Astrology 101: A Beginners Guide to Astrology (2024)

Astrology, an ancient and captivating field, offers us insights into our personalities, relationships, and the world around us based on the positions of celestial bodies.

In this beginner’s guide, we’ll introduce you to the fundamental concepts of astrology in a way that’s easy to understand, regardless of whether you’re a complete novice or have dabbled in horoscopes before. We’ll unravel the secrets of the zodiac, demystify horoscopes, and help you grasp the significance of your birth chart.

What is Astrology?

Astrology is a system of divination, a way to understand the universe and our place in it. The word astrology comes from the Greek words “astron,” meaning “star,” and “logia,” meaning “the study of.” It is the study of how the position of the stars and other celestial bodies can affect human behavior. Astrology has been dated back to at least the 1st millennium B.C., when Babylonian astrologers began using horoscopes to predict the future – and it’s still a popular practice today.

Astrology is based on the idea that the universe is a living entity, with a personality and energy, where all is connected. The planets have their own personalities, too. Astrologers believe that when we’re born, our personalities are reflected by the position of the stars at that time.

A variety of astrological charts can be cast, each rich with information, but the three most commonly used charts are the natal chart, transits chart, and synastry charts:

The natal chart is the map of where the planets were in the sky when you were born. It can be used to tell a lot about your personality, and it’s also a handy tool for finding out what’s coming up in your life.

A transit chart is a special kind of astrological chart that shows how planets move in relation to each other in one’s birth chart; it is used to show the effect that transiting planets have on your life and how they will affect you over time.

A synastry chart is a unique celestial map that shows the positions of the planets in the sky at the moment two different individuals were born. It’s a powerful tool for gaining insights into the dynamics and compatibility – this chart can reveal the strengths and challenges of a relationship, offering a glimpse into how two people may interact and connect.

Astrology can be used to answer an array of questions about human beings, nature, and the universe. Its main use is in determining information in areas such as individual personalities and relationships, events or phenomena (such as eclipses), and future events (such as solar and lunar activities).

The Zodiac Signs

Zodiac Signs are the twelve divisions of the ecliptic, which is the path that the sun takes through the sky. Each division has its own astrological sign and meaning, and each sign represents a different archetype.

The word “zodiac” comes from the Greek “zodiakos kyklos” meaning circle of animals. Ancient Greeks believed that each sign was associated with an animal symbol — which is why we still use those animals today! The signs are grouped into three “modalities” or modes: cardinal (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn), fixed (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius), and mutable (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces). Each sign is also associated with one of four elements: air, earth, fire, or water.

Every sign of the zodiac wheel is said to represent different archetypes, stages of life, and personality traits. Below, we’ll briefly cover each zodiac sign and what they mean:

ARIES (March 21 – April 19) / Aries is the first sign of spring and it represents the beginning of a new cycle in one’s life. These people are characterized by fiery personalities and impulsive natures. They react quickly to their emotions and can be quite stubborn. They are also very energetic.

TAURUS (April 20–May 20) / Taurus is the second sign of spring and it represents stability. The Taurus person is dependable and reliable; they like to take their time with everything they do because they believe in quality over quantity. Taurus people are known for their practicality. They’re reliable, hard-working, and not easily swayed by outside opinions or pressure.

GEMINI (May 21–June 21) / Gemini is the third sign of spring, embodying adaptability and versatility. Known for their inquisitive nature and quick-wittedness, they thrive on intellectual stimulation and have a penchant for exploring various interests due to their innate curiosity. Geminis are often seen as adaptable, open-minded, and sociable, readily engaging in a wide range of conversations and interactions.

CANCER (June 22–July 22) / Cancer is ruled by the Moon (and therefore Water), which makes it an emotional sign that’s ruled by intuition rather than logic or reason. Their moods tend to be unpredictable at times but they’re also highly intuitive about other people’s needs.

LEO (July 23–August 22) / This sign is associated with Fire (or the Sun), which makes Leos pretty confident in their abilities—sometimes too much so! But they can also be extremely creative when it comes time to solve problems creatively rather than logically.

