CIRCLE
OF
STARS
The reason the pattern in the stars is repeated in the pattern of your life is because there is only one pattern to begin with - Terence McKenna I remember when I first began to really understand my birth chart, seeing it after I'd learned something about what the symbols really meant - I felt "seen" I became aware of myself in a way I hadn't before - a new perspective, finally something to blame Lol! Quite honestly it was understanding the Planet positions, that was a revelation for me. It's not that I don't see my Virgo Sun, etc. in myself, but when I really understood what Uranus conjunct my Ascendant meant - it was a light bulb moment - that's who I am in essence! I'm never really content with things as they 'are' I need to find my own way into things. I'm always excited by the next new sparkly thing ahead! 'But' what do I do with this knowledge - that has become the journey for sure. How do I connect the dots, what practical steps are there within this to guide me through? I'm still working on all of this (it's a life times journey after all!) but am happy to share some of the things I'm learning along the way. Just "seeing" myself from this perspective is a start - no judgment, nothing good or bad - staying neutral. I'm learning to play to my strengths, and understand that I'm wired in a certain way, and that's ok, because everyone else is too! There are no good or bad planets, signs, or aspects - they all exist on a sliding scale, depending on a number of variables. There is always the capacity for change. The chart is after all a wheel, cycling through the seasons and stages of our lives. There are transits (when current planets visit our natal planet positions) that happen for all of us together (Generational) and those that are like rites of passage! Whether you're in your late 20's (hello! Saturn return) or in your 40's (Neptune square Neptune; Uranus square Uranus etc.). There are lots of others, nobody gets left out ;) The wheel turns, and the cosmic weather changes, each day, each month, each year. It's 'alot'!!! - but when approached with some degree of perspective, it can also be empowering! Plus you can see that there's a beginning, middle and end to each cycle - they all keep moving. This in itself is good to remember. Just bringing awareness to this, changes the dynamics - I am now forming a relationship with my Mars (a current example) and can work with it. I can see how long it might have an influence. I can do this in many ways! I often use the Tarot, which is one of my primary go to's in general. I'll share more about this in an upcoming blog post. More than anything else, I've become aware of the overarching themes in play all of the time. I am part of Nature - Nature resides in me as well. At any point I already have this ability to engage with the symbols in meaningful ways. I recognize myself in the planets, the plants, and the stones - we mirror each other. Like any other relationship, it requires time, curiosity and attention to understand. A birth chart is a reflection of the cosmic patterns that were in play, at the moment of birth. It's a never ending journey to unravel what this means! Carol - Circle of Stars Astrology Virgo Sun - Aquarius Moon - Cancer Rising Disclaimer: There are any number of ways of exploring one's birth chart! I make no claims for this being the only way, or the right way (whatever that is?). I can only offer information on the basis of my own experiences.
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The moon is a reminder that no matter what phase I'm in, I'm still whole (author unknown) Observing the natural cycles around us offers one of the most immediate and gratifying ways of stepping into relationship with Nature. Each season, and cycle has something to say to us about ourselves, about where we are in our lives, and where we are headed. In this blog post I'll share an overview of the 8 observable phases of the Moon, and offer a perspective on what they might mean, and how to work with them. There are many layers to take this deeper, and make it even more personal, which I'll cover a bit later in this post. I've also included a resource list, to help you find additional information should you be interested. The phases of the Moon as viewed looking southward from the Northern Hemisphere. Each phase would be rotated 180° if seen looking northward from the Southern Hemisphere. The upper part of the diagram is not to scale, as the Moon is much farther from Earth than shown here. - Wikipedia 8 Phases of the Moon Within about 29.5 days the Moon moves through a complete cycle of 8 observable phases, from New Moon to Full Moon, then back to New Moon again. In this time it moves through all the signs/houses of the Zodiac, spending about 3 1/2 days in each phase. Generally speaking as the light of the Moon increases from the New Moon phase, it represents growth and development. After the light of the Moon peaks as the Full Moon, it gradually decreases and represents release and letting go. Some definitions: Waxing - light is increasing/growing Waning - decreasing light (sometimes called Disseminating) Gibbous - light covers more than 1/2 of Moon, but not all of it Balsamic - soothing or restorative relating to healing or rest New Moon - planting a 'seed' in the earth - relates to the energy at the time of the Winter Solstice - new beginnings, fresh starts, impulse of pure potential - great time to set a goal, start a project - what new 'thing' wants to happen? Waxing Crescent Moon - the seed begins to sprout and put feelers out - relates to the energy at the time of Imbolc/Saint Brigid's Day - fresh energy to start projects, creative action building, gathering resources - energy is building, add actions to the intentions you set at the New Moon - what do you need to do to get the results you're looking for? First Quarter Moon - the seedling has growth spurts and is sending down roots to become a strong plant - relates to the energy at the time of the Spring Equinox - accelerating the process of what you're working on, a time for direct action - when