The Aspects: What’s the Angle?

The Zodiac Signs, the Houses, and the Planets all carry their own unique characteristics and potentials. The Aspects deal with the influences of two Planets working in unison on the Zodiac Signs that fall within an angular proximity of one another in relationship to the Earth. Aspects are measured in degrees, minutes, and seconds. (It’s geometry, Folks! Plain and simple!) 

 ☞ Note: It is the Zodiac Signs and not the Houses that are used in determining what planetary Aspects appear within a chart.

The angles formed by the Aspects are defined in degrees and/or a fraction of the Zodiac Wheel as two imaginary lines formed by the positions of two Planets, intersecting in the center of the circle (the Earth being that center). The angles of the Aspects are allowed a degree of less or more allowance called an “orb”. (For example, in the case of the Sextile Aspect, which is defined as two planets being 60° apart with an orb of 6°, the two Planets involved can be 54° to 66° apart.)

The Aspects are broken into two categories of the Major Aspects and the Minor Aspects. As the names imply, the Major Aspects have a stronger influence on a horoscope than the Minor Aspects. Think of these two Planets as tag-teaming the Zodiac Signs within which they appear and having a blended influence on those signs.

The Major Aspects Defined

• CONJUNCTION—Strength & Focus
• two planets appearing in the same degree of one another (0° with 10° orb)
• in the same Zodiac Sign
• having the same gender, element, and quality

• SEXTILE—Opportunity
• two planets appearing 60° apart with an orb of 6° (1/6 of a circle)
• appear in two adjacent Zodiac Signs

• SQUARE—Stress & Obstacles
• two planets appearing 90° apart with an orb of 6° (1/4 of a circle)
• appear in approximately same degrees three Zodiac Signs apart (two Zodiac Signs appear between them)

• TRINE—Ease
• two planets appearing 120° apart with an orb of 6° (1/3 of a circle)
• appear in approximately same degrees four Zodiac Signs apart (three Zodiac Signs appear between them)

• OPPOSITION—Awareness
• two planets that appear 180° apart with an orb of 8° (1/2 of a circle)
• opposite one another on the wheel, appearing in opposite Zodiac Signs that tend to highlight each other’s shortcomings

The Minor Aspects Defined

• SEMI-SQUARE—Delays & Setbacks
• two planets appearing 45° apart with an orb of 3°-4° (1/8 of a circle)

• SEMI-SEXTILE—Beneficial
• two planets appearing 30° apart with an orb of 3°-4° (1/12 of a circle)
• appear across two Zodiac Signs and separated by 30°

• QUINCUNX (also called INCONJUNCT)—Difficulties & Adjustment
• two planets in approximately the same degree of two Zodiac Signs, appearing 150° apart (5/12 of a circle)
• separated by five Zodiac Signs
• always involves incompatible elements

• QUINTILE—Intelligence & Talent
• two planets appearing 72° apart (1/5 of a circle)

The Moon Phases

The Moon is not a Planet but rather a natural satellite orbiting Earth. It is an illuminary in astrology, serving as an amplifier to the characteristics of any Planet with which it appears within a Zodiac Sign. The Moon is a reflection of our emotions.

The Moon has no natural light. It is the reflection of the Sun’s light that appears to us in the night sky. It takes the Moon 28-29 days to orbit the Earth, while in turn the Earth takes 365 days to orbit the Sun. The Moon, the Earth, and the Sun are in constant motion, causing the Moon to appear to us in different configurations that we call “the Phases of the Moon”.

There are eight Phases of the Moon that include:

• New Moon—the “invisible” phase; illuminated side faces Sun while night side faces Earth, giving the illusion of invisibility

• Waxing Crescent—illuminated side faces mostly away from Earth’s view; crescent grows daily as Moon’s orbit carries the day side more into visibility

• First Quarter—has completed first quarter of monthly orbit around Earth; one-half of illuminated side is visible to Earth

• Waxing Gibbous—most of the day side is visible as illuminated portion forms more convex (reverse crescent) shape; appears more brightly in sky

• Full Moon—entire day side in full view from Earth; positioned on opposite side of Earth from Sun; remains for a few days before beginning to shift into next phase

