of third decan...........20° - 30° - Mercury
- Ruler of first decan.............0° - 10° - Uranus
- Ruler of second decan......10° - 20° - Mercury
- Ruler of third decan...........20° - 30° - Venus
- Ruler of first decan.............0° - 10° - Neptune
- Ruler of second decan......10° - 20° - Moon
- Ruler of third decan...........20° - 30° - Pluto
Houses – If the signs of the zodiac show “how” planets express themselves, the houses of the natal chart reveal “where” these energies play out. Each of the twelve houses of a chart rule certain areas of life, types of people and relationships, ideas, and life circumstances.
- (Asd)Ascendant - Vita (Latin meaning Life) | House of Self | Ego; the self we show to others
- Second House – Lucrum (Latin meaning Wealth) | House of Value | possessions
- Third House – Fratres (Latin meaning Brothers) | House of Communication | early education & childhood
- Imum Coeli (IC) - Genitor (Latin meaning Parent) | House of Home and Family
- Fifth House - Nati (Latin meaning Children) | House of Pleasure hobbies, children, and sex
- Sixth House - Valetudo (Latin meaning Health) | House of Health | work and illness
- (DC) Descendant - Uxor (Latin meaning Spouse) | House of Partnerships | confidantes and intimate relationships
- Eighth House - Mors (Latin meaning Death) | House of Reincarnation | Sex, Death, and Reincarnation
- Ninth House - Iter (Latin meaning Journeys) | House of Philosophy | the foreign, long distance travels, higher education, and religion
- (MC) Midheaven - Regnum (Latin meaning Kingdom) | House of Social Skills | career, our passions and ambitions
- Eleventh House - Benefacta (Latin meaning Friendship) | House of Friendships | friendships, benefits, hopes and wishes
- Twelveth House - Carcer (Latin meaning Prison) | House of Self-Undoing | endings, the return home, confinement, the mysterious and unseen
The Ascendant (or rising sign) is often considered the mask one wears when meeting others. Perhaps it is most aptly thought of as the automatic responses to one’s environment. The Ascendant shows our natural defenses and how we cope with day-to-day issues. The energies of the sign and condition of the Ascendant are most overt and obvious to others. The Ascendant shows an individual’s first, natural reaction to new people and situations.
IC/Fourth House
The 4th house rules your home, family, and foundation. It can rule your home itself structurally, like the kind of home you like and the place or area you'd like to live, as well as the environment within the home. The sign on the cusp and planets within the house show your family environment as a child as well as the one you create as an adult. The 4th house is on as axis with the 10th house (the exact opposite house), and is called the Immum Coeli or IC for short. Both houses rules your parents, with the 4th house ruling one parent and the 10th house ruling the other. This axis is also a very spiritual axis, and the 4th house shows the spiritual foundation upon which you build. Cancer and the Moon rule the 4th house, and this house is an angular house.
Descendant/7th House
The 7th house rules all of your one-on-one relationships. Called the Descendant or DC for short, it's along an axis with the 1st house (the house of the self) and is the house of others. Marriage, how you feel about commitment, what you expect in a relationship (personal or business), and the kind of partner you're attracted to for a relationship (personally and in business) fall under the rulership of this house. This house also rules your open enemies (a different kind of relationship most don't think of). The 7th house is ruled by Libra and Venus and is an angular house
MC/Midheaven
Planets
Dominant Decanates
Elements
Dignity and detriment, Exaltation and Fall
A traditional belief of astrology, known as essential dignity, is the idea that the Sun, Moon and planets are more powerful and effective in some signs than others, because the basic nature of both is held to be in harmony. By contrast, they are held to find some signs to be weak or difficult to operate in because their natures are thought to be in conflict. The most important of these categories are Dignity, Detriment, Exaltation and Fall.
- Sun – Persona; Father
- Moon - Hidden Emotions; Mother
- North Node - Current life lessons to learn
- South Node - Our past lives and our inherent traits and talents
- Mercury – communication
- Venus - romance, beauty, and sex
- Mars - rage, passion, and aggression
- Jupiter - how we learn our lessons
- Saturn - authority and power
- Uranus - progression and innovation
- Neptune - illusions, imagination, and escapist
- Pluto - death, sex, occult, and rebirth
- Vertex—Those who use the Vertex generally feel it is a point of karmic or fated connection. Some consider it a point of “wish fulfillment”.
- East Point—symbolizes contacts, manner of interaction (persona), relationships with others, and environs (Ascendant) when one is out among the general public (Aries).
- Part of Fortune—It is prime energy: the unconscious mind, and it is the basic structure and source of instinct, impulse and desire. It represents the inner child and the beginning of life. It contains deeply embedded habit patterns that have been carried over from past lifetimes - the unconscious mind. In your childhood and growing-up years, you will either express or repress your natural instinctive response to your environment according to your childhood circumstances and learned perceptions. However, repression leads to anxiety, fear and failure.
