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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
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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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