• Waning Gibbous—beginning of journey back to Sun; illuminated portion appears to shrink as the Moon’s orbit carries it out of view on Earth

• Third Quarter (also, Last Quarter)—has completed three-quarters of monthly orbit around the Earth; one-half of illuminated side is visible to Earth (opposite side is now illuminated as was seen during First Quarter phase)

• Waning Crescent—the Moon’s orbit has now almost completed a full cycle around the Earth; day side begins to completely face the Sun again; illuminated crescent shape is now appearing on opposite side of Moon as was seen during the Waxing Crescent

Because the Moon’s orbit around Earth is so quick, the energies of the Moon are changing daily. The Phases of the Moon can be used to set affirmations and intentions to best possible outcome for an individual.

The PLANETS: Enter the Clowns

Remember the theater analogy concerning the ZODIAC SIGNS, the HOUSES, and the PLANETS? The Planets are the actors on the stage of our lives (the Houses). The Zodiac Signs give these actors their personality and character. 

The original Planets are the five that can be seen by the “naked eye” from Earth. These five Planets are referred to as the “Wandering Stars” and include Mars, Venus, Mercury, Jupiter, and Saturn. Each of these Planets is named for a deity… either a Roman or a Greek god… and each has a specific function and energy that serves as an influencer on the Zodiac Sign within which it appears.

Neptune, Uranus, and Pluto are referred to as the Transcendental Planets in Traditional Astrology. Though no longer considered a planet, the energy of Pluto still contributes to a horoscope. It is a heavenly body in our solar system and, therefore, projects influencing energies on Earth and her inhabitants. Due to their greater distance from the Sun, the influences of the Transcendental Planets are more philosophical in nature. Their effects must be discovered through closer observation. Their influences are considered to be more generational than individual, since it takes them years to move from one Zodiac Sign to the next.

The Sun and the Moon are not planets. They are LUMINARIES and act as amplifiers to the characteristics of the planet(s) appearing within a same House. The Sun exposes our truth; the Moon reflects our emotions.

A horoscope provides predictions for possibilities based on the positioning of the Planets in relationship to an individual’s Zodiac Sign. The natal/birth chart, which is a snapshot of the sky at the moment of an individual’s birth, shows the positioning of the Planets, defining their personalities within the Zodiac Signs within which they appear in this moment. 

No two individuals are ever identically the same… even in the case of identical twins… due to the planetary positioning shifts that occur every 4 minutes. Every 4 minutes the Ascendant changes by 1 degree. The positioning of the Planets in the snapshot of the sky taken at the moment of an individual’s birth will not repeat exactly for another 4,320,000 years! And even at that, genetic and environmental influences will contribute to the ultimate differences in any two individuals born at these two otherwise identical positions of the Planets. 

It is possible for two people to be born at the same moment and in the same location/hospital. It has been shown that such individuals live very similar lives (follow same career paths, marry at the same time, have the same number of children with the same genders, develop the same illnesses, die at the same time). These people are known as “Astral Twins” or “Time Twins”, but they are very rare!

These are the known planetary energies that we experience here on Earth. Discoveries of new planets are always a possibility. For instance, the discovery of a small planet or asteroid was made in 1977. This tiny planetary body is named Chiron, who in Greek mythology was the wise centaur, a teacher, and a healer. The rulership of Chiron has been attributed to both Scorpio and Sagittarius, but by some is considered a “maverick”. Its influences are generally attributed to spiritual regeneration and the search for meaningful work.

The discovery of Neptune’s moon, Titon, in 1989 gives rise to the belief that Titon was once a planet orbiting the Sun until it was drawn into Neptune’s gravitational pull.

It is logical to believe that more planets are to be discovered. With each discovery, the planet will be given a rulership to a Zodiac Sign. For instance, two such discoveries point toward the planet Apollo being the true ruler of Taurus (who now shares the Planet Venus with the Zodiac Sign of Libra) and Vulcan being the true ruler of Virgo (which currently shares the Planet Mercury with the Zodiac Sign of Gemini). 

For the study of Modern/Traditional Astrology, we only recognize fully the influences of the five “Wandering Stars” and the three Transcendental Planets.

Properties of the HOUSES Summarized

Here and in one place is everything you could possibly want to know about the HOUSES in astrology.

There’s a PARTY in the HOUSE!

The HOUSES are grouped into three categories that also correspond to the modalities of the ZODIAC SIGNS:

• ANGULAR —> Cardinal
• SUCCEDENT —> Fixed
• CADENT —> Mutable

The tendencies in these categories can be explained as having a “loudness” capacity for the natural expression of a PLANET. The intensity of a planet’s energy will be influenced by that of the house within which it enters. 

Just how “loud” will the party be, huh? Let me ‘splain it, Lucy…

ANGULAR HOUSES

The loudest party is happening in the ANGULAR HOUSES, and is it any wonder? These houses correspond to the CARDINAL ZODIAC SIGNS. Any PLANET appearing in one of these houses will express its natural energies at 100% capacity. So pump up the volume!

The angular houses are considered to be the most ardent and forceful of the houses. They rule the critical things in our lives, including:

• Our appearance and how we behave 
• Our family life
• Our married life and/or partnerships
• Our career

SUCCEDENT HOUSES
The party is calmer moving into the SUCCEDENT HOUSES. These houses are governed by the FIXED ZODIAC SIGNS, having a stable and unchanging quality. A planet appearing in one of these houses will express its energies at a more subdued capacity… 50%. More a formal cocktail party happening here than the rave of the angular houses!

“Succedent” from Latin, meaning “subsequent” or “succeeding”. The succedent houses follow the angular houses. Less powerful than the angular houses, each succedent house has qualities pertaining to the angular house it succeeds. For example, the 1st House (angular) pertains to the body and personality, while the 2nd House (succedent) deals with the personal belongings of a person.

CADENT HOUSES

The quietest are the CADENT HOUSES as represented by the MUTABLE ZODIAC SIGNS. Expressing themselves at 25% capacity, these houses would be the wallflowers at the party going on in either of the other two types of houses.
The cadent houses are the least powerful of all the houses. They have less influence than the succedent houses before them. From the Greek “apoklima”, meaning “falling away” or “decline”, the cadent houses are seen as being the least fruitful and/or productive houses.

Planets appearing in the cadent houses are seen as being less comfortable and powerful. They become inharmonious, sometimes bringing hostile conditions, separations, and banishments. They are seen as being of little consequence, having poor effect over a planet’s natural tendencies.

☞ Note: A close TRINE to a more BENEFIC PLANET will assist to bring a planet positioned in a cadent house closer to its full strength and potential.

 

The 12 HOUSES of Astrology

The HOUSES of astrology number 1 through 12 and correspond to the 12 ZODIAC SIGNS in order of their numbering. The ruling PLANET of each ZODIAC SIGN is also the ruling PLANET of the HOUSE ruled by that SIGN. So, the first ZODIAC SIGN of ARIES rules the 1st HOUSE, and as MARS is the ruling PLANET of ARIES so it is also the ruling PLANET of the 1st HOUSE. This continues around the WHEEL until the 12th HOUSE is ruled by the ZODIAC SIGN of PISCES which is ruled by the PLANETS of JUPITER and NEPTUNE. The ruling ZODIAC SIGN and PLANET(s) govern how the department of life represented by each HOUSE will be expressed in the life of the individual.

The HOUSES represent the various departments of human life. Astrological HOUSES indicate how the vibratory energies of the alignment of the PLANETS and ZODIAC SIGNS influence the AURIC FIELD of the Earth. All 12 HOUSES work together as a single unit that represents the cosmology of an individual… sort of sets the stage for the play of the life of an individual in which he serves as the hero of his own story.

The uniqueness of an individual is determined by calculating a Natal/Birth Chart using the birth date, birth time, and birth location in which a snapshot is taken of the sky at the moment of the person’s birth. Understanding the energetic properties of the ZODIAC SIGNS, their planetary rulers, the locations of the HOUSES, and the positioning of the PLANETS in this “snapshot of the sky” will give insight to how an individual will express personality and character in their lifetime as well as indicate areas of particular strengths and weaknesses. Being armed with this information will allow a person to know where the area(s) of most work and attention are needed and allow for being able to respond to life rather than react to it and evolve to higher vibratory frequencies of spirit. Better tools for better living.

The HOUSES are defined by Earth’s 24-hour rotation on its axis, while the ZODIAC SIGNS are defined by Earth’s yearly revolution around the SUN. The CONSTELLATIONS of the ZODIAC represent the sky, while the HOUSES represent life on Earth… What is above, so below.

The HOUSES, like the ZODIAC SIGNS, are divided by a line called a “cusp”. The CUSP of the 1st HOUSE marks the ASCENDANT—that point in space where the eastern horizon intercepts the ECLIPTIC at the time of birth of an individual. It naturally follows that the DESCENDANT (CUSP of the 7th HOUSE) will be 180° of the ASCENDANT. The most important of the HOUSES are the CARDINAL (or ANGULAR):

• 1st HOUSE CUSP: ASCENDANT (rising SIGN)
• 4th HOUSE CUSP: NADIR
• 7th HOUSE CUSP: DESCENDANT
• 10th HOUSE CUSP: MIDHEAVEN

How the CARDINAL HOUSES (1st, 4th, 7th, 10th) are determined is standard no matter the choice of methodology for calculating the intermediate HOUSES (2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 8th, 9th, 11th, 12th). There are many methods for doing this calculation of the HOUSES. The most popular one used in online websites that offer the service of calculating a Natal/Birth Chart is PLACIDUS. (The author Mike Grabarek recommends use of the more recently introduced Krusiński House system. See Info Sources.) Depending on method chosen for the calculation of the HOUSES, the outcome of an individual’s Natal/Birth Chart may show some variances, especially when PLANETS appear near the CUSP of a HOUSE, in which case, that PLANET will ultimately have an influence in the HOUSE on each side of the CUSP anyway, so little is changed vibrationally.

NOTE: Since this blog is interested only in providing a general understanding of astrology, no futher detail will be given on this topic here. The reader is encouraged to continue the study on their own, if greater understanding is desired. Warning: this topic can be quite involved and ultimately a great deal of math and geometry is going to be included! Just sayin’!

The various departments of human life represented by the HOUSES are as follows:

• 1st HOUSE: the ego/sense of self
• 2nd HOUSE: material possessions/security
• 3rd HOUSE: local community/communication
• 4th HOUSE: home/family
• 5th HOUSE: creativity/romance
• 6th HOUSE: day jobs/schedules & routines/health
• 7th HOUSE: partnerships/marriage
• 8th HOUSE: death/sex/transformation & regeneration
• 9th HOUSE: philosophy/higher education/religion/law/foreign culture & travel
• 10th HOUSE: public image/career/legacy/social status
• 11th HOUSE: humanitarianism/technology
• 12th HOUSE: collective unconscious/psychic abilities

 

The first six HOUSES deal with the individual’s personal inner world… it’s all about “me”. Houses 7 through 12 deal with the outer world… how the “me” deals with others. Each HOUSE from the inner self corresponds to an opposite outer self. For example, the 1st HOUSE deals with the ego of the self, while the 7th HOUSE (opposite) deals with how that self relates with others in partnerships. The 2nd HOUSE deals with how the self manages their own money, while the opposite 8th HOUSE deals with how the self manages the money of others. So think “inner six HOUSES are ‘self’, outer six HOUSEs are ‘other’.” 

The Fundamental Components of Astrology

Most people are familiar enough with astrology to be able to name the 12 ZODIAC SIGNS, know the general birth date ranges that determine a SIGN, and even possess a bit of knowledge as to the typical characteristics seen in the personality of at least the ZODIAC SIGNS of those people with whom a continual association is shared. (I even had a dog once, that though I did not know his exact birth date, he most assuredly HAD to be ARIES!)

My journey in the study of astrology has left me thinking of Shrek and onions! There are LAYERS to astrology... start on the outside and peel the layers away to a more complete understanding of this science! There is far more to it than meets the untrained eye, and it can be complex and confusing... until one day it isn't anymore! 

So far, I've basically covered that which is mostly generally known... the 12 ZODIAC SIGNS. There are actually four components to astrology, including:

• PLANETS
• ZODIAC SIGNS
• ASPECTS
• HOUSES

A theater analogy can be applied to these components of astrology... the PLANETS are the actors in the life of a person, the ZODIAC SIGNS give these actors character and personality, and the HOUSES are the stage in which the actors give their performances.

I smacked into a brick wall when reading about the HOUSES. I did what I typically do in life and began building moutains out of molehills when reading material concerning the HOUSES from several different sources. Turns out there are numerous methologies for determining the HOUSES in an individual's HOROSCOPE. With so many online sources available for use in generating a Natal/Birth Chart, there is no need for anyone to go to the trouble of calculating HOUSE cusps unless insanity-by-math-and-geometry is viewed as an enjoyable pastime. I recommend using an online service to generate your Natal/Birth Chart, and save the advanced study for learning how to calculate for yourself the HOUSE CUSPS when you decide to become a professional astrologer. 

What I have learned these many months in reading astrology books and websites is sufficient for my original intent, which was to study TAROT. I'm getting there and I have to say that the process is well worth the anticipated outcome, so onward and upward, Yall....

BE THE CHANGE

“The very best thing you can do for the whole world is to make the most of yourself.”

—Wallace D. Wattles

BELIEF IN GOD

When Einstein gave lectures at US universities, the recurring question that students asked him most was: “Do you believe in God?” And he always answered: “I believe in the God of Spinoza.”

Baruch de Spinoza was a Dutch philosopher considered one of the great rationalists of 17th century philosophy, along with Descartes.

[Spinoza] God would say: “Stop praying. What I want you to do is go out into the world and enjoy your life. I want you to sing, have fun and enjoy everything I've made for you.

Stop going into those dark, cold temples that you built yourself and saying they are my house. My house is in the mountains, in the woods, rivers, lakes, beaches. That's where I live, and there I express my love for you.

Stop blaming me for your miserable life; I never told you there was anything wrong with you or that you were a sinner or that your sexuality was a bad thing. Sex is a gift I have given you and with which you can express your love, your ecstasy, your joy. So don't blame me for everything they made you believe.

Stop reading alleged sacred scriptures that have nothing to do with me. If you can't read me in a sunrise, in a landscape, in the look of your friends, in your son's eyes...  you will find me in no book!

Stop asking me ‘Will you tell me how to do my job?’ Stop being so scared of me. I do not judge you or criticize you, nor get angry or bothered. I am pure love.

Stop asking for forgiveness, there's nothing to forgive. If I made you, I filled you with passions, limitations, pleasures, feelings, needs, inconsistencies... free will. How can I blame you if you respond to something I put in you? How can I punish you for being the way you are, if I'm the one who made you? Do you think I could create a place to burn all my children who behave badly for the rest of eternity? What kind of god would do that?

Respect your peers and don't do what you don't want for yourself. All I ask is that you pay attention in your life, that alertness is your guide.

My beloved, this life is not a test, not a step on the way, not a rehearsal, nor a prelude to paradise. This life is the only thing here and now, and it is all you need. I have set you absolutely free... no prizes or punishments, no sins or virtues, no one carries a marker, no one keeps a record. You are absolutely free to create in your life. Heaven or hell.

I can't tell you if there's anything after this life, but I can give you a tip. Live as if there is not... as if this is your only chance to enjoy, to love, to exist. So, if there's nothing after, then you will have enjoyed the opportunity I gave you. And if there is, rest assured that I won't ask if you behaved right or wrong. I'll ask, ‘Did you like it? Did you have fun? What did you enjoy the most? What did you learn?’

Stop believing in me; believing is assuming, guessing, imagining. I don't want you to believe in me, I want you to believe in you. I want you to feel me in you when you kiss your beloved, when you tuck in your little girl, when you caress your dog, when you bathe in the sea.

Stop praising me, what kind of egomaniac god do you think I am? I'm bored being praised. I'm tired of being thanked. Feeling grateful? Prove it by taking care of yourself, your health, your relationships, the world. Express your joy! That's the way to praise me!

Stop complicating things and repeating as a parakeet what you've been taught about me. What do you need more miracles for? So many explanations?

The only thing for sure is that you are here, that you are alive, that this world is full of wonders.”

— Spinoza 

PERSEVERANCE

 Difficult Paths Often Lead To Beautiful Places

The ECLIPTIC

The plane (an imaginary line) of Earth’s annual 360°-orbit around the SUN, extending to the CELESTIAL SPHERE is called the ECLIPTIC. This circle marks the line on which ECLIPSES occur, the MOON and the other PLANETS travel, and where the CONSTELLATIONS (stars) of the ZODIAC SIGNS live. This circle is divided into 12 30°-segments, each representing one of the 12 ZODIAC SIGNS. 

The Earth rotates on its axis, making a complete rotation each day (24 hours), traveling through each of the 12 HOUSES. It makes a complete 360°-orbit around the SUN in 365 days (1 year), traveling through all of the 12 ZODIAC SIGNS.

The ZODIAC SIGN in which the SUN appears is determined by what CONSTELLATION appears on the opposite side of the SUN from the Earth at any moment in time. On March 21st (the VERNAL EQUINOX), the SUN is moving into the CONSTELLATION of ARIES. As the Earth continues to orbit around the SUN, it will remain in ARIES until April 19th when the SUN then moves into TAURUS and so on around the ZODIAC, according to the dates of each ZODIAC SIGN.

MASCULINE / FEMININE Zodiac Signs & Houses

The ZODIAC SIGNS are divided into MASCULINE and FEMININE energies that also correlate to POSITIVE and NEGATIVE, respectively. 

The MASCULINE signs are the odd-numbered ZODIAC SIGNS of the FIRE and AIR triplicities:

• ARIES 
• GEMINI
• LEO
• LIBRA
• SAGITTARIUS
• AQUARIUS

The MASCULINE signs also correspond to the odd-numbered HOUSES:

• 1st
• 3rd
• 5th
• 7th
• 9th
• 11th

The MASCULINE signs are AGGRESSIVE in nature, taking ACTION to achieve results (they don't wait for things to come to them... they charge forward). Wherever these signs fall in the HOUSES (areas of human life) of a HOROSCOPE, the person is most likely to take INITIATIVE and go after what is wanted. A predominance of PLANETS in MASCULINE signs indicates a SELF-PROPELLING person with POSITIVE AGGRESSIVE tendencies.

The FEMININE signs are the even-numbered ZODIAC SIGNS of the EARTH and WATER triplicities:

• TAURUS
• CANCER
• VIRGO
• SCORPIO
• CAPRICORN
• PISCES

The FEMININE signs also correspond to the even-numbered HOUSES:

• 2nd
• 4th
• 6th
• 8th
• 10th
• 12th

The FEMININE signs represent PASSIVITY; capable of acting forcibly, these individuals typically wait for things to come to them before taking action. These people interact with whatever comes their way, working by the principle of ATTRACTING what they desire rather than pursuing to conquer it. A preponderance of PLANETS in FEMININE signs will manifest in a female that is more feminine and can make a male more effeminate, possibly acting less aggressively.

MANIFESTATION

“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

— Albert Einstein

The TRIPLICITIES & QUADRUPLICITIES of the ZODIAC SIGNS

Each ZODIAC SIGN has unique qualities and characteristics that are specific to that sign. These qualities are influencers for how an individual born under that sign will behave in the various circumstances of living… what will be felt, thought, said, and done according to the experience. An individual has all 12 ZODIAC SIGNS influencing that behavior, according to the positioning of the signs (and the planets) within their horoscope at the time of birth.

Each of the 12 ZODIAC SIGNS is 30° of the ZODIAC WHEEL, and they are grouped into two fundamental arrangements called TRIPLICITIES and QUADRUPLICITIES.

The TRIPLICITIES deal with tendencies of the temperament and correspond to the ELEMENTS of nature (fire, earth, air, water). There are three ZODIAC SIGNS in each TRIPLICITY with three ZODIAC SIGNS separating each (120°; called the TRINE ASPECT).

The QUADRUPLICITIES deal with the basic modes of expression of the temperament in the various areas of life (cardinal, fixed, mutable). There are four ZODIAC SIGNS in each QUADRUPLICITY with two ZODIAC SIGNS separating each (90°; called the SQUARE ASPECT).

The CARDINAL INGRESS is the entry of the SUN into one of the ZODIAC SIGNS of the CARDINAL QUADRUPLICITY (beginning of the FOUR SEASONS):

• VERNAL EQUINOX (Spring) — MAR 20 — ARIES
• SUMMER SOLSTICE — JUN 21 — CANCER
• FALL EQUINOX — SEP 23 — LIBRA
• WINTER SOLSTICE — DEC 22 — CAPRICORN

Each sign has its strengths and weaknesses, having unique characteristics, desires, attitudes, and manners of approaching life and other people. Those signs sharing an elemental association (TRIPLICITY) are naturally compatible. AIR signs are compatible with FIRE signs and EARTH signs with WATER signs. 

One must consider the qualities of the ZODIAC SIGN of the individual in conjunction with the tendencies that are also unique to the TRIPLICITIES and the QUADRUPLICITIES of their sign in order to gain the best understanding of that person. Better understanding of self and others facilitates a more harmonious and joyful life experience.

12 SIGNS of the ZODIAC WHEEL

There are 12 ZODIAC SIGNS that follow the specific order of:

ARIES – TAURUS – GEMINI – CANCER – LEO – VIRGO – LIBRA – SCORPIO – SAGITTARIUS – CAPRICORN – AQUARIUS – PISCES

The ZODIAC YEAR begins on the VERNAL EQUINOX at 0° of the ZODIAC WHEEL, corresponding with ARIES’ beginning date of March 21st, thus making ARIES the 1st SIGN of the ZODIAC. The SIGNS are arranged in a circle in the order of how they follow each other around the ZODIAC, beginning with the first sign of ARIES and arranged in a counter-clockwise order.

Each SIGN is 30° of the 360° in the ZODIAC WHEEL. The line dividing one sign from another is called a “cusp”. People “born on the cusp”… either on the last date of one sign or the first date of the next sign… are prone to having the characteristics of both signs. Each of the ZODIAC SIGNS represent both positive and negative characteristics of human behavior and development.

Be able to name the SIGNS of the ZODIAC in the appropriate order. Know the names of the SIGNS forward, backward, and starting with any sign. Be able to name a sign by seeing just its glyph. Know each sign's direct opposite on the ZODIAC WHEEL. (Example: Gemini is the direct opposite of Sagittarius.) Know the dates of the ZODIAC SIGNS so that just hearing someone give their birthday, you immediately know the answer to the ever popular ice-breaker, "What's your sign?".

NOTE: Three glyphs are used to represent CAPRICORN. Be familiar with them all; use the one that speaks most to you.

What Is Astrology & Why It Is Relevant to Understand It?

Astrology and astronomy are as old as time itself and can be traced back to Atlantis and the ancient civilizations that sprang from its destruction. Man has used the skies to track the seasons for the best times to plant, harvest, work, rest, reproduce, etc. What once served as a necessary tool for living life well has slowly been allowed to slip away as having little, if any, relevance to life on this plane of existence. A sad loss of information and perhaps the beginning of man’s decent into daily chaos.

Often described as “occult” beliefs, astrology is not a religion or a belief system. It is more accurately science. When one begins to understand that energy is the driving force of existence... nothing can exist in the material reality without energy... and then understand how different energies are constantly influencing human life and behavior, better understanding of these forces can bring a better sense of self and perhaps enable one to  better answer questions such as “Why am I here?”...  “What is my purpose?”.

In studying astrology, one must understand that the planets in this solar system each have a unique energetic property and that as these planets travel through their orbital path around the Sun and in relation to the Earth, their energy affects all life on this planet... animal, plant, mineral... all life. Don’t forget... it’s all energy!

The planetary alignments at the time of one’s birth influence the character, personality, and behaviors of that individual throughout their lifetime. A person’s “Sun Sign” (the answer to the classic social opener, “What’s your sign?”) will give a basic understanding of that individual. All people born under the same Sun Sign will have generally similar characteristics, but it goes beyond that. The placement of all of the planets in the sky in that moment of birth also contributes to forming who that individual is, how they think, speak, and behave.

Webster’s defines “occult” as “to shut off from view or exposure” [verb], “not revealed: secret; not easily apprehended or understood” [adjective], and “matters regarded as involving the action or influence of supernatural or supernormal powers or some secret knowledge of them” [noun]. Applying “super” to a word simply means that it goes beyond what is currently held in belief. It sounds mystical but, in truth, it only says “We don’t know what we don’t know”, and there is so much that we do not know! To shun occult knowledge with a belief that anything dealing with it is evil is to limit one’s ability to achieve enlightenment through better understanding of the environs of this life.

Now consider the word “esoteric”... “designed for or understood by the specially initiated alone; requiring or exhibiting knowledge that is restricted to a small group”.

Personally held belief is that information is revealed in life as it is needed. We become an “initiate” when asking questions to gain knowledge with the intention of better understanding while receiving the new knowledge with an open mind and heart. Life would be easier lived if a better understanding of how it works was had. That is the motivating factor driving this blog... to gain better understanding.

Welcoming all initiates to this esoteric study. 

Let the study of Astrology begin...

MINDFULNESS

“Be where you are with all your mind.”

— “General” Geo. Zweig

Information Sources

Listing books to read and sources of information being posted here (this list will update)...

Suggested Reading

Becoming Supernatural: How Common People Are Doing the Uncommon, Dr. Joe Dispenza

The Science of Getting Rich, Wallace D. Wattles

The Ancient Secret of the Flower of Life, Vol. 1 & 2; Drunlavo Melchizedek

The Secret Teachings of All Ages, Manly P. Hall

Fractal Time: The Secret of 2012 and a New World Age, Gregg Braden

The Superbeings: The Superselling Guide to Finding Your Higher Self, John Randolph Price

The Law of Attraction: The Basics of the Teachings of Abraham, Esther Hicks and Jerry Hicks 

Discover Your Soul’s Path Through the Akashic Records: Taking Your Life From Ordinary to ExtraOrdinary, Linda Howe

Tarot for YourSelf: A Workbook for Personal Transformation, Mary K. Greer

The Intuitive Tarot Workbook, Gina The Tarologist a/k/a Gina Spriggs

An Introduction to Tarot, Cassandra Bee 

Tarot and Astrology, Corrine Kenner  

The Astrologer’s Handbook, Frances Sakoian & Louis S. Acker 

The Astrology Bible: The definitive guide to the zodiac, Judy Hall

Fast Track Astrologer: The Book I Wish I Had When I Became an Astrologer, Mike Grabarek 

Astrology: Your Personal Guide, Sasha Fenton 

Astrology: The Ultimate Guide to the 12 Zodiac Signs, Numerology, and Kundalini Rising + A Comprehensive Guide to Tarot Reading, Kimberly Moon 

 

Online Video Study

Astrological Forecasting for Everyone, Alexander Kolesnikov / A Udemy Course (check it out)

Websites

The 12 Astrological Houses: Interpreting Your Birth Chart Beyond the Zodiac, Aliza Kelly Faragher / October 6, 2018

 

The 12 Houses of the Zodiac, by The AstroTwins 

Keywords for the Planets, From astrologyschool.net 

Meanings of the Planets in Astrology, From wellandgood.com 

Moon Phases, From nasa.gov

Fonts Used for Zodiac Glyphs, From Astrology-Symbols.com (note: clicking this link will download the font in a zipped file)

ZADKIEL

Meaning of Name: Righteousness of God

Halo Color: Deep Indigo Blue

Gemstone Association: Lapis Lazuli

Purpose

Helps us release unforgiveness toward ourselves and others. Ask him to clear away any emotional toxins from your heart. He is the ultimate spiritual professor, having patience, kindness, and access to all knowledge. He helps in human memory function. Call upon him when you need to remember/memorize information. He uses the Socratic teaching method, leading you to discover what you need to know on your own.

Call on Zadkiel for Healing Painful Memories, Remembering Divine Spiritual Origin/Missions, and Choosing Forgiveness

URIEL

Meaning of Name: The Light of God

Halo Color: Pale Yellow

Gemstone Association: Amber

Purpose

Enlightens our minds with divine inspiration, providing for answers for insights. He helps to illuminate cloudy situations by lighting your pathway one step at a time until you are able to discern the ultimate outcome of your actions.

Call on Uriel for Intellectual Understanding: Conversations, Ideas, Insights, and Epiphanies, in School: Studying/Testing, and Writing and Speaking