Beginner Introduction to Astrology

We start with an exploration of the different types of astrology available for people to investigate and work with.

Natal Astrology: A western form of astrology that creates a psychological personality profile based on a person’s time, location, and date of birth. It is by far the most popular form of astrology in our western world. Natal charts are also combined with other types of astrology because it is said to be a roadmap or snapshot of a person’s soul.

Transits: Transits indicate where the planets are for the current or future date and time. Transits are most often used to make predictions about a person’s future. Transits are lined up with a person’s natal chart to help make these predictions.

Progressions: A progression is how a natal chart changes over time. The natal chart is a snapshot of the sky where all the planets were at the time of birth. A progression shows how those plants have changed and evolved since the person’s inception.

Medical: In medical astrology, the natal chart is used in combination with the transits to both make predictions about health and identify underlying health problems and provide insights into the possible cures for those problems. The practice of medical astrology is illegal in the United States unless done in combination with a medical professional.

Horary: This type of astrology creates a chart for the date, time, and location that a question is asked. The chart is then interpreted to provide an answer to that question.

Synastry: This is a type of astrology in which two natal charts are compared. It is used to determine how two people influence or affect each other. It is the most common in relationship astrology, where one person’s good and bad traits are compared. This shows how well two people get along, what their hang-ups are, and the best practices for making the most of the relationship.

Composite: A composite chart is also used in relationship astrology. This time two natal charts are combined (not compared) to create one chart. That chart is said to be the chart of the relationship itself. It tells an astrologer how the couple acts when together and how the world sees them.

It’s important to note that most relationship astrologers will create a natal chart for both partners, a synastry chart, and a composite chart. They will use all of them to get insights and pass along advice.

Medieval: In the middle ages, many considered astrology the primary “science.” Almost every noble person had a royal/court astrologer. Medieval astrology was originally very fatalistic, emphasizing that people don’t have free will and certain events are going to happen regardless of whether you want them to or not. It does not use the outer planets of Uranus, Neptune, or Pluto.

Chinese: Uses the date of birth to assign an animal and element type to a person. Both are then used to provide insights into a person’s personality.

Vedic: Mostly found in India, it is very soul-focused and gears more towards predictions than personality analysis.

Many people are hesitant about astrology. Despite this, most people still want to read their horoscope at some point and time. Other people believe the natal horoscope is a way to predict the future. Some people do not think there is any truth in astrology. Some people who don’t believe in astrology still will read about it as a “form of entertainment” or something they can get a good laugh out of.

Having said all this, there are still some people that do believe in astrology! Roughly 29% of American adults in 2018 indicated they strongly believed in astrology and that planets impact how people think and behave.

Around 70 million people worldwide read their horoscope every day, even if they disagree with some aspects of astrology.

The question is, what do you believe?

What is a horoscope? This is what astrologers call the natal chart of a person. As mentioned previously, the natal chart gives you a snapshot of where the stars and planets were for a specific time and location of a person’s birth. It tells an astrologer who that person is, why they are and their solid and weak personality points.

Exactly what you choose to believe is up to you. Still, according to astrologers, even that might be impacted by the stars.

The sun sign is the most mainstream aspect of astrology. Each time you open up a paper and read the horoscope, you read it based on the sun signs.

Astrology is so much more than the sun sign. In fact, every planet has a constellation attached to it, and every person has each of those planets somewhere in their astrological chart. So you might have sun in Scorpio but a moon in Cancer while someone else could have their moon in Capricorn, but their Mars in Sagittarius.
Let’s look at the basics of the sun signs and see what they teach us.

Keep in mind, the sun sign is all about what you are learning in this life, not necessarily who you are. So with that in mind…

Aries: (March 21 to April 19)

Aries is learning to be selfish and idealistic and competitive, and goal-oriented.

The typical Aries is born into a family where their parents expect them to be intelligent, quick, athletic, well-liked – everything the parents couldn’t be. Most often, they learn in their youth that love is conditional – only be earned when they meet certain parental expectations.

 

Taurus: (April 20 to May 20)

Taurus is learning to be slow and methodical and tenacious, and stubborn. They are learning to be organized and to focus on having power.

