BEYONDSUNSIGNS

WHATISASTROLOGY? byJanetBooth
AstrologycomesfromGreekforstudyofthestars,buttruthbetold,itsmuchmore concernedwithplanets.Asforstars,mostlywefocusonjustafewconstellations,aring ofthemalongthepathwherethesun,moonandplanetsappeartocircleus.Since mostoftheseconstellationsarenamedforanimals,thisbandiscametobecalledthe zodiac(samerootwordaszoo). Althoughwedontreallynoticeitgoodthing,ourheadsspinjustthinkingaboutthis! theearthiswhizzingthroughspaceatanaveragespeedof20.658km/second(63,048 mph)asitorbitsthesun.ANDourwholesolarsystemisorbitingthecenterofourMilky WayGalaxyataspeedof217km/secondormore(morethan450,000mph).*Even goingthatfast,ittakes225millionyearstocompletethatcircle!Yeteveryday,thesky doesntseemtochangeallthatmuch(otherthantheweather)ordoesit? Sinceancienttimes,peopleofallcultureshavesoughttofindmeaninginthesky. Althoughtheplanetsandzodiacconstellationsgobydifferentnames,thereisalotof similaritytotheastrologiesdevelopedbydifferentcultures.Allnoticedthatalthoughthe patternandorderoftheconstellationsarefixed,weseedifferentonesatdifferenttimes oftheyear.Andthereareafewobjectsinthenightskythatchangetheirpositionover timerelativetotherestofthefirmament,traversingthezodiacpath.Thesewandering starsaretheplanets(thatstherootmeaningoftheword).Manyculturesworshipped theplanetsasgods,butinmodernastrology,wedontsayweworshipthem,although wemightrespectthemagooddeal!

TheBuildingBlocksofAstrology
Themaincomponentsorofastrologyareplanets,signs,housesandangularrelation shipsbetweenplanetscalledaspects(whichwewontbeconcernedwithhere). Planets(includingthesunandmoon)actlikevoiceswithinus,showingourbasic humandrives.Thinkofthemlikeverbs. Theexpressionofourdrivesismodifiedbytheplanetssignandthehouselocations. Signsare30degreesegments(1/12)ofthe360degreezodiaccircle.Eachaddsits ownflavortobehavior,functioninglikeanadverb,showinghowweactonoururges. Housesaresectorsoftheskythatactlikedepartmentsofthecircumstancesofour lives.Likeanotheradverb,theyshowwhereadriveisusedoraffectsusthemost. Aspectstieinfluencesofvariousplanetstogetherandshowhowtheplanetsget along(ordont,inmanycases).Likeanothermodifier,theyindicatehowwecombine variousfacetsofourpersonality,likethoseinnervoiceseitherinharmonyordiscord. *source:http://www.hypertextbook.com/factsconversionfromkm/sectomphbyJanetBooth
JanetBoothAstrologyBooth,LLCBeyondSunSignsseminar(860)2324670www.AstrologyBooth.com

WhatsInAChart?
ThewordhoroscopecomesfromGreekforalookatthehour.Ahoroscopechartis askymapofaparticularpointintime,viewedfromtheperspectiveofaparticular placeonearth Allchartsareorientedinrelationtothe4directions,buttheseareinthereverse positionofthedirectionsonatypicalearthmap,becausewerelookingupatthesky fromearthratherthanlookingdownattheearthasiffromabove. Wedividethecircleoftheskyinto 12sectors,calledhouses.They arealwaysinthesameposition relativetothefourdirections. Eachhouseisassociatedwith acertainsetofcircumstances, kindoflikedepartmentsin ourlives.(Seeapartiallistin theHouseAssociationstable.) Thebeginningof eachhouse(likeits doorway)iscalled itscusp.Thesign thatlinesuponthe East cuspissaidtorule thehouse,andthe planetinchargeof thatsignstrongly influencesthematters ofthathouse.Ruler shipmeansastrong associationoraffilia tionbetweenaplanet andsign. Thehousesofachartbegininthe Eastatthe1stHouseandgoaround thechartcounterclockwise.

South

10 11 12 1 2 3

9 8 7
West

6 5 4

North

Thezodiaccirclealignswiththeframeworkofthehousesaccordingtothetimeofyear andthetimeofdayforwhichthechartiscalculated.(Seemoreaboutthisonthe followingpages.)Oncethesignsarelinedupwiththehouses,wecandeterminein whichhousestheplanetsarelocatedaccordingtothesignstheyretravellingthrough. Aplanetissaidtobeinasignandinahouse.Forconvenience,werefertothesun andmoonasplanets,eventhoughtechnicallyspeaking,theyareourstarandour satellite,respectively.Lookonyourcharttoseewhatthesignandhousethesunand moonarein.Welllearnwhattheselocationsmeanlaterinthelesson.

ApparentSolarMotion
TheSundoesntmove,otherthantoorbitthegalacticcenteraspreviouslymentioned. EversinceCopernicus,weveknownthatweorbittheSunratherthantheotherway around.HewascalledahereticforsayingthatwerenotthecenterofGodscreation! Therearetwotypesofearthlymotioninastrology.Firstisourrevolutionaroundthe Sun,whichweorbitinayear.Thismotionisrelatedtotheseasons.Astheearthmoves aroundtheSun,theSunappearstoustomovethroughthe12signsofthezodiac. Thesecondisourrotationonouraxisevery24hours,thedefinitionofourday. TheSunrisesattheEasternhorizon, climbstothetopofthechartatthe Southernmostpointofthesky,then declines,settingintheWest.Near midnight,ithitsthelowestpointofthe sky,intheNortherndirection(inthe northernhemisphere). Thedailymotionofthe Sun,Moonandplanets circlesachartclockwise, duetotheearthsrotation.

Noon

10 9 Atsunrise,the signthattheSun 8 11 ismovingthrough (seenextpage)is rising.Asthe 12 7 worldturns,it Sunrise Sunset facesthenext sign,which 6 1 appearstorise, thenthenextsign. Anewsignrises 2 5 aboutevery2 hours,or1degree 3 4 ofthezodiac aboutevery4 minutes.Thisis Midnight whyhavingan accuratebirthor TheSunsChartPositionatVariousTimesofDay eventtimeiskey.
PeopleborninthemorninghourshavetheSunontheEastern(orleft)sideof thechart.PeopleborninthemiddleofthedayhavetheSunnearthetopofthe chart.PeoplebornnearsunsethavetheSunontheWestern(orright)sideofthe chart.PeoplebornnearmidnighthavetheSunnearthebottomofthechart. ThehousetheSunistravelingthroughatyourbirthshowsthedepartmentofyour lifethathasspecialimportance.Itsyourplacetoshine,togetrecognition,tobe creative.Itswhereyouputyourheart.

Signs&Seasons
Thesignsofthezodiacare30degreesegmentsofthesky.About4,000yearsago, springbeganwhentheSunappearedtoentertheconstellationoftheRam,Aries, andtheseasonswerelinedupwiththeactualzodiacconstellations.Thatsaround thetimeoftheriseofastrologyinGreece,thesystemthatspawnedmostmodern astrology.BUTspringbeginsasmidgenearliereachyear,andoverthecourseof 2,600years,itmovesthroughanentireconstellation,circlingthezodiacin26,500 years.ThisiscalledtheprecessionoftheequinoxesandaccountsfortheGreat Ages,whichmovebackwardsthroughthezodiac.Withinthenext300years,wewill leavetheAgeofPiscesandentertheAgeofAquarius.TheseGreatAgesareassoci atedwithculturaldevelopmentsinthehumanrace. ModernWestern astrologycountsthe firstdayofspringas thefirstdegreeof Aries,andbegins theastrologicalyear there,basingits referencepointon theseasons. Thisiscalled tropicalastrology, Spring relatedtowhenthe Sunsrayspassover theequator(atthe equinoxes)andthe TropicsofCancer andCapricornatthe solstices. Inachart,welineupthesigns ofthezodiacwiththehouses counterclockwise,beginning withtheRisingSign,also calledtheAscendantatthe 1stHouse.Thesignsalways followeachotherinthisorder.

Winter Capri Sagit corn tarius Aquarius Pisces Aries Taurus GeminiCancer Summer
Thiswouldbetheorderofthesignsinthehouses forsomeonebornwithAriesRising.Thisisalsothe patterncalledtheNaturalZodiac,becauseitlines upthefirstsignofspringwiththe1sthouse.

Scorpio Libra Autumn Virgo

Leo

InIndia(primarily)andelsewhere,someastrologersmeasuretheSunsmovement throughtheconstellationsonly,ignoringtheseasonsandthePrecessionofthe Equinoxes,inatypeofastrologycalledsidereal(sighdeerreeuhl).Thiswordhasa rootthatmeansstars,whichyouseeinconsider,whichmeanstoconsultthestars.The firstdegreeofAriesdoesnothaveequaldayandequalnightinthissystem,andyourSun Signcouldbeinthesignbeforeyourtropical(orregularWestern)SunSign!

