How it all started and what is involved
Astrology is the art of interpretation of the stars. For more
than 3000 years, people have observed the heavens and assigned
meaning to the constellations above. In the beginnings, they thought
of the planetary movements as messages from the gods.(#1)
"As above, so below" - this is the principle which astrology follows.
The constellations of the stars and planets reflect reflect atmospheres,
events and zeitgeist on the Earth.
Astrologers use the solar system as a frame of reference for their
interpretations. All planets of the solar system, including the
Sun and Moon, symbolise forces within us. These
are expressed in every individual on Earth as well as in events
of global significance.(#2)
The Horoscope - a map of the psyche
For individuals the horoscope is a kind of "psychological
map" which shows certain patterns of their personality. In
order to be able to read this map, you have to know its components.
A horoscope is made up of planets, signs,
houses, and aspects between the planets.
Planets are our inner actors
The planets represent forces within ourselves. You can imagine
them as being something like actors who perform on our inner stage.
The Moon, for example, acts as your feeling nature and your inner
child, Mercury represents your thinking, and Mars the fighter
within you. These forces are at work within all of us, but every
individual enacts them in their unique way.(#3)
Signs of the zodiac - the costumes
Each planet is placed in a particular sign of the zodiac, in Aries,
Libra or Skorpio, for example. The signs give a certain colour
or teint to the inner force. They show the way in which this part
of the personality is expressed. You could compare the signs to
the costumes or the behaviour of your inner actors. A person with
Mars in Cancer will assert themselves in a completely different
way than one with Mars in Aries. While the Cancerian Mars would
choose psyhological weapons and a round-about way to reach their
goal, the Mars in Aries person will go for it directly and without
hesitation.(#4)
Houses - positions on the stage
The individual forces are placed in certain houses which represent
different areas of life. If we stick to the analogy of the theatre,
the houses symbolise different places or positions on the stage
of life. The fourth house, for example, stands for one's origin,
one's roots and everything connected with them. The seventh house
is the area of relationships, and planets placed in this house
will express themselves particularly strongly in partnerships
of all kinds. If you find, for example, Mars in the seventh house,
this person will express their activity and pioneering spirit
mainly in relationships.(#5)
Aspects - communication between the actors
The planets are inter-related with each other in a particular
way. These inter-relations are called "aspects". Aspects
express some kind of connection between the different forces of
our personality. They reflect the relationships between the actors.
For example, if Moon and Mercury are in Square (90° apart),
the feeling nature and the thinking nature of this person are
related in a particular way. You might perceive some aspects as
harmonious, others appear to be more difficult.(#6)
(#1) If you want to know more about the history
of astrology, you can find a lot of interesting information in
Peter Whitfield's book "Astrology - A History".
(#2) You can find a more comprehensive introduction in:
Derek and Julia Parker "Parker's Astrology".
(#3) The meaning of all planets will be explained in the section
"The Horoscope - Planets".
(#4) There are interpretations of the signs in the area "The Horoscope
- Signs of the Zodiac".
(#5) Interpretations can be found in "The Horoscope - Houses".
(#6) Aspects are explained in "The Horoscope - Aspects".
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