The typical Taurus is born into a family where their parents give them a lot of “stuff.” Often, this stuff is a trade-off or “payment” for the parents not being around, not showing enough love, etc.

 

Gemini: (May 21 to June 21)

Gemini is learning to communicate either through the written or spoken format. They are learning to be versatile and willing to make sudden changes.

The typical Gemini is born into a family where constant verbal battles occur. As a result, Gemini learns the power of words and communication.

 

Cancer: (June 22st to July 22)

Cancer is learning to be nurturing and supportive of others. They also understand the importance of home and family.

The average Cancer is born into a family that often doesn’t have much. Many Cancers end up being or feeling abandoned by one or both parents. Cancers often regress to childlike tendencies or attempt to be “parental” in most of their relationships with others.

 

Leo: (July 23 to August 22)

Leo is learning to be proud of the self and others, focus on traditions and be leadership-oriented. They are also learning how and when to both give and receive love.

Most Leos are born into a traditional family where both parents are present. The father is the dominant parental figure. I.E., everything revolves around dad, even if he is out of the picture. Many Leos, like Aries, learn that to be loved, they must first have approval. As a result, acceptance becomes a central theme in the lives of most Leos.

 

Virgo: (August 23 to September 22)

Virgo is learning to be critical and service-oriented. They are learning to see and find the weak points of themselves and others.

Virgos tend to be born into dominant female families – where a strong woman is in charge. Most Virgos have to deal with perfectionism at some point in their lives. “Work ethic” is fundamental in many of Virgo’s youths.

 

Libra: (September 23 to October 22)

Libra is learning to be diplomatic and how to relate to other people. They are learning how to resolve opposites and balance their own and the lives of others.

Like Gemini, a mental and verbal battle is usually occurring in the home of the young Libra. They are different from Gemini in that Libra learns to be the go-between and diplomat.

 

Scorpio: (October 23 to November 21)

Scorpio is learning to be obsessive and manipulative. They are learning about control and power and the importance of secrets.

Most Scorpios deal with child abuse (physical, emotional, mental, neglect, or sexual) at some point in their youth. Additionally, Scorpio often ends up being an unwanted child. This can play out in Scorpio being given up for adoption, an “oops” pregnancy, or even a parent or someone in the family telling the Scorpio they wished “you were never born!” It is this background that Scorpio has to survive in that results in them learning and desiring great power, secrecy, and control.

 

Sagittarius: (November 22 to December 21)

Sagittarius is learning to be lazy and fun-loving. They are also learning to dive deep into philosophy and justice issues.

For the typical Sagittarius, the father is the most crucial figure in their life. Still, few Sagittarians know who their father really is. Instead, they only know who they are told or think he is. Most Sagittarians will also experience some form of prejudice in their life in their youth. This can be anything from gender or race to nationality or even physical traits (tall, short, thin, obese, etc.).

 

Capricorn: (December 21 to January 19)

Capricorn is learning to be family-oriented as well as severe and responsible. They understand the power and importance of respect.

Typical Capricorns have both parents present and supportive in their lives.  They copy their mother’s strong points and develop a healthy respect for their father. Most learn the importance of family traditions and working to make a living. In some cases, a young Capricorn has to grow up super fast due to “family expectations.”

 

Aquarius: (January 20 to February 18)

Aquarius must learn to be unique and follow their own path without worrying about others’ thoughts. They are also learning to be curious and detached from emotions.

For the youthful Aquarian, something about life is “different,” and they usually notice it too! From this, most learn that being “unique” is not only okay but empowering in some form. Many Aquarians grow up in an emotionally cold environment where they have to act like an adult long before they are one.

 

Pisces: (February 19 to March 20th)

Pisces is learning to be empathic and artistic. They understand the importance of being flexible. They are learning not to feel guilty about things they have no absolute control over.

Like Scorpio, many Pisces are unwanted children. Someone in the family is also usually a “martyr,” sacrificing for the Pisces somehow and making it known that sacrifices are being made! Many Pisces must struggle with a parental figure, usually the mother. She guilt trips them and makes them feel horrible about every decision they make.

As a result, most Pisces learn to indulge in escapism in some form or another. This may include drugs, alcohol, video games, escorts, pornography, travel, theatre, art, music, etc. They do this to avoid life’s guilt, pain, and disappointment.