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Wondering how to embark on your journey into astrology? If you’re intrigued but unsure about where to begin, fear not. Astrology is a captivating language, and even the most seasoned astrologers continue to explore its depths. However, starting with the basics is entirely feasible and here you’ll find all the astrology basics for beginners.
This article serves as your hands-on guide to taking those initial steps in astrology. We will provide you with essential information while encouraging you to ‘play’ along as you read. We’ll also offer suggestions for some interesting books to help you start your journey into astrology.
Contents:
Before beginning: the significance of symbols in Astrology
Before delving deeply into the practical basics of astrology, let’s begin by introducing a fundamental concept: the role of symbols (If you don’t care about this, jump to the next paragraph).
It’s important to acknowledge that astrology is not a science. Instead, it is a discipline which delves into the intricate connections between celestial bodies, time, and events. At its core, astrology communicates through symbols – a language intricately woven into the fabric of the collective unconscious, as described by Jung. This realm of symbolism breathes life into interpretations, turning them into a tangible reality.
Understanding these symbols, comprehending their meanings, and grasping how they are collectively interpreted are fundamental to your astrological journey. In this interactive guide, we’ll explore a plethora of symbols, including those representing the zodiac signs and all the planetary symbols. Each of these symbols conceals a unique and significant meaning.
Knowledge of mythology is both indispensable and captivating. It helps unravel the context in which astrology has evolved, offering insight into the rich history of this discipline. Here at Born Under Saturn, we are devoted to plunging you into the universe of astrology, with forthcoming articles that will explore its history. If you’re keen to learn more, bookmark our website, or follow Born Under Saturn’s Instagram page to stay updated.
Speaking of symbols, a book worth highlighting is The Book of Symbols: Reflections on Archetypal Images. This book combines thought-provoking essays on specific symbols with representative images from across the globe and throughout history. The highly readable texts are complemented by over 800 stunning full-color images, creating a unique tapestry of hidden meanings.
Generating your Birth Chart
Prior to delving into the world of astrology, it is also advisable to calculate your birth chart. You can easily do this using our Born Under Saturn’s Birth Chart Calculator, which not only is free but also boasts a captivating and original graphic. Once you’ve generated your chart, download and save it on your phone – and, for a touch of flair, consider using it as your mobile background.
Note: to accurately calculate your birth chart, you will need to know your birth hour, in addition to the date of birth, and the location of birth.
Even though the symbols and data on a birth chart might appear complex at first, having your birth chart open while reading this article can make the experience more engaging. But, if you’re at the beginning of your astrological journey, keep in mind that comprehensively understanding your birth chart may require additional resources beyond this article.
As you continue reading the article, you’ll need to refer to your birth chart when you encounter the note Hands-on learning. We want to immerse ourselves in astrology through experiential learning!
Getting to know your Zodiacal (or Sun) Sign
Let’s begin with the fundamentals. “What’s your sign?” may seem like a commonplace question, as most of us can readily answer it. However, most people do not know what it actually is and that it holds a deeper significance.
When someone asks what your zodiac sign is they are referring to the position where the Sun was located in the zodiac circle when you were born. To pinpoint your zodiac sign, you’ll need to refer to your birth chart and locate the symbol for the Sun, which is depicted as a circle with a dot in the center: ☉.
Hands-on learning: if you have generated your birth chart, as suggested, it’s time to examine it and find out your zodiac sign. You need to look at the symbol of the Sun (☉) and see which area of the zodiac it occupies. If it is in Libra, then you are a Libra!
Your Sun sign, also known as your zodiac sign, holds a central place in your astrological profile. It serves as a fundamental representation of your core personality and plays a significant role in shaping your astrological identity, including your sense of self and the characteristics that are often linked to individuals born under that particular sign.
The Sun sheds light on your innate talents, abilities, and your general life path. It signifies your willpower and the overarching theme or mission around which you build your life. When people refer to your “zodiac sign”, they usually mean your Sun sign, which gives a broad overview of your basic character.
The 12 zodiac signs: symbols, dates, and more
Now, let’s discover in order all the 12 zodiac signs, the related dates, a short explanation of the traits a person of that sign has, and the ruling planet – we’ll analyze what each planet signifies later in the article.
Aries (March 21 – April 19): Aries individuals are known for their energy, enthusiasm, and determination. They are represented by the Ram ♈ and ruled by Mars.
Taurus (April 20 – May 20): Taureans are known for their stability, practicality, and strong sense of loyalty. They are represented by the Bull ♉ and ruled by Venus.