obstacles come up, work through them and stay on track - review where you are and see how far you've come Waxing Gibbous Moon - the bud forms, fruit grows - relates to the energy at the time of Beltane - a time for patience, stay focused on where you're headed - if things aren't working it might be time to edit and refine - as you build up to the time of maximum energy constructive adjustments might be necessary Full Moon - the seed blooms into a fruit or flower - relates to the energy at the time of the Summer Solstice - peak energy, culmination, amplification - a time of completion - things that have been hidden or unknown are now illuminated Waning Gibbous Moon - the ripened fruit is shared, mature leaves change colour - relates to the energy at the time of Lughnasadh/Lammas - themes around harvesting, gratitude, receiving, releasing - share what you've gained at the Full Moon with others - what have you learned, and what can you let go of now? Last Quarter Moon - the fruit falls, flowers fade, seeds drop - relates to the energy of the Fall Equinox - a time of transition, readjustment, reflection, forgiveness - energetic support to break and release/let go of this cycle so you are ready for the next Waning Crescent Moon (Balsamic Moon) - the seed has now transitioned back to the soil, ready for a new cycle to begin - relates to the energy at the time of Samhain - a time of rest, release, introspection, recuperation, integration - a powerful time of regeneration, when you can gather your energy in preparation for the next cycle Making It Personal Your Power Moons As the Moon travels through the Zodiac it will at some point align with your Natal Moon sign (link below if you don't know yours). You will have 1 time each year that there is a New Moon in your natal moon sign - the same goes for the full moon. These are regarded as Power Moons! If the Moon happens to be in the same phase it was in when you were born, it's thought to be even more powerful (more about that later). These power moons are worth paying attention to!!! They are extra potent times when you might feel more creative, or you might feel the need to shine a light on something. If you have a heads up, and know this you can plan in advance. Remember that each phase lasts about 3/12 days, so keep that in mind. Using the link below (in the resources) you can figure out your Power Moons. As an example my Moon sign is Aquarius - the New Moon phase was in Aquarius on Feb. 11, 2021 and the Full Moon phase will be on July 23, 2021 (so watch out!!!) Your Moon Phase at birth in itself says something about the type of person you are. If you have your birth chart, and you see the Sun and Moon symbol together, that means you were born at a New Moon (Sun and Moon are conjunct) - if the Sun is directly opposite the Moon, then you were born under a Full Moon (the Sun is shining it's light directly on the Moon making it appear full). Check in the resources for a link to determine what your Natal Moon Phase is, as it's very likely in between these two points. There have been some studies to suggest that a Woman is highly fertile during her natal lunar phase! As well as biological fertility - the Power Moons (generally) are times of peak creativity, when you can really embrace and express your self fully in all ways. The meaning of the Moon Phase you were born under, can be taken from the ones I've shared above. For example I was born under a Waxing Gibbous Moon - so that might indicate someone who needs to stay focused on where they're going, and enjoys planning, editing and revising (yes!!!) The Lunar Weather As an additional layer that can be helpful, you can pay attention to the sign of the Zodiac, that the Moon is travelling through. I'll share a very brief overview of sign meanings below, including the element of the sign - which I think can be useful in getting a feel for what the sign represents for you personally. The day that I'm posting this there is a New Moon in Gemini, which also happens to be an eclipse - making it extra potent! The New Moon is a great time to begin something new, to plant a seed - to start, or re-start something. As it is happening in the sign of Gemini - it might have something to do with communication, and 'of the mind'. And so it might not come as a surprise that I've chosen today to post this blog! Moon in the Signs: Moon - Water - reflective, nourishing, the subconscious, cycles, sensitivity, inner world Aries - Fire - desire to start fresh, take action Taurus - Earth - desire for serenity, security, comfort Gemini - Air - favours the mind, and communication Cancer - Water - desire for peace and quiet, personal needs Leo - Fire - favours creative activities, self expression Virgo - Earth - favours organizing things, learning and doing work Libra - Air - favours relationship/partnership issues, cooperation Scorpio - Water - favours self examination, getting to the bottom of things Sagittarius - Fire - favours trying new things, adventure, taking chances Capricorn - Earth - favours long term planning, responsibility Aquarius - Air - favours originality, innovation, social justice Pisces - Water - favours using the imagination, spiritual pursuits, daydreaming Next Steps How can you personalize all of this, what does the New Moon (or ?) mean to you? The only way to really know, is to experience what it feels like for yourself, and then make a note of it. Perhaps begin by tracking the New and/or Full Moons each month (as well as your Power Moons)! Go outside and look up at the night sky, where is the Moon what phase is it in? what phase are you in? It's a great opportunity to check in with yourself. You can use an app (I use Night Sky on my phone to do this) or a website to learn more about when you can observe the moon in the area where you live. Keep it simple to start, and enjoy the journey! Other Interesting Information Gardening with the Moon Phases As long as people have been growing food, the Moon phases have been observed to affect crop growth. It's been found that the best time to plant things that grow beneath the ground (carrots, beets, garlic