- Lilith—In your natal chart, aspects to Lilith indicate an area in your chart where there is the natural predisposition for suppression and sexism.
- Juno—Juno inspires the creation of a stable partnership, a long-term, committed relationship. Juno is strongly associated with Libra and the seventh house.
- Vesta—known as a symbol of protection for both the family and the state. Consequently, her role in the horoscope has both a personal and transpersonal meaning as the one who insures security for the people of our global village.
- Ceres—Ceres is the true symbolism of the ‘mother’ in the chart. Cancer and the Moon work but that is more a compulsion and instinct, whereas with Ceres it is more about the attitude and approach to motherhood that comes into scope.
- Chiron—The Wounded Healer. “Chiron is like Pluto, except it leads you more gently”.
- Pallas—In your natal chart, Pallas is the strength of your inner wisdom. Exploring the rulership of Pallas unlocks the key to wisdom expression.
- Persephone—In your natal chart, asteroid Persephone indicates a natural attraction to the ‘bad boy/bad girl’ syndrome. Here, there is the tendency for the darker side of nature to figure prominently in attractions, especially romantically.
- Hades—Hades often operates in primal ways, that is, situations that have originated early or somewhere in the past and we carry on into adulthood with particular deep fears, anxieties, depressions, losses and sadness. But it’s also in their resolution where some part of us on the emotional, spiritual, physical level must break down so that a new awareness and growth can take place.
- Poseidon—Planetary Poseidon within a birth chart brings enlightenment and an illumination of ideas in a way that is positive, grounded and can be used in our everyday lives. It is represented by two crescent moons, one facing upward and the other down, bound by a bar. The bar holds this idea of the receptivity, of higher consciousness and then resonating back out in all directions in the form of wisdom. When we turn the symbol 90 degrees we get the symbol for Pisces, and there are similarities.
- Kronos—Kronos is about all things that are high up, literally and figuratively. Authority, heads of state government, integrity, highest attainable qualities, everything that is above average, the boss, the expert, bureaucracies and independence. On the flip side of Kronos we could be dealing with tyranny, big time criminals or despotic rulers.
Dominant Decanates
- The first decanate, which means the part between 0 - 10 of any zodiacal sign, prevails in your natal chart: this decanate is traditionally linked to vitality and physical constitution, and may indicate that you efficiently express your concrete energy on the material and sensual planes.
- The second decanate, which means the part between 10 - 20 of any zodiacal sign, prevails in your natal chart: these 10 zodiacal degrees emphasize logical thought and mental values. Therefore, you may be drawn to some kind of scientific activities, research, writing or any sort of expression where you have to… think a lot.
- The third decanate, which means the part between 20 - 30 of any zodiacal sign, prevails in your natal chart. It contains the degrees of spirituality, traditionally more delicate to deal with, since they incline towards evolution and therefore, destabilizations. Individuals with an emphasised third decanate may have deeper sensitivity than most people, which often brings ordeals but also spiritual rewards.
- Cardinal–Cardinal signs are energetic, dynamic, proactive, and unafraid to try new things. A preponderance of cardinal signs in a chart indicates a person who is always in “do” mode and needs to take time to rest.
- Fixed–Fixed signs have persistence, perseverance, and immobility, stability and resistance to change. This is a major strength and a blessing at times— fixed signs are reliable and determined. But unwillingness to change can also lead to getting stuck in ruts.
- Mutable–Mutable means flexible, changeable, adaptable, suggestible. They have a talent for being “in the moment” and are good with relationships and the details of day-to-day life. They are good at multitasking (doing many things at once). Their weakness is that they can get too scattered. Too many mutables in a chart indicates nervous energy, difficulty settling down
Elements
- Fire–Fire can do good, like cooking food to eat and keeping us warm or it can do great harm, like burning a house down. Fire is a combustible, unpredictable element, a chemical reaction that can go off easily and quickly go from a small flame to a raging fire. Fire astrology signs can ignite easily too, they are very temperamental however if managed properly, they can be very beneficial. In fact, fire signs must be managed and under control in order to be of benefit. Fire signs can be emotionally volatile yet they are very passionate. Fire can change it’s course at an instant, those born under fire astrology signs are very dynamic and like the fire spreading, are the first to set out into the unknown and take initiative with adventurous enthusiasm. Fire is not a physical thing, it is quite mystical and fire astrology sign people apprehend the world through their intuition, they trust their gut instinct (or they should anyway) because it rarely ever leads them wrong. Fire people have a strong sense of self just like fire which has no regard over anything in it’s path, fire people are quite self centered but they are moving so fast that they never get stuck on themselves, the fire needs to spread and explore. Fire people are impulsive and just like fire spreading, often leap before they look.