Gemini (May 21 – June 20): Geminis are known for their adaptability, curiosity, and communication skills. They are represented by the Twins ♊ and ruled by Mercury.
Cancer (June 21 – July 22): Cancerians are known for their nurturing, emotional, and intuitive nature. They are represented by the Crab ♋ and ruled by the Moon.
Leo (July 23 – August 22): Leos are known for their charisma, leadership, and a strong sense of self. They are represented by the Lion ♌ and ruled by the Sun.
Virgo (August 23 – September 22): Virgos are known for their attention to detail, practicality, and analytical abilities. They are represented by the Virgin ♍ and ruled by Mercury.
Libra (September 23 – October 22): Librans are known for their sense of balance, charm, and a love for harmony. They are represented by the Scales ♎ and ruled by Venus.
Scorpio (October 23 – November 21): Scorpios are known for their intensity, passion, and a deep sense of mystery. They are represented by the Scorpion ♏ and traditionally ruled by Mars (modern ruler is Pluto).
Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21): Sagittarians are known for their love of adventure, optimism, and a philosophical outlook. They are represented by the Archer ♐ and ruled by Jupiter.
Capricorn (December 22 – January 19): Capricorns are known for their ambition, determination, and strong work ethic. They are represented by the Goat ♑ and ruled by Saturn.
Aquarius (January 20 – February 18): Aquarians are known for their innovation, independence, and humanitarian spirit. They are represented by the Water Bearer ♒ and traditionally ruled by Saturn (modern ruler is Uranus).
Pisces (February 19 – March 20): Pisceans are known for their compassion, creativity, and a strong connection to the dream world. They are represented by the Fishes ♓ and traditionally ruled by Jupiter (modern ruler is Neptune).
Up to this point, we’ve learned how to recognize your zodiacal sign in the birth chart, and we’ve discovered a wealth of information about each sign. This is undeniably fascinating, but it’s just the first step. Now, let’s delve into another famous element in astrology – an element that many people mention but may not fully understand: the rising sign or ascendant.
Understanding the rising sign (or ascendant): your projection to the world
The rising sign – also known as the ascendant – is another aspect that many people are aware of, often right after identifying their zodiac sign. This is for good reason, as the rising sign plays a pivotal role in shaping the image you present to the world. It provides valuable insights into how you express yourself, how others see you, and how you interact with the world and the people.
To locate your rising sign within your birth chart, it’s a relatively straightforward process. Your rising or ascendant sign is determined by the zodiac sign that was ascending on the eastern horizon at the exact moment of your birth.
Hands-on learning: open your birth chart and locate the number 1 (representing the first house, we’ll discuss the houses later). Once found, look for the segment marked as the first house and find the word “ASC”. Your ascendant is right there. Now, take note of the zodiac sign symbol located next to the abbreviation “ASC”: that’s your rising sign!
What the Planets mean and their influences
If you’re at the beginning of your journey into astrology, terms like “Mars in Pisces in March 2024” or “Mercury retrograde” might feel like a foreign language. Before diving into answering these more complex questions, it’s crucial to take a step back and grasp the basics: understanding the meanings and influences of each planet.
In astrology, the Sun, the Moon, and all the other planets symbolize various facets of your personality and express their energies through the zodiac signs they inhabit in your birth chart. To help you get started, here’s a fundamental overview of what each planet symbolizes, along with their symbols.
Hands-on learning: before reading the planet’s overview, open your birth chart and practice locating the planets. While you may not fully understand the meaning associated with their positions until you learn more about the houses, it can be enjoyable and educational to search for the planet symbols. This simple exercise is a fun way to become familiar with the planet symbols and start memorizing them.
Sun (☉): Represents your core identity, ego, and life purpose. It symbolizes your individuality and the way you express yourself.
Moon (☽): Governs your emotions, intuition, and instincts. It reflects your inner emotional world, moods, and subconscious patterns.
Mercury (☿): The planet of communication and intellect. It influences how you think, process information, and express yourself verbally.
Venus (♀): The planet of love and beauty. It governs relationships, romance, aesthetics, and your values related to pleasure and harmony.
Mars (♂): Represents energy, action, desire, and assertiveness. It guides your drive, motivation, and how you go after what you want.
Jupiter (♃): The planet of expansion, abundance, and growth. It signifies luck, optimism, and opportunities for personal and spiritual development.
Saturn (♄): Governs responsibility, discipline, and structure. It reflects your limitations, challenges, and the need for self-control.
Uranus (♅): The planet of change and innovation. It represents individuality, originality, and unconventional thinking.
Neptune (♆): The planet of dreams, intuition, and spirituality. It influences creativity, mysticism, and the ethereal realms.