etc.) is just after a Full Moon, and conversely fruit or flower bearing plants do better when planted just after the New Moon. Thank you for reading my blog! My goal in offering these blogs is to engage others in a conversation with their own astrology. The birth chart can be likened to a cosmic mandala, a roadmap that leads us home to ourselves. It's one of the most powerful tools that I work with in my own life. Until next time - Carol Additional Information & Resources Moon Phase Calculator (also calculates Moon sign) The Tarot Lady’s Ultra-Deluxe Superfly Astrology Guide for 2021 (to calculate Power Moon dates) General info on Moon Phases Gardening by the Moon Why Do We Garden By the Moon? Fertility Cycles Lunar Effect on Fertility How the Moon Affects Your Cycle Books - if you want to dive deeper Mysteries of the Dark Moon - Demetra George Astrology of the Moon - Amy Herring Moonology - Yasmin Boland In a game as complex as life, the cards you were dealt are often less important than the way you play them - Austin Coppock (The Proper Care & Feeding of a Birth Chart) One of the parts of astrology that interests me the most is the topic of remediation. How it might be possible to modify those parts of 'us' (via our birth charts) that may need to be supported, strengthened or possibly calmed down. There can be potential challenges suggested by our natal birth charts, that are with us throughout our lives, or passing transits that have a more temporary effect. It's important to note that together with the challenging aspects, there are helpful ones as well! It's all part of a bigger picture! Remediations offer practical supportive strategies that can be helpful. In todays blog post we'll be approaching this topic through the lens of the elements, and based on what your 'Elemental Balance' is (based on your birth chart). If you were able to figure this out from the last blog post, you will likely have some idea of what it is (if not, you might want to reference the previous blog post.) After reading the descriptions of the elements you may recognize which one is the 'problem child', and may require some modification! I know that in my case, when I assessed my balance it confirmed what I already knew. According to my chart I have more 'Air' than anything else. I did also find it helpful to learn about my 'lacking' elements. For me it is mostly 'Earth' that is in short supply. I definitely find it helpful to incorporate 'Earth' practices, and they in turn help to balance my excess Air! Elemental Remediations/Modifications Here is a list of the elements, and some possible balancing remediations/modifications. This is a partial list, and is not meant to be prescriptive in any way. Crystals are often associated with more than one element - as always follow your own guidance with this. These are my perspectives only. AIR Mind-oriented - thinking - focus on ideas - communication - fair minded - detached Too much Air Overthinking - overly focused on ideas - overly talkative - indecisive - anxious - indecisive *Modified generally by Earth remedies Practices - Movement based practices to channel extra air energy (walking/yoga/chi gong/exercise etc.) - warming baths (Himalayan salt/herbs) - mindfulness practices - music therapy (such as Binaural beats) Herbs/Foods - Lemon Balm, Valerian, Lavender, Milky Oat Tincture, nourishing warming foods, roots & berries Flower Essences - Vervain, Impatiens, White Chestnut Crystals - Black Tourmaline, Garnet, Hematite, Petrified Wood, Smokey Quartz Too little Air Inability to think clearly - difficult to stay focused - poor communicator - hard to make decisions *Modified generally by Air remedies Practices - Activities that get you outside to 'breathe' - aromatherapy/incense - engage your mind in new ways by taking a class/learning a new skill Herbs/Foods - Rosemary, Gotu Kola, Holy Basil, Peppermint, Oatstraw Flower Essences - Clematis, Wild Rose, Wild Oat, Scleranthus Crystals - Labradorite, Clear Quartz, Kyanite, Fluorite FIRE Action-oriented - spontaneous - enthusiastic - assertive - reactive Too much Fire Reactive - irritated - compulsive - temperamental - easily angered *Modified generally by Water remedies Practices Swimming - a long bath - calming yoga - qi gong - walk in nature - calming music Herbs/Foods - Valerian, Hops, Chamomile, Passion flower, cooling and cold foods Flower Essences - Impatiens, Vervain, Holly, Cherry Plum, Rescue Remedy Crystals - Aquamarine, Amazonite, Agates (esp. Blue Lace Agate), Moonstone Too little Fire Lack of initiative - passive - lacking creativity/purpose - inertia *Modified generally by Fire remedies Practices - Exercise - classes to tap into your creativity - hot/warm environments such as a sauna Herbs/Foods - Ginger, Turmeric, Cinnamon, Spearmint, warm/hot foods Flower Essences - Larch, Olive, Wild Rose, Wild Oat Crystals - Carnelian, Citrine, Malachite, Tigers Eye, Fire Agate WATER Feelings - intuitive - emotional - sensitive - reflective - responsive - fluid Too much Water Emotions close to the surface - heightened sensitivity - emotionally based imbalances, depression *Modified generally by Fire remedies Practices - warming environments - warming movement and exercise - emotionally balancing therapies Herbs/Foods - St. John's Wort, Hibiscus, Rose, Linden, Rosemary, warm foods, spices (avoid cold wet foods) Flower Essences - Elm, Hornbeam, Mustard, Pine, Gorse, Sweet Chestnut Crystals - Citrine, Carnelian, Malachite, Sunstone, Rhodochrosite, Rhodonite Too little Water Difficulty expressing emotions - insensitive - tension/nervousness *Modified generally by Water remedies Practices - being around water, swimming, give of your time to help others, Meditation, Chi Gong Herbs/Foods - Chamomile, Milky Oat, Linden, Gotu Kola, Lavender, fresh fruits/juices (avoid salty or dehydrated food) Flower Essences - Rock Water, Water Violet, Vervain, Aspen, Crab Apple, White Chestnut Crystals - Candle Quartz, Amazonite, Lepidolite, Moonstone, Prehnite EARTH Grounding - stabilizing - manifesting - hardworking - practical - resourceful Too much Earth Lethargy - overly fixed on ideas - boredom - overly serious - procrastination *Modified generally by Air/Water/Fire remedies (Air - mental stimulation; Water - emotional expression; Fire - to warm up and to stimulate energy/movement in the body) Practices - move energy (walking, yoga, chi gong), creative practices, do things that are stimulating to the mind, change of routine Herbs/Foods - Ginger, Peppermint, Green Tea, Ginkgo, Garlic Flower Essences - Olive, Wild Oat, Wild Rose, Oak, Elm, Hornbeam Crystals - Fluorite (Air), Labradorite (Air), Amethyst (Air), Malachite (Fire), Sunstone (Fire), Carnelian (Fire), Lepidolite (Water), Chrysoprase (Water), Aquamarine (Water) Too little Earth Feeling ungrounded - indecisive - easily confused - lack of vitality - lack of willpower - insecure - disconnected *Modified generally by Earth/Fire remedies Practices - Grounding/centring practices, strengthening exercises, connecting with nature, self love/affirmation practices Herbs/Foods - Lavender, Rose, Chai, Rooibos, Dandelion, Hibiscus, nourishing foods, root vegetables Flower Essences - Larch, Clematis, Crab Apple, Walnut Crystals - Rose Quartz (Water), Mangano Calcite (Water), Agates in general (Water/Earth), Tigers Eye (Earth) Garnet (Earth), Black Tourmaline (Earth) I hope that you've found this helpful! I'd be interested in hearing about any practices that you might have, that could be used in this way! Until next time, Carol *All flower essences suggested are Bach Flower Remedies (I'm a BFRP Bach Foundation Registered Practitioner) *Crystals have unique electromagnetic fields, as do we. When we work with them they can help us to rebalance. *Herbs could be taken as teas or tinctures. It would be best to consult with an Herbal Practitioner if you require more information on this! Resources: Astro-Herbalism (Remediation) Course - Worts & Cunning Naisha Ahsian - Crystal Program 'Becoming the Human Crystal' The sky is filled with stars, invisible by day. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow The elements and modes (or modalities) offer the basic building blocks of astrology. They help us to determine the essential nature of the person represented by the birth chart. The elements offer information that describe the 'quality' of the energy that is present, the underlying influence. Here are some very basic keyword descriptions for the elements: Air - Mind oriented, thinking, focus on ideas, communication, fair-minded, detached Fire - Action oriented, spontaneous, enthusiastic, assertive, reactive Water - Feeling, intuitive, emotional, sensitive, reflective, responsive, fluid Earth - Grounding, stabilizing, manifesting, hardworking, practical, resourceful I've added the 'element' to the table I shared on the last blog: ***The Element indicates the 'quality' of the energy that is present, the underlying influence The Planet indicates what energy is present The Zodiac Sign indicates how the topics of the signs 'express' themselves The House indicates 'where' or what area of your life these energies are playing out The Elements in the Signs Each of the zodiac signs, as well as the planets have their own elemental associations. In order to determine what your elements are you would begin with the Sun - and see if it's in an Air, Fire, Water or Earth sign? Repeat this with the Moon, Asc/Rising Sign, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. You can also find a 'snapshot' of your elemental balance on your birth chart. It's usually found on a separate table, and includes all of the glyphs for the planets in your chart, together with their elements. Then you can see at a glance which elements might be more dominant, or might be in shorter supply. There is more information on this a bit further down. As with all things 'astrology' you can go much deeper, but you'll get quite a lot of information just by doing this! Just by looking at the elements of your Sun/Moon and Rising Signs, you can begin to get a sense of the energies that are in play. For example if your Sun Sign is in Leo (Fire element) and your Rising Sign is in Aries (another Fire element), and your Rising Sign is in Sagittarius ('another' Fire element), chances are you have a rather fiery personality! Elemental Combinations Some elements get along , but others don't necessarily play well together. If you have a lot of fire in your chart together with a lot of water - you may have a lot of passion and drive, but it's 'put out' (in a sense) by the water, so that you find it hard to get anywhere. On the other hand if you have a fire and earth combination, you have both the drive, and the commitment to move forward. This could lead you towards accomplishing any tasks that take time and require persistence. If you have the combination of Air and Water, you have the sensitivity of water combined with the mind - this could make you very intuitive, and able to both understand and communicate your feelings with others. A few other combinations might be: Fire and Air - Fire consumes air, and air feeds fire Earth and Water - Earth absorbs water and water shapes the earth There is a lot to unpack here, but analyzing your chart in this way can be very helpful. I share this not as a comprehensive list of all of the combinations, but as a further consideration of how the elements can blend in your chart. The Modes or Modalities of the Signs The other thing to factor in, is the 'mode' or 'modality' of the Sign. The modalities introduce the aspect of change, helping to anchor the elements into the signs. In order to better understand this, it's helpful to look at the birth chart as a wheel of the year, with Spring in Aries, Taurus & Gemini; Summer in Cancer, Leo & Virgo; Autumn in Libra, Scorpio & Sagittarius and Winter in Capricorn, Aquarius & Pisces (reverse in the Southern Hemisphere). (in the image below you will note that the positive and negative symbols, they represent receptive and active energies respectively) Cardinal Signs are the signs that begin each of the seasons: Spring Equinox - Aries; Summer Solstice - Cancer; Fall Equinox - Libra & Winter Solstice - Capricorn.