- Earth–Earth is real, you can see it, hold it, smell it. Suitably so, earth signs are very “down to earth” and real. Earth is the foundation on which everything is built. Earth people are solid and stable and composed of many different parts, they are multi faceted people, like the many mineral compounds that make the earth. There is nothing wishy-washy about these people, they do not have their head in the clouds, They are dependable, you know they will always be there and they are stable. Most of the time anyway, more stable then the other elements. Earth does not change. It stays there and allows whatever is growing to continue to grow and progress. Earth people are not fond of change, they like stability and regular life that can grow upon and develop. Why start something new if what is already there is fine? Earth people are the most materialistic and possessive of all astrology zodiac elements. Earth people are also concerned with what’s on the surface and never really dig deep to get to the bottom of it, they are happy with what’s on the surface.
- Air–Air is the element that you cannot touch or see, but it can be mysteriously contained, like blowing up a balloon. When it is contained in this way, it somehow escapes or gets stale. Air people are free and cannot be contained or this same thing will happen to them. Air is uncertain and unpredictable, it can spawn a horrendous thunderstorm with violent winds and the pressure drops and raises by the minute. Air sign people are elusive in this way, they are unpredictable and eccentric. Air is the most necessary element, being necessary to fire, earth and water. Air people live in their mind. They are caught up in their thoughts which take them high to new levels where no other element can reach, like the upper atmosphere. Here they can formulate theories, solve problems clearly and see the world below. Air people are said to be out of touch with reality, but they are also very advanced in thinking. They are very mental oriented people having a knack for intelligence but also lacking emotional depth.
- Water–Water can be refreshing, like a cool stream or it can be dark and mysterious like the depths of the ocean. Water that is contained is easy to deal with, like swimming pool, water that is un-contained and out of control can do great damage, like a flood. Water signs represent the intuition and emotional aspects because it flows and it’s liquid or it could be solid like ice, it can evaporate into air and turn into clouds. Water is complex and a paradox it is everywhere and can be almost anything. Water signs are the most emotional of all signs, they flow down deep and search out crevasses and cracks to explore, symbolic of the unknown emotions of the human psyche. Not only is water is essential to life and covers the whole globe, but water makes up the largest percentage of all living things. Since water is found in everything everywhere, water sign people have a knack for dealing with others, they can see into other people, they understand the motives and needs of other people and to sum it all up, they are borderline psychic and the most in-tune with others. This makes them empathetic, caring and helpful but they are over sensitive and can be easily hurt by others who do not acknowledge the sacrifices that have been made and how deeply involved they really are.
Dignity and detriment, Exaltation and Fall
A traditional belief of astrology, known as essential dignity, is the idea that the Sun, Moon and planets are more powerful and effective in some signs than others, because the basic nature of both is held to be in harmony. By contrast, they are held to find some signs to be weak or difficult to operate in because their natures are thought to be in conflict. The most important of these categories are Dignity, Detriment, Exaltation and Fall.
- Dignity and Detriment : A planet is strengthened or dignified if it falls within the sign that it rules. In other words, it is said to exercise Rulership of the sign. For example, the Moon in Cancer is considered “strong” (well-dignified). Seventeenth century astrologer William Lilly compared rulership to a king on his throne, with considerable dignity. If a planet is in the sign opposite that which it rules (or is dignified), it is said to be weakened or in Detriment (for example, the Moon in Capricorn). In traditional astrology, other levels of Dignity are recognised in addition to Rulership. These are known as Exaltation (see below), Triplicity, Terms or bounds, and Face or Decan, which together are known as describing a planet’s Essential dignity, the quality or ability to give of one’s true nature. Contemporary traditional astrologers like John Frawley or J Lee Lehman explain further on the concept of Essential Dignity.
- Exaltation and Fall : In addition, a planet is also strengthened when it is in its sign of Exaltation. In traditional horary astrology, Exaltation denotes a level of dignity somewhat exaggerated compared to rulership. Exaltation was considered to give the planet (or what it signified in a horary chart) dignity, with the metaphor of an honoured guest – who is the centre of attention but the extent of their ability to act is limited. A planet in the opposite sign of its Exaltation is said to be in its Fall, and thus weakened, perhaps seemingly more so than Detriment. The Planet in fall is passively rejected or ignored by the sign that it’s in.
