Complete Astrology Guide
Everything you need to understand your birth chart and unlock cosmic insights
What is Astrology?
Astrology is an ancient practice that studies the positions and movements of celestial bodies to understand their influence on human affairs and natural phenomena. Your birth chart (natal chart) is a snapshot of the sky at the exact moment and location of your birth, revealing unique patterns that shape your personality, strengths, challenges, and life path.
The Big Four: Your Core Identity
☉ Sun Sign
Your core essence, ego, and conscious identity. Represents your will, purpose, and how you express yourself. Most people know their Sun sign (e.g., "I'm a Leo").
☽ Moon Sign
Your emotional nature, inner world, and subconscious needs. Governs how you process feelings, what makes you feel secure, and your instinctive reactions.
↑ Ascendant (Rising Sign)
Your outward personality, first impressions, and how others perceive you. Also influences your physical appearance and approach to new situations. Changes every 2 hours, so birth time is crucial!
MC Midheaven
Your career path, public image, and life goals. Represents your highest aspirations and how you want to be known in the world.
The 12 Zodiac Signs
♈ Aries (Mar 21 - Apr 19)
Element: Fire | Quality: Cardinal
Bold, pioneering, energetic, impulsive
♉ Taurus (Apr 20 - May 20)
Element: Earth | Quality: Fixed
Stable, sensual, patient, stubborn
♊ Gemini (May 21 - Jun 20)
Element: Air | Quality: Mutable
Curious, communicative, adaptable, scattered
♋ Cancer (Jun 21 - Jul 22)
Element: Water | Quality: Cardinal
Nurturing, intuitive, emotional, protective
♌ Leo (Jul 23 - Aug 22)
Element: Fire | Quality: Fixed
Confident, creative, generous, dramatic
♍ Virgo (Aug 23 - Sep 22)
Element: Earth | Quality: Mutable
Analytical, practical, helpful, perfectionist
♎ Libra (Sep 23 - Oct 22)
Element: Air | Quality: Cardinal
Diplomatic, balanced, social, indecisive
♏ Scorpio (Oct 23 - Nov 21)
Element: Water | Quality: Fixed
Intense, transformative, passionate, secretive
♐ Sagittarius (Nov 22 - Dec 21)
Element: Fire | Quality: Mutable
Optimistic, adventurous, philosophical, blunt
♑ Capricorn (Dec 22 - Jan 19)
Element: Earth | Quality: Cardinal
Ambitious, disciplined, responsible, serious
♒ Aquarius (Jan 20 - Feb 18)
Element: Air | Quality: Fixed
Innovative, humanitarian, independent, detached
♓ Pisces (Feb 19 - Mar 20)
Element: Water | Quality: Mutable
Empathetic, dreamy, artistic, escapist
The Planets: Cosmic Forces
Each planet represents a different aspect of your personality and life experience:
Mercury
Communication, thinking, learning, technology
Venus
Love, beauty, values, relationships, money
Mars
Action, drive, passion, conflict, sexuality
Jupiter
Expansion, luck, wisdom, growth, optimism
Saturn
Structure, discipline, responsibility, limitations, karma
Uranus
Revolution, innovation, sudden change, freedom
Neptune
Spirituality, dreams, illusion, compassion, creativity
Pluto
Transformation, power, death/rebirth, the subconscious
The 12 Houses: Life Areas
Houses divide your chart into 12 areas of life, showing where planetary energies manifest:
1st House
Self, identity, appearance, first impressions
2nd House
Money, possessions, values, self-worth
3rd House
Communication, siblings, short trips, learning
4th House
Home, family, roots, emotional foundation
5th House
Creativity, romance, children, pleasure
6th House
Health, daily routine, work, service
7th House
Partnerships, marriage, contracts, open enemies
8th House
Transformation, shared resources, intimacy, death
9th House
Philosophy, higher education, travel, beliefs
10th House
Career, public image, reputation, goals
11th House
Friends, groups, hopes, social causes
12th House
Subconscious, spirituality, isolation, hidden things
Aspects: Planetary Relationships
Aspects are angles between planets that show how they interact with each other:
Conjunction (0°)
Planets merge energies - intense, unified power
Opposition (180°)
Tension between opposing forces - need for balance
Trine (120°)
Harmonious flow - natural talents, ease
Square (90°)
Friction and challenge - growth through conflict
Sextile (60°)
Opportunity - potential that requires effort
How to Read Your Birth Chart
- Start with the Big Four: Understand your Sun, Moon, Ascendant, and Midheaven signs. These form the foundation of your personality.
- Explore your planets: See which signs Mercury, Venus, Mars, and other planets occupy. Each reveals a different facet of your character.
- Check house placements: Notice which houses your planets fall in. This shows where you'll experience each planetary energy in your life.
- Look for patterns: Identify which elements (Fire, Earth, Air, Water) and qualities (Cardinal, Fixed, Mutable) dominate your chart.
- Study the aspects: See how your planets connect. Harmonious aspects show natural strengths; challenging aspects reveal growth areas.
- Read interpretations: Use Andromeda Astrology's detailed interpretations to understand what it all means for you personally.
Common Astrology Terms
- Retrograde
- When a planet appears to move backward in the sky. Symbolizes internalized or revisited energy.
- Natal Chart
- Your birth chart - the snapshot of planetary positions at your birth.
- Synastry
- Comparing two birth charts to assess relationship compatibility.
- Transit
- Current planetary movements and how they interact with your natal chart.
- Orb
- The degree range within which an aspect is considered effective (e.g., ±8° for major aspects).
- Node (North/South)
- Points representing your soul's karmic path. North Node = destiny, South Node = past life skills.
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