Dear friends,
Read this articles and ask me that what you feel.
There are many misconceptions regarding astrology. For instance, the horoscopes listed in the daily newspapers are only based on the sign position of the Sun, whereas full natal astrology takes many more things into account. The application of astrology to people can be approached as a study of individuality, from either a psychological perspective or on a predictive, event-based level.
The main concepts to understand in astrology are the Planets, Signs, Houses and the relationships between them, which are called Aspects. From an astrological point of view, each person's unique individuality is based on the endless variations of these four components. Actually, astrology is a scientific study of individuality, and the astrological chart provides a very precise picture of the unique way each person is "wired." In fact, due to the varying speed of each planet's orbit around the Sun, a person's birth chart is not duplicated for more than 25,000 years!
The energies that were active in the atmosphere at the exact moment of your birth were stamped on the cellular level of your very being and remain a part of you during this lifetime. Your birthchart is actually a schematic: a graph that shows this "inner wiring" you were born with, but what you do with that wiring is up to you.
Astrology is a tool to gain objective awareness of your own patterns of behavior. We all have tendencies that lead to inappropriate actions and feelings of isolation and unhappiness. The trick is to discover our own "glitches" and empower ourselves to avoid them. With this objective knowledge we can choose to make adjustments that result in our life operating more smoothly.
Astrology itself is not "spiritual," yet it can be an effective tool for opening the way to accessing our spirituality. By understanding our psychological wiring (as objectively pictured in the astrology chart) we can accept and work with ourselves with more understanding and detachment. This calms the turmoil of the inner personality and allows our innate spiritual nature to emerge. And by understanding the psychological wiring of others through their astrological charts, we can more easily accept their unique differences without taking it so personally; we can learn to enjoy the variety rather than seeking to change others into an extension of ourselves. So although astrology itself is not spiritual, it can lead to important spiritual experiences, such as unconditional loving acceptance of ourselves and others.
In learning to use astrology in your life, it is essential to gain some understanding of the four most important components of any birth chart: the Planets, Signs, Houses and Aspects. What follows is some basic information you will need in order to interpret and use your chart. Having your chart handy as you read this information will allow you to begin to tune-in to what the combinations of planet, sign and house feel like in your own chart, and this is a great way to begin to understand how astrology works.
THE PLANETS: Show the universal URGES we all need to experience and express on planet Earth. (For example, the planet VENUS represents the universal desire to love and be loved).
THE SIGNS: Show the individual STYLE with which we express these urges. (For example, VENUS in ARIES would indicate that the person's love nature is feisty , enjoys conquest or fiery interchange, is impulsive, ardent, and enjoys new beginnings.)
THE HOUSES: Show the ARENA in which each urge can best be activated and satisfied. (For example, VENUS in the 11th House means that friendship and group activities are the elements that best stimulate and satisfy the urge to love and be loved).
THE ASPECTS: Show the mathematical, energetic relationship between the urges. (For example, a square' is an energetic relationship of inner conflict. If VENUS squares MARS in a person's chart they will experience conflict between love and sex: they may feel that can't be in love with someone they are attracted to sexually).
Astrology is an objective study of the individual. Individuality, from an astrological point of view, is the expression of urges we all feel in common (the Planets), filtered through a unique style or temperament (the Signs), activated by an arena of life that is important to us (the Houses).
Personal identity is further defined by the way the urges within us are interacting (the Aspects). Character - our values - is the way we USE the map of individuality depicted by the birth chart.
The PLANETS: the different URGES within us
The PLANETS in the astrology chart represent the different KINGDOMS within each of us... the URGES that we all feel in common. For example, all of us feel the urge for love (Venus), for security (Moon), for understanding (Mercury). The URGES, shown by the planets, are common to all of humankind.
The SIGNS: the STYLE of expression
Each of the Planets is in a SIGN... and the sign shows the spirit or filter through which the planet expresses. For example, the planet VENUS is the urge to love and be loved.
When VENUS is located in the SIGN of LEO... the desire for love will be dramatic, glamorous, full of fun and play and gift giving (Leo style). If Venus is in PISCES... the style of sharing love will be poetic, non-judgmental, quiet, accepting, understanding and supportive (Pisces style).
The HOUSES: the ARENA in which our urges are activated
Each of the Planets is located in a HOUSE... and the house shows the arena of life that stimulates the planet to express itself. The 2nd House rules money so any planet located in the 2nd House is activated by the thought of making money.
For example, the planet MARS rules action and initiative. When Mars is located in the 2nd House, the idea of making money naturally motivates the person to get into action.
The ASPECTS: the energetic RELATIONSHIP between planets
The planetary urges connect differently within each individual and the nature of that connection - friendly or unfriendly - is shown by the “aspect” (or number of degrees of separation) between the two planets.
For example, if a person’s Moon is square (an “aspect” of conflict) their Sun, their urge for security (Moon) is in conflict with their creative self-expression (Sun).
Is it Astrology practical?
It is not necessary to have a belief in astrology in order for it to be of value to you. Astrology, if explored from a psychological or scientific level, has nothing to do with belief.