Pluto (♇): The planet of transformation, power, and regeneration. It signifies deep personal changes, rebirth, and the uncovering of hidden truths.
The crucial role of Birth Charts and the Twelve Houses
Understanding your zodiac sign and ascendant is indeed crucial, but it’s merely the inception of a much more intricate astrological journey. In the realm of astrology, a true astrologer would never rely solely on these factors. What takes precedence is the comprehensive snapshot of the celestial heavens at the precise moment of your birth – the birth or natal chart.
The birth chart is a representation that delves far deeper into the intricacies of your astrological profile. It offers a vastly more complex and complete perspective of your unique cosmic makeup. It serves as a celestial map, highlighting the positions of the planets and luminaries within the twelve astrological houses.
To achieve a comprehensive grasp of the birth chart, it’s essential to comprehend the elements we’ve covered thus far: the zodiac signs and planets, along with their significance. Yet, there’s another layer to this cosmic puzzle – the twelve houses, each holding its unique cosmic story.
To review what you’ve learned so far in the article, delve deeper into the twelve houses, and learn how to interpret a birth chart. Download our PDF guide How to Read a Birth Chart, which you can preview below. We expect it will spark your passion and further nourish your wonderful obsession with astrology.
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Moreover, if you’re still yearning for more, here’s a gem: The Complete Guide to Astrology. This captivating book is a stellar companion for beginners, offering a delightful exploration of the fundamental elements – signs, modalities, and houses. Immerse yourself in its pages, where the art of structuring, interpreting, and peering into your birth chart comes alive. This guide extends beyond, providing detailed charts that illuminate the path to unlocking your highest potential, both in the realms of work and relationships.
The zodiac circle
Hands-on learning: as you gaze upon your birth chart, a meticulous and symmetrical structure reveals itself – that is the zodiacal circle. In the lines that follow, we’ll unravel the meanings behind these celestial terms. But, for now, direct your attention to four distinct divisions, each marked with the symbols AC, DC, MC, and IC.
The zodiac circle in astrology is a 360-degree wheel divided into 12 equal segments, each representing a zodiac sign. These divisions are like slices of a pie, and each slice offers specific insights into various aspects of human life, such as personality, emotions, and destiny. The reason the circle is divided this way is to create a systematic framework that astrologers can use to interpret the positions of celestial bodies at the time of one’s birth.
Understanding the division of the zodiac circle is important because it offers a structured way to analyze the complexities of human nature and the world around us. Each of the four angles – Ascendant, Descendant, Midheaven, and Imum Coeli – marks critical points in the circle and serves as a cornerstone for interpreting the rest of the chart. These angles help you understand not just who you are, but also how you interact with the world and people around you, and what internal and external factors influence your life journey.
Understanding the four angles provides a comprehensive view of a person’s life. While we have already discussed the ascendant in the previous paragraph, let’s review the concept and delve into the other angles. The Ascendant and Descendant deal primarily with your interactions in the world, from first impressions to deeper relationships. Meanwhile, the Midheaven and Imum Coeli provide insight into your public and private life, your ambitions, and emotional grounding, respectively.
Here is a brief description of each of these four angles:
- Ascendant (Rising Sign). This is the zodiac sign that was rising on the eastern horizon at the time of your birth. As we said before, it represents your outward behavior, first impressions, and initial reactions to things. It’s like the “mask” you wear in public.
- Descendant. Opposite to the Ascendant, this is the sign setting on the western horizon at your birth time. It signifies your relationships, partnerships, and what you’re drawn to in others.
- Midheaven (Medium Coeli, MC). This is the highest point in the chart, representing your career, public life, and ambitions. It’s a strong indicator of how you are seen in the world, particularly in professional settings.
- Imum Coeli (IC), also known as the Nadir. This is the lowest point in the chart, directly opposite the Midheaven. It signifies your roots, home life, and internal emotional world.
In this article, we’ve explored a lot about astrology, starting from the basics and gradually delving deeper. However, by examining your birth chart, you’ll notice there are many other elements we have yet to explore.
As we said before, if you’d like to save and review what we’ve discussed in this article and take it a step further, we highly recommend diving into our Step-by-Step guide titled ‘How to Read Your Birth Chart’. In this guide, we cover essential concepts such as signs, houses, and planets. But we don’t stop there; we delve deeper into the meaning of aspects, exploring both the positive ones – like sextiles and trines – and the challenging ones – like squares and oppositions. Additionally, we provide recommendations for must-have books to further your understanding of your birth chart and astrology.
If your curiosity has no limits, go on reading 9 astrology common mistakes many beginners make.