- Sun: in fall in Libra (exalted in Aries)
- Moon: in fall in Scorpio (exalted in Taurus)
- Mercury: in fall in Pisces (exalted in Virgo)
- Venus: in fall in Virgo (exalted in Pisces)
- Mars: in fall in Cancer (exalted in Capricorn)
- Jupiter: in fall in Capricorn (exalted in Cancer)
- Saturn: in fall in Aries (exalted in Libra)
- Sun: Leo (Domicile); Aquarius (Detriment)
- Moon: Cancer (Domicile); Capricorn (Detriment)
- Mercury: Gemini/Virgo (Domicile); Sagittarius/Pisces (Detriment)
- Venus: Taurus/Libra (Domicile); Scorpio/Aries (Detriment)
- Mars: Aries/Scorpio (Domicile); Libra/Taurus (Detriment)
- Jupiter: Sagittarius/Pisces (Domicile); Gemini/Virgo (Detriment)
- Saturn: Capricorn/Aquarius (Domicile); Cancer/Leo (Detriment)
- Uranus: Aquarius (Domicile); Leo (Detriment)
- Neptune: Pisces (Domicile); Virgo (Detriment)
- Pluto: Scorpio (Domicile); Taurus (Detriment)
- Aries / Libra: Transparent Vase & Blooming Flowers
- Taurus / Scorpio: The Dark Chest of Wonders
- Gemini / Sagittarius: The Light Lantern of Knowledge
- Cancer / Capricorn: The Cradle of Life
- Leo / Aquarius: The Electric Sunstorm
- Virgo / Pisces: The Rainbow Dewdrop
- Retrograde. The planet appears like it is moving backward to the naked eye. Astrologically speaking, energies are turned inward. Example: JUPITER RETROGRADE turns its energy of expansion inward, so that much inner growth takes place, often through spiritually oriented studies. JUPITER RETROGRADE tends to procrastinate and to plan, then re-plan, to the point of failing to get anywhere with the thoroughly planned project. JUPITER RETROGRADE offers the opportunity for a highly spiritual incarnation.
- Conjunction = 0 degrees. Planets and points that form a conjunction are energies that are united. They are blended; therefore, they act together. The closer they are to conjunction, the more subjective these combined energies are.
- Sextile = 60 degrees. The sextile is often read quite like a trine, although there is a distinction between the two aspects. Sextiles, like trines, point to some talent and ease. However, sextiles have a little more “oomph” to them.
- Opposition = 180 degrees. “It takes two” is the expression, and the opposition is created by dividing the circle by 2. Therein lies the key to the meaning of this aspect: relationship. People with oppositions seek out others, as if to mirror their own internal struggles. They learn about themselves through interactions with others. Very often, oppositions cause us to swing from one side to the other and we feel torn.
- Trine = 120 degrees. Planets in trine support each other. Trines, by nature, are accepting. They allow us to accept others, ourselves, and situations. The talents that trines offer a native are so natural that they are almost unconscious. Often enough, natives don’t truly appreciate the talents these trines offer them, and they may not try to develop them. However, these talents are second nature and completely natural.
- Square = 90 degrees. This aspect creates tension between the planets and points involved. Tension is necessary in order to stimulate action, but too much tension translates to stress. The planets involved in a square are acting at cross purposes. With squares, we may overdo and run into countless obstacles before we “get it right”. However, squares force us out of complacency and get the ball rolling. Squares are often more difficult when we are young, as these aspects force us to grow and learn our lessons.
- Kite - The configuration of aspects formed when points of a chart form a Grand Trine, and two of them sextile a fourth point or points. A Kite formation adds an element of challenge/tension, and the opposed planet can tell us a lot about how the native focuses and releases this energy. Looking at it another way, however, we can look to the two planets that are part of the Grand Trine and that also form sextiles to the focal planet as potential areas for resolving the conflict of the opposition.
- Star of David - a native protected in all he does, but one who does not avoid internal reorganizations; he or she will change in form to adapt, but the inner essence remains constant: “as he was in the cradle, such will be and in the grave”.
- Stationary Planets. –Planets appear to be at a halt and a stationed planet is one of those hard aspects in a chart.
- Stellium–A stellium is defined as a group of several planets in a single sign of the zodiac or a single house. This cluster of planets leads to an emphasis on that particular sign in the chart. It is possible for there to be more than one stellium in a chart. Technically the plural of stellium is “stellia”, although astrologers have a tendency to say “stelliums” in practice.
- Saturn Return–A Saturn return is a period of time that occurs when the planet Saturn returns to the place in the sky that it was in when a person was born. It takes Saturn approximately 29.5 years to complete one revolution around the Sun, and thus Saturn returns occur in 29 year intervals. The Saturn return is often experienced differently for different people, depending on the way that Saturn is situated in the natal chart. For some it is an important period of accomplishment, while for others it is a more difficult period that is associated with obstacles and setbacks.
- Fixed Star–In astrology the term fixed star is used to refer to stars that lie outside of the Earth’s solar system. The phrase arises from the fact that the planets were originally referred to as “wandering stars” (planetes asteres) in ancient Greek, because the planets were seen to move against the backdrop of the night sky over time. This is in contrast with the other stars in the night sky, which seem to remain fixed and unmoving. Thus, the planets and the two luminaries were referred to as wandering stars, and the rest were referred to as fixed stars.