VIRGO (August 23–September 22) / Ruled by Mercury. They are a mutable earth sign, which means they can be practical, while also being creative and imaginative. Virgos tend to be perfectionists who see the world through a logical lens.

LIBRA (September 23–October 23) / Libras are often artistic and have an eye for beauty, with a desire to create beauty themselves. Libra love being around other people and want to make everyone happy. Libras are known for their good humor, gentleness, and kindness. They are fair-minded people who enjoy mediating disputes between others.

SCORPIO ( October 24–November 21) / Scorpio is ruled by Pluto and Mars, and its element is water. Scorpios are passionate and dynamic, but also secretive. They’re very empathetic, but they guard their emotions fiercely. With a powerful and magnetic personality, they draw in both friends and enemies in equal measure. They can be very stubborn. Their sense of loyalty makes them a force for good in the world.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22–December 21) / Ruled by Jupiter. Sagittarians are known for their positive attitude, which can help them to be successful in life. They love to travel and learn new things, which makes them well-rounded individuals. Always open to new ideas and experiences, they are exciting companions to be around. Those born under this sign are known for their honesty and frankness; they don’t believe in sugarcoating things or beating around the bush when it comes down to it!

CAPRICORN (December 22–January 19) / Represented by the goat. Those who are born with the Capricorn sun sign meaning are often very focused on their goals in life, and they tend to be ambitious and goal-oriented people. They also have a tendency to be very practical, and they are very good at managing their money. They’re very reliable, dependable people who are great at making things happen.

AQUARIUS (January 20–February 18) / Aquarius is a fixed air sign, which means they are highly independent, intellectual, and creative. They tend to be friendly and outgoing. They do not like to be controlled and can be stubborn at times. Often seen as eccentric or even a little weird. They are always looking for the next thing to try. With their unique personalities and often non-traditional viewpoints, they sometimes have difficulty fitting in with mainstream society.

PISCES (February 19–March 20) / Pisces is ruled by Neptune, the planet of illusion and imagination. Pisceans are known for their intuition, empathy, and creativity. They are very sensitive and can sometimes be overwhelmed by their emotions. They are also highly intuitive, which makes them excellent at understanding other people’s feelings. Pisces is a water sign, so they tend to be very imaginative and creative in their daily life. They love to dream about things that don’t exist yet, so they’re often found daydreaming or coming up with new ideas.

Please keep in mind that these are general descriptions of the archetypes in their most basic forms and are by no means an exhaustive list of the traits associated with your Sun (“star”) Sign. In addition, our natal charts are immensely detailed and complex with a variety of interlaced factors. Various books and blog posts have been published on this subject, however, consulting a professional astrologer will give you the most accurate, personalized interpretation of your astrological placements.

The Planets

The planets in astrology are the same as the planets in our solar system. Although the Sun and Moon are luminaries and not technical planets, the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn make up the seven traditional celestial bodies in astrology.

The outer planets, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto are a more recent addition to astrological studies. Uranus was discovered by Sir William Herschel in 1781, and Neptune was found later on by Johann Galle at the Berlin Observatory on Sept 23rd, 1846. Pluto is the latest addition to the modern collection of planets, which was discovered by Clyde Tombaugh on January 18th, 1930 at Lowell Observatory in Arizona USA.

Each planet has specific characteristics and influences, which are represented by its placement in the sky and its relationship to other planets.

Here’s a quick review of the astrological planets and their meanings:

SUN / Ruler of Leo. Sun is a “planet” or luminary that symbolizes our identity and life force. Sun represents the energy we need to live and the health we enjoy. It also represents our personal power, which includes our self-esteem, will, and character. It represents our ego and how we project ourselves to others. It also represents our outward appearance, what we look like from the outside.

MOON / Ruler of Cancer. Represents our emotions and instincts, and thus has a profound influence on our moods and cycles. It also represents how we react to our environment. The moon rules over everything from your moods to your menstrual cycle—and if you’re looking for a more spiritual interpretation of your life, it can also symbolize your connection to the divine. It’s also associated with intuition and imagination. It also gives us insight into our past lives and those of others.

