The method of observing and divining from the stars dates all the way back to the earliest civilizations of Mesopotamia. But just because we’ve been looking to the night sky for answers for the past few centuries doesn’t mean we’ve all learned the astrology basics.
If you find yourself wondering what it means when someone mentions Mercury retrograde, or someone gives you a knowing look when you tell them your birthday, we’re here to help you learn the ins and outs of astrology.
Keep reading for a run-through of astrology basics for beginners.
The Basics of Astrology
Astrology is the study of the planets and the stars and how their movements affect human existence. The Greeks divided the sky into the 12 constellations of the zodiac, and these “signs” spell out personal characteristics for those born under them.
The movements of the planets can also affect specific areas of your life, such as your job or your relationships. There’s a predictive element to astrology, looking ahead to what might happen next. There’s also a deeply personal part of astrology that looks at the type of person you are based on your birth chart.
A Basic Astrology Chart
Your birth chart includes the placements of the constellations and the planets at the time of your birth. It accounts for your “sign” and then also places a planet in different “houses,” explaining how they influence different parts of your life.
As mentioned before, there are 12 signs of the zodiac. These are Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. Each person has three assigned to them: their sun sign, their moon sign, and their rising or ascendant sign.
Your sun sign, based on the day and month you were born, speaks to your identity, your confidence, and your path in life. Your moon sign, based on the position of the moon at the time of your birth, speaks to your inner emotional state. And your rising sign, based on the exact time you were born, speaks to how you come across to others and exist in the world.
Websites like spiritualsapiens.com dive even deeper into birth charts.
The Planets and the Houses
As you can see with sun and moon signs, the planets all represent different aspects of who you are. Based on where they are at the time of your birth, the planets are placed into 12 different houses.
Each house influences a different part of your life such as romance, marriage, career aspirations, or your preferred method of communication.
Once you have all of these placements down based on the exact day, time, and location of your birth, you can uncover unending details and insights into your life.
Practice Your Astrology Basics
Now that we’ve walked through these astrology basics and laid out the basic astrology facts, it’s time to dive in. The best way to put together all the pieces of the astrological puzzle is to do it yourself. Look up your birthday and get started!
If you’re looking for more interesting articles to read to answer your questions, check out the rest of our blog!