*The Cardinal mode represents the birth process, it radiates outward in a definite direction. It has the qualities of: - initiating energy, action oriented, creative, decisive, can be impatient Fixed Signs are the signs at mid-season. Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. *The Fixed mode takes this new energy and builds a recognizable, mature entity or form, that radiates inward, creating a strong centre that resists change. It has the qualities of: -sustaining, seeing things through, determination, purposeful, strong willed, slower starting, can be stubborn Mutable Signs are the signs at the end of each season. Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces. *The Mutable mode this form or entity becomes more adaptable and less well-defined in order to move the fixed nature toward a new level of consciousness or action. It is a spiralling energy that alternates between moving outward and inward. It has the qualities of: - embracing change, flexible, open minded, adaptable, can be indecisive Using this information you can assess your modality balance. Just by focusing on the elements and modes, you can get a lot of foundational information about your birth chart. This information is found in a table on your birth chart (as mentioned earlier). If you have created a birth chart at astro.com the elements are listed along the side (F, A, E, W) and the Modalities or Modes are listed on top (C, F, M). Each Planet or aspect is listed according to its element and modality, making it easier to see what the balance is. As an example, if you have someone with Air as their dominant element, and Earth as their weakest, you have someone who is in their head a lot, and maybe needs more grounding! If their dominant mode is Cardinal then you have someone who might be great at starting projects, but not necessarily good at finishing them. If you put the elemental balance and the modality balance together, you can see that this is someone who may get a lot of creative ideas, but needs to find ways to sustain that energy so they can follow through and complete any projects they've started. The birth chart is much more complex than this, but hopefully you can see how the pattern begins to build. So how does this apply to your chart? I'd encourage you to play with this, and see if it feels like 'you'. You could begin by just looking at your Sun/Moon/Rising Sign, and later add in the others. What is Remediation, and How Can It Help You? Although it might be interesting to know what your elemental/modality balance is, you might be asking what you can do with this information, how can knowing this be helpful for you? For thousands of years, Vedic, and Ancient Astrology have had traditions of using gemstones and talismans in order to help balance a person's birth chart. I'll share the link below, to an article you might find interesting: Astrological Remediation: The subtle art of creating a brighter future, one transit at a time by Andrea L. Gehrz For the purpose of this blog, I'll share some practices or strategies that might also be helpful. A few years ago I took a course in Astro Herbology as I feel that plant medicine is a useful ally, and I know that it has served me well. This particular topic opens up into medical astrology, which is another vast area that is fascinating, but outside the scope of this blog. Your homework is to figure out where your elemental/modality strength is, and where you might benefit from some remediation. In the next post I'll share some different balancing strategies, including practices, herbs, flower essences and crystals. If you have any questions regarding any of this please leave them in the comments below. Until next time! Carol Resources: *Mountain Astrologer Magazine: Chart Synthesis - Mary Plumb Astrology, Psychology, and The Four Elements - Stephen Arroyo "Astrology is a language, if you understand the language, the sky speaks to you" - Dane Rudhyar In today's blog post I'll be sharing information about the Zodiac Signs, Planets, and Houses. Although what I'm sharing here is really a simplification of a much more comprehensive process, I'm hoping that it will be enough to help you to begin to put the pieces together. It's important to remember that each individual part of your chart doesn't exist in isolation, they all work together and are part of the greater whole, which is your birth chart. Using your birth chart, you will notice that there are 12 sections, with various symbols or glyphs scattered around them. The pie shaped sections are the 'houses' and the glyphs inside the houses of your chart, represent the planets. The sign glyphs will be shown on the outer edge of the chart, and will begin in House 1, where your Ascendant or Rising Sign is located. (This diagram shows the bare bones of the chart - the houses and the sign rulerships, which always go in the same order around the wheel, beginning with Aries, and moving counter clockwise towards Pisces in the 12th house. Your chart will look very different, as you will likely have a different sign in the 1st house) For our purposes today, we'll be creating keyword phrases for the Planets, Signs and Houses as follows: The Planet indicates what energy is present The Zodiac Sign indicates how the topics of the signs 'express' themselves The House indicates 'where' or in what area of your life these energies are playing out The basic formula for you to do this is in your own chart is: Planet + Sign + House = What this means in your chart, and in your life! I've included elemental associations, as they may help you understand the quality of the energies that are present. I'll share more about the elements in the next blog post, as they really underpin all of this, and add an important layer that helps to put all of this together. I've also included the planetary rulerships, of the signs, again to help you to better understand how they work together. (Below you will find the glyphs or symbols for the Signs and Planets) Planets