It's practical. It has to do with gaining knowledge and doing experiments. Are the psychological profiles offered by astrology useful tools of self-knowledge for you? Are the timing predictions astrology can make (when based on your full birth chart) helpful in using your time more effectively?
In evaluating the truth of the material presented, it is important to listen to your own inner knowing and past experiences. Regardless of what others may think, only you know the nature of your own internal battles.
COMPASSION THROUGH KNOWLEDGE
When astrology is approached from a level of true open-minded understanding, it leads directly to unconditional love. When you fully understand a person's inner mechanics and where their "glitches" are, how can you be angry with them?
We are all doing the best we can with the light we have and seeking to overcome our imperfections. Why? Because it's practical. The glitches get in the way of getting what we want. We are all in this together.
Sun sign astrology, such as the horoscopes covered in daily newspapers and magazines, are predictions that take into account only the sign position of the Sun. Full natal astrology takes into account the sign positions of ten planets (the Sun and Moon are considered planets in this context, as the galaxy is seen from the point of view of its effect on the Earth), the axis that was active when the individual was born, and several other points: the Nodes, Eclipses, and so on.
In fact, each of us is entirely unique; a birth chart isn't duplicated for 25,000 years because all the planets are traveling at different speeds around the Sun.
In the moment you took your first breath, all of humankind -- all the people alive at that time -- passed through that moment with you. Everyone did the best they could to make the moment joyful for themselves, but then the next moment came along and humankind had to handle it -- and the next moment and the next, on into the current moment.
But the moment when you were born was stamped on the cellular level of your very being, and it remains a part of you.
With that connection, you took charge of purifying that moment for everyone else on the planet, and you alone have the power to perfect the moment of your own birth. It's as though you took that sliver of time, slowed it down, and stretched it out to last an entire incarnation.
As you begin to work with that moment, taking parts of your "wiring" that aren't working too well and adjusting them -- thus creating happiness, laughter, and joy in your own life -- the positive energy of these changes affects everyone else.
Through your own personal life you are essentially altering a moment that occurred in the past, and when you change the past, it changes the present for everyone. I've heard many spiritual teachers say that the best we can do for others is to work on ourselves. We are all interconnected on the deepest level -- we're One.
INTERNAL WIRING
The astrology chart itself is actually a schematic: a graph that shows people's "inner wiring". The wiring in each of us is different. It's not "good" or "bad", it's just wired the way it's wired.
Your birth chart provides a picture of the inner wiring you were born with, but what you do with that wiring is up to you.
When you can objectively see the patterns of your own behaviour, you can make adjustments for more efficient results and better performance. When any miswiring is corrected, the result is a more smoothly operating life (first internally, and then externally).
By having a clear picture of your inner wiring, you can become aware of the built-in "glitches", and you can choose not to continue behaviours that aren't working for you.
For example, if a person knew objectively (from seeing the graph of their birth chart) that they had a tendency to assume they already know the answers to everything, and thus become impatient and display a self-righteous attitude that isolates them from others (as would be the case if they had the North Node in Gemini or in the 3rd House), knowing about this tendency would allow him or her to consciously take more time to respectfully receive the factual input of others before venturing his or her own opinion. That single adjustment would make a major difference in the person's social interactions.
We all have tendencies that lead to inappropriate behaviour and feelings of isolation and unhappiness. The trick is to discover our own glitches and empower ourselves to avoid them.
With this objective knowledge, we are no longer operating in the dark, not understanding why life keeps giving us feedback that makes us unhappy. Life is too short to walk around blindfolded.
You are not just the sum total of your chart. The chart is a picture of your personality structure, but you are the factor that lies behind the chart and have the power to use the personality (the energies depicted in your birth chart) in any manner you choose.
Whether you allow the personality to operate unconsciously, or you take charge and purify the energy so that life flows to your advantage, is up to you.
PLANETS: the different URGES within us
There are ten primary planets in Astrology:
the SUN, the MOON, MERCURY, VENUS, MARS, JUPITER, SATURN, URANUS, NEPTUNE and PLUTO. In addition to the planets, there are three very important placements that most astrologers use: the North Node of the Moon, the South Node of the Moon and Chiron.
In astrology, the Sun and Moon are called planets and the Earth is not mentioned, because the heavenly bodies are viewed from the position of the Earth. Astrology studies how the heavenly bodies affect the Earth, and how they influence living beings.
THE PERSONAL PLANETS:
THE SUN, THE MOON, MERCURY, VENUS and MARS
The PERSONAL PLANETS show those universal human urges within us that demand activation, experience and personal satisfaction. In spite of varying levels of financial, cultural, educational or spiritual sophistication, we all share these same five basic psychological yearnings.
Regardless of how big one’s world is - focused solely on oneself, revolving around a single family group, involved in local activities, or a public figure having much influence in the world - each of us is prompted by the desire to experience and satisfy these same five longings. Just as we all need to breathe, eat and sleep, we also share these basic mortal urges in common with all of humankind.
The SUN
The urge to create, to express ourselves, to shine, to be the leader. Masculine (the Creator).
