Astrology

At the moment we are born, the alignment of our solar system forges something essential in the shape of our nature. The sun, moon and planets generate influential energies from different places in our seasonal cycle, at different angles in our sky, combining to create tides of life on this planet.

Solar System

The sun is our vitality. The moon is our sensitivity. The planets orbit at various rates and harmonize like the parts of an atom, like a musical chord in three octaves. The inner set is close and quick: expressive Mars, receptive Venus and electric Mercury. The outer set is slow and heavy: deep expressive Pluto, deep receptive Neptune and deep electric Uranus. In the middle, Jupiter is expansive and Saturn is centering. Our planet, Terra, is at the balance point, holding a water atmosphere and growing life within it.

Zodiac
The seasonal cycle is a roller coaster, longest day in the north on top, shortest day on bottom, energy building and releasing. Twelve months of elemental process—heating and cooling, moistening and drying—named for the star constellations they were lined up with two thousand years ago. Fire signs emphasize passion, air signs awareness, water signs emotion, earth signs matter. First signs of seasons are initiating, peak signs concentrating, last signs resolving. Each sign is divided into thirty degrees.

Aspects
As members of our solar system line up with each other (conjunct) or a third of the sky separate (trine)—in the same element—they lean together, blending. As they line up across from each other (opposed) or a quarter separate (square)—the same time of season—they pull apart, tensing. One sixth of the sky, two signs separate (sextile), is harmony between opposite elements. Approaching exact aspect the energy builds. Separating, it releases. From our vantage point planets sometimes appear to backtrack (retrograde). At those times their influence is internalizing. The combination of forces at birth defines inherent nature. Relationships with future positions (transits) or between individuals show dynamic tendencies.

Houses
As our planet turns, the seasonal cycle actually appears reversed, tilted and rotated around us. Our view is divided into twelve sections, related to the months of the seasons, representing areas of life. They are colored by whatever passes through them.

An astrology chart shows the sun, moon and planets moving counter-clockwise through the seasonal cycle while it rotates clockwise through the houses of life. The sign rising is our outlook, our approach to the world. The sign setting is our support. The midheaven is our inspiration, leading us forward. The midground is our root. Our moon’s orbit is tilted, and rotates every eighteen years. Where it crosses above the sun’s path, its north node, is our spiritual orientation. Chiron orbits between the middle and outer planets every forty-nine years and represents healing. A transit chart adds the planet positions of another time to the outside of a birth chart, indicating their interactive influence. A relationship chart adds the planets of another individual. With an astrological calendar and daily ephemeris (planet position table) we can follow the seasonal tides and watch the planets move through a chart.

Astrology is the observation of how the solar system aligns in our sky and the apparent consequences for life on this planet. While some study it to predict the future or give advice, it’s most helpful as a look at the way things are, a reinforcing reflection of underlying nature, where resistance creates distortion but acceptance allows perfection.