What energy is present Sun - the Activator Fire element Self expression, will, assertion, vitality, identity, creativity, outer world Changes signs every month Moon - the Intuitive Water element Emotions, reflective, nourishing, subconscious, cycles, sensitivity, inner world Mercury - the Messenger Air element Communication, thought processes, movement, curiosity, changeability, learning Venus - the Lover Earth element Harmony, love, beauty, social interactions, pleasure, values Mars - the Warrior Fire element Dynamic force, courage, initiating, impulsive, aggression Jupiter - the Sage Fire element Expansion, achievement excess, growth, optimism Saturn - the Taskmaster/Teacher Earth element Structure, limitation, containment/boundaries, discipline, time, responsibility Uranus - the Innovator Air element Change, rebellion, liberation, humanitarian, innovative, original, disruptive, seeks freedom Neptune - the Dreamer Water element Imagination, illusion, spirituality, psychic abilities, escapism Pluto - the Transformer Water element Transformation, renewal, metamorphosis, death/rebirth Zodiac Signs How the topics of the signs 'express' themselves Aries Fire element Ruled by Mars Pioneering, innovative, direct, ambitious, competitive, an initiator, bold, ambitious, independent, action oriented, impulsive, may lack perseverance Taurus Earth element Ruled by Venus Ambitious, strong, dependable, stable, practical, enjoys earthly pleasures, generous, independent, stabilizing, grounded, stubborn, uncompromising Gemini Air element Ruled by Mercury A good communicator, sociable, gentle, affectionate, versatile, flexible and adaptable, intellectual, witty, quick reflexes, curious, can be indecisive Cancer Water element Ruled by the Moon Nurturing, tenacious, nurturing, loyal, highly imaginative, sympathetic, sentimental, family oriented, protective, sensitive, caring, can be moody Leo Fire element Ruled by the Sun Dramatic, outgoing, expressive, fiery, self assured, proud, generous, passionate, creative, cheerful, action oriented, optimistic, can be arrogant Virgo Earth element Ruled by Mercury Practical, logical, modest, hardworking, kind, analytical, loyal, detail oriented, discerning, thoughtful, wise, can be critical, blunt Libra Air element Ruled by Venus Social, fair-minded, diplomatic and gracious, partnership, social, seeks harmony, objective, likeable, team player, can be indecisive Scorpio Water element Ruled by Mars (Modern - Pluto) Passionate, introverted, magnetic, charismatic, determined, resourceful, brave, controlling, spiritual, strong willed, secretive, intense Sagittarius Fire element Ruled by Jupiter Expansive, fun loving, likes to travel, adventurous, takes risks, optimistic, extroverted, sense of humour, can be impatient, restless, undiplomatic Capricorn Earth element Ruled by Saturn Responsible, disciplined, self-control, serious, independent, strategic, good planner and organizer, goal oriented, ambitious, can be stubborn Aquarius Air element Ruled by Saturn (Modern - Uranus) Original, unconventional/eccentric, independent, innovative, seeks social justice, intellectual, rebellious/free-spirited, friendly but cool and reserved Pisces Water element Ruled by Jupiter (Modern - Neptune) Imaginative, idealistic, artistic, impressionable, intuitive, creative, generous, sensitive, self-less, compassionate, introspective, spiritual, day-dream Houses Where or in what area of your life are the energies of the Planet and the Sign are playing out. (Each house represents different areas of life, people/relationships, environments, ideas, and life circumstances.) 1st House - Self-Image Fire element I AM (Awareness of self) The Self (self awareness/ self image), physical appearance, identity, the mask that you wear in the world/ outward personality, how we initiate, how we're impulsive *This is the house that indicates what your ascendant or rising sign is. It's one of the most significant points in the birth chart. Your Sun sign represents who you truly are, underneath it all, and the Rising sign is the self you show to the world (how others perceive you). We'll be talking more about the Rising sign on the next blog post. 2nd House - Self-Worth and Resources Earth element I HAVE (Personal Resources) Physical resources, your desires and values, skills, sense of self worth, attitude towards wealth and material possessions 3rd House - Communication Air element I THINK (Immediate Environment) Communication, siblings, neighbours, early environment, short journeys, all forms of transportation, mental activity, learning, early education 4th House - Family, Home, Roots & Security Water element I NURTURE (Inner World) Home (and everything associated with it), family, land, personal foundations, parental influence (esp. Mother), your roots, ancestry, inner security 5th House - Self-Expression, Creativity & Pleasure Fire element I SERVE (Personal Creativity) Creativity, self-expression, fun, romance, offspring, personal interests, hobbies, risk-taking, pursuit of pleasure 6th House - Work & Health Earth element I SERVE (Daily Life) Service to others, issues of sickness and health, daily life and work, habits/routines, pets, lifestyles, self improvement 7th House - Partnership Air element I PARTNER (Awareness of others) One on one relationships of all kinds (marriage, partnerships etc.), contracts, how you fit into the world of others 8th House - Transformation Water element I TRANSFORM Issues around crisis and change, rebirth, sexuality, transformation, life lessons you need to learn, other peoples money/possessions, losses, secrets, wills/inheritance, regeneration 9th House - Belief Systems & Higher Learning Fire element I EXPLORE (Expanded horizons) Religion/Spirituality/Philosophy, higher education/learning, ideology, ethics, morals, long journeys, travel, foreign countries 10th House - Career, Responsibility & Reputation Earth element I ACHIEVE (Outer World) Career/Profession, social status, reputation, how society sees you, public life, authority figures, paternal parent 11th House - Aspirations & Groups Air element I ASPIRE (Group contribution) Friendships and groups, hopes and dreams, community involvement, social change, humanitarian interests, inner purpose 12th House - Soul Growth & Self Sabotage Water element I TRANSCEND (Spiritual life) Things that are unconscious, hidden or beneath the surface, inner worlds, shadow self, karma, past lives, soul growth, hidden strengths/weaknesses, dreams, confinement, self sabotage, escapism, transcendence Putting It All Together I will offer myself as an example of how this works. So please, feel free to play along at home! My Sun Sign is in Virgo - and so according to what I've just shared, this would suggest the following: The Sun is my 'identity' and shows how I'm active in the World, Virgo shows how the energy of the Sun is being expressed in my life, and the area of life this is happening is the 3rd House. Using the keywords above, it would indicate that my identity has to do with being practical and hardworking, but I might have to watch a tendency to be critical. (I cannot argue the critical part!) This happens in my 3rd House of communication and learning. I can take this further, and say that a lot of who I am, centres around learning, and communicating with others. I have a practical approach, and work hard to make things happen, but should watch a tendency to criticize others (ok, I'll try!) I'll share one more, and then it's your turn! My Moon Sign is in Aquarius. The Moon is my feelings/emotions, and Aquarius is the Zodiac Sign the Moon was in when I was born. Aquarius indicates how the energy of the Moon is being expressed in my life - the lens through which my inner world is experiencing my outer world. The area of life this is happening in is my 8th House which adds a layer of intensity (among other things). So again, using the keywords above, this placement would indicate that my emotional life, my inner world is felt deeply, though I can be so much in my mind that I feel detached from my feelings. I will add that it was when I began to understand my 'Moon' that astrology really clicked for me. My Aquarius Moon really felt so much like 'me', and finally I had someone or something to blame (just kidding!). I'd always felt different, and maybe that was part of the plan! Now it's your turn!!! I hope you enjoy doing this, and that it is helpful for you. There is so much information available on Astrology, it really is a life long journey, and even then I know that I'll never grasp it all!!! It's a matter of gradually layering in information from various sources, in order to gain a better understanding of myself. I'm glad that you're joining me, as it's more fun to do this with company! I'd encourage you to create a journal, or make some notes in some way. You might want to practice writing the 'glyphs' for the planets and signs, and/or you might want to get a book on astrology, to deepen your understanding of the planets, signs and houses. There are a few I would recommend in the 'Resources' section, and online there are several good places as well (CafeAstrology is one). If you don't have a birth chart yet, you can get a free one at Astro.com (or various other places), or on the Time Passages app. These are the ones I'm most familiar with. If I can help you, please let me know! Until next time - Carol Virgo Sun, Cancer Rising, Aquarius Moon, Chart Ruler - The Moon I don't believe in astrology, I'm a Sagittarius and we're skeptical - Arthur C. Clarke One of the first questions I had when I started learning about Astrology was "how does it work?" I have a fairly logical brain, and am analytical (I'm a Virgo Sun after all), so I felt that I really needed to understand this part before proceeding any further. Well, I still don't know, but now, many (!) years later I'm ok with not knowing exactly how it all works. As I'm old enough now, to be able to look back at some major events, I can see how they fit into my birth chart. Computer programs allow you to check the transits, on important dates in the past, and I've found that in itself very validating! There are 'many' books available covering the various philosophies around understanding Astrology, and naturally there are various points of view. At the risk of oversimplifying a very complex topic, I'll share a few things that reflect my own world view: We recognize ourselves in the patterns of the Universe because we speak the same language. We're made up of the same 'stuff'. As above. So below. We are in all things, and all things are in us. The Birth Chart as a Medicine Wheel There are many ways of looking at the 'wheel' aspect of the birth chart- it follows the progression of the seasons (both in the world, and the seasons of your life) - beginning with Aries, Taurus & Gemini in the Spring, Cancer, Leo & Virgo in the Summer, Libra, Scorpio & Sagittarius in the Fall, and Capricorn, Aquarius & Pisces in the Winter (Northern Hemisphere placements, reversed in the Southern Hemisphere). I've been reading a book called "Your Zodiac Soul" by John Wadsworth. In it he suggests looking at the birth chart through the lens of the medicine wheel. Each section of the wheel offers a gateway to wholeness. We are not only able to identify areas that may be challenging for us, but also the medicine to help us to integrate it. The shadow contains the wound, and the wound contains the medicine. Our own astrological 'maps' can guide us back to our place of power, our centre. This of course, requires work on our part, but the chart provides an excellent navigation tool that will help to guide us. Each one of the astrological signs and planets contains both the shadow and the light. I offer this, to remind you to look at the bigger picture. When I first learned about my chart - I looked at each sign in isolation - which sign was my Moon in? etc. and I pretty much left it at that. Now that I see it as part of something bigger, it makes more sense to me. You are made up of all of the signs, and all of the planets - even if there are no planets in some of your houses. You are at the centre of the wheel - looking up at the sky. A Bit about Birth Time The Ascendant (or Rising Sign) is the Zodiac sign that was rising on the horizon at the exact moment of your birth. It determines the placement of your houses on your birth chart. For example, in my chart, Cancer was on the horizon when I was born, making both my Rising Sign and my first house 'Cancer'. Now the thing is, the 'sign' on the horizon changes quickly. The zodiac sign changes every 2 hours. It moves through the full cycle of 12 signs every 24 hours, so having a fairly accurate birth time can make a big difference. Having said that, if you don't have a birth time, you will still get a lot of information from the placement of the planets in your signs. Thank you for visiting my blog! Until next time - Carol It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves - William Shakespeare De-Coding Your Birth Chart What Is a Birth Chart? Your birth chart is a blueprint of 'you'! On the day (or the night) you were born the Sun, Moon and Planets were located in very specific places in the sky, depending where you were born, and the chart reflects this. It's a snap shot of you (in the centre of the chart) in relation to the cosmos. Pretty cool, right? At least I think so. And just as 'you' are one of a kind, your chart is also! No two are the same. It isn't fate, or destiny - but there may be general tendencies suggested by the positions and aspects contained within your chart. Most people know their Sun sign, and might even know which signs their planets are in - but this is only the beginning. Just by looking at the 'pattern' of your chart (where the planets are clustered, etc.) says a lot about you. Beyonce's birth chart offers both an example of what a birth chart looks like, and 2 'patterns'. All of her planets are located on the left side of her chart. This indicates someone who is very driven, action oriented, and self motivated. It also shows a 'bowl' pattern with all of the planets contained within half of the chart. This gives her increased focus over the topics of the houses that the planets are located in. In addition to Patterns, some of the other things I may share about in this blog may include: The Ascendant, Chart Ruler, The Houses, The Luminaries (Sun & Moon), The Personal & Outer Planets, among other things. It won't be a linear progression, but rather a more organic one. I will share general information about different parts of your chart in order for you to better understand how they might apply to 'you' in your life. One of the other areas of focus will be the Moon. By combining the current Moon Phase, with the Sign that it's falling in, together with the house where it is transiting in your birth chart, you can get a more personalized understanding of how the Moon is being expressed in your life right now. As the Moon is my chart ruler, I have a special relationship with it! Over the past years I've studied (and am studying), with a few different Astrologers, and favour the Hellenistic or Traditional approach, using Whole Sign Houses. Like most things, it's a life's journey to study astrology, it is a vast subject with many different approaches. I can only share things based on my own experiences, and what I have learned so far. You are welcome to join me on this journey and play along at home! What will you need? A copy of your Birth Chart would be helpful so that you can get a more personalized understanding of how all of this affects you. There are many places that offer free charts, and I'll share my favourite one in the resources section. My main purpose for doing this blog is to share my passion for astrology, and would be very happy to have you join me as we travel together through our Birth Charts! On the 'resources' page I'll share favourite apps, books, websites, etc. that have helped me, and I hope that you'll share yours as well! Thank you for visiting my blog! Carol Virgo Sun, Cancer Ascendant, Aquarius Moon, Chart Ruler - the Moon |
Hi, I'm Carol - Thank you for visiting my Blog! I can be found most nights looking up at the Moon & the Stars, no matter what the weather. It was after I began learning Astrology and better understood the 'symbols' in my birth chart, that I felt 'seen', and gained some valuable perspectives about myself and my life!
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