The MOON
The urge to feel secure, to be vulnerable, to care and be cared about in a safe environment. Moods. Feminine (the Mother).
MERCURY
The urge to think, to communicate, to connect with others consciously/
mentally. Androgenous (Male in the desire to connect, Female in the desire to receive information).
VENUS
The urge to love and be loved in return. Feminine (the Lover/Concubine).
MARS
The urge to initiate, activity, sex. Masculine (the Warrior).
THE SOCIAL PLANETS:
JUPITER AND SATURN
JUPITER and SATURN represent those connecting points between the Personal Planets and the Trans personal Planets. They embody our desire to venture beyond the boundaries of a solely subjective, personal experience and seek to join with a greater whole.
It is usually when there has been a disruption or lack of satisfaction in the fulfillment of the personal urges that these social urges become activated. This is what motivates us to take the first step and learn to participate constructively with people and groups beyond our own immediate family. Pursuing these social urges and coming to view our lives in a larger context is what allows us to stabilize the personal urges and to gracefully experience the disappointments that are inevitable within the personal sphere.
Some of us experience these urges more strongly than others, and so feel more attracted to culture, art, public service and high ideals. If embraced on the highest level, fulfilling these urges gives us the dual satisfaction of making a contribution to others and growing more powerful and confident in our own lives.
If resisted, these urges can fuel the feeling that we have no control over our lives, “good luck” coming to us one day and “bad luck” the next. Constructively encompassing these urges in our lives gives us a certain equanimity in dealing with the daily ups and downs because it places our lives within the context of a larger framework than just that of the personal urges.
JUPITER
The urge for expansion, trust in positive outcomes. Feminine (the Gatherer).
SATURN
The urge for certainty, to build - through conscious understanding - a reliable structure. Masculine (the Achiever).
THE TRANSPERSONAL PLANETS:
URANUS, NEPTUNE and PLUTO
The Transpersonal Planets depict the route to evolutionary expansion in our charts. They represent those urges that can permanently fulfill that which we all ultimately seek: total knowledge (URANUS), unending bliss (NEPTUNE), and full awareness of our personal power (PLUTO).
When experience has taught us that we cannot count on others to satisfy our Personal Urges, or rely on our position or social participation to bring us lasting satisfaction and peace of mind, we begin to look for a higher answer that will enable us to fully enjoy life without feeling victimized by emotional trauma and unexpected upsets. The Transpersonal Planets prod us to grow even beyond the boundaries of social awareness to participation with humankind as a whole as part of the Universal plan.
These urges from the Transpersonal Planets are always activated whether we are consciously exploring them or not. When operating unconsciously, URANUS becomes destructive, erratic reactions, NEPTUNE becomes deception, and PLUTO becomes the abuse of power.
Not everyone deliberately embraces the transpersonal urges, yet their attraction is universal. Many seek to alter consciousness through the use of drugs and alcohol, or engage in other addictive behaviors to gain these states, even temporarily and on a partial level.
On a permanent basis, these states of consciousness are under the guardianship of the Transpersonal Planets, and can be permanently integrated only by our willingness to pass the tests required by each planet and earn the resulting privilege that it yields.
These tests require our conscious intention to grow beyond our personal limits, inhibitions and separative egos. If we choose to explore these urges we can gain a permanent footing in the eye of the hurricane; chaos can be happening all around us and we will stay centered in the calm peacefulness of our own hearts and minds, and our awareness of our connection to the Universe.
If we resist the challenge to claim these parts of ourselves, when the unexamined energies of these planets are activated by external circumstances, we feel totally out of control and are often forced to change and grow through the stimulation supplied by seemingly negative events.
URANUS
The urge for increased aliveness, excitement, change, freedom from predictability. Masculine (the Rebel).
NEPTUNE
The urge to merge, to experience on-going bliss and well being, euphoria, unconditional love and Oneness. Feminine (the Chameleon, the Dissolver).
PLUTO
The urge for transformation, to release oppression and fear, to change for the sake of gaining personal empowerment, out with the old/ in with the new, caterpillar to butterfly. Life changing. Androgenous (Male in initiating a death-taking risk, Female in the willingness to accept total surrender).
YOUR ASCENDANT (OR“RISING SIGN”)
Although the Ascendant is not a “planet”it is a vitally important point to consider when interpreting the birth chart. The Ascendant (or Rising Sign) shows the gateway between all that you are inside and all that is occurring outside of you.
It’s your physical body- your connection point with the world. Everything that you are inside - your hopes and dreams, your social style, your needs, are communicated to the world outside of you through the filter of the sign on your Ascendant. Its your personality and way of presenting yourself to the world.
Conversely, the world is reflected and interpreted back to you through the filter of your Ascendant. For example, if your Ascendant is in the sign of Leo, you will EXPRESS your needs and ideas in a Leo style: with enthusiasm, self-confidence and strength. You will INTERPRET the world through Leo needs: is the outer world giving you the feedback that they like you, they will be loyal to you, they approve of you?
The Rising Sign is the filter through which we interact with the world outside of our own body. Whatever sign rules your Ascendant is the style of the natural filter between you and the ever changing environment.
Lakshmie.
