Lunar Phases

Lunar Phases

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The Lunar Cycle

The Sun and Moon’s synodic cycle

The Moon takes one month to orbit the Earth.

The Moon phase cycle starts at New Moon when the Sun and the Moon are conjunct. This happens once every month. At New Moon we can’t see the Moon when it is close to the Sun

The Moon starts to grow in light every day in the waxing part of the cycle. Around day fourteen it reaches the Full Moon when we can see the most light from the Moon. It begins the waning part of the cycle reducing in light back to the New Moon.

The Light and Dark of the Moon

The Moon is mainly dark for half of the month and mainly light for half of the month. The darker half is during the last quarter, balsamic, new moon and crescent phases. The light half is the first quarter, gibbous, full moon and disseminating phases. This light/dark difference is symbolic and has much to say about the meaning of the Moon and its phases.

Lunar Phases in the Chart

lunar phases are based on the angular relationship between the Sun and the Moon.

If the luminaries are in aspect to each other it must be considered highly in the chart interpretation.

Moon Timing

The synodic cycle is around twenty-nine and a half days.

The Moon is in each phase for around three and a half days.

The Moon is in each sign around two and a half days.

Planetary Phases

The planets also have phases shown by their relationship to the Sun. Particularly the inferior planets Mercury and Venus.

Eight Lunar Phases

There are eight lunar phases, four in the waxing period and four in the waning period.

Even if the Moon is not in aspect to the Sun it will be in the phase shown below.

Each phase begins at the exact aspect and runs through until the next aspect.

Lunar phases are closely related to the aspects between the Moon and the Sun.

Four Waxing Moon Phases

In the waxing half of the Moon’s cycle the four phases are new moon, crescent, first quarter and gibbous. During the waxing half of the month the light of the Moon is growing.

New Moon

Instinct

You see life through your own eyes, and not the eyes of others.

Subjective

You are subjective and struggle to see another person’s point of view.

Starts projects

You enjoy beginning new projects. You are good at starting jobs but not so good at finishing them. You have lots of energy and are independent.

Emergence

You have the potential to emerge and do good things. At this stage we don’t know.

Self-involved

Concerned with your life and your issues.

Crescent

Forward

You feel compelled to move forward in your life. You can do this when you have a strong foundation underneath from which to launch.

Self-belief

You have an opportunity to grow in your belief in yourself. As your life unfolds and expands you will become more comfortable with the feelings you have about your future path.

Eager confidence

You will probably face the future eagerly. In time you probably will develop inner confidence.

First Quarter

Forceful

You perhaps have the forcefulness of youth and there will likely be much subjective activity throughout your life. You prefer to lay a good base for your future and will take action to make this so.

Growth and building

You are likely to construct your own plans to suit yourself. Your life is likely to be filled with lots of personal growth and experiences with which you can build a firmer foundation on for your personal future.

Strong willed

You are usually strong willed, and some may even say ruthless.

Crisis in action

You have controlled energy expenditure. This comes in bursts and much can be done.

Gibbous

Contribute

You generally have a desire to contribute something of value to society.

You probably understand broad concepts and may have an impulse to clarify and work towards your personal goals or for a cause.

Overcome

You are the type of individual who can overcome obstacles.

You have a youthful approach to life.

Perfection

There is effort spend to get better at what you do.

Four Waning Moon Phases

The four phases in the waning half of the Moon’s cycle are full moon, disseminating, last quarter and balsamic.

During the waning half of the lunar cycle the light of the Moon is diminishing.

Full Moon Phase

Clarity

You can see the other person’s point of view and it is clear to you. You are very self-aware. You can discriminate between truth and lies.

Illumination

You can see the big picture and use broad strokes. It is all quite clear to you now.

Mature

You are supremely confident and have a mature outlook on life. You are realistic and accept things as they are.

Relationships

You can build fulfilling relationships confidently. You approach life through an adult’s eyes, there are no illusions.

Disseminating Phase

Transmit information

You are likely to have the desire to transmit what you have learnt through both study and your personal worldly experiences.

Probably you easily disseminate ideas to pass on to others.

It is as though you are on a crusade to share your learning.

Knowledge dispersal

Perhaps you wish to spread your wisdom and knowledge with other people as a disciple would.

You can probably use demonstration as a tool to impart your grasp of situations.

Convey Awareness

It is important for you to let others know what you know and share your beliefs with them.

You wish to make contact.

Last Quarter Phase

Objective

This indicates that you are fundamentally objective and can pass on your experience and sow seed for the future.

Crisis in consciousness

You may spend much time reorienting your outlook.

You may have a crisis in consciousness and be able to change your beliefs into concrete thoughts.

Old values become useless.

Pioneer

You perhaps can be a pioneer in your day, and, with time, posterity will appreciate you.

You may be tiresome and stubborn.

Readjustment and Reorientation

You may feel it has all come to naught and that it was not worth the bother.

A transformation emerges as you process life’s cycles.

Balsamic Phase

Release

You can become released from issues.

You are likely to be visionary and have belief in the future.

Sacrifice and Surrender

You may be called upon to sacrifice something in your life as a martyr perhaps.

You need to surrender to the karmic cycle of life.

Closure

You are good with closure of both relationships and situations but will mourn for what has past.

Starzclass

Aspiring Astrologer Activity: Lunar Phases

Referring to your chart.

Write the answers in your astrology journal.

 

  • What is the Sun’s position in degrees and minutes?
  • What is the Moon’s position in degrees and minutes?
  • What is the exact angular distance from the Sun to the Moon?
  • Name the lunar phase
  • Approximately how much light can we see of the Moon?
  • Is the Moon in the waxing or waning half of the cycle?
  • What is the Sun Moon aspect?
  • Write a paragraph about the Moon’s position by sign and house.
  • Write a paragraph about the Moon’s aspect to the Sun.
  • Write a paragraph about the lunar phase.
  • Write a paragraph about the Moon’s other aspects excluding the Sun’s aspect.
  • Over which houses, hemispheres and quadrants does the Moon have influence?
  • Explain the Moon’s essential dignity.
Astrological Ethics and Privacy

Astrological Ethics and Privacy

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“It is not possible that particular forms of events should be declared by any person… it is necessary for [astrologers] to adopt inference. Only God can predict particulars.” ~ Ptolemy

Introduction

We as astrologers would certainly be wise to adopt inference about our readings especially in regard to our clients.

Here we will discuss some ethical predicaments in which an astrologer, or student, can easily find themselves.

Privacy

The privacy laws are always in effect and you need to be aware that they affect your work as an astrologer.

You cannot discuss the chart details of one person with another – even another astrologer.

Permission

If you want to use an individual’s chart details and personal storyline you may not do so without first obtaining their written permission and clearly stating whether the data will be used for research, teaching or for publication.

The public do not know the breadth and depth that an astrological interpretation can entail and how chart analysis will reveal features and motivations in someone’s life.

As an astrologer, you need to tread carefully here.

Children

A new mother comes to you and wants her baby’s chart read.

What do you do?

Obviously, parents make decisions for their offspring all the time.

Perhaps one way of dealing with interpreting children’s charts is to be found in the transits.

Prior to the first Jupiter return (age 12) the parents may request a child’s chart to be read and after the Jupiter return the child should agree to you doing the reading.

“Is he the one?”

A woman arrives at your office clutching the birth details of Mr. “Fifth Boyfriend this Year” and demands, “Is he the One?”

What do you do?

This really is an ethical situation where you are being asked to interpret charts for those who are not there and are unaware that it is happening.

There may be justification in some instances, but you will have to decide where to draw the line.

The Deceased

We often select famous people who are dead for chart interpretation practice such as Alexander Graham Bell, Albert Einstein or Michael Jackson.

If a private person has died and you wish to work with their chart details this usually is acceptable unless the death has occurred recently, and the family is still working through their grief.

You have to decide what type of astrologer you are and again you have to make the call.

Hit-and-Run

You have just left an energetic astrology meeting and are standing at the door casually chatting about the weather and someone thrusts their chart into your face and says breathlessly, “I have no planets in the seventh house, I was told it means I won’t get married, what do you think?”

Well, what do you think?

For a start you can’t stand there discussing her chart in front of other people.

What gets me about this scene is that during some point in her past someone told her the grim news and she has been carrying the baggage with her up until now.

There is no point to respond with another hit-and-run consultation as you stand at the door.

The way to handle this situation is to explain that many factors influence marriage and invite her to make an appointment to meet with you at a more appropriate time where you can gently go over how it all works and put her straight on this matter.

 

You are the Authority

Remember, as an astrologer (and as an astrology student) you are deemed the authority in all matters of an astrological nature.

From the point of view of your clients and the general public you are the wizard and as such you need to be careful to do no harm.

Your Chart

Look at your chart to see what your Saturn (respect and boundaries), Uranus (astrology) and Pluto (secrets) reveal about you and your approach to ethics and privacy.

Give some thought to the issues discussed above and it could help you decide where you stand.

Conclusion

Every astrologer has their own opinion on these introductory matters. It would do you well to think about what your views are before attempting a chart interpretation.

Starzclass

Aspiring Astrologer Activity: Ethics and Privacy

In your astrology journal, please do the following:

  • Consider three possible ways you may be challenged in your astrology business with family and friends surrounding ethics and privacy.
  • Decide if you will reveal information about a client’s chart to the person who pays for the consultation.
  • Consider which types of requests you will decline e.g. “Why did he die, can you look at his death chart?” “I’m sixteen years old, will you read my chart and not tell my parents?” “I think my partner is having an affair, will you read their chart for me but not tell them, I have the details for you?”

Extend Yourself

  • Write an astrological personal privacy statement which can be used on your website and in correspondence with potential clients (100 words).

 

Share on social with hashtag #starzclass.

5 Planetary Complex Tips Chart Reading

5 Planetary Complex Tips Chart Reading

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Chart Complexes There are many techniques which you can use to read a birth chart and one highly popular method is with chart complexes. A complex contains everything to do with a particular feature in a chart You can have house complexes, point (Ascendant, Lunar...

The Asteroids

The Asteroids

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The Asteroids

The asteroids orbit the Sun and they are solar system bodies.

They are smaller than the planets and their paths lie mainly between Mars and Jupiter.

They are found in what is called “The Asteroid belt” which is a space between the personal planets (Sun to Mars) and the social planets (Jupiter and Saturn).

Bode’s Law states that there will be a planet found in the space between Mars and Jupiter.

The earlier astronomers looked for it, and that is how Ceres the biggest and was the first asteroid to be discovered.

The Big Four Asteroids

The four largest asteroids are Ceres, Juno, Vesta and Pallas Athene.

The big four asteroids were discovered first because they are so large, and they could be seen with the early telescopes.

These are the main asteroids and they are the ones you will learn about here.

In 2006 Ceres, was reclassified as a dwarf planet (just like Pluto) due to its mass.

This special status conferred onto Ceres has brought Ceres into many astrologer’s main practices and you will often see it in printed charts.

The Asteroid Belt

The main asteroid belt lies between Mars and Jupiter and contains millions of varying sized objects some as large as the planet Pluto and some the size of a potato.

There are three areas where asteroids are found.

The main belt is where most of the astrology asteroids lie, and the Greeks and the Trojans which are groups that lie equally before and after on Jupiter’s orbit path at a sextile.

Asteroids and the Feminine

All the asteroids are named after Goddesses.

They are mostly female.

Female goddess asteroids balance out the male dominated planets such as Sun, Mars, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto and Chiron in a chart.

Female Family

The four main asteroids are all named after the females in a family.

In the myth of Jupiter, we see the asteroid names.

Ceres was Jupiter’s mother, Vesta was his sister, Juno was Jupiter’s wife and Pallas Athene was his daughter.

Asteroid Names

There are hundreds of asteroids and many of them have names which can be used in chart interpretation.

You may discover that there is an asteroid with your name and if so, it may have a special meaning for you in your chart.

The name an asteroid has reflects its meaning.

Many asteroids were named after Greek and Roman myths and the asteroid with the corresponding name has the meaning of the myth.

Asteroid Orbits

Generally, the asteroids take around four to five years to orbit the Sun.

Their paths lie between Mars, which has a two year orbit, and Jupiter, with its twelve year orbit, although some asteroid orbits are longer.

Ceres

Ceres was the first asteroid to be discovered by Giuseppe Piazzi on January 1, 1801 in Palermo, Sicily.

Ceres Keywords:

  • Mother and Earth mother.
  • Physical nurturing, food, cooking, nutrition and eating disorders.
  • The parent/child relationship, parental kidnapping and custody battles.
  • Food production in general.
  • The nurturing principle and where and how you feel nurtured.
  • Love and comfort.
  • Infertility and barrenness.
  • Fear of abundance.
  • Cereals and the harvest.

Body Parts  

Uterus and upper intestine.

Pallas Athene

Discovered in 1802.

Pallas Athene Keywords:

  • The father/daughter relationship and your relationship with your father.
  • Mental nurturing.
  • Your ability to weave, see patterns and link ideas.
  • Your survival instinct.
  • The arts.
  • Creative intelligence.
  • Intelligence, cerebral.
  • Creative intuition and defense.

Body Parts  

The kidneys and the immune system.

Juno

Juno is the third asteroid and was discovered in 1804.

Juno Keywords:

  • Wife, marriage, commitment and your soul mate.
  • Beauty, fashion and flowers.
  • Relationship renewal and committed partnerships.
  • Betrayal, denial, and inequality.
  • Wife issues and powerlessness.

Body Parts

Female genitals.

Vesta

Vesta was the fourth asteroid to be discovered in 1807. Vesta is the second largest asteroid after Ceres.

Vesta Keywords:

  • Sister, virgin, goddess, chastity, pure, and perfect.
  • Keeper of the hearth. Sorority.
  • Locks and keys.
  • Investments and insurance.
  • Self-renewal.
  • Dedication, devotion, and self-sacrifice.
  • Promiscuity, segregation, apartheid, and denial.
  • Fear of intimacy.

Body Parts  

The hymen.

Starzclass

Aspiring Astrologer Activity: Asteroids

In your astrology journal do the following:

  • On your birth chart, note the sign and house positions of the big four asteroids Ceres, Juno, Vesta and Pallas Athene.
  • List any asteroid conjunctions to other planets.
  • Find out if there is an asteroid named after you, and if so, get the position and draw this special asteroid in your chart.

Share on social with hashtag #Starzclass.

The Opposition Aspect

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The Opposition Aspect The circle divided by two. 360°/2 = 180° Same polarity Planets in opposition are usually in the same polarity. The opposition can be disassociate if one planet is in an active sign and the other in a passive sign. Opposition Aspect Meaning...

The Astrological Modes

The Astrological Modes

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Modes

There are three modes (modality, quadruplicities or qualities). The three modes are cardinal, fixed, and mutable. Each sign has one mode. Every mode has four signs associated with it.

The four Cardinal signs are Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn.

The four Fixed signs are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius.


The four Mutable signs are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces.

Modal Emphasis

Balanced Mode

The modes are balanced when they are spread evenly (as much as you can evenly spread seven into three).

For example, three planets in cardinal signs, two in fixed signs and two in mutable signs are considered in balance.

 

Strong Mode

A mode is considered strong when there are at least two more planets in the mode than the next best mode.

For example, four planets in cardinal signs, two in air and one in a mutable sign makes the cardinal mode strong.

Weak Mode

A mode is weak when there are no planets in the mode.

For example, three planets in cardinal, four in fixed and no planets in a mutable sign makes the mutable mode weak.

Cardinal Meaning

Strong Cardinal

People with many planets in the cardinal signs usually start things.

They are self-motivated, have goals and are the leaders of the zodiac.

Cardinal signs initiate change.

Weak Cardinal

A lack of planets in the cardinal signs suggests the individual is not one for starting things or getting things going.

For a weak cardinal person procrastination may be an issue.

Fixed Meaning

Strong Fixed

Those with many planets in fixed signs stick to things and can complete things.

They are tenacious, reliable, stubborn and steadfast. They are resistant to change to the extent that they may have to overcome inertia.

Weak Fixed

A shortage of fixed planets in the signs indicates the person has a certain wavering in life.

Mutable Meaning

Strong Mutable

Strong mutable signs are flexible, adaptable and inclusive.

They are accommodating, adjustable, amenable to change and they can move things along.

Weak Mutable

When there are no planets in a mutable sign it imparts some rigidity to the individual.

Starzclass

Aspiring Astrologer Activity: Modes

In your astrology journal, and only counting the seven visible planets from the Sun to Saturn, do the following:

  • Note which planets are in the cardinal mode.
  • Note which planets are in the fixed mode.
  • Note which planets are in the mutable mode.
  • Decide if there is a modal emphasis or a lack of any mode.
  • Write a brief interpretation of your chart’s mode strengths and weaknesses (50 words).

Share on social with hashtag #starzclass.

Color of the Year

Color of the Year

Pantone - the Color People Color of the Year Towards the end of each year, Pantone announces a new color for the forthcoming year. The publication of the Color of the Year is highly anticipated, mainly by artists, graphic designers, trend setters and the New Age...

Chart Division

Chart Division

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Chart Division Overview

Horoscopes developed with the early Greeks and Babylonians. These early astrologers made a conformation that all charts are represented in a certain way.

It is as though you are standing facing south with the east to your left and the west to your right. At this point, the north is below your feet.

The compass points, when placed on a birth chart, fall in unexpected places. Note the east is on the left, the west in on the right, the north is at the bottom, and the south is at the top.

Is this news to you? Well, that is where the word NEWS comes from North, East, West, and South. However, on a birth chart, the compass points are in different places.

 



The Angles

The four angles are the ascendant (ASC), the descendant (DEC), the Midheaven or Medium Coeli (MC) and the Immum Coeli (IC). There are two main axes in a chart, the ASC/DEC

Ascendant / Descendant axis – (Self / Other)

Ascendant meaning:

The impression you make on others. How others see you. It shows the self and your personality. The façade or mask you wear. It indicates the vehicle you use to get through life. The ascendant fronts for you. Other initially see your ascendant before they get to know you and then they see your Sun.

Descendant meaning:

The descendant gives ideas on how you treat other people and strangers. It shows your relationship with the general public. This point also indicates who you are looking for in a partner. The descendant shows your spouse in sharp focus.

Medium Coeli (MC) / Immum Coeli (IC) – (Public / Private)

MC meaning

The Midheaven is at the top of the chart, and it indicates how the world sees you. The Midheaven suggests your highest achievements possible. Life outside the home and your public persona are shown here. The MC has a lot to say about your career and how you carve a life out for yourself. It is about all the things you do in the public domain. It shows your public face as opposed to your private face.

IC meaning

The IC shows the foundations of your life and from where you are coming. It is your private life. It suggests your family dynamics and the inside of your home. It can indicate the situation in your twilight years.

More About Chart Division

Hemispheres

Quadrants

Triple Division – Houses

Houses



 

 

Hemispheres

Hemispheres

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By Alison Price

Hemispheres

In an astrology chart there are four hemispheres: north, south, east and west.

Hemisphere Emphasis

Bearing in mind that you only count the seven visible planets, which are the Sun, the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.

A hemisphere is emphasized when it contains more than five planets.

The Hemisphere Ruler

The hemisphere ruler is the planet that rules the sign on the cusp of the angle of the hemisphere.

The northern hemisphere ruler is the planet that rules the sign on the ascendant.

The southern hemisphere ruler is the planet that rules the sign on the descendant.

The eastern hemisphere ruler is the planet that rules the sign on the MC.

The western hemisphere ruler is the planet that rules the sign on the IC.

If the hemisphere ruler is found in its own hemisphere that planet gains status.

Northern Hemisphere

Spans from the first house to the sixth house.

The northern hemisphere shows your personal matters it is the private hemisphere).

When the northern hemisphere is strong

If the northern hemisphere is emphasized, your identity and personal resources bring success. You are probably a private person and like to keep it that way. Your family is behind you in all you do. You may sometimes be distracted by worldly commitments or demands made on you by your career or society. Strong northern hemisphere people are often introverted.

Southern hemisphere

From the seventh house to the twelfth house

The southern hemisphere indicates your outside world it is your public hemisphere.

When the southern hemisphere is strong

You are an extrovert if the southern hemisphere is emphasized in your chart. Your outside life is the highlight of your life. It is likely that you relish public acclaim. You probably strive for career and status. You may be distracted and even annoyed by the demands of your family and their needs.

Eastern Hemisphere

The eastern hemisphere encompasses the six houses from the tenth house to the third house. The eastern hemisphere is known as your self-hemisphere.

When the eastern hemisphere is strong

You are subjective, and everything is really about you. You are a self-motivated and self- oriented and much can be achieved in life. You value independence and may forsake marriage. You enjoy your own company and have many personal projects on the go. You demand personal freedom to come and go at will which does not sit well with the demands of a marriage or partnership unless your partner is flexible as well.

Western Hemisphere

The western hemisphere includes all houses from the fourth to the ninth. Interaction with other people (the “other” hemisphere).

When the western hemisphere is strong

Your interaction with others is the main focus of your life. You value personal relationships and marriage. You prefer to negotiate with others to find a win-win situation where possible. You learn about yourself through your interactions. There is a danger that you can become buried in a dead-end relationship.

 

More on Chart Division

Axes in a chart

Quadrants

Triple Division

Houses