Astrology: where do I start?

[Bjorn]

Re: Astrology: where do I start?

The best thing I can do is have you chart your own birth chart and then start doing birth charts for your friends.

Also, you might want to brush up on your Greek mythology because a lot of Western astrology uses the planets as symbols for the roles they play in your life (Mars signifying the physical aggression, sexual virility, temper, etc area of your life, etc).

When I was getting involved, I did a lot of reading and a lot of practice. It's really the only way to get anywhere with it.

Books I'd Recommend:
Parker's Astrology -- http://www.amazon.com/Parker-Parkers...%27s+astrology
The Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need -- http://www.amazon.com/Only-Astrology...27ll+ever+need
Meet Your Planets -- http://www.amazon.com/Meet-Your-Plan...t+your+planets
Love Signs (a bit cheesy, but great information on how the signs interact) -- http://www.amazon.com/Linda-Goodmans...rds=love+signs

Those are a good place to start.

[Tiger Phoenix]

Re: Astrology: where do I start?

I have never really been drawn to Astrology but I found the book "The Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need by Joann Woolfold" to be useful



I had to double in a opposition aspectheck my rising but
Sun: Gemini
Rising: Sagittarius
Moon: Leo

Well son of the waters you're all about fire and air. If you are correct in your rising sign, you would be born late afternoon. Perhaps between 6 and 8 pm. Your personality would not reflect your ego.

But there is no conflict. Your ascendant would merely be a spice. Your Gemini Sun sextiles your Leo Moon. Air meets Fire. You love to be the centre of attention and prefer intellectual people or simply put smart people. Used wisely and humbly you can be a teacher that insists on creativity and inspiration. If not you will turn off others because of you superiority complex.

Astrology is not a deep rooted passion in you and that's ok. You trust logic, your mind and your confidence which can boderline arrogance. It is a thin line. Will you inspire or downgrade. It's your choice. But being positive in nature you will not make too many enemies.

As for the book part of the thread and this goes out to those who are interested in Astrology, the Astrolger handbook by Frances Sikoian and Louis Acker is a great place to start. You can download it in pdf format for free.

[TyrianHues]

Re: Astrology: where do I start?

I have never really been drawn to Astrology but I found the book "The Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need by Joann Woolfold" to be useful

I own that book and it's incredibly useful! The CD that came with it got stolen with my other laptop. It still makes me sad.
There's another book I have (green and white) that's similar but a lot simpler than Joann's but I can't seem to find it. I mainly use it to review aspects in houses.
Another astrology book I enjoy is He's Just Not in the Stars by Jenni Kosarin. It's more a comedy than an educational book but the results are surprisingly accurate, haha. Jenni is incredibly snarky and outright. Some might even see it as crude but I personally really enjoy it. She reminds me a lot of my fav astrologer Alyssa Sharpe who has both comical and educational videos on Youtube. Fair warning...she's not for everyone.

The internet is also your pal when it comes to astrology. My favorite websites are cafeastrology, astro dot com, and a tumblr blog named astraltwelve.
A lot of tumblr users like astrolocherry but her work seems more poetic and I like to just get to the point.

[Tiger Phoenix]

Re: Astrology: where do I start?

Sure I'm curious. And if you want to share I'll take some time to make an interpretation. I will begin a few threads in this forum and Astrology will certainly be one of them. