This post is part of a series on basic chart interpretation and how to read a natal chart. The other steps are listed below and will be developed soon.
The fourth step for a basic chart interpretation is where you take the margin notes and flesh them out.
You can either write directly onto the margin notes page or type some detailed notes up for a written report for your client. I tend to do the written notes if I am having a face to face session with my client.
Gone are the days of written reports but some of you may still find there is a clarity that comes from details written notes. I certainly suggest you do this at least once either for your own chart of someone close to you.
It is a good exercise in the discipline required to read an astrology chart.
Example Detailed Notes
Below is an example of the first page for detailed astrology chart notes for an example chart.
Each piece of the chart is considered and a report like this can be over 50 pages of text.
If you have Solar Fire you can start to add each paragraph into the database so you don’t have t o keep repeating yourself in the future when you do another chart which has the same components.
Notice how the second paragraph draws together the three parts of; the strong western hemisphere, the strong triple division of houses and the strong second quadrant.
This is a typical feature of interpretation where three indicators bring clarity to your readings.
1 Strong western hemisphere
2 Strong 2nd triple division of house
3 Strong 2nd quadrants
You always need to be on the look out for themes and indicators that come from more than one source when doing a basic chart interpretation.
Your Future Chart Interpretations
The more charts you read the better you will get at interpretations.
There is a tipping point for chart readings and when they start to get easier. It is after your twenty-fifth chart that you suddenly can read a chart with ease.
Every time you start to read a chart there are so many things to look at and it can be daunting.
Here I have brought the essence of chart reading down to a few features to consider. These are things you will always look at when you do any chart reading.
If you practice this type of high level chart your interpretation you will get to the heart of your chart reading sooner rather than later.
These tips will sharpen your focus so you don’t go off at a tangent or wander down a chart reading rabbit hole.
1. The Dominant Broad Stroke
The dominant broad stroke refers to the background feel for a chart. This is shown by the quantity of planets and their distribution throughout the chart.
The broad strokes do not consider individual planets.
Planet Count
You count the visible planets only and this will always add up to seven. The seven visible planets are the Sun, the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn.
The four hemispheres of north, south, east and west
The four quadrants numbered first, second, third and fourth.
In all of this find the highest possible number and focus on interpreting that broad stroke.
2. The Chart Ruler Complex
The chart ruler is the planet that rules the sign on the ascendant. If it is one of the three signs with two rulers (Scorpio, Aquarius or Capricorn) then look at both rulers.
Look closely at this planet and discover it’s message. Understand the chart ruler by sign, house, aspects and position in the chart.
Strong
The chart ruler is strong if it is in its own sign or in exaltation or in other words if it has essential dignity.
It is strong in accidental dignity which is the natural house of its sign. So for example, Mars in the eighth house is strong because Mars rules Scorpio the natural eighth sign.
Notice if it rules the hemisphere, quadrant, division or the house it tenants.
If the chart ruler has only soft aspects it is supported, but if it receives only hard aspects it is afflicted. A combination of both brings a neutral feel.
Position in the Chart
See if the chart ruler dominates the chart by being high in teh chart and most elevated, oriental, the final dispositor or is it in an angular house (first, fourth, seventh or tenth).
These positions add weight to the planets and give it gravitas.
Major Aspect Patterns
See if the chart ruler is well engaged by being part of a major aspect pattern. Check if it dominates the pattern.
This placement adds strength to the chart ruler.
Chart Ruler’s Direction
Check if the chart ruler’s motion is direct, stationary or retrograde.
Being direct adds weight and makes the planet strong but the state of being retrograde detracts from the planet’s potential. Being stationary can add strength depending on how comfortable it is in its sign.
To find the tightest aspect you have to consider the aspects between the planets and the orbs.
What to Look For
Look for aspects between the planets and not the points.
The planets to consider when looking for the tightest aspect are; the Sun, the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto and Chiron.
What to Ignore
Do not consider any points like the Ascendant, the Midheaven, the Lunar Nodes or the Part of Fortuneetc.
I also do not consider the asteroids unless you use them in your daily astrology practice. If not then ignore asteroids including Ceres.
Only look for the five Ptolemaic aspects which are the conjunction, sextile, square, trine and opposition.
Tightest orb
Find the aspect with the tightest orb which should be 00°00′.
See which aspect it is and understand the meaning of this aspect.
Consider at the two planets in the aspect and how they will work together in this chart and in this aspect.
Check the house and signs that the tightest aspect lies over and understand what this means.
5. The Prominent Major Aspect Pattern
You need the find the most dominant major aspect pattern in the chart.
Some charts may not have a major aspect pattern and if so, then skip this step.
If there is more than one major aspect pattern of the same type, say you have three T-squares, then find the tightest orbed T-square, the non-disassociate T-square and the one that includes the chart ruler, the Sun or the final dispositor.
Find this major aspect pattern and fully understand the planets involved in it by sign, house and essential dignity.
Use these tips to help you read a chart quickly and easily.
Alison helps you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor. She offers Consultations for everyone and Coaching for Aspiring Astrologers.
If you’d like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email atstarzology@gmail.com.
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If you enjoyed this post, you may like some more astrology related articles from our blog.
Author: Alison Price - Updated: March 2025 Artists Charts I'm not just an astrologer, but I consider myself as a hobby artist and crafter as well. Being creative and expressing yourself (and myself) through art is a great interest of mine. Art in a Chart When I...
This post is part of a series on basic chart interpretation and how to read a natal chart. The other steps are listed below and will be developed soon.
Step 3 – Preparing for the interpretation – margin notes
Step 4 – Your interpretation – detailed notes
Preparing for the Interpretation – Margin Notes
Once you have the correct chart data, have cast the chart and printed it with the appropriate coloured highlights on the page the next step is the written notes you will make and first you will do the margin notes.
At this stage your are not using you astrology journal to take notes for a client that will be used to capture basic astrology interpretation meaning.
You will typically use loose paper with lines and, wait for it, a margin.
Margin
The margin is the column on the left side of a ruled page.
Margin notes are any notes you put in a margin. Simple.
Yes, but exactly what notes will you put in a margin when you do a chart interpretation?
Margin notes can be either handwritten astrology glyphs or astrology short form codes (used when typing or emailing).
Example Chart – Stephen King
Below is Stephen King’s chart.
Five Main Points for Chart Interpretation
The five important details for margin notes are:
The Balances
The Ascendant Complex
The Chart Ruler Complex
The Sun Complex
Major Aspect Patterns
Example Margin Notes for Stephen King
The Balances
Polarity
Active = 4 and passive = 3.
Hemispheres
NH = 6, SH – 1, EH = 4 and WH = 3.
Quadrants
Q1 = 3, Q2 = 3, Q3 = 0 and Q4 = 1.
The Ascendant Complex
ASC 29CA51.
Ascendant aspects
ASC-60-SU, ASC-60-VE, ASC-0-MA, ASC-120-JP, and ASC-120-NN.
First House Planets
PL and SA.
The Chart Ruler complex
MO SG 5th
Aspects of the chart ruler
MO-120-SA, MO-120-PL and MO-60-ME.
The Sun Complex
SU VI 3rd.
Sun aspects
SU-0-VE, SU-90-UR and SU-45-PL.
Major Aspect Patterns
Mini grand trine 1
(MO-120-PL)-60-ME
ME focal planet 4th
Mini grand trine 2
(MO-120-SA)-60-ME
ME focal planet 4th
Subsequent Margin Notes
After the five main points you will list in order:
The Moon complex (if not already done as the chart ruler)
The final dispositors complex (if not already done as the chart ruler)
The rest of the planets in order in the houses by angular, succedent and cadent
At the end, you will have everything listed in the chart. But the first five things will be the important issues and the ones that the client is dealing with already.
Interpreting a chart is easy when you break down the steps and do them in order of importance and order of relevance.
You do not need to be looking at a Chiron semi-sextile the North Node aspect as the first thing you consider.
Nor do you interpret from the planets in Aries first and then Taurus. Understand the weight of the planet and its prominence within a chart.
This post is part of a series on basic chart interpretation and how to read a natal chart. The other steps are listed below and will be developed soon.
The Physical Chart – Printing and Highlighting Main Features
This time I going to share with you some of my process and the focus will be on the natal chart. I will answer the following questions that plague new astrologers.
Once you have the chart cast what do you look for? What is important? What is not worthy of consideration and where do you start?
The image below is of a chart for Rosie and she is one of my clients. I have not shown the chart details that is; the time, date and place as that is not important.
What we are going to be looking at is how to prepare a chart for reading after you have printed it out and before you start.
This is like step 2 of the natal chart reading process.
What to Print
In Solar Fire or your other astrology program print a chart with a half aspectarian in the corner as shown above. This is a standard chart so you should have no problem doing this.
House Rulers
Write the house rulers against every house cusp. Start at the ascendant and in this chart (above) I have written Jupiter/Neptune and drawn a bubble around them at the house cusp.
Quadrant and Hemispheres
Draw a circle in the top right of the page. Draw a cross in it with one horizontal line and one vertical line.
This shows the four quadrants (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th) and the four hemispheres (north, south, east and west).
Only counting the visible planets from the Sun to Saturn count how many planets are in each quadrant.
In this chart there is one planet in the first quadrant (Saturn), two planets in the second quadrant (Jupiter and Venus), three planets in the third quadrant (the Sun, Mars and Mercury) and one planet in the fourth quadrant (the Moon).
Elements and Modes Table
Draw a table of four columns and three rows.
On the top label the columns F (fire), E (earth), A (air) and W (water). On the side label the rows C (cardinal), F (fixed) and M (mutable).
Add the number of visible planets (the Sun to Saturn) and write the quantity in the appropriate cell in the table.
Add up each row and column. The total will always be seven.
Chart Ruler
Find the chart ruler which is the planet or planets that rules the ascendant sign. In this case, it is Pisces so the ruling planets are Jupiter and Neptune. Colour in each instance of the ruling planets in yellow.
Major Aspect Patterns
Find all the major aspect patterns.
In this chart there is a stellium of the Sun, Neptune and Mars and a Moon yod of Mars, Pluto and the Moon.
Bracket the stellium and highlight in red so you can see it easily.
Colour the yod in green to relate to the quincunx colour which is green.
The idea is to bring forth the main features of a chart through the use of colour so you can easily see the main points when you pick up this chart again next month.
If you are reading many charts a week you do not have time to reread each chart to discover the main threads. they should be highlighted the first time around.
Most Elevated
Note the most elevated planet in this case it is Mercury (although I originally noted Mars in the drawing and I can’t change the image.
Note the lunar phase in this chart for Rosie it is a gibbous Moon phase.
Essential Dignity
Find the essential dignity of the planets and write the score on the left of the aspectarian. the aspectarian is the triangle-shaped grid at the bottom left of the chart.
In this chart we note that Mars gets a score of -5 for being in Libra and Venus of -4 for being in fall in Virgo.
Mutual Receptions
Note all mutual receptions in the chart. Interestingly enough in Rosie’s chart there are two mutual reception pairs, Mercury and Venus are the first pair and the Moon and Jupiter are the second.
On the back of the natal chart page you will also draw the dispositor tree using these handy mutual receptions as your start.
Alison
Watch the video about highlighting a birth chart as part of your chart preparation process.
Note that it refers to another birth chart but show sthe process that you will use for every chart you cast.
This post is part of a series on basic chart interpretation and how to read a natal chart. The other steps are listed below and will be developed soon.
Step 1 – The birth chart data – time, date and place.
Every chart is cast for a certain time, date and place. What we mean by these terms is explained below.
Unless you were witness to the birth you never know for sure.
Birth Time
The time for the birth chart is the actual time of the birth.
You really need the time of the first inhalation of breath by the child. It is at this time that the child takes in all the potentials of the universe at that exact moment.
A birth time of 5 pm or 6:30 am and close but not exact. As astrologers, we come across birth times like this every day and you will cast your chart to these times unless you have a better time.
The birth time is not:
The time the head crowned.
The time the umbilical cord was cut.
The time of the first slice for C-section or Cesarean births.
If there is no birth time
If there is no birth time ask questions to try to narrow it down. If their mother or aunt is alive you can ask them or anyone who may have been around at the birth.
For instance, you can ask, “Was it day or night? Was it before lunch or in the afternoon?
Birth Date
In all my years as an astrologer, I have only come across one person who did not know their birth date and they did not know the year.
As I recall she thought she was born on September 25th, 1967 or 1968. Wow, that was interesting. they had the time and the place but not the year.
Clearly, some people do not have a birth date and this really does pose a problem for astrologers as you cannot cast a birth chart with no birth date. In this case, it is better to ask a horary question and used the chart for those. It will not be a birth chart but it will be correct for the questions being asked.
Birth Place
The birthplace refers to the place they were born. We typically need the village, town or city and the county, state or province.
As an example, there are many places in the USA called Springfield and you need the state to know which one it was.
Some clients will tell you the actual hospital in the city they were born, which is interesting in itself, but if the birth time is not precise the exact hospital name will not help much either.
Overall
As an astrologer, you can only work with what they give you. If you have a good birth time, date and place then use it obviously you will do that.
Don’t worry about not being sure and not having exact with birth data as there is not much you can do.
The two options for getting a correct birth time from a near birth time are by:
Rectification or the birth chart. This is a special exercise that some astrologers do to good reviews.
Or checking the major transits to the ascendant and MC and this above all will be the best way to narrow down a wide birth time.
I personally do not practice rectification I prefer to use the transit and solar arc method for finding a correct birth time.
I mean you never really know do you?
My Kids
I have four children and with each birth my husband was there in the room with two watches on his arm to get the birth time. He was given strict instructions to get the exact inhalation of breath and because of this I have my four children’s birth times not only to the minute but to the second. Their birth times are precise.
If you are pregnant or someone close to you is expecting then get them to capture the exact birth time.
Even if they do not agree with astrology their child may thank them later when they grow up to be an adult and they need a birth chart cast.
I feel that in this day and age every child born now should have the correct birth time recorded for them for later.
Now and then you may manage to get to an Astrology Conference. What you pack and take with you can make or break your experience.
These events are typically three-day weekends but sometimes they have a day before (Thursday) and a day after (Monday) for special classes.
This weekend I’m off to Norwac the North West Astrology Conference in Seattle, WA, USA which has prompted this piece. I have attended this conference before and you can read about that trip here.
Short trips and weekends away are shown in your third house. Longer trips, overseas journeys, and extended stays from home of a week to ten days are shown in your ninth house.
So, is a weekend in another country (the USA) third or ninth? To my mind, the answer is ninth because it is further than a horse can travel in one day which they tell me is 50km and yes, I got that from the horse’s mouth. The trip to Seattle is 230km and that definitely falls into the ninth house.
Art of Packing
The time before last when I went to the Faculty of Astrological Studies Summer School in Oxford for a week I took a massive suitcase full to bursting.
I was overweight at Vancouver before I had even boarded the plane. Coming back I had to buy another suitcase in England for all the stuff (gifts, books and clothes) I had bought whilst I was there.
When the driver of the coach from London to Oxford tried to lift my 60lb suitcase into his hold under the coach he turned to me and asked, “Why is this so heavy? Have you got a body is here?”
Packing is an art. You need to learn how to pack and haul less stuff around.I now use a small Rimowa cabin sized suitcase on wheels and if something cannot fit in that it doesn’t go. The cabin size means it can be stowed in the overhead cabin on an aeroplane because it is small enough. I never check luggage to the hold when flying anymore.
Don’t take too much stuff.
Three-Day Weekend
I am going to share my tips and tricks about packing stuff for a three-day weekend astrology conference. This assumes you go on Friday morning and leave on Sunday evening, and so spend two nights in the hotel.
The Plan
You will be wearing your Friday outfit as your leave home. There is a new top for the Friday evening dinner.
Saturday sees you in a simple ensemble for the day and a change into your evening top for the banquet.
On Sunday morning your will again wear casual clothes as you will be traveling home in them later that day.
Tech stuff
Tech stuff is essential and you need the cables as well. If you are going to Europe you will need an adaptor to connect your tech stuff to the electricity supply.
Smartphone – To take photos, chat with the family at home, post to social media (I currently like Instagram) and to keep up with friends at the hotel with texts if you plan to meet up for breakfast etc.
I take my MacBook Air which I’ve had it since 2009 and it’s still going strong. I use this in my hotel room to continue my work but I don’t take it into the lecture rooms. The conference organizers don’t like that.
iPad with Astro Gold for casting charts at the conference. I usually offer readings at a reduced rate and currently do this through the featured charts and my Jupiter patron program.
Chargers for all equipment.
Clothes
These suggestions are for women. I expect men do something similar and may need a tie and jacket for the dinner and banquet.
Black pants.
Leggings.
Light tunic x 2.
Light knit top.
Light jacket.
Evening top, coloured – For the Friday night dinner.
Evening top, jazzy – This can have a little twinkle as it is for the banquet on Saturday night. This is where most of the photos are taken.
Running shoes.
Booties (ankle boots).
Socks – Always wear socks in a hotel and avoid walking barefoot on the carpet or in the bathroom and shower).
Camisoles or bras and panties (knickers) x 3 (the camis and panties double as pajamas).
Pashmina in a solid colour. I like rose pink or cream.
Scarf – Light cotton or silk in bright tones. Wrap twice around the neck with both ends hanging at the front.
Jewelry – regular daytime and statement jewelry for Saturday night.
Handbag/tote bag for the daily lectures, for notes, your journal and lecture handouts. Watch out that this particular bag is not massive or you will haul more stuff around all weekend.
Evening bag black, small – For your phone, credit cards, business cards, lipstick, cash and room key.
What to Wear When
Friday in the day – Leggings, tunic, light jacket, socks and booties.
You will be travelling and need stretch pants thus the leggings. The jacket could have pockets for your phone and cash. The tunic hangs lower at the back to cover your bottom and can be shorter in the front for ease when sitting in a car or on a plane for hours.
Friday evening – Replace the tunic for a nice coloured evening top and lose the jacket. Booties and socks. Evening bag. Photos may be taken.
Saturday in the day – Black pants, top (tunic or knit top) and scarf. Running shoes and socks.
Saturday evening – Black pants, jazzy evening top, pashmina, booties, socks, statement jewellery and evening bag.
Sunday in the day – Leggings, another coloured tunic, and the light jacket. Running shoes and socks.
With the leggings, you can wear them on Friday and Sunday. If you like you can wash them on Friday night so they will be dry and fresh for Sunday. It is up to you. If you do decide to do washing in your hotel room squirt some shampoo into the basin and wash your leggings a by hand. Hang them up in the shower to dry.
Makeup and Hair
Your usual makeup.
Earbuds.
Hairbrush.
Toothbrush and toiletries.
Medicines and Imodium. You never know.
Usual vitamins and supplements
Books
Promotional material – For instance a workshop you are presenting soon or another event that is coming up.
Ephemeris – I always travel with my big paperback Ephemeris.
Astrology journal – This is your daily astrology journal and contains all the information you like on astrology.
Business cards – To give to those who want. Never push your business card. Have them with you or out in front of you at the lecture table and people who need one will take one.
Awareness cards – I’ve started using these special postcard sized “awareness cards” and will give them out if someone is interested.
Pencils – These are my promotional pencils with my website details printed on. You may have other freebies to give.
Coloured crayons – This is for the astrology journal. After I have attended a lecture I like to colour the pages perhaps immediately or later that night as I unwind in my room before bed.
Pens – Take about three in case you lose one and then you can share with others
Extras
Your passport and Nexus card.
A copy of the proof of your conference payment. I once arrived at an astrology conference in Toronto and they did not have a record of my having paid. Fortunately, I did have my credit card receipt in my bag so all was good. But these things do happen.
A copy of the hotel booking. This can be in your wallet app to the hotel’s chain app, for instance, the Hilton app is used for Norwac.
Small denomination cash. This is so you will be ready to give something to any charities the conference supports, raffles at the banquet, a Tarot card or palm reading, the cash bar for your wine and tips for the waiters and chambermaid.
Sometimes there is a “Free stuff” table in the conference gathering area. This is the place to put your business cards, awareness cards, promotional materials like in my case my pencils and the flyer for our summer workshop in Vancouver in July.
What Not to Take
There are some things that you will use at home but don’t need to carry on trips. After all, you are hauling the bag around. If you free up your life and lighten your travels you will enjoy them so much more.
Pyjamas.
Robe or gown.
Slippers.
Extra shoes.
Extra bags.
Too many clothes just in case…
Regular shampoo and conditioner bottles. Always decant into 100mm bottles, take travel sizes or use the hotel’s products.
Alarm clock – Use your phone.
Big coat unless you are going north of the 60th parallel.
Other junk.
Your dog.
Astrology conferences can be so much fun. If you plan your trip carefully and only take the minimum of stuff you will enjoy the event all the more.
Born on November 14, 1975, in Mikhaylov, Belarus. Time unknown.
Technicalities
There is no birth time, so I have cast the noon chart because that brings the margin of error down to 12 hours. This means you have to dismiss the Ascendant, Midheaven and houses. What is left is correct which are the planets, signs and the aspects.
Moon
The Moon does change signs that day so if Gary was born in the morning, he will have a Pisces Moon and if in the afternoon an Aries Moon. If he was born in the morning, the Moon T-square would not be in effect and if in the afternoon the Moon T-square would be stronger and in closer orb.
Balances
Elements
There is no Earth element and this indicates he may take a while to find his footing. He will likely surround himself with earthy types or strong Taurus, Virgo or Capricorns.
Modes
In the modes, there are no mutable signs represented unless the Moon was in Pisces and at this stage it is difficult to say for sure. The strong cardinal mode suggests he does his own thing as a pioneer and rarely worries about what others think. He will lead from the front and if you choose to follow, he will be happy. There is not much room for compromise to suit you but when he feels he needs to make adjustments to his life or what he is doing he will change course and you need to keep up.
Identity
With his Sun in Scorpio, it is in a power sign and indicates that he faces the haters and buries them. There is not much room for non-believers and he does not want to convert you, you have to believe in him for there to be a dialogue.
Moon
Moon in the morning Pisces in the afternoon Moon in Aries. If the Moon is in Aries, then there is a strong mutual reception between the Moon in Aries and Mars in Cancer
Mercury Morning Planet
Mercury is the morning planet and this is quite a common placement for Mercury and does indicate a talker. People like Gary have a message and can bang on or almost beat a drum. His voice is powerful and his choice of words is not always suitable for delicate ears. Even though he uses strong language it is never derogatory, vulgar or dismissive of others.
Love and Money
Venus
Venus conjoined Pluto is one indicator of a millionaire. Venus in Libra is strong and as the final dispositor and makes him likeable and easy to love.
Family
Moon
If his Moon is in Pisces (which I rather suspect) it makes him protect his wife from perceived publicity and intrusion. She is never on display or brought forward as a prop for his life.
Mother
Much the same goes for his mother although we do get glimpses of her early teaching about truth and her expectations. That she would not praise him for doing nothing in particular, but only for when he did things for which she approved. His mother likely instilled many values he still refers to today and this role may have been picked up and continued by his wife. A woman is probably holding up a mirror of accountability for him.
Father
He revers his father shown by the Saturn trine Neptune and took his father’s small wine shop (again Saturn trine Neptune) and made it a prosperous business. You can check out some astro wine pairing. Gary knows where he comes from, how far he has come and he may see how much further there is ahead.
Genius and Creativity
Quintiles
His genius is shown through the aspects of the fifth harmonic or in other words any quintiles or bi-quintiles.
Sun biquintile Jupiter
Two strong planets are in this relationship the Sun is bi-quintile Jupiter which takes the credit for his positive buoyant outlook. This combination is double inspirational as they are the two fire planets. Promotion is used to further his identity and place himself front and center. He is not shy although there may be some natural stage fright at times. He is proud of his journey. The path he takes satisfies his inner core and heart. He promotes himself and others from this place.
Charisma
Jupiter trine Neptune
Gary uses his inbuilt charisma to grow. He enjoys being on the stage and laps up his audience. Jupiter trines Neptune which shows the early promotion of the Wine Library which was the first public presentation on YouTube that started it all. Both of these planets, Jupiter and Neptune are the Pisces rulers who work together in an easy way. Neptune rules film and video and he uses it in a powerful way. To promote (Jupiter) his process and document his journey.
Unaspected Mercury
Public Speaking
Gary’s unaspected Mercury may be a clue to why he is so prolific in his speaking and the easy way he shares his thoughts on how to do things.
Document the Journey
His method of documenting his journey to share with others (in the Daily Vee and other productions) is an inspiration. It is driven by the unfettered state of his Mercury which rules speaking, writing, orating, podcasting and off-the-cuff advice giving.
His People
We have often seen him in the after-chat in a dark street of a big city speaking directly to the people. His people. This is his favored way to share his message and reach his audience. He sees life through the “thought, word and deed” method and believes it as well. His currency is his message as his unaspected Mercury shows in its role as the Messenger of the Gods.
More Example Charts
Below is a selection of example charts. Thet generally show my process for getting the information together before the interpretation begins.
Author: Alison Price - Published: March 2025 Podcasting In our latest Starzology Astrology podcast episode, Arwynne and I look at the astrology of podcasting. We also look at the natal chart of contemporary podcaster Joe Rogan. Podcasting Planet We discuss the...
Author: Alison Price - Published: June 2024 Example Chart : Super Jupey This is an example chart reading for our listener Super Jupey. I think the name comes from the prominence of Jupiter in this chart. The Natal Chart Balances Strong Polarity...
Author Bio
Alison Price: Professional Astrologer
Alison helps you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor. She offers Consultations for everyone and Coaching for Aspiring Astrologers.
If you’d like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email atstarzology@gmail.com.
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If you enjoyed this post, you may like some more astrology related articles from our blog.
Humans are group oriented individuals. It is natural for us to congregate together even if it means simply sitting in a coffee shop or alone at a busy bar. The nature of people is to flock together. Did I hear “baaaa!”
Like minded people often gather to discuss their favored subject, support each other, bounce ideas off each other and explore theories amongst themselves.
A study group is created when several people join forces to work, read or study something of mutual interest. As I have said many times before, astrology can be an isolating interest.
It makes sense to go where you are understood and (dare I say it) everyone knows your name. Perhaps you have been thinking of getting some people together to mull over charts if so here are some ideas to help you formulate that plan.
When to Start a Study Group
Consult your chart to find the best time to begin building your astro group. Or any group for that matter. Bear in mind the planet that signifies the subject of the groups should be prominent. In our case Uranus rules astrology and astrologers.
Here are some times to look out for when creating a group:
Transits to your eleventh house. (For example, Mars is good to get things going.)
When the ruler of your eleventh house is aspected.
During transits to your North node. In astrology the North node suggests future people who may come into your life and the nodes are hubs and indicate get-togethers.
Conjunctions to your Vertex show new people entering your life.
Who to Invite
It is my belief that the people who will benefit from your group will make themselves known to you. It is natural for strong fire and air types to get together and the same for earth and water signs.
If you give it some thought, you will probably be able to come up with one or two people who live nearby and maybe interested.
Perhaps you have a busier astrologer in your area. Send them an invite. All astrologers have the same problem as in not having many others to talk to about the ins and outs of charts. This suggests why astrology conferences, retreats and seminars are so prolific and most astrology organizations are going from strength to strength.
When to Host
You may meet once a month, perhaps every third Wednesday, from 10:00am to noon or 7:00pm to 9:00pm. If you establish a firm day and time it makes it easier for attendees to juggle their schedule and make more appearances during the year.
What to Do
Astrology book clubs are often the first step. One new book is chosen each month and the attendees read it beforehand to arrive prepared and ready to discuss it at the meeting. You can explore the philosophies of the author compare your views on the techniques presented or even compare the “professional” book reviews found in the trade magazines.
Astrology transit groups usually discuss the current Moon placements and any major transits or planets changing signs happening during the month. This is a good method to support general first level forecasting techniques.
Astrology interpretation groups will often discuss each others charts comparing Jupiter placements or work through one planet each meeting going over, for instance, Jupiter in all the houses and learning by hearing how other members of the groups experience their Jupiter placement. this type of get together supports natal chart analysis and better interpretation skills.
These are just some ideas for bringing your astrology cronies together in meaningful discussion.
If you feel like hosting a group similar to one of these in your home you can benefit by offering to do all the three type of meeting suggested above.
Making astrology trading cards is a creative way to do arty things and learn some astrology as well.
Anyone who is interested to explore astrology in a fun way will enjoy crafting and trading with their Astrology Trading Cards.
Other ways of getting arty with astrology are through my astrologyWheel of Fortune.
The Inspiration for Astrology Trading Cards
Astrology trading cards are a twist on the famous artists trading card when an artist would do a large painting and then make several tiny copies on these cards to give to prospective buyers, galleries and other artists in an effort to promote their craft.
The cards would be swopped between others. You don’t sell them but you give one and they give you one back.
Over time you will have a vast collection of a variety artist’s work without spending a penny. At the same time you have distributed your hard won work to people who may be interested
Size
Each card is 64mm x 89mm or 2.5″ by 3.5″ which is a standard card size.
Astrology Theme
At a group meeting each person will be given a blank copy of the trading card template. You can download a PDF copy below.
[purchase_link id=”13940″ style=”button” color=”green” text=”Download Your Template” direct=”true”]
The leader, or moderator will offer you a hat, or jar, with pieces of paper containing one word indicating an astrology feature or theme. You take one piece of paper and the word printed on it is your theme for the day.
The pieces of paper will have either one planet, house, sign or aspect as your theme for you to work on. These are the starter words and are used in the groups I guide.
1st House, 2nd House, 3rd House, 4th House, 5th House, 6th House, 7th House, 8th House, 9th House, 10th House, 11th House or 12th House
Conjunction, Sextile, Square, Trine or Opposition
When I have a more advanced gathering or class I can have more advanced themes like; anticia, moiety, contra-parallel or transits.
Astrology Trading Card front and back
What you do
Say you get “Jupiter” as your astrology theme.
You write your own name in the by line on the back.
You will write the word “Jupiter” in the top block on each card on your sheet of six cards. You do this on every trading card on the page so in the end you have six Jupiter named cards with your name as your by line.
This is the fun part.
You draw the glyph and write keywords or draw images of what this theme means for each card. You can make each card the same or each one different. It does not matter how you embellish your cards but what is important is that you make something nice because you will be trading them with the other people at the end.
When you have finished you will have six detailed and coloured Jupiter trading cards.
The Trade
When you are happy with your designs and have completed the cards you cut them out. You may keep one for yourself if you like otherwise you will trade these cards with the other people who have various themes and will have made different cards.
That day you will go home with six original works of art signed by people you know and they will all be special and unique.
If you meet again the next week you can redo the hat/jar theme pull with the remaining theme prompts and over time you will grow a beautiful Astrology Trading Card collection that spans all the planets, houses, aspects and signs.
That is at least a total of about forty handy dandy astrology trading cards.
Show Us Your Cards
You may decide to make more cards you can buy actual cards in better quality cardstock and thicker thicknesses (available at Michael’s craft store) to make better cards.
As the interest in making these little cards grabs you, you can develop your style and the way you present your astrology through cards.
Every astrologer is different and each one will work with the energy of astrology in their own way.
When you finish a card take a photo and put it on Instagram or other social media with the hashtag #astrologytradingcard and we will love to see your work.
Grow Your Collection
This can be used as a learning resource for beginners and seasoned astrologers as well.
Getting Clever
In reality, the artists write their name and the title of the piece they have created on the back. You can get creative here as well. This is also a place to put your website and contact details.
More advanced astrologers who get into Astrology Trading Cards collection will make individual cards to trade with other astrologers.
In Vancouver?
Follow me on Instagram for more updates or direct message (DM) so we can get started if you are in Vancouver. I am up for a trade as soon as you are.
Join In at Conferences
I was at Calgary in September 2017 and at NORWAC in March 2018 and I had had some of my Astrology Trading Cards to trade with you.
Two planets may be in mutual reception when each planet is in the other planet’s sign.
Example: The Sun in Cancer and the Moon in Leo are in mutual reception because the Sun rules the sign of Leo and the Moon rules the sign of Cancer.
Technically planets in mutual reception need a Ptolemaic aspect joining them to be considered in mutual reception, but this strict rule can we waived now and then I believe.
A planet in its own sign cannot be in mutual reception with another planet.
Mutual Reception by Sign
When mutual reception by sign occurs, and each planet is in the other planet’s sign, it’s like the two planets have entered the party but it is crowded.
Only at the “aspect” have they found each other in the melee.
Then when it’s a Ptolemaic aspect they fall in love in the Moonlight.
Sigh…
Relationships Bonds
When two planets are in mutual reception it creates a bond between them that cannot immediately be seen as with an aspect.
Mutual reception is like a back-channel of energy that flows but you can only see it when you take a closer look.
Like when someone is chatting behind your back to another person and they have an allegiance to them and you don’t realise they are related, like cousins, and that is the connection.
Jupiter in Capricorn and Saturn in Sagittarius or Pisces
Uranus in Capricorn and Saturn in Aquarius
Neptune in Capricorn and Saturn in Pisces
Pluto in Capricorn and Saturn in Scorpio
Aquarius
The Sun in Aquarius and Saturn or Uranus in Leo
The Moon in Aquarius and Saturn or Uranus in Cancer
Mercury in Aquarius and Saturn or Uranus in Gemini or Virgo
Venus in Aquarius and Saturn or Uranus in Taurus or Libra
Mars in Aquarius and Saturn or Uranus in Aries or Scorpio
Jupiter in Aquarius and Saturn or Uranus in Sagittarius or Pisces
Saturn in Aquarius and Uranus in Capricorn
Neptune in Aquarius and Saturn or Uranus in Pisces
Pluto in Aquarius and Saturn or Uranus in Scorpio
Pisces
The Sun in Pisces and Jupiter or Neptune in Leo
The Moon in Pisces and jupiter or Neptune in Cancer
Mercury in Pisces and Jupiter or Neptune in Gemini or Virgo
Venus in Pisces and Jupiter or Neptune in Gemini or Virgo
Mars in Pisces and Jupiter or Neptune in Aries or Scorpio
Saturn in Pisces and Jupiter or Neptune in Capricorn or Aquarius
Uranus in Pisces and Jupiter or Neptune in Aquarius
Pluto in Pisces and Jupiter or Neptune in Scorpio
Conclusion
And that’s the lot. It is quite a comprehensive list and one chart may or may not have any mutual receptions.
You may decide to only use the traditional planets from the Sun to Saturn and this would be the case for creating a dispositor tree.
Starzclass
Aspiring Astrologer Activity: Mutual Reception
In your astrology journal and using a chart with a mutual reception, please do the following:
State the two planets in each other’s sign.
Decide if there is a Ptolemaic aspect between them or not.
Extend Yourself
Interpret the mutual reception pair by considering the planets, signs, houses, house rulers, aspect (or not) and possible energy that can be brought forwards as they are in cahoots with each other (100 words).
Author Bio
Alison encourages you to explore your unique creativity and live a satisfying life through your personal astrology. She offers her insights from the heart and with a sense of humor.
This is another featured chart of inspirational people of our times. I have written a brief interpretation for Elon Musk and brought forward the important features of his chart.
Of course there are many smaller and minor details in this chart but as with all good astrology you need to stay on the high roads and leave the byways and back roads for another day.
On a side note, I love that he is from South Africa as you may know I spent the majority of my life there so it is close to my heart.
Chart Details
Birth details 7:30am, June 28, 1971, Pretoria, Gauteng, Republic of South Africa.
General
Elon has an air and water emphasis suggesting his ideas and emotions are closely linked. He will go with his gut feeling when making decisions. Once the ideas come to him the level of excitement generated will allow his internal compass to choose the path he should take by the reactions each idea evokes.
There is a lack of the fire element which means he has weak inspiration but as we shall see this is counterbalanced by the two fire planets, Mars and Jupiter, being so well engaged in his chart.
The Sun
The Sun in Cancer shows his deep feelings for his family and he sees the business as a family. He truly cares for his employees and will make himself available for them.
Venus
Venus oriental in the sign of Gemini the Twins indicates people speak well of him and they will give him the benefit of the doubt. They love his message. He has a warm manner that attracts his audience.
Moon
The crescent Moon phase is a sign of promise to come as his life develops. Thing will emerge in their own time.
The Virgo Moon brings an emotional component to detailed work and he has the knack of spotting minute flaws in plans, projects or people. With this attention to detail he does not mean to bring others down but he uses it as a way to make things better for all. The smallest feeling or nuance will influence him to reassess his team and with whom he surrounds himself.
Mutual Reception
There is an interesting mutual reception between the Moon in Virgo and Mercury in Cancer. This supportive relationship suggests the feeling in his voice will be a give away as the coolness of his demeanor is belied by the emotions as he talks and shares his ideas with others.
Using gesticulations and strong words to make people care and respond to his message is a tactic he employs to great effect. He can talk and people will want to be a part of it all.
Major Aspect Pattern
Cardinal T-square Uranus opposition Chiron square Mercury.
With Mercury as the focal planet it draws the weakness and the breakdowns of his ideas through to be mentally processed. He probably has an active mind carefully assesses all inputs before he speaks. He will probably be aware of or be challenged by his perceived mental and verbal agility. He is a man of few words until he becomes comfortable with you. We may never know the real Elon as he protects himself through layers of technology.
Aspects
The good Saturn trine Pluto aspect harnesses the power of determination which will encourage Elon to succeed.
The Jupiter conjunct Neptune (both Pisces planets) shows his exploration and vision are brought together to make something big. This is the sign of a dreamer.
The Jupiter opposition Saturn (and note both of these planets are also contra-parallel) makes this a double whammy opposition. His dilemma is between his reach and his grasp. Can he strive towards massive journeys without compromising his core goals? This aspect will be the energy that keeps him awake at night.
His natal Saturn is opposition to Neptune and again contra-parallel once more reinforcing his controlled imagination. He will likely see things through colour and feel and see the internal art they possess. This shows a duality of confidence coupled with the fear of following his own rainbow.
Thor’s Hammer
The Mercury square Chiron and both sesquiquadrate Jupiter form the Thor’s Hammer major aspect pattern. This drives the chart and the man. He may hesitate to speak up but his actions will be his voice. He may feel his background is weak but in time he will be lauded as a pioneer and explorer extraordinaire. In his own mind he is still a young man who struggles to make idle chit chat.
Creativity
Inherent creativity is shown by the quintiles in his chart.
The Quintile Arrow
This is the most likely major aspect pattern that spearheads his innovation and creative drive. Mars is conjunct the north node in Aquarius indicating unpredictable leadership. As the head of his tribe he keeps everyone on their toes.
But that’s not all.
Mercury and Pluto are quintile each other and both are bi-quintile Mars. This forms the rare quintile arrow and points to Mars as the resolution for all his creative energy. He is truly a pioneer in fact he probably has many projects and ventures in the pipeline. He can turn his ability to any of them. This makes him a man’s man and a no nonsense kind of guy.
Mars trine Venus shows he will relish a beautiful woman on his arm. If she can communicate on his level or not it will not matter. He is likely to have the met love of his life at a young age and she may have been, or still is, the girl next door. He will use his early connection to the fairer sex as a yardstick with which to measure other women against.
The Sun biquintiles Neptune which suggests his vast imagination and how being identified with “out of this world” things is a part of his life.
He is a dreamer with the drive to make innovation. We have not seen all he can do. The best is yet to come.
Now and then I like to cast the featured charts of people who are inspirations to us all. I look for those individuals who have made a difference in the lives of others by their ideas, creations and actions. This time I chose Jack Conte the inspiration and creative drive behind Patreon.
Chart Calculations
I have the birth details of July 13, 1984, San Francisco, California, USA. Because his birth time is unknown (to me) I’ve cast the midday chart.
The high noon time places the nativity halfway through the day and this means that no matter what his actual birth time was we are only a maximum of twelve hours out. Therefore most planets will be in the same positions in the signs.
The only question is the Moon’s sign. If he was born in the morning then the Moon was in Capricorn or if in the afternoon then the Moon was in Aquarius.
You have to ignore the ascendant and the house positions.
BriefInterpretation
If it is a Moon in Capricorn then he will be slightly reserved with his feelings and moods may linger longer than they need. This placement makes it hard to have felt loved in the early years. As an adult, he wants to provide a home environment where mutual respect is key.
With an Aquarius Moon, it brings a cool emotional attitude to life. He will be more inclined to text his feelings or recite poetry to his lady love. This placement suggests he likes many types of cuisine and will experiment in the kitchen and share his offerings with those close to him.
There are four planets in anaretic degrees. This means they are at 29 degrees of their signs. These are planets that are both subdued and yet paused awaiting their conscious revival by Jack himself. They are poised with their potential. As he grows older he can tap into these planets in a meaningful way.
The two artistic planets Venus and Neptune are both anaretic. They are in the quincunx aspect with each other and this suggests he continuously strives to discover the music he likes. It is as if he knows it’s inside himself but it takes time to tease it out and let it fully bloom. He will be constantly adjusting the type of beauty and atmosphere which his music evokes.
Inner Struggle
The Sun in Cancer shows he has vibrant emotional responses and this can create knee-jerk reactions to many events in his day. Time has to be taken to fully process the mood of the moment before his inspiration can shine.
The final dispositor of Jack’s chart is Mars in Scorpio and this provides him with controlled drive and the desire to challenge the status quo. He will likely compete with himself most of the time as things never seem to be exactly right. This suggests he redoes his efforts frequently until time itself pushes him to release the buried creative expression and give birth to his work.
He is a passionate warrior and will go into battle for things that touch his core. The biggest conflicts may be inside as he struggles to find his path and direction. This can be accomplished by constantly facing the issues close to his heart so he can help others in a meaningful way.
The conjunction of Mars with Saturn brings a steadfast discipline to finish the things he starts. The challenge here is that he may not like what it has become but he will continue to completion.
This man will get better as he gets older. The drive as a young man will slowly but steadily become reined into a special purpose as he grows older. In time he will move from being a generalist to become a specialist. This shift of focus will bring him more personal satisfaction than in the early years.
Art and Music
As the founder of Patreon for the patrons to the arts, the principle sits well with his Venus Neptune aspects and the signs in which both planets find themselves. To bring value to art will be a theme for Jack. At the same time he will continue to do his own musical work as he always considers himself an artist.
In days gone by he may have been a starving artist and the feeling of “want” will be the thing that propels him forward. This man will do more with a woman in his life than he can do alone. He is productive when his partner walks the path of life at his side, neither leading nor following, but as an equal.
His Venus in Cancer urges him to make music that soothes or makes the listener feel they belong in a world where many do not. Jack’s Neptune is stimulated to make the journey from amateur to professional musician. That he ever made any money from his songs is still unbelievable to him.
Energy Expression
Mars is trine the Sun and this give endless energy and a bright outlook to life. In his heart of hearts, he is up to the challenge. He will fight the good fight and be on the side of the angels.
Mars is square Mercury and this aspect shows the dichotomy between how he thinks and what he actually does. He can talk the talk and also walk the walk but the focus may be a troubling attribute. He will try hard to remain on track as the influences from other artists may be catalysts for a change of mind. Thoughts will benefit from being aired and groups like think-tanks will help him to get the energy for innovation out.
Mars and Saturn are the two bad boys of the zodiac and when they come together hard facts are faced and the result is a structure that sustains. Life will have its challenges for Jack and he may face many hurdles. Grit and determination to produce something of value will be the core drivers of his life.
MMXVII-MMXVIII
There are several planetary configurations that will stimulate change for Jack in the next year or two.
In October the growth planet Jupiter will conjoin his natal Pluto and this will be reflected as an expansion at the core levels of his life. Opportunities to bring buried projects to conception will present themselves. Personal transformation will be the over-arching them towards the end of 2017.
The month of December promises to be full of activity and events and an opportunity to be published or launch an album will be an option. Jack will go into 2018 with more drive and confidence from his supporters than ever before.
The challenge will likely be in deciding what to do next as the chances for great things come to him. It will be decision time and plans made during the last month of the year will affect his future.
At the end of the year as Saturn meets his Neptune it triggers the quincunx to Venus and there could be a sadness as some parts of his life will be let go. He cannot do everything and it is best to focus on one or two projects whilst shelving others even though they may promise to be fun. He does not need to fear, as he can return to them later.
The early months of 2018 will be a period all about planning and establish solid foundations on which to stand as Jack builds his empire.
Alison
Note, if you happen to have the correct birth time please send me the info and I’ll cast the exact chart. 💛
Chart points are not planets or entities at all they are points in space and typically occur where two imaginary lines cross.
The Ascendant
The Ascendant is the face you show to people one-on-one. It is the mask or façade presented to strangers. It is the initial thing people see about you. It is the first impression you give to others.
The Midheaven is the face you show the world. It is what the world knows you for. It represents your highest achievements in life and is your public status, reputation or notoriety.
Descendant
The Immum Coeli
The Vertex
The Part of Fortune
The Part of Fortune shows where and how your personal fortune is likley to manifest in this lifetime.
Alison wants to help you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor.
Author: Alison Price - Updated: March 2025 Artists Charts I'm not just an astrologer, but I consider myself as a hobby artist and crafter as well. Being creative and expressing yourself (and myself) through art is a great interest of mine. Art in a Chart When I...
This is part of theStarzology Astrology Basicsseries of posts on the four cornerstones for reading a chart. This is what you need to know to read a chart. The other cornerstones are signs, planets, housesand a fifth cornerstone (?) is chart points.
Podcast Episode: Aspects Introduction
In this podcast episode, Alison and Arwynne provide valuable insights into the aspects of your birth chart.
They delve into the specific angles of major, minor and lesser used aspects, discuss the orbs that influence them, and offer real-life examples of how these aspects manifest in actual charts.
Additionally, they offer guidance on where to begin and how to determine which aspects hold significance in your natal chart.
Introduction to Aspects
Aspects are the angular correspondences formed between planets, angles and other points in a chart.
They are measured in degrees and minutes of longitude in the signs.
Aspects are a function of simple geometry.
Every planet will usually have some aspects.
Not all charts will contain all the different aspects.
It is unlikely that all planets will have every aspect.
Not all planets will aspect each other.
Some planets may not receive any aspects from other planets (an unaspected planet).
Often charts will have a preponderance of one particular aspect such as trines or squares.
Aspects in General
Aspects and aspect patterns show the main story lines within a chart.
The dialogue between the planets and chart points is found by the planetary connections expressed through the aspects.
Aspects are like a conduit passing information between two planets.
Two planets in aspect will communicate with each other for better or for worse depending on the actual planets and the aspect in question.
Applying and Separating Aspects
An aspect is determined to be either applying or separating.
This state depends on the speed of the two planets and their position in regard to each other.
The planets are listed here by speed, from the fastest moving planet to slowest moving planet; the Moon, Mercury, Venus, the Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Chiron, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.
Note
Note: Sometimes Mercury and Venus can be slower than the Sun it depends on their position at the time.
Applying Aspects
Aspects that are applying are stronger than those separating.
The applying faster planet is moving towards the exact (or partile) aspect with the slower moving planet.
During an applying aspect the pressure is still building, and the effect is of potential still to come.
Aspects are applying when the faster moving planet has yet to catch up to the slower moving planet’s degree position.
Example
The Moon at 10° Virgo is applying a conjunction to the Sun at 15° Virgo.
Separating Aspects
Aspects are separating when the faster moving planet has passed the degree position of the slower moving planet.
After the aspect has been exact the aspect is separating and the effect is more of release or acceptance.
Example
The Moon at 15° Gemini is separating from an opposition to the Sun at 10° Sagittarius.
The major aspects are the ones used by the Greeks and are today known as “Ptolemaic aspects” after Claudius Ptolemy.
The five major aspects are the conjunction, opposition, trine, square and sextile.
Understanding Aspect Orbs
Orb Definition
An orb is the number of degrees by which an aspect can deviate from being exact while still being considered in effect.
Think of it as a margin of error or a zone of influence around the exact aspect angle.
The Importance of Orbs
Orbs are essential because planetary aspects are rarely exact to the degree.
By using orbs, you can determine:
Whether an aspect is in effect.
How strong the aspect’s influence is (tightness of orb).
Whether an aspect is applying (becoming more exact) or separating (becoming less exact).
Choosing Orbs
Debate
Aspect orbs are debated long and hard by astrologers who get together for an evening social. The debate goes on.
I suggest that if you are starting to learn astrology keep to my standard orbs, and as you become more experienced you can adjust the orbs to wider or tighter as you wish.
It is up to you.
Standard Orbs
These are the standard orbs I use.
Conjunction, opposition, trine and square: orb 8°.
Sextile: orb 4°.
Minor aspects: orb 2°.
Lesser used aspects: orb 1°.
Aspects of Longitude
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Aspects of longitude are the angular relationships between planets in a birth chart.
Think of them as cosmic conversations or dialogues where some planets are in harmony, others in tension and some are indifferent to each other.
These relationships influence how the energies of different planets interact and manifest in our lives.
The Five Major (Ptolemaic) Aspects
Where to Start
These aspects should be interpreted first in this order; conjunctions (neutral), oppositions and squares (hard) then trines and sextiles (soft).
So any conjunctions come first.
Only if you have time go onto the minor aspects.
The Conjunction
First Harmonic
The circle divided by one. 360°/1 = 360°.
Usually planets in conjunction will be in the same sign or house.
When a conjunction occurs over a sign boundary, they are said to be in a disassociate conjunction.
For instance, if the Sun is at 29° Virgo and the Moon is at 4° Libra, they are still conjunct but in a disassociate conjunction.
Conjunction (0°)
When two planets are very close together, their energies blend and intensify.
This can be harmonious or challenging, depending on the planets involved.
Conjunction Aspect Meaning
The conjunction is the most powerful aspect. It inclines the two planets towards togetherness and blends their energies. The planets virtually move as one and they have synergy.
Synergy means one plus one equals three. Each planet is indistinguishable from the other.
They show the same face to the world. Because of their close proximity it is hard for the first planet in the conjunction to clearly see the second planet and vice versa.
The Sextile
Sextile (60°)
Sextiles offer opportunities for growth and learning.
They require some effort to activate but bring positive outcomes.
Planets in sextile work well together and support each other.
They suggest that you have latent talents in the nature of the planets involved and this can be brought forward for the creativity and vision in your life. The sextile is a soft aspect.
The Trine
Trine (120°)
Trines represent harmony and ease and are usually in the same element.
Planets in trine support each other, offering natural talents and opportunities.
Planets in trine to each other are easy going and let the other planet be themselves. This is the best aspect of support and being positive. The trine is an easy or soft aspect.
The challenging square creates internal tension and dilemmas.
While difficult, squares drive us to take action, get of the couch and grow.
Planets that are square to each other have some tension between them. Their energies compete for dominance and challenge each other. Planets in square create internal dilemmas for you. The square is a hard or difficult aspect.
The Opposition
Opposition (180°)
Planets facing each other across the chart create a tug-of-war energy where projection is a theme.
Oppositions bring awareness through relationships and balance.
Planets that oppose are in tension with each other and will struggle to work together.
These planets create external dilemmas for you and can indicate where you project the issues to the other.
The minor aspects are those found to have value in chart interpretation. The four minor aspects are the semi-square, sesquiquadrate, semi-sextile and quincunx.
Minor Aspect Orbs
The orb for minor aspects is 2° both applying and separating.
Minor Aspects – Twelfth Harmonic
The twelfth harmonic aspects suggest potential frustrations where constant adjustments are required to maintain equilibrium in whatever is brought up by the planetary energies involved in the aspect.
Semi-sextile Aspect
Calculation
The circle divided by twelve. 360°/12 = 30°. The semi-sextile is half a sextile and one twelfth of a circle.
Semi-sextile Aspect Meaning
The semi-sextile suggests subtle niggling tensions.
It creates a slight unease that can motivate learning and adaptation
The semi-sextile is an aspect that can be unsettling and disruptive. There can be annoyances and tensions. It is a difficult aspect but in a quiet way. Both planets behave as if the other did not exist and try to ignore each other. The semi-sextile shows where you will push something off to another and try to redirect.
Quincunx Aspect
The circle is divided by twelve and then timesed by five. (360°/12) = 30° x 5 = 150° (i.e. 5/12).
A quincunx was a Roman coin.
The origin of the word is from the Latin “quince” meaning five and “uncla” meaning one-twelfth.
The quincunx is sometimes referred to as the inconjunct.
Quincunx Aspect Meaning
The quincunx is the aspect of adjustment, paradox, and the need for compromise.
Also known as the inconjunct, the quincunx creates a sense of niggling unease that requires constant fine-tuning
It is an aspect of awkwardness and unease.
The quincunx shows where adjustments are needed.
These two planets will grind along, but are never happy together.
They can be un-supportive of each other and make for disharmony in a niggling way.
Minor Aspects – Eighth Harmonic
These aspects fall into the eighth harmonic which indicates they are manifesting aspects and will generally exacerbate change through tension upon us.
Semi-square
The circle divided by eight. 360°/8 = 45°. The semi-square is also known as the octile. Orb for a semi-square is 2°.
Semi-square Aspect Meaning
The semi-square is an aspect of internal tension.
It can create low-level stress that pushes for personal development
The semi-square is half of a square and it can be difficult to work the two planets energies smoothly.
They can be unstable and require a change of approach each time.
This aspect inclines the individual to persisting and to keep working at making it better and finding a solution.
The circle divided by eight and then multiplied by three. (360°/8) = 45°x 3 = 135°. The orb for a sesquiquadrate is 2°. The sesquiquadrate combines one square and one semi-square. The sesquiquadrate is also known as the tri-octile.
Sesquiquadrate Aspect Meaning
Sesquiquadrates indicate external challenges that require creative solutions.
This aspect often manifests as recurring issues that demand innovative approaches
It is an aspect of tension and difficulty.
The planets challenge each other, and this person has to redo decisions.
This aspect spurs the person to find peace.
Lesser Used Aspects
Quintile
Although not one of the big five aspects I use the quintile aspect as well as it is the aspect of creativity. Planets in quintile to each other show your creative expression in line with the meaning of the two planets. The quintile should always be considered when analyzing creative expression and outlets in your life. I also consider the lesser-used aspects in the fifth harmonic like quintiles and bi-quintiles. In fact, I like quintiles a lot for insights into creativity and inspiration. Quintiles are 72° and bi-quintiles are 144° with an orb of 1°. However, I personally avoid the septiles, noviles and deciles. I’ll explain.
When you divide the chart of 360° by seven, you don’t get a whole number as the result is 51.428°. The Bi-septile and tri septile also have non-whole numbers or fractions.
Novile
The Novile is an aspect at 40° with an orb or 1°.
This is very close to the semi-square at 45° (orb 2°) and it seems not worth the bother.
Decile
The decile aspect is 36° with an orb of 1°.
This is very close to the semi-sextile at 30° with an orb of 2°.
This aspect again seems like too much bother.
Author Bio
Alison Price: Astrology Coach
Alison specializes in guiding Aspiring Astrologers. Her aim is to help you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart, often sprinkled with a touch of humor.
The chart basics are four basic building blocks of knowledge. as a student of astrology you need to get a grip on some basic principles and this post is about the houses. The other building blocks are:
An astrological chart is divided into twelve sections, or houses, and each house is a different size.
The chart looks like a pizza where each house is a segment.
Each house represents a separate area of life and planets in houses suggest that a particular area of life, like family or work, is important to you.
The houses are like a slice of life.
First house
The first house shows you, your body, what you look like, your complexion, fashion style, gait, haircut and first impression.
Second house
The second house is all about money, credit and acquisitions. It shows your values and what you value more than money. It suggests your self-worth and self-esteem.
Third house
The third house shows your brothers and sisters, school, neighbors, local area, short journeys and community involvement.
Fourth house
Your home, hearth and family life is shown by the fourth house in your chart.
Your dominant parent (who is the one was there on a daily basis providing care and nurtured you) is shown by the fourth house.
Fifth house
The fifth is the fun house.
It shows your children, your leisure activities, your romantic dates, play dates, sport, concerts and your creative expression.
It suggests where you find entertainment and this includes risk activities like riding on a roller coaster, playing the stock market and gambling.
Sixth house
The sixth house is the house of your day-to-day work, pets, small plants, health and service to others.
It shows your diet and exercise appetite.
The sixth house in your chart shows your daily rituals, meditation and other habitual practices.
The seventh house indicates your marriage, your partner/spouse, business partners and your relationship with other people.
It shows the general public, your relationship with others and open enemies.
Eighth house
The eighth house suggests your secrets, sex life, money from others, donations from others, support from others, inheritance, insurance, debt, death and taxes.
It shows the inevitable things of life.
Ninth house
The ninth house suggests your vision, life-path, travel, long journeys, higher education, foreign cultures, publications and religion.
Tenth house
The tenth house is all about your career, public standing, reputation and what the world knows you for.
It is where you are in the public eye.
It indicates your passive parent
Eleventh house
The eleventh house shows your choice of friends, groups and causes.
It is where you are a team player.
It shows your social conscious.
Twelfth house
The twelfth house is the house of your imagination, self-undoing, chronic health issues, institutions, dreams, sleep and your subconscious.
It shows your secret enemies.
Starzclass
Aspiring Astrologer Activity: 12 Houses
In your astrology journal, and referring to your natal chart, please do the following:
Write a short interpretation on each house. Mention the sign on the cusp, the house ruler, if there is an intercepted sign in the house and any planet in the house (100 words for each house).
Astrologers know that life comes in cycles. One of the more obvious cycle is the seasonal changes we experience as the Sun moves through the zodiac and enters a cardinal sign every three months.
Signs can be categorized by their components of polarity (masculine or feminine), element (fire, earth, air or water) and mode (cardinal, fixed or mutable).
Signs can be interpreted by these three distinct components in a broad way.
This time we will take a look at the meaning of each sign in more detail and discover some of the personality traits, body parts, careers, and correlations associated with each sign.
This is not to say that someone with the Sun in a particular sign will have that specific career, but it shows the inclinations for someone with a strong sign energy, through multiple planets, or if the Midheaven in that sign, to be attracted to the type of a careers and activities associated with the sign.
The Meaning of the Signs
Each sign has a different meaning and when a planet is in one sign it will behave differently to when in another sign.
In your chart the planets will be in a variety of signs.
The Sun passes through all the tropical signs.
There are twelve signs of the tropical zodiac: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces.
The signs start at Aries the first sign and end at Pisces the twelfth sign.
Pisces is the sign of the Fish. Its symbol is two fish tethered together but swimming in the opposite direction. The Sun is in Pisces from February 21st to March 21st.
Alison helps you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor. She offers Consultations for everyone and Coaching for Aspiring Astrologers.
If you’d like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email atstarzology@gmail.com.
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If you enjoyed this post, you may like some more astrology related articles from our blog.
Author: Alison Price - Updated: March 2025 Artists Charts I'm not just an astrologer, but I consider myself as a hobby artist and crafter as well. Being creative and expressing yourself (and myself) through art is a great interest of mine. Art in a Chart When I...
And on top of that you need to know about chart division and chart points.
Master the Basics
If you are learning astrology you will do yourself a favour if you can grasp these basics. Then when you do read more intermediate or advanced astrology it will make more sense.
As a kid when you learned how to read it was one step at a time. First the alphabet J-a-c-k, then words Jack, and then sentences “See Jack.”
Astrology interpretation is much like learning to read.
Series
This series of posts will give you all the basic keywords and facts you need to understand the nature of astrology.
Yes, of course there is more but these are the “See Jack, see Jack run” basic components so you can begin.
More to follow.
Basic Chart Interpretations
This series looks at what to do to get a chart that you can work with in the first place.
The seven visible planets are those that can be seen with a naked eye. They are the Sun, The Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. They are known as the traditional or Hellenistic planets.
The Outer Planets
The three outer planets are Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. They are the modern planets.
The Sun is your identity, your heart and your character. It shows where you are honest and true to yourself. It is where you can shine in life. It represents your father.
The Moon shows your feelings, reactions, gut instincts and your behavior. It rules food, how you care and who you nurture. It represents your mother, mother figures and caregivers.
Mercury shows your thinking, talking and communication style. It has to do with all buying and selling. It represents your schoolteacher and neighborhood people.
Venus shows beauty, art, style, love and money. It has to do with your values and what you invest in both things like jewelry and people. It represents young women and sisters.
Mars is about sex, energy, drive, challenges and where you compete in life. It shows when you will get off the couch and do something. It represents young men and brothers.
Jupiter is about growth, expansion, reaching and even overdoing things. It shows your vision and potential. It represents uncles, teachers and preachers.
Uranus is the planet for the future it rules trends, technology, computers and the space age. It represents adolescents, immigrants, those on the fringes of society and rebels.
Neptune is the planet of illusion, intuition, mysticism, art, magic and the unknown. It represents the psychic, the invisible, the underdog and the homeless.
Pluto is the planet of power, influence and sex. It represents people who have power over you through your use of their resources or those whom you have the drop on. It represents the loan shark, surgeon, psychiatrist, undertaker, criminal and therapist.
Chiron is the planet of wounds and healing. It suggests where you are weak and wanting. It represents people who help you like nurses, teachers, gurus and charity workers.
Eris is the planet of the female warrior. It represents the fight instinct in women. It suggests those who will fight for you simply because they are on your team, group or crew. It represents sisters-in-arms.
You may have heard something about Mercury retrograde and wondered what it is and what is does, and what to do and what not to do, or you may have even thought, “So what?”
If you are interested in finding a job or growing your career, see what to do when Mercury is retrograde, so you can make the most of every moment.
Planetary Energy
To make the best use of planetary energy it is all about going with the flow and that means taking the meaning of the planet and noticing if it is holding up a “stop” or “go” sign.
One example of planetary energy that you can see is the Moon and the tides. The Moon pulls the waters of the Earth and creates two high tides and two low tides each day. As each day moves on the times for the tides constantly changes. But every day there will be two incoming tides and two outgoing tides.
It is at the incoming tide that you can yell “Surf’s up!” and trot down to the beach to practice your surfing. Well if you live on the coast and have a surf culture perhaps like in Hawaii, but you get the picture. You can only surf when the tide is coming in. There is no point in paddling out to hope to surf in if the tide is going out. Right?
About Mercury
Each year Mercury will be retrograde three times at around four-month intervals and for about three weeks each time. Each year the dates are different.
You can find the exact dates when Mercury will be retrograde for the next few years below. You can mark these dates in your calendar now and lock out this special time.
About Retrogrades
Apparent retrograde is the optical illusion of something going backward and in this case, it is the planet, Mercury. Imagine you are on a train and moving along at a fair pace then suddenly you come upon another train on the next track.
The other train is going slower than you are so your train overtakes it but the other train seems to be going backward. Both trains are driving forward but one seems to be going in reverse. That is the illusion of retrogradation.
That a planet is retrograde can be interpreted as a time to change the pace and adjust your approach to things. When a planet is not retrograde it is direct.
Mercury’s Upcoming Retrograde Periods
2024
During April 1st to 25th from 27° Aries to 15° Aries.
During August 5th to August 28th from 4° Virgo to 21° Leo.
During November 26th to December 15th from 22° Sagittarius to 6° Sagittarius.
Mercury Retrograde Element Focus
Mercury’s current retrograde signs are mainly the Fire signs (Sagittarius, Aries and Leo) for 2024.
Mercury Rules
Communication
Every planet rules different things in life. Mercury rules communication, writing, signing, meetings, learning, schools, trading, auctions, merchants, agents and middlemen.
Trade
In everyday life, this means all your shopping, buying and selling, texts, phone calls, emails and general chatting, as well as gossip, comes under Mercury’s influence.
Workplace
In the workplace, Mercury covers resumes, recruiters, interviews (by phone and in person). Mercury can influence your LinkedIn profile although Saturn has a lot to say about that as well.
Paperwork
Mercury also is concerned with paperwork and anything you sign, like a job offer. It is also concerned with the fine print which during a retrograde period is more of a focus and you should read it all.
Mercury Retrograde Sequence
There is a sequence in each retrograde cycle and five main parts:
Mercury enters the pre-shadow period of about ten days before the actual retrograde starts.
Mercury stations retrograde.
The retrograde period itself, usually 3 weeks.
Mercury stations direct.
The after-shadow time of about a week and a half after Mercury has been retrograde.
Phew.
Before Mercury goes Retrograde
Before Mercury goes retrograde and is direct do the following:
Write your resume crafted for each specific job.
Compose targeted cover letters.
Apply for jobs via email and snail mail.
Call companies on the phone.
Reach out to your contact list and tell them you are looking for work.
Take the initiative to let your family, friends, and others know you are searching for a new job.
Start a short course on something you need in your job to build your marketable skills.
Join professional societies and attend Meetups in your field.
All of the above should be done when Mercury is not retrograde and preferably not in its shadow period.
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Mercury Retrograde
When Mercury is retrograde do the following:
Revise your resume.
Refresh any cover letters.
Get your filing up to date of jobs for which you have already applied.
Write a list of companies and people with whom to follow up and contact them again.
Research current thinking in your industry.
Set up alerts for leads.
Schedule second interviews (phone and in person).
Review job offers.
Prepare your paperwork for jobs you plan to apply for after Mercury is retrograde as you wait for it to go direct.
Revisit projects
During Mercury retrograde periods you can follow up and work on things that you have already done when Mercury was direct.
Don’t start new things when Mercury is retrograde because if you do, they will most likely be reversed when Mercury goes direct.
Sometimes you have no choice because a job advert or interview comes up when Mercury is retrograde and you need a job so you have to go. In these instances be aware that the terms will change.
As Mercury goes direct after the retrograde period, and if you did apply for a job or had an interview during the retrograde time, you can expect to return again and again for further interviews, or the job itself is shelved, or the job is morphed into something else altogether.
When Mercury is retrograde, avoid starting new things because if you do, you will have to review them later as Mercury goes direct.
Recruiters
Companies usually act in good faith when they place an advert for an opening in their business. The effect of Mercury retrograde changes the terms or the agreement and thus they may no longer need the person that they were originally looking for when Mercury was retrograde.
This cuts both ways for people looking for work and recruiters. Companies and career consultants are better off only placing vacancy adverts when Mercury is direct and communications are clear.
If a recruiter seeks a candidate during the retrograde period they will have to spend three times as long emailing back and forth and interviewing people who cancel and can’t make it to the interview for whatever reason.
All of this time-consuming effort is due to the Mercury retrograde effect which impacts communications, trade and agency.
Alison wants to help you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor.
Mars in Libra Mars' Orbit Mars is the first of the superior planets as it is at a further distance from the Sun than the Earth. Mars' Sign Rulership The red planet rules the signs Aries and Scorpio. Libra is the sign of its detriment (because it is opposite...
Create the Life You Want With The Art of Astrology
Your Creativity
I believe that all women are creative. Each and every one of us has something to offer and it can be big or small.
I find that if you bring your talents forward and make time for interesting things it establishes a balance in your life between what has to be done and what you like doing. It is the action of creating that makes the process satisfying.
We all have responsibilities such as having to work for someone else, commuting, launching our kids into the world and maintaining a social life and meaningful personal relationship.
Daily you may face a to-do list and if you don’t do them who will? If you tap into your creativity it can mitigate many of the mundane details of life.
As Women Evolve
Many of the women I see in my astrology practice are in the forty- or fifty-something age group.
They have already brought up their children and made a home for their family. At this point in their lives they want something more. They ask me, “Is this all there is?” or words in the same vein.
After the efforts they have put out for years that are now not needed, they have a good look at their life. The kids have gone their partner now may, or may not, measure up and an uneasy feeling of dissatisfaction has crept in.
Other women relish their newfound freedom and seek ways to make the most of the next phase of life. Either way women want a new direction, purpose and meaning for their life.
Enter Astrology
This is where an astrology consultation can help. Astrology is the study of the influence that the stars and planets have on life on Earth. Thousands of years of analysis have shown that particular traits are inherent in each zodiac sign.
A professional astrologer can cast your unique birth chart and provide you with a life map for your journey.
Your natal chart is original and contains many combinations of planetary energies all flowing at the same time in different directions. It is the skill of the astrologer to sort through the themes shown in your chart and present a clear picture for you.
I look at all the planets including your Sun and Moon signs and find the message in your chart. It is different for each one of you. Some will call it your soul purpose, others your life path.
Whichever words you choose to use your birth chart shows all the potentials, urges and opportunities that you have and that need to be satisfied in this lifetime.
We cannot all be rocket scientists, and indeed it would be a very different world if we were, but every woman owes it to herself to be what they truly want and not have to bow to what society, or your mother-in-law, or anyone else, thinks you should be.
Reading for Mari
I had a client recently a woman we will call Mari. She came to me in mid-life for a reading. I think initially she was simply curious as she had never consulted an astrologer before. We exchanged pleasantries. I offered her tea and we settled down in a comfortable environment for her reading.
She started off by saying, “What can you see?” and I began discussing her chart and spoke of how I interpreted her chart and who I saw her as through reading her chart and the eyes of astrology.
I had never met her before and soon I was chatting about her motivations and how her nativity was suggesting a certain path. She stopped me then, and said, “I wanted to do that when I was a girl, but I had forgotten about it until you mentioned it.”
I asked her, “Do you still want to do it?”
She thought for a moment and said, “Well I did once but that was a long time ago, I’m a different person now, I have responsibilities.”
Hmm…
I shall break from the story here and tell you that this response is common. That what we wanted to do as children or young people has been shelved in favour of a life that is an existence but pays the rent.
Yes, I know providing a roof is important but to my mind having your dream come alive again is a most desirable state of affairs.
Astrology can help you focus on what is truly important in your life and, to be honest, it could simply be continuing down your present path. But for many women it is a way to re-ignite ideas or passions that have been left to wither on the vine.
Let Your Ideas Breathe
Going back to Mari’s situation. I urged her to consider changing what she was doing, not all at once as transformation can be daunting, but that she let the thoughts of following her long lost passion mull in her head for a while and give her ideas space to breathe.
Two months later I met with Mari again and we discussed how things were going for her. She told me she had signed up for a class to refresh her desired activity and would be starting in the New Year.
She also informed me that she has changed her attitude towards herself and her view of what she wanted her life to be.
Although this was still a work in progress the small changes she had made had improved her overall perspective and brightened her outlook.
The word ephemeris (plural ephemerides) is from the Greek word ephemeros, which means daily.
This is a quick introduction to the graphic ephemeris. Generally the ephemeris that astrologers use is a hefty reference book.
It details astronomical data like daily planetary positions by zodiac sign with the degrees and minutes for each planet as well as information such as sidereal time (used for calculating the ascendant).
An ephemeris is usually laid out month by month for each year. Planetary positions are listed in tables for either noon or at midnight depending on the ephemeris used.
Graphic Ephemeris
Luckily we have a visual representation of the daily planetary positions in the graphic ephemeris. It is a quick way to find hard aspects.
It can be quite tedious to manually calculate all the planetary positions for a birth chart. Perhaps there are some of you who began your journey into astrology with this method.
You were probably relieved when the old Blue Star and then Solar Fire programs generated perfect charts.
Charts with a higher level of mathematical accuracy (even though birth times are still unreliable) are created by computers rather than manual calculations.
The graphic ephemeris has a slightly different purpose than the ephemeris book. It is mainly used for predictive work and specifically outer planetary progressions, transits and directions shown in a graph.
It is a highly visual tool where you can select the preferred time period. The planets remain constant on every graph of the period. It is the connections to the natal chart that are shown clearly by this method.
Visualization
Imagine if you take the birth chart wheel as 360° on a piece of paper and you fold it in half at the (0°Aries/0°Libra) line you then have 180° of the circle.
Next fold it in half again to show 90°, finally if you fold the chart once more you have a 45° ‘slice’ of the circle. If the paper was transparent, it would show all the planets and angles within the small 45° slice.
Transiting planets will be at the same point on the slice and therefore will be depicted near each other on the Graphic Ephemeris. This is simply a different way to look at the transits to a natal chart.
The process of folding the chart from conjunctions 0° into oppositions 180°, into squares 90° and then semi-squares 45° or sesquiquadrates 135° only allows hard aspects to be shown.
Generally there are no harmonious aspects like sextiles or trines depicted on the graph.
How to Read a Graphic Ephemeris
The left of the graph begins with a column showing the cardinal degrees from 0° for 30°. At 30°, the fixed signs start and carry on to the 45°, and then begin again at the top from 0° to 15°. Finally the mutable signs are shown from 15° for 30°.
Across the top is time in months.
On the right side of the graph is a column with the natal planets and angles by sign. Each planet and point has a coloured dotted line associated with it running horizontally across the page.
Predictive work usually begins with revealing the transits. The outer planets Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune as well as Chiron and Pluto are generally selected for transits.
The direct transiting planets enter the graph at the left and move through time down and to the right. During retrograde periods, they move up the page in a wave motion. Where planets are at 0° of the cardinal signs by transit, they will re-enter the graph at the top.
Planets changing signs have a small dot in the planetary colour on their path.
Pluto has a shallower path than Jupiter. This is due to the slower movement of this minor planet in space.
Transits
Where a transiting planet’s curve crosses a natal planet’s dotted line, a transit aspect to the natal planet is formed.
The aspect glyph is at the intersection of the two. Where two transiting planets’ paths cross each other on the graph, there is an aspect being formed between those two planets on that day in space. The actual aspect symbol is not shown on the graphic ephemeris, only aspects to the natal chart.
Nodes and Moon cycle
The nodal axis moves in a straight line on the plane of the ecliptic and is always retrograde.
The full moon is shown as a white circle and new moon as black circles.
Where a solar eclipse happens there is a black circle with the conjunction symbol within it. A lunar eclipse is depicted by a white circle with the opposition symbol within it.
Author: Alison Price – Published: August 2016 – Revised: January 2024
Relocation Astrology
Home is the most important place. It is where you live with your family or alone. It is a haven from the world and where you share memories with friends and loved ones. It is where you enjoy relaxing times with your pets, and for some it is where you work.
There are three desirable attributes that people seek when choosing a place to live their lives and bring up their family.
People want to live in a town that offers talent, tolerance and technology and find somewhere to settle that suits their needs.
Why People Move
People move from one city to another for many reasons.
Moving for work
People move from one place to another usually for work. They find a better job and go.
They relocate from the country into the town.
Once in the town they may move to the city and then then move to bigger cities which can pay more.
This motivation is changing as technology improves and we seen the upsurgence of the modern day nomad working in the gig economy.
The reasons families emigrate from their home country is typically for economic or political reasons. But it can be for work.
Moving for family
Older family members will also move to be near their children or grandchildren.
One client of mine has three grown up children but she chooses to live near the daughter who has kids of her own, or the grandchildren. This is a huge draw.
Granny (and grandpa) bring their time, energy and financial support to the next generation of the family, People move to the place where their kids and the grandkids live.
Three Things to Look for in Your New City
You may not have much choice on the city you move to. If your spouse is offered a great paying job transfer or takes an offer in a new city you’ll probably have to go.
But if you have a choice then consider things carefully.
Talent
A city with talent is shown where there are new emerging companies which attract agile and innovative minds. This will percolate down into the city and suburbs in general.
These places usually have universities of colleges teaching the arts, music and computer coding.
High speed internet is a given and everyone is seemingly engaged in creative pursuits.
A city that encourages talent will have simple leisure activities like places to rent a bike in the city or trails for hiking at weekends to attract a healthy lifestyle.
Tolerance
Discovering tolerance in a city can be as easy as seeing the visible minorities being represented in the diverse faces of the crowds on the streets
There will be full access everywhere and facilities for those with physical disabilities.
Tolerance is shown by a multitude of religious buildings that cater to every faith where everyone can worship in their own way.
There will be acceptance of LGBT creative expression in art, design and entertainment.
As you walk the streets, travel on the busses and trains, and sit in the sidewalk cafes you will hear many languages other than English. Not just one other official language but a selection of languages that you don’t recognise.
Tolerance is shown through contraception being available for those who choose.
Tolerance is about protecting children and minors but allowing adults to make their own lifestyle choices.
Tolerance is about accepting others as they are without forcing your view onto them and they in turn not trying to change you. It is shown as respect for people of the human race without prejudice.
Technology
The upswing of computers, cell phones and general technology is a powerful attraction for most western people.
You do want high speed internet with 24/7 availability so you can search the web without censorship.
Places that have strong internet and information technology innovation will be home to many small to medium sized computer businesses. Look for advertised social and community meetings for coders and tech people as an indication of a thriving technology city.
Notice if there are multiple phone companies and internet service providers. Find out if there is intelligence built into new buildings (known as smart buildings) being erected in the city core.
Older residential buildings with no wifi capabilities are a sign of a lack of technology and the expectation of a lack by the people. These places will require extensive modernisation to bring the technology up-to-date.
Your “Immersion Weekend”
Not sure if a city is for you? Visit for your prospective city for a weekend.
This is not a fact-finding mission, you did that before you chose the place online back at home.
This is an “immersion weekend”.
From the moment you arrive look, listen and smell the city. Talk to everyone, the cab driver, the hotel desk clerk and real people who live and work there already. Find out why they stay.
Ask them what they do at the weekends (and not just the standard tourist spots because you know them already from your at home research), but where the locals shop, eat and relax.
If you thinking of moving and need some advice on where is the best place for you to live, or you want some insights into a new city before you make a move, why not think about a personalised relocation astrology report?
Relocation Astrology
You have a birth chart that is set for the place you were born and this is your natal chart and stays with you forever.
But, every time you move from where you were born there is a new chart to be calculated and this is your relocation chart for that place. Every place will have a new chart for you.
Knowing what your location chart says and whether it integrates well with your natal chart (and therefore if you thrive and fare well in that place or not) is the skill of relocation astrology.
In working with relocation charts many factors are taken into account.
Relocation astrology can play into your decisions if you have moved or are thinking of moving across the country or around the world.
Author Bio
Alison Price: Astrology Coach
Alison wants to help you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor.
Thor’s Hammer is a Major Aspect Pattern sometimes found in astrology charts. It is triangle shaped and if you have one you can see it immediately.
If you don’t have one you will probably only learn about this pattern later in the first or second year of your astrology studies.
Thor’s hammer and other major aspect patterns used to be part of the second year syllabus but have recently been brought forward to some first year classes.
Thor: the Man
Thor was a mythical guy who wielded a small hammer that was used for throwing. When hurled the hammer would spin and hit his opponent with quite some force. It was not a hammer for banging nails in or banging on about.
The head of his hammer was shaped short and blunt as the major aspect pattern triangle is today thus the name Thor’s hammer.
Thor’s hammer is formed by three planets, two planets in square with each other and both sesquiquadrate to a third planet.
Features of a Thor’s Hammer
There are several things that make a Thor’s hammer different to any other triangle shaped aspect pattern like a grand trine, T-square or yod.
This pattern has only hard aspects
The square (90°) always drawn in red ink, and the sesquiquadrate (135°) always drawn in orange ink, are both aspects from the eighth harmonic. This means they are derived by dividing the circle by 8 (360/8=45) and 4 (360/4=90). The sesquiquadrate is one quarter (90°) plus one eighth (45°) resulting in 135°.
There are no soft aspects in this major aspect pattern such as a trine or sextile.
In our example chart Terry Fox has Sun square Mars and both sesquiquadrate Saturn and this forms his Thor’s hammer.
It is a manifesting aspect pattern
A manifesting aspect is one from the eighth harmonic set of aspects. These are always challenging and will be the aspect that the person will be working with already. Manifesting aspects do not hide in the bushes they are to be grappled with from day one.
Resistant to change
Due to the tight squares and sesquiquadrates this aspect pattern is resistant to change and the planets in the aspect pattern will be locked together and work as a ‘team’ for the person whose chart it is. This can be for good or bad depending on the planets involved.
In our example chart the three planets are the Sun, Mars and Saturn.
Difficult to live with
A Thor’s hammer is difficult to live with because it will keep on coming up as the squares and the sesquiquadrates demand their attention.
The Sun square Mars is a very masculine aspect full of life and energy.
The Sun sesquiquadrate Saturn suggests a struggle to achieve the life’s goals but shows perseverance.
The Mars sesquiquadrate Saturn indicates the drive and the ambition are linked in a powerful way but that caution may be cast to the wind in the push for life.
The focal planet is a sensitive point
One square and two sesquiquadrates.
In every triangle shaped major aspect pattern there are three planets. Two will be in cahoots and the third will be a ‘focal’ planet.
The focal planet in a Thor’s hammer is the one with the two sesquiquadrates connecting to it.
This planet will express the energy of the two other planets in square through itself into the chart. This makes the focal planet very sensitive to the energy from transits and progressions and those from the other two planets as well.
In our example chart for Terry Fox the focal planet is Saturn retrograde in Sagittarius in the fifth house of sport. This suggests the energy (Mars) and the identity (Sun) was been harnessed towards the goal (Saturn) even to the detriment of the life as this man pushed through adversity in sports.
Note the dispositor of the focal planet
The focal planet’s dispositor is the planet that rules the sign that the focal planet is in. So if the focal planet is Saturn in Sagittarius, Jupiter (as the ruler of Sagittarius) will be the dispositor of Saturn. or in other words, Jupiter will dispose Saturn in the chart.
This suggests that caution will be cast to the wind and the underlying Saturn drives may be taken recklessly because of Jupiter’s influence on the staid focal planet Saturn.
General interpretation
Thor’s hammers need careful interpretation. You have to understand the meaning of the three planets (Sun, Mars and Saturn) and the meaning of each individual aspect (the square and the sesquiquadrates) and which planet is stronger in each aspect before you can understand the inner dynamics of a Thor’s hammer.
Again in our example, in the Sun square Mars aspect, the Sun is powerful in Leo (score +5) and Mars is in detriment in Taurus (score -5) so the Sun dominates the square.
In the Sun sesquiquadrate Saturn aspect, the Sun again dominates this aspect and bosses up the sesquiquadrate with Saturn.
In the Mars sesquiquadrate Saturn aspect, Mars is in detriment in Taurus (score -5) and Saturn is peregrine in Sagittarius (score 0).
Neither Mars nor Saturn has accidental dignity by house but Mars is most elevated and Saturn is retrograde so on average Mars will be stronger than Saturn in that particular sesquiquadrate. This again shows the weakness of his Saturn.
Be on the lookout for a Thor’s hammer and see how it works in your charts.
Maybe you are toying with the idea of a career change. Perhaps you want to find a company that pays better, maybe you’re underemployed or between jobs and you could do with a little help to find a position.
When you start to look for a job you need all the help you can get.
Use the Sun to assist you to find the good, better and best times to support your efforts in your job search and find your day in the Sun.
When to Start your Job Search
You may tell yourself you are looking for work because you are dispirited with what you are doing all day and so you could search a few job boards and in a half-hearted way look for work.
You could be forced into job search mode because you have no work for whatever reason. You need a paycheck because you have mouths to feed and need a roof over your head. You cannot stop your search until you have work. This is important and you start your job search.
There are a few instances when you can start a job search.
When you are between jobs
When you find yourself between engagements. This is a euphemism for being unemployed but we will use it here. You could be recently between jobs or discover that it can take months to find something else. Anything else.
When you are underemployed
When you are underemployed and have a two day a week job but that’s it. In this example you may go in to work on Monday and Thursday and like what you do, but you could do more. But the company you work for can’t help you with that, and you’re not sure if your want another two day a week job with someone else.
When you are employed
You may be in a job you love – but things can change at work.
Your boss may leave and you don’t like the new guy.
Your company could be taken over.
The top people may move onwards and upwards and this changes the corporate culture.
You hate your co-workers, they are crashing bores or tiresome.
Things can be fluid at home as well.
Marriage changes your priorities.
Divorce can make other demands on your finances
A new baby means you have to earn more.
Illness in the family could require more from you.
Your aging parents may move in with you, so your overheads go up.
Grown children eventually fly the coop, so maybe downsizing with less overheads is your option.
All of these things are a part of life and it is naïve to think that things will stay the same after life-changes happen.
The only thing that is constant is change.
Bored to Death
But maybe you are just bored with your job.
Ask yourself:
If someone offers you enough money will you take the job, any job?
In what circumstances will you move jobs?
What is your number?
The answers to these questions can tip the balance between making an income and enjoying your job. Ideally you need to be in the sweet spot where you earn sufficient to meet your needs and you actually like what you do.
They say that you should follow your passion and this means you need to find work that is not work. I’ll explain.
Find the job that you love and would do anyway even if they didn’t pay you. You do this by discovering your passion.
Discover your Passion
One way to discover your passion is to look at what you do in your spare time.
What will you do on your next day off?
Are you volunteering?
What are your hobbies now?
Who do you talk to if you have a choice?
What activity will you get up early for?
What would you do even if they didn’t pay you?
This is just to underline that we all will move jobs for the right reasons and motivations.
What to Do
All of this brings us to the point that you should always be ready to take advantage of a new job.
Always be closing (a job offer).
Be Prepared
You should always be prepared to seek a job at a moment’s notice.
This means:
Have your CV or resume up-to-date
Get LinkedIn leaning towards the job you want not the one you have
Butter-up your contacts
Plan your future
Assume a flexible stance
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Follow the Sun
In a broad sense you can follow the Sun through the year as it passes through each sign.
The Sun highlights good times to do things and it depends on your own sign, (and in more detail your own chart), which times are highlighted.
It is easy for everyone to know which sign the Sun is in as it is about the same each year. If you are not sure you can check the handy Sun sign list below.
The Sun does not change sign at midnight, so it could be the day before or the day after these dates.
Don’t waste your time on job searches at this time of the day.
Avoid breakfast meetings for work as they will go nowhere.
The best you can hope for is getting snippets of background information on companies and people, or in other words gossip.
Listen to the news and keep your own council.
Stop talking.
Spend this time in meditation, walk the dog or go to the gym.
8am to 10am
Connect online (LinkedIn, FB etc.) with “friends” and associates.
Go to group Meetups or pop in at coffee and networking events.
10am to Noon
The golden hours for job seeking every day.
These two hours are excellent for everything career related.
Noon to 2pm
Keep pushing on your job search. Explore work outside your usual field.
Look at opportunities further away from home both nationally and internationally.
2pm to 4pm
Seek endorsements from others – gently, don’t push it.
Reciprocate with support for others through your endorsements or referrals for others.
Unearth your back channels and the people in them.
Offer to do little things for those who may help you later.
4pm to Sunset
Don’t do job searching at this time or sign anything.
Sunset to Two Hours after Sunset
This is a good time for employment activities.
Have those after work (happy hour) get-togethers and butter up your contacts, but don’t stay too long.
Two Hours after Sunset to Midnight
Let it go. Spend time with loved ones, have some leisure time and work on your hobbies or read non-career related books.
Midnight to 2am
So you can’t sleep? This can be a good time for international calls, reviewing employment contracts and signing electronic offers.
But don’t do knee jerk acceptances.
Consider any offers you received during the day before using this time slot for anything.
Think it through.
2am to 4am
Go back to bed.
4am to Sunrise
If you are awake this early concentrate on yourself. This is your time.
Attend to personal grooming, stretching and positive thinking.
Stand tall and wide and assume a power pose feet wide and arms outstretched and head up and hold for five minutes.
Prepare your clothes for the day.
Write your gratitude journal or do the crossword to sharpen your mind.
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Best Times in the year for Job Seekers
Best Time
The best time each year to start a career search is from December 22nd to January 19th when the Sun is in Capricorn. This plays into the “New Year – new job” movement which surges at the start of every year as companies look for new people and recruiters post ads and you begin your search.
Second Best Time (Better)
The second best period to begin to look for work is between August 23rd to September 22nd when the Sun is in Virgo. This is just after the back-to-school time and when people get itchy about making a change.
Note that I say around the 21st of the month but there is a variable of about two days each side of the date to account for the variation in the Sun’s movement. The Sun can change signs at any time in the day or a day or two either side of the 21st.
Pay Increase (Good)
If you want to push for a pay increase do so when the Sun is in Taurus which is from April 20th to May 20th.
The best time to get a pay adjustment like; less cash, more time off, go on flexitime, get benefits or stocks etc., is between October 24th to November 22nd, because this is the time the Sun is in Scorpio.
We have seen the best times to look for work in the year and these dates are supported by the Sun’s energy which shifts as it moves into each of the signs.
Now let’s see how to look for work on a daily basis and find the best times to do the many activities associated with looking for work, each day.
Daily activities can be done at good times in the day or not so good times.
These good, or not so good, times each day are determined by the placement of the Sun each hour and as it rises and sets.
When to Send a Cover Letter or Resume
You can spend hours, and even days, crafting a compelling cover letter and associated resume aimed at a particular job. How long this takes doesn’t matter. The important thing is the time when you send it and you no longer have control over it.
Email
The important time when you click “send” on your email system and not the time they open the email. Of course you may never know when they will open and read your email (or if it goes straight in the trash). If you have email tracking on you will know when they opened it but you have no control over when they will do so.
Snail Mail
If you are sending a snail mail cover letter or resume it is the time you pop the envelope into the mailbox. This is the point of no return as you can’t get the letter back.
Personal Delivery
You may decide to print your cover letter and resume and go to the company to personally deliver the documents. In fact some companies prefer this method as it proves you are in the area and available. In this scenario it is the time you hand the envelope over to the receptionist or the HR person.
The best times to send, deliver or present a job seeking resume and cover letter each day are (in order of priority):
Between 10am and noon – the golden hours (best)
Between noon and 2pm – the silver hours (better)
Between sunset and two hours after sunset – the bronze hours (good)
That there are better times in the day for job seeking it follows that there are worse times as well. Some hours each day are not as good as others to have your message heard which is what you are trying to do in the first place.
You want recruiters and prospects to open and read your cover letters and resume. You don’t want your application to be ignored, put on the slush pile or to end up in the deleted bin.
Avoid posting or droping off job applications from:
A phone interview is the next step for contact with your recruiter or prospective employer.
Recruiters use the phone interview to weed out unsuitable candidates at an early stage. You could be cut at this point because you don’t have the conversational skills needed or maybe you don’t sound confident if they ask you job related questions – and they will.
If they are interested in you they may contact you to schedule a phone interview.
You will probably be given some time choices such as, Monday between 2pm and 5pm, or Friday from 9am to 11am. This is great because you can choose the best time to have a phone interview from the time slots available to you.
The best time to have a phone interview are:
As with all job applications the three golden times as listed above and repeated here.
Between 10am and noon (best)
Between noon and 2pm (better)
Between sunset and two hours after sunset (good)
Between midnight to 2am (good) – international calls
Avoid phone interviews from:
Dawn to 9am
2pm to sunset
When to Schedule a Face-to-Face Interview
If you get through the phone interview they may call you in for a face-to-face interview. This is excellent.
You will probably be offered a few time options to have the face-to-face and you may be inclined to jump at the first one (for many reasons) but astrologically the good time slots still stand.
Face-to-Face Interviews – Golden Times
As with all job applications the three golden times as listed above and repeated here.
Between 10am and noon (best)
Between noon and 2pm (better)
Between sunset and 2 hours after sunset (good)
Avoid scheduling face-to-face interviews from:
Dawn to 9am (so no early morning or breakfast interviews)
2pm to sunset
When to Accept a Job Offer
If you do receive a job offer it can come in two forms. A verbal offer that may lead to a written or online offer, or just a written or online offer.
If you want the job you could verbally say so but then you may still have to finalise the offer by signing a physical paper offer, or by electronically signing the offer.
The verbal offer may immediately go onto the electronic offer if for example you are in the interview and they offer you the job there and then and open the screen on which you can accept. Or you may accept a verbal offer (in person or on the phone) and then you have to go online to their website and accept the electronic offer.
There are two times possible for you to accept a job offer verbal and when you sign.
Some people will accept a verbal offer but then fail to accept the written offer for whatever reason. Maybe they got a better offer in the meantime of they decided they just don’t want the job.
The deal is only final at the signing (either written or electronic) and this cuts both ways for you and the employer.
The time that you sign is important.
When to Accept a Job Offer – Golden Times
As with all job applications the three golden times as listed above and repeated here that are best for accepting a job offer are:
Between 10am and noon (best)
Between noon and 2pm (better)
Between sunset and two hours after sunset (good)
Between midnight and 2am is good for signing either paper or typically accepting electronic offers
Avoid signing job acceptances from:
Dawn to 9am
2pm to sunset
Summary
We all look for work at sometime in our lives and on occasion it can take months to find anything. You can get a slight edge on the competition by working with the light, heat and energy of the Sun as it passes through the zodiac over the course of a year and as it rises and sets each day. You can’t look for work every waking minute so allow yourself times to push and times to release each day. Good luck.
Author Bio
Alison Price: Astrology Coach
Alison wants to help you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor.
Join us for calm astrology themed fireside chats. We have conversations around transits, ingresses, retrogrades and lunations on the Starzology Astrology Podcast.
Forecasting in astrology can be a simple Sun sign interpretations that any astrologer can do, or the more detailed and complex forecasting techniques which a professional experienced astrologer will provide. It depends on the level of understanding you wish to extract from your birth chart which route you will choose.
In astrological forecasting there are many things to consider for each chart that you look at. One of the interesting nuggets in forecasting is the relationship between your progressed Moon and transiting Saturn.
Only Some Charts
This connection deserves a second look but only in some charts. It is not always present and therefore can be dismissed as not worth bothering about. But in the few charts that this does occur, you need to fully appreciate exactly what is going on and how this dynamic situation will affect you and for how long.
If you do have this complex attribute in your chart the energy from the contact will be in play for ten to twenty years. This can overshadow other things being brought forward in the forecast data. Pee Moon and Tee Saturn can be the full story for many people and for years of their lives.
Your Secondary Progressed Moon (P-Moon)
The progressed Moon can travel up to just over three times around your chart in your lifetime. In doing so it makes all the possible aspects to all the planets and points in your chart. This speed and constant aspect contacts creates an endless variety for consideration for an astrologer.
As the progressed Moon takes +/- twenty-nine years to make one round of the chart it will therefore progress through each sign in about two years and five months (29 / 12 = 2.42y).
All things being equal and depending on the house system, the progressed Moon will spend a similar amount of time in each house.
Saturn moves about eleven degrees each year or, to put it another way, spends around two and a half years in each sign. Saturn takes about twenty-nine years to pass through the zodiac. You can experience up to three Saturn returns in your life. Your Saturn returns are at approximately ages twenty-nine, fifty-eight and eighty-seven. A Saturn return can be a one or three pass transit. The three pass transit is very important and should be accorded the correct amount of attention. Saturn and Jupiter are very often the opposite side of a situation and, when they both bring in influence to bear, both can be negated.
Saturn through the houses shows where you exert control, can achieve things and will succeed in the long run. Saturn can bring structure to chaos and create formal organization in which to work. During a Saturn transit you will “draw the line” and maintain boundaries for yourselves. When you have a Saturn transit you may have to learn the hard way about the issues of the house. It can be challenging when Saturn passes through some houses and you may have to tighten your belt and keep going.
Transiting Saturn by aspect
The four major transits from Saturn are those to it’s natal position. Saturn transits can bring maturity, the ability to take responsibility and a certain acceptance of what the world has to offer. It can also be where we exist under some limitations or imposed boundaries. Saturn is an indicator of your father, father figures or older men in authority in your life and they may become a feature under a Saturn transit.
Transiting Saturn waxing square natal Saturn
Transiting Saturn square natal Saturn at about age seven most children are in big school and in the system and have to abide by timetables and rules.
Transiting Saturn opposition natal Saturn
Saturn opposition natal Saturn at somewhere in year fourteen is an indicator for puberty and physical maturity. Some adolescents can begin a casual job in the food industry for example, and start to earn a living in the big world.
Transiting Saturn waning square natal Saturn
Transiting Saturn square natal Saturn at the closing square happens around age 21 and is the threshold for adulthood.
Saturn return
First return at 28/30 the age of maturity where you stop blaming yoru parents for your woes and take ownership for your life.
Natal aspects between the Moon and Saturn
Moon conjunct Saturn
When the Moon is conjoined Saturn, the issues of parents Mother (Moon) and father (Saturn) are closely linked. This person goes through life with their parents showing a united front to them regardless of what is really happening.
Moon square Saturn
When the Moon is square Saturn, this person has a life where their parents may disagree on how to bring the. Hold up. There may even be a question on the paternity or the child. This person has tension about their parents that they take forward into their own lives where they become the authority and the pattern continues.
Moon opposite Saturn
When the Moon is opposite Saturn, this person experiences diverse views from each parent or opposite view which may develop into outright conflict between their parents. The parents will play them off against each other. This placement frequently brings confrontation and flip flopping in discipline for this child.
Of all the planetary progressions the Moon needs close attention as the whole mood of the life shifts during the time it takes to pass through the natal chart and ingress the signs and houses. These subtle changes which happen over a two to three year period are often easier to appreciate in retrospect. As an astrologer you need to be on the lookout for this phenomenon in your chart.
Parents
The Moon (mother) and Saturn (father) can be at the root of many issues faced by people. So much so that this phenomenon (the Moon aspect Saturn lockstep) may easily dominate the whole life. Resolution is to be found in the natal placement of the Moon and Saturn and the energies need to be accepted into the life of the individual. This is likely to be challenging.
Pee Moon Tee Saturn Forecast Lockstep
Transiting Saturn takes twenty-nine years to transit the zodiac and the progressed Moon takes twenty-nine years to transits the zodiac. If there is a natal aspect between the Moon and Saturn it will be held in place by the movement of these two planets with one transiting and one progressed.
Difficult aspects (hard) are exacerbated. Although transiting Saturn will retrograde for periods and perhaps break the aspect it will reform when Saturn goes direct, is fast and reapplies the aspect.
Natal Moon aspect natal Saturn: Orb
Depending on the tightness of the orb of the natal aspect between the Moon and Saturn this aspect may be in orb, by progression, for the lifetime of the individual. Over time it will ease away but this could take many years. It depends if the aspect is applying or separating. For example if the Moon is applying an opposition to Saturn it may hold the opposition for longer than if it is already separating in the natal chart.
In the natal chart if the Moon and Saturn are in a fourth harmonic aspect that is either a conjunction, square or opposition. This needs a further look. If the Moon and Saturn are sextile or trine it just makes it an easier relationship throughout. Only bother about the fourth harmonic aspects.
How Long it will Last
Each chart is different but many people will have an aspect between the Moon and Saturn. The first thing to look at is whether there is an aspect between these two bodies. Second is the natal aspect applying or separating? This will show how long the aspect will be in orb. If the aspect is applying from 8 degrees then it could be applying for years and then become exact and finally separating for ten years. This time of”being in orb” varies in each case but will still be long time.
So What?
Well for someone with the Pee Moon Tee Saturn in aspect, the energies of the two planets are connected for much if not most of their life. It is well known that the Moon and Saturn can be many things both separately and together but when there is a link between the Moon and Saturn by aspect in the chart, it is always the parents that come together.
Moon as Mother
In your chart your Moon shows how you see your mother and your experience of her.
If there are two sisters with different Moon sign this indicates their different experience of their mother even though she was the same woman they experienced her differently. This can be seen with eldest child, middle child and youngest child situations where each one has a different Moon sign.
It suggests how she nurtured you and tells how she mothered you. Was she super cuddly or a bit cold or somewhere in between? Did you get beautiful clothes to wear or your brother’s hand-me-downs? What about her cooking?
As an adult you will remember your mother’s treatment of you forever. It is where you learnt how to care and how to provide nurture for yourself and others.
Saturn as Father
Saturn in your chart shows your father and older men like uncles and grandfathers. It shows how you experienced him and his fathering.
It shows father figures and men in authority over you. These people were (and are) teachers, headmasters, the police and judges.
It shows whether you dad was there for you, or a bit distant or an absentee father.
Well placed Saturn shows how you respect authority the law and if you respect your elders or not. Do you give your seat to a senior when on the bus? Do you call old men “Sir” or does it choke in your throat. All of these things are shown by your natal Saturn.
Your transiting Saturn and progressed Moon return
Much has been written about a Saturn return. Even people outside the astrological community know of the Saturn return. But what of the progressed Moon return?
It happens around age 29/30 and can be a time for change and of going back to basics as promised in the natal chart.
Any return brings the energies of the planet back to its true meaning for you, as the planet in question returns to its natal position in your chart. At this point it remakes all the natal aspects it has that are part of your natal chart interpretation. So aspects other than to the Moon or Saturn from either will be realigned.
Once you realize that your Saturn return is around the same time as you progressed Moon return you can see how they can be different for each person.
There is only one progressed Moon return in each cycle.
There can be one or three Saturn returns in each cycle.
Return sequences possible
Saturn returns before the progressed Moon return
Progressed Moon returns before the transiting Saturn return.
Saturn return one hit
Saturn return three hit
Saturn return before and after progressed Moon return.
When you realise the potential implications of a simple Moon Saturn aspect in a natal chart it opens the door for further investigation of the long term effects of this phenomena. Parental issues may not be the only thing to think about but they may be laid as a full background stage for the life of the person.
As always care should be taken when interpreting charts and all situations will ideally be related back to the whole chart for a full rounded forecast.
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Author Bio
Alison Price: Professional Astrologer
Alison helps you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor. She offers Consultations for everyone and Coaching for Aspiring Astrologers.
If you’d like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email atstarzology@gmail.com.
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When you start to look for a job you need all the help you can get. Use the Sun to assist you to find the good, better and best times to support your efforts in your job search and find your day in the Sun.
This year my main plan to improve the presentation of astrology for your understanding and pleasure is a little different.
I am working on the development of astro art or creative pages to help aspiring astrologers or anyone and everyone learn more about our art.
In the astro art section so far you have posts on a binder cover page to colour and a wheel of fortune to make for yourself.
Creating an astrological journal supports the multiple input method of learning and is a good way to build a resource that you can use later.
How To Use Your Astrology Journal
A Journal can be used in several ways:
To plan your day for things you have to do (pick up the kids and take the dog to the vet etc.) and this works best as a bullet journal.
It can be a “dear diary” style for capturing what did happen and how you felt about it, whatever it is.
Or it can be used to build a personal resource to learn and remember information and build a knowledge base that you can use for years to come.
It it the third one that we will talk about here.
How to make an astrological journal that becomes a personal resource to learn , understand and appreciate the little pieces in your chart.
Things like signs, planets and houses meanings that go to build a comprehensive chart reading.
The Benefits of Journaling
Your brain remembers things easily if it knows them via more than one means of input.
Teachers read aloud, or make you draw pictures, or glue a collage from dried macaroni, or do a play like astro drama to reinforce your knowledge.
The variety or ways to learn is important because the information arrives in your memory through different channels.
This is why just reading books makes it harder to learn stuff.
In the multiple activity way of gaining knowledge, what you know can be retrieved in snippets through thoughts like, “Oh gosh, now what do I know about Jupiter in Virgo?”
You will get better at remembering the many things that you need to know to read a chart by writing and drawing in your astrological journal.
Which Journal to Choose?
There are a few points to consider and choices to be made for a journal that is good to use for astrological journaling.
If you are going to invest your time and energy creating a beautiful astrological journal you might as well get a decent journal in the first place.
Size does matter
The best size is A5 or about 6″ x 8″ because this is easily carried in your bag and can be whipped out on a plane or at dinner. Who does that?
If you choose a size smaller (say 3″ x 5″) it will work as a pocket journal, but will get full quicker.
You can think of this one as your on-the-go journal, or field journal, which is best to jot down ideas while you are out and about or at a conference or lecture.
When you get home you can transfer the gems of knowledge to your main A5 journal. This process serves learning.
Paper quality
Can you see through the pages in your journal?
If you can, the paper is too thin and too cheap.
Get a better quality book.
I like the Moleskine A5 plain paper journal and the Leuchhturm1917 dotted bullet journal.
Each year I buy a few new journal books and I have one for each year but that’s another story.
How to Use Your Astrological Journal – Basic Layout
Title page
You will have a title page which is usually the very first page in the main body and not the inside flap page which is thicker than normal.
State your journal name.
Typically this will be “My Astrological Journal” or “My Journey into Astrology” or something in that vein.
Contents page
Open to the first double page.
This will be a contents overview and here you can specify the deeper level of detail that you want. The choice is yours.
This will help you gauge the number of pages you need between each section.
For instance if you have 12 signs you may need 12 (or 24) pages.
This depends on how large your journal is to start with.
How to plan your astrological journal with sections and segments
For each main section like natal signsyou will make a title page on the right hand side.
You will do a section title page for each main section in your contents page.
It is best to add a tab sticking out at the right for your main sections and perhaps your segments.
Signs Summary Journal Pages
This is a summary page to note things about the zodiac signs.
Signs Journal Page
This signs full spread shows the signs in the natural wheel and some main keywords for each sign.
The ruling planet is shown in the inner wheel for each sign.
Elements and Modes Journal Pages
See how this element and mode table can help you work out each sign.
You can perhaps draw this table and place your planets in their corresponding signs from your chart to show which planets your have in each sign.
You can do as much detail and depth as you wish. If you are just starting out with astrology I suggest the following sections, natal and forecasting and keep it simple.
Going deeper means a page for each planet in sign and house and deeper still is nice-to-haves about astrology like eclipses or the oriental planet.
Tree of Life
The tree of life is a symbol of the full cycle from root to tip.
Trees are leaned heavily on for our survival.
They convert carbon dioxide into oxygen.
If you are stuck on a desert island you can build handy items like boats and shelter with the wood from trees.
Paper that we used every day often comes from trees.
Art Tip
Make sure to center your circle on the page not like mine which is a little off to the left.
Herb Garden Layout
This is a classic herb garden layout with a central circle and four quadrants adjacent and larger gardens in this pattern have more quadrants.
Here I drew the four main beds of herbs.
Medicinal herbs
Aromatic herbs
Indigenous herbs
Culinary herbs
If you cook with herbs make sure that your fertilizer and mulch is organic and not synthetic.
The aromatic bed has plants for pot potpouri and perfume basics.
Indigenous herbs are local to your area they different for everyone.
Medicinal herbs are where traditional healing herbs come from, so know what you are doing here.
The Four Elements
The four elements align with the compass points
Fire – South
Earth – North
Air – East
Water – West
Polarity
The symbols relate to the active (masculine) and passive (feminine) polarities.
The upwards pointing triangle for masculine elements is symbolic of an erect manhood.
The downwards pointing triangle for feminine elements is symbolic of a woman’s pubic area.
Spring Poem
Pippa Passes by Robert Browning.
Summer Poem
From A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare.
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Extras