MERCURY / Ruler of Gemini & Virgo. Mercury is the planet of communication, education, and travel. It governs our ability to communicate effectively and efficiently, as well as how we learn. Mercury also rules over how we travel from place to place, including but not limited to the types of transportation we use.

VENUS / Ruler of Taurus & Libra. Venus is the planet of love and beauty, so it’s no surprise that it has a lot to do with how you look. Venus represents your personal style, values, and how you express yourself through art or creativity. Venus is also associated with money, as well as luxury items like jewelry or clothing; it governs our aesthetic sensibilities and appreciation for the finer things in life.

MARS / Ruler of Aries & Scorpio. Mars’ position in your horoscope indicates your natural tendencies when it comes to action, aggression, and assertiveness. Associated with the clarity and force of your personality, as well as your ability to assert yourself and make a mark on the world. It’s also associated with passion, desire, and the life force in general. Also represents carnal drive and energy.

JUPITER / Ruler of Sagittarius & Pisces. Jupiter means expansion, growth, and opportunity. It is the planet of good fortune and abundance, which is why it’s often associated with luck. Jupiter’s placement in your chart indicates where you are likely to experience the most abundance in your life. It also indicates where you’ll have opportunities to grow or expand—whether that be through travel or education, or by finding new ways to make money or add value to yourself or others.

SATURN / Ruler of Capricorn & Aquarius. Saturn is the planet of focus, discipline, boundaries, and responsibility. It represents the part of us that wants to get stuff done and make our goals a reality. Saturn is often associated with hardships and difficulties, but it’s also associated with the ability to overcome those things. When we’re able to grow from our challenges and obstacles instead of being defeated by them, we can use what we learned from them to achieve even greater things in the future.

URANUS / Co-Ruler of Aquarius. Uranus is the planet of change, revolution, and innovation. Uranus is also known as “The Awakener,” because it awakens us to new ways of thinking and being. Uranus represents the desire to break free from old patterns or habits that no longer suit us, so we can embrace something new—something better! Also symbolizing rebellion and independence, Uranus is the planet of your future; it’s a planet that represents your potential and growth.

NEPTUNE / Co-Ruler of Pisces. Neptune is the planet of imagination, dreams, and spiritual growth, as well as illusion, deception, and confusion. It symbolizes our ability to see things in a new way, to transform ourselves and our lives through imagination and creativity. It also represents our ability to find new ways of creating meaning in life.

PLUTO / Co-Ruler of Scorpio. Pluto is the planet of transformation and renewal. It’s associated with power and control, but also with destruction and rebirth. Pluto’s influence over us is about death and rebirth, and how we deal with our own mortality. It represents how we go through life cycle changes, like childhood to adulthood, or relationships ending in death (or divorce). Pluto also tells us how to confront what scares us and move past it.

The Houses

Houses in astrology are a way to divide up the sky into segments. There are 12 houses in total; each house represents a different aspect of your life, like home and work, and they can help you figure out what’s going on in those areas. There are 12 houses in total, each one representing a different area of life. The first house is the house of self, and it represents things like personality and appearance. The second house is the house of money and resources. The third house is the house of siblings, neighbors, and short trips. And so on!

Below, we’ll cover a brief overview of the twelve astrological houses and what they mean:

1ST HOUSE / The House of Self. The first house represents your personality, your appearance, and your physical body as a whole. It’s also called the “significator of self,” which means that it shows how others see you and how you view yourself. It is also how you go about interacting with your environment and the kind of energy you put into the world. It is your self-identity, as well as what you’re most comfortable with. It’s also the place where you tend to put your energy and effort into developing and expressing yourself.

2ND HOUSE / The House of Value. The second house is associated with wealth, as well as our sense of self-worth and personal power. It also represents our ability to maintain and enjoy the fruits of our labor. It’s also known as the money house, and it covers everything from your ability to earn money to how you manage it, including your income, savings, investments, and other financial matters. This house rules over personal possessions, such as clothing, jewelry, and cars.

3RD HOUSE / The House of Communication. The third house represents communication, siblings, short trips, and education. It also governs writing, speaking, and all forms of communication. It is the area of life that you share with other people, including your family and friends. The 3rd house is also how comfortable you are expressing yourself to others, what kind of education you received as a child, and how open and honest you are in your everyday interactions with others. It’s also where you find your curiosity about the world around you.

4TH HOUSE / The fourth house is the house of security. It represents your psychological roots and the foundation of your life — your family, your home, and your early childhood — and how those things shape who you are today. It’s also the place where you can retreat when you need a break from the world.

5TH HOUSE / The 5th house is known as the House of Creativity. It represents the things that bring you the most joy and pleasure, like fun times with friends, good food, and love. The fifth house is associated with children, play, creativity, and romance. It’s also associated with travel and education. It shows your talents and hobbies, as well as your hopes and dreams for the future.

6TH HOUSE / The House of Responsibilities. The 6th house is the house of health and service. It also rules your daily routine, your habits, and your work-related activities. The 6th house is your health and well-being, as well as your responsibilities. This house governs your ability to take care of yourself and those around you, so it’s important not to ignore this aspect of your life.

7TH HOUSE / The House of Partnerships. The Seventh House is the house of all the other people in your life. This includes friends, family, coworkers, and all other people who are not you. It is in this house that you learn how to interact with others, how to deal with them when they annoy or anger you, and how to compromise and work together on projects. This is the house that rules marriage, partnership, and other types of relationships. It’s also the house of partnerships and alliances, whether romantic, platonic, or strictly business. In general, it’s about how you relate to others.

8TH HOUSE / The House of Intimacy & Transformation. The eighth house is all about what you keep to yourself. It’s where you keep all your secrets and is associated with matters of intimacy, death, and other peoples’ finances. It’s also where we can look to find out how comfortable you are with vulnerability and intimacy (or not), which makes it a great place to start when trying to understand yourself better or explore your relationships with others. The eighth house is all about facing your fears, getting in touch with your inner power, and transforming yourself in order to move forward in life.

9TH HOUSE / The House of Expansion. The ninth house signifies the search for meaning in the universe and how we fit into it. The ninth house is the house of long-distance travel and higher education. It also represents philosophy, religion, law, and other areas of study that are considered to be outside of the everyday world. The ninth house rules all of these things, as well as any travels you may make for those purposes.

10TH HOUSE / The House of Reputation. The tenth house is associated with your image and overall success in the world. The tenth house represents your public life—your career and your reputation—and it shows how you will interact with other people. It also reflects your ambitions and goals. If this house is well-aspected by planets, then you are likely to achieve success in your career (or any other area of achievement).

11TH HOUSE / The House of Goals & Community. The 11th house represents friends, groups and clubs, and any other connections you have to people in your life. It is also associated with your hopes and wishes for yourself and others – this can include your family members or friends, as well as any groups of which you are a part. The eleventh house can be a place where you see yourself achieving your goals and manifesting your dreams—so it’s a good idea to pay attention to it!

12TH HOUSE / The House of Hidden Traits. The 12th house is associated with the subconscious mind, instincts, and hidden information. It’s also associated with endings and renewal. The twelfth house can be a place of spiritual growth and learning, but it’s also said to be the most difficult house in astrology because it’s so deeply connected to our unconscious mind. Reactions here are often unexpected and spontaneous, which can make them hard to predict or control.

Astrology is a great way to understand yourself & others better.

So there you have it — our beginner’s introduction to astrology — I truly hope you enjoyed it! It can be a lot to take in at once, but hopefully, this article has helped you learn the basics of astrology and understand how it works.

Remember that this is a generalized, beginner’s guide, and that there is a TON of additional information out there on these topics! We are all very complex beings and cannot be summed up in a few sentences. Although it is a fascinating topic, understanding your personal natal chart requires much investigation and individual interpretation.

Overall, astrology is a really entertaining and practical tool that can help you more deeply understand yourself and others. To learn more, be sure to check out our Astrology Basics section!

The starry vault of heaven is in truth the open book of cosmic projection, in which are reflected the mythologems, i.e., the archetypes. In this vision astrology and alchemy, the two classical functionaries of the psychology of the collective unconscious, join hands.

C.G. JUNG