TheSignsandtheirTraits
Wegroupthesignstwoways:intoElementsandModes(alsocalledQualities).There are4Elements(3signsineach)and3Modes(4signsineach),foratotalof12 signs.EachsignisauniquecombinationofElementandMode.Thetraitsofthese categoriesgivesomehintsastothenatureofthesigns.Eachsignhasamultitudeof associations,includingcolors,gems,plants,arulingplanetandahomehouse.
TheModes () and(below) The Elements

Cardinal
usherinthe seasonsmeet situationheadon, DOsomething aboutit

Fixed
middleofseason consolidate,pre serve,standones ground,lotsof inertia

Mutable
endoftheseasons flexible,adjustor refine,respond, weave,dodge,go withtheflow

Fire
very energetic, enthusiastic, inspiring, impulsive

Aries
vital,aggressive, courageous,com petitive,confidant, outgoing,energetic, impulsive,bold

Leo
creative,dramatic, affectionate,cour ageous,generous, dictatorial,willful, egocentric

Sagittarius
free,idealistic,philo sophical,cheerful, honest,optimistic, frank,exaggerative, restless,scattered

Earth
practical, utilitarian, materialistic, conservative, sensual

Capricorn
ambitious,respon sible,prudent, economical,effici ent,disciplined, dependable,insen sitive,pessimistic

Taurus
stable,steadfast, practical,cautious, productive,con sistent,protective, possessive, jealous,slowtoact

Virgo
critical,discrimina ting,modest,precise, discreet,inhibited, fastidious,worri some,service oriented

Air
communica tive,social, idealistic/ abstract, mental

Libra
diplomatic,partner &otheroriented, peaceful,fair, balanced, aesthetic,flirtatious, indecisive,gullible

Aquarius
Independent, original,unusual, humanitarian, inventive,imper sonal,detached, rebellious

Gemini
communicative, adaptable,social, friendly,lively, intellectual,inquisi tive,scattered, superficial

Water
emotional, nurturing, responsive, sympathetic, psychic

Cancer
maternal,nurturing, sympathetic, sensitive,protec tivetenacious, domestic,impres sionable,acollector

Scorpio
magnetic,powerful, intense,persever ing,suspicious, passionate,secre tive,resentful,sex ual,domineering

Pisces
responsive,sent mental,sympathetic, unselfish,psychic, vague,escapist, immitative,shifting

TheFireandAirsignsaresaidtobeoftheMasculinepolarity(outgoing,proactive, assertive,extroverted,yang),whiletheEarthandWatersignsareoftheFeminine polarity(receptive,passive,introverted,yin).

ThePlanets
Herearesomeofthemanyassociationsfortheplanetsinoursolarsystem.Weare concernedhereprimarilywiththeSunandMoon,buttherulingplanetsofyourSun, MoonandRisingsignswillhaveanimpactonyou.Checktheirsignsandhouses. Planet Sun OrbitTime 1year Associations(someofthemany!) PersonalPlanets theneedforattention,toshine,tocreate,tobeanindividual theego,willpower,heartchakra,personalidentity,creative power,vitality,theFather(yang),theboss,theKingthe Sunistheheartofthechart,withitssignandhousebeing themostimportant thedrivetonurtureandbenurtured,tobond,tonesthome, family,tribe,community,culture,responses,habitpatterns, feelings,receptivity,sensitivity,theMother(yin)theMoonis secondonlytotheSuninimportanceitssignandhouse showwherewewanttobeconnectedandsecure theurgetocommunicatetherationalmindandthinking processes,allformsofcommunications,verbalization,lower education,shortdistancetravel,transportation thedesiretorelate,tolove,toteamupaffections,attraction, artsiness,desireforbeauty,balance&harmony(anima) thedrivetosurvive,tocompeteandwinaggressiveness, assertiveness,initiative,independence,pioneering(animus)

Moon

1month

Mercury 1/3ofa year Venus Mars 15/8years 2years

Jupiter

Saturn Chiron
(asteroid)

Sociocultural,GenerationalPlanets 12years theurgetogrowandexpandphilosophy,theHigherMind, highereducation,longdistancetravelorcommunications, foreigners 2930years thedrivetoconsolidate,define,restrictorsetboundaries structure,limits,responsibility,organization,authority 51years theabilitytothinkoutsidetheboxmaverick,cleansingand healing,gurutypeteacher,innovation,thewoundedhealer TranscendentalPlanets thedesiretomarchtoonesowndrummer,toexperimentand inventtheunusualorunexpected,uniqueness,revolution theurgetotranscendlimitsimagination,psychicsensitivity, connectiontotheALL,nebulousness,confusion,doubt,fears thedrivetotransformation,release,renewmetamorphosis, deathandrebirth,sharedresources,afterlifeandthespirit world,psychology,parapsychology,sex,regeneration

Uranus

84years

Neptune 164years Pluto 265years

HouseAssociations
EachhousehasaplanetandsignassociatedwithitaccordingtotheNaturalZodiac. Inanindividualschart,thereisusuallyanothersignanditsrulingplanetassociatedwith eachhouse,asdeterminedbytherisingsignandtheorderofthesignsaroundthechart. [IFAriesisrising,thentheNaturalZodiacassociationsarethepersonalassociations.]
House AssociatedLifeCircumstances 1 HouseofSelfeasiestnaturalexpression,personality,outlook onlife,yourmask(persona),build,health,appearance,vitality, individuality,outwardbehavior,selfawareness,selfconcern Possessions,values,resources,personalfinancialsecurity, spendingcapacity,howyoumakeyourmoneyandmeetobliga tions,useofmaterial/nonmaterialresources,senseofselfworth Consciousmind,communications,nearenvironment,shortjour neys,closerelatives,earlyeducationandhowyoulearn,intel lectualactivities,selfexpression,groundtransportation,siblings Roots,home,parents(particularlymother),heredity,traditions, deepestemotionalbase,subconscious,place(s)ofresidence, realestate,property,conditionsinearlyandlatelife Creativity,personalselfexpression,pleasures,objectsof affection(children,pets,lovers),vacations,hobbies,games, speculation,talents,needtodisplaypowerorreceiveattention Work,employment,attitudestowardservantsorcoworkersor subordinates,workingconditions,selfadjustment,health,diet, hygiene,adaptationtoenvironment,service,duties,dailytasks Partnership(s),relationship(s),closeassociates,cooperative ness,concernforothers,peers,openenemies,contracts,close associates,maritalpartnerormate,negotiations,lowercourts Birth,death,reproduction,regeneration,transformation,other peoplesmoney(credit,tax,insurance,jointfinances,invest ments),bigbusiness,sex,interestinoccult/spirituality/rituals Foreignenvironmentsandlanguages,longjourneys,supercon scious,philosophy,religion,deepstudies,highereducation, ethics,highcourts,publishing,inlaws,goingbeyondhorizons Publicstanding,reputation,worldlyattainment,ambition,pro fession,career,status,responsibilities,authority,father,guardian Hopesandwishes,goals,ideals,humanitarianism,associates, acquaintances,groups,friends,businesscontacts Sign,Planet Aries,Mars

Taurus, Venus Gemini, Mercury Cancer, Moon Leo,Sun

Virgo, Mercury Libra,Venus

Scorpio, Pluto Sagittarius, Jupiter Capricorn, Saturn Aquarius, Uranus

10 11 12

Subconscious,sleep,unseenorhiddencausesorlimitations, Pisces, secrets,fears,suppressedthings,needforwithdrawalorprivacy, Neptune hiddenenemies,ghosts,confinement,capacitytogobeyond oneself,HouseofSelfUndoing,HouseofHiddenTreasures

YourMostImportantSigns
SunSign Fromyourmonthofbirth:thesigntheSunwasinatthetimeofyearyou wereborn.Thisisthesignmostpeoplejustcalltheirsign.Itshowsyour purposeandidentityinthislifeandindicateshowyouwanttoshine.Ifyou werebornonadaynearwhentheSunchangedsigns(cusp),youareone ortheother,notablend.Thedayofthechangecanvaryalittlebecause ofLeapYear,whenwestickanextradayintothecalendar,shiftingthe day/signlineup.

MoonSign Fromyourdayofbirth:thesigntheMoonwasinatthetimeofyourbirth. TheMoonchangessignsevery23days.Peoplewiththesamebirthday asyouwillhavethesameSunSignbutiftheyareborninadifferentyear thanyou,theywillhaveadifferentMoonSign.TheMoonSignshowsyour emotionalnatureandresponses,habitpatterns,andinnerchild.Within thetimeframeofeachSunsign(30days),theMoongoesthroughallthe signs,soyoucouldhaveanysignfortheMoon. RisingSign Fromyourminuteofbirth:thesignrisingupovertheEasternhorizonat thetimeofyourbirthfromtheviewpointofyourbirth.Thisislikeyour lensonlifeandcolorshowyouseetheworld.Itsalsoyourmaskthat youpresenttotheoutsideworld,yourobviousouterpersonality.Each signrisesforabout2hourseachday,soyoucouldhaveanysignRising.

OtherFactorsThatCanStronglyAffectYourPersonality
ElementsorQualitiesincombination Countthenumberofplanetsineachelement andquality(theyshouldtotal10forthe10planetsdontcounttheRisingSign).Ifthereis awinnerineachcategory,thesignofthatelementandqualityisyoursignsignature andmaybeanimportantsignforyou,evenifitisnotyourSun,MoonorRisingsign. Anexamplewouldbe4planetsinCardinaland5inAir.TheCardinalAirsignisLibra.To getthistypeofaplanetarycount,youwouldprobablyhaveatleastaplanetortwoin Libra,butnotnecessarilyyourSun,MoonorRisingSign. APlanetintheSignItRulesIfaplanetisinthesignitrules,thatgivesitextrastrength anditwilllikelyshowupmoreprominentlyinyourpersonality. PlanetsexchangingRulership,calledMutualReceptionAnexamplewouldbethe SuninVirgo(ruledbyMercury)withMercuryinLeo(ruledbytheSun).Insuchacase,the twosignsinvolvedarebothstrongandactinablendedmanner. AnyPlanetsintheFirstHouseSincetheFirstHouseisthehouseoftheouterperson ality,anyplanetshereespeciallythefirstonetorise(firstgoingcounterclockwise)will stronglyimpactyournature. APlanetAllByItsLonesomeonOneHalfoftheChart(Singleton)drawsextra attentiontoitselfandcanstealtheenergyofthewholechart,dominatingthepersonality.

Resources
RecommendedReading
Somegoodbasicbeginnerbooksthatgobeyondsunsignsare: TheOnlyAstrologyBookYoullEverNeedbyJoannaWoolfolk ParkersAstrologybyDerek&JuliaParker HowtoLearnAstrologybyMarcEdmundJones TheOnlyWayToLearnAstrologyVol.IbyMarionMarchandJoanMcEvers Toseetheastronomyassociatedwithastrology,orderTheAstronomical CompanionbyGuyOttewellfromwww.universalworkshop.com

OntheInternet
Myfavoritesiteiswww.StarIQ.com,whereyoucansignupforfreeemailsthattellyou whenplanetsaredoingthingstoyourchartandwhatitallmeans.Theyalsohavecool articlesonpeopleinthenews,withexplanationsofwhatsgoingonintheircharts. TheMountainAstrologerisagreatmagazine,online:www.mountainastrologer.com Findoutabouttheastronomicalsideofskywatchingatwww.skyandtelescope.com . www.Antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.htmlhasanindexofwonderful astronomicalphotoswiththeirexplanations,containinglotsoflinkstoothergreat pics.Thisisreallymagnificent!Plantostayawhilewhenyouvisit. www.cafeastrology.comisagoodoverallsitefromAustralianastrologerKelliFox. CalculateyourchartforfreeatAstrolabessitewww.alabe.comwithoutbeing pressuredtobuyareport.

LiveandInPerson
IdoreadingsatmyplaceinWestHartfordoroverthephone.Ineithercase,thereading istaperecordedaspartoftheserviceandincludescharts.Ikeepacopyofthechartson fileincaseyoucalllaterwithquestionsorcomebackforanannualcheckup.Iteach classesandworkshopsfromtimetotimeandyoucangetonmymailingoremaillist(s). WereveryluckyinConnecticuttohaveoneofthebestregionalastrologicalgroups inthenation,theAstrologicalSocietyofConnecticut.Iencourageyoutocheckitout. Wemeetonthe3rdThursdayofthemonthfromSept.toMay(2ndinDec.)atthe KeeneyCenter,200MainSt.,Wethersfield.Comeat6PMforanastrologylesson beforethe7PMlecture(costis$15fornonmembers,soitsworthittojoinfor$35 annualdues.CalltheirInfoLine(860)5688617orvisitwww.myasc.org