Understanding Astrology: The Top 10 Things You Should Know

//Understanding Astrology: The Top 10 Things You Should Know
  • understanding astrology

Astrology is sometimes called the language of our stars and planets. It’s all about time, movement, and our celestial relationship. Understanding astrology can help you unlock your inner strength, potential, and psyche.

Astrology helps us understand ourselves on a deeper level. But, you need to know a little about it to use it. Here are some of the basics.

Understanding Astrology: Top 10 Things to Know

To understand astrology, you’ll need some basic information. Here are the most important, beginning elements to know.

1. Astrology Origins

You look out onto a clear, starry night. You wonder as you gaze at the sky. Early man did the same.

The earliest recorded civilizations tracked the movement of the Sun, Moon, and stars. We’ve used them to tell time and track the passing of seasons. There is a distinct pattern to the movement and placement of each one.

Early observers noticed groups of stars that clustered together, called constellations. They came to represent the gods and goddesses of early religions. So did the planets, Sun, and Moon.

People noticed similarities between each other based on when they were born. These birth times correlated with the placement of stars and constellations. Astrology was born!

2. Signs of the Sun

The most well-known part of astrology are the signs of the Sun. There are 12 of them, divided under the 4 elements. They represent the annual rotation of the Earth around the Sun.

Here’s a list.

  • Aries – March 21 to April 19
  • Taurus – April 20 t0 May 20
  • Gemini – May 21 to June 21
  • Cancer – June 22 to July 22
  • Leo – July 23 to August 22
  • Virgo – August 23 to September 22
  • Libra – September 23 to October 23
  • Scorpio – October 24 to November 22
  • Sagittarius – November 23 to December 21
  • Capricorn – December 22 to January 19
  • Aquarius – January 20 to February 18
  • Pisces – February 19 to March 20

People born under each sign have amazing commonalities. Each sign represents different qualities, traits, and talents.

3. The 10 Planets

There are 12 planets in the solar system. Astrology is a little different. It’s based on the influence of the heavenly bodies, so you’ll find 10 planets represented.

Here’s a list and what they mean in astrology.

  1. Sun – Life and energy
  2. Moon – Fertility, sensitivity, and emotion
  3. Mercury – Intellect and communication
  4. Venus – Love, beauty, and sexuality
  5. Mars – Courage, bravery, and physical action
  6. Jupiter – Wisdom and generosity
  7. Saturn – Discipline, character, and responsibility
  8. Uranus – Individuality and creativity
  9. Neptune – Intuition and spirituality
  10. Pluto – Growth and change

All 10 planets relate to our personalities. You’ll find these characteristics are common between people in each group.

4. The 4 Elements

The 4 elements are fire, water, air, and earth. They help explain the nature of each Sun sign.

Fire

The following Sun signs group under the fire element: Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius. These signs have a courageous and passionate drive. Like a fire, they burn with ambition. They get things done!

Water

Sun signs grouped under the water element are Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. Compassionate and emotional, the water element gives these signs sensitivity. They are the nurturers and care providers in our world.

Air

The air element includes these Sun signs: Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius. They are light as air, intelligent and trusting people.

Earth

These are the Sun signs group under the Earth element: Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. Slow and steady are the signs under the Earth element. They are responsible, thoughtful people who act with care.

5. The Ascendant

The Ascendant is the rising sign. What does that mean? Well, it’s the sign that was on the eastern horizon when you were born.

You can calculate it if you know the details. It’s based on your time of birth. Ask family members for help if you don’t know what time you were born.

Your Sun sign gives you individual traits. The rising sign reflects your personality. They work together to form your true nature.

6. The Houses

There are 12 houses in astrology. They number from first to twelfth. They represent the 24 hour period in a given day.

These houses are the areas of life we live and work in. Here’s how to interpret them.

  1. First House – Self and physical body
  2. Second House – Ownership and resources
  3. Third House – Communication and relationships
  4. Fourth House – Privacy, home, and mother
  5. Fifth House – Love, pleasure, and creativity
  6. Sixth House – Order and service
  7. Seventh House – Partnerships and marriage
  8. Eighth House – Death and legacy
  9. Ninth House – Prophecy, education, and philosophy
  10. Tenth House – Success, status, and father
  11. Eleventh House – Causes and interests
  12. Twelfth House – Occult and unconscious state

One sign rules each house. The ruling planets affect houses, too.

7. Favorable and Unfavorable Aspects

Aspects are things that affect your astrological reading. They can be favorable or unfavorable. Complicated mathematical explanations can tell you how and why aspects work. But, for our purposes, here are the basics.

Favorable Aspects

This is the positive energy from the planets. It helps you achieve your goals and desires. You’ll use less energy when a favorable aspect is in play. Use them to help you get where you want to go.

Unfavorable Aspects

These are negative energies that can keep you from achieving what you want or need. It works like an obstacle to your efforts. The beauty of unfavorable aspects is that they motivate and challenge you. Use them to carry on!

8. Birth Charts Explained

Birth charts are a good place to start in astrology. It brings 3 important parts together: your Sun sign, house, and planet. It’s specific to you and the moment you were born.

To create an accurate birth chart you’ll need to know the exact time and location where you were born. The 3 parts of the birth chart state your personality, true nature, and lessons you may face.

9. Putting It Together

Astrology is all about self-awareness and the influences around you. It’s using that deeper understanding to make well-informed decisions. Use many astrology tools to help you.

It doesn’t predict the future for you. What it does is help you look at situations you might face. Think about how your personality and nature work for and against you.

10. Using It In Practice

There are several ways to use astrology in your life. You might choose to read horoscopes. For example, this Pisces horoscope is a good tool to start the day.

You can use the tarot to ask a specific question. Create a birth chart or consult an astrologist to help you with the big picture.

Understanding astrology helps guide you into practice. And that practice can be as surface level or as deep as you like.

Let Astrology Work for You

Go ahead and dig deeper into the world of astrology. You’ll learn more about yourself than you’ve ever known. Understanding astrology is a step towards a better self and happier life.

Looking for more interesting articles about lifestyle? We’ve got you covered! Check out our blog, here.

By | 2018-10-19T09:39:27+02:00 October 19th, 2018|Lifestyle|

About the Author: