Astrology is the study that assumes and attempts to interpret the influence of the heavenly bodies on human affairs, according to Random House Unabridged Dictionary. It seems very complex, but when you understand some of the basic terminology and meanings, you can better understand the horoscopes you read.
The signs are divided into twelve groups. Depending on when you were born, a different sign is assigned to you. These are called sun signs because these are the signs that were passing through the sun at different times of the year.
Aries is the first sign of the zodiac. The dates sometimes vary depending on which horoscope you're reading, but according to renowned astrologer Eugenia Last, people born from March 21 through April 19 is born under the sign Aries. Characteristics include: domineering, argumentative, and honest. The symbol for Aries is the Ram.
Taurus is the second sign of the zodiac. People born from April 20 through May 20 are a Taurus. Characteristics include: headstrong, stubborn, affectionate, and possessive. The symbol for Taurus is the Bull.
Gemini is the third sign of the zodiac. Those born from May 21 through June 20 are a Gemini. Characteristics include: sociable, chatty, and fickle. The symbol for Gemini is the Twins, Castor and Pollux.
Cancer is the fourth sign of the zodiac. People born from June 21 through July 22 are a Cancer. Characteristics include: nostalgic, dependent, caring, and homebodies. The symbol for Cancer is the Crab.
Leo is the fifth sign of the zodiac. People born from July 23 through August 22 are a Leo. Characteristics include: optimistic, spontaneous, domineering. The symbol for Leo is the Lion.
Virgo is the sixth sign of the zodiac. People born from August 23 through September 22 are a Virgo. Characteristics include: organizing, narrow-minded, and precise. The symbol for Virgo is the Virgin.
Libra is the seventh sign of the zodiac. People born from September 24 through October 22 are a Libra. Characteristics include: romantic, vain, and frivolous. The symbol for Libra is the Scales.
Scorpio is the eighth sign of the zodiac. People born from October 23 through November 21 are a Scorpio. Characteristics include: secretive, controlling, and loyal. The symbol for Scorpio is the Scorpion.
Sagittarius is the ninth sign of the zodiac. People born from November 22 through December 21 are a Sagittarius. Characteristics include: wise, undisciplined, and tactless. The symbol for Sagittarius is the Centaur.
Capricorn is the tenth sign of the zodiac. People born from December 22 through January 19 are a Capricorn. Characteristics include: miserly, ambitious, and persevering. The symbol for Capricorn is the Mountain Goat or Sea Goat.
Aquarius is the eleventh sign of the zodiac. People born from January 20 through February 18 are an Aquarius. Characteristics include: eccentric, independent, and progressive. The symbol for Aquarius is the Water Bearer.
Pisces is the twelfth sign of the sign of the zodiac. People born from February 19 through March 20 are a Pisces. Characteristics include: over-emotional, imaginative, sensitive.
The four elements of nature apply to astrology as well. Fire, Earth, Air, and Water play a significant role in astrology. Each zodiac sign is ruled by an element. Each element rules three signs. Fire rules: Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. Earth rules Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn. Air rules Gemini, Libra and Aquarius. Water rules: Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces.
The fire element gives these characteristics to the signs: optimism, luck, and assertiveness. The earth element gives these characteristics to the signs: practicality, self-discipline, and perseverance. The air element gives these characteristics to the signs: creativity, analytical, and intimacy. The water element gives these characteristics to the signs: compassion, overly dramatic, intuitive.
The three qualities: cardinal, fixed, and mutable affects each sign differently. Cardinal signs are viewed as enterprisers and pioneers. The fixed signs work from start to finish and are stable. The mutable signs are adaptable and versatile.
The polarities of the signs groups the signs as either positive or negative. The positive signs are Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius, and Aquarius. The negative signs are Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn, and Pisces. Positive signs are more impulsive and sociable. Negative signs are more sensitive and emotional.
Based on the alignment of the planets, constellations, and moons, each person can be affected differently based on how the planets were aligned when the individual was born. Here is a list of the planets and their basic meanings when they show up in an astrological chart.
The Sun indicates centeredness, purpose, and strength of character. The Moon, even though it is not a planet, is considered one in astrology and indicates home, maternal nature, and emotions.
Mercury indicates curiosity, elegance, and thoughts. Venus indicates love, vengeful, and artistic talents. Mars indicates conflict, passion, and aggression. Jupiter indicates travel, wealth, and greed. Saturn indicates thrift, wisdom, and authority. Uranus indicates freedom, rebellion, and anarchy. Neptune indicates beauty, imagination, and confusion. Pluto indicates compulsion, transformation, and death.
You may have heard Mercury is in my first house. What that means is that depending on which planets are in each of our houses personalizes our charts even further.
The first house represents how others see us. So for example, if Mercury is in your first house, then others will see you as an elegant person. The second house represents how we value ourselves. The third house represents our environment. The fourth house represents our foundations. The fifth house represents our expressiveness. The sixth house represents our balance. The seventh house represents relationships. The eighth house represents our sexuality. The ninth house represents our moralities. The tenth house represents career. The eleventh house represents social life. The twelfth house represents our fears.
These basics will get you started in the world of astrology. There are some books you should read for further instruction. They include: The Instant Astrologer by Felix Lyle, The Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need by Woolfolk, and Sun Sign Personality Guide by Linda Goodman.
The further you read and the more you learn about astrology, the further you can develop your skills as an astrologer. You can move on to casting charts and giving these as gifts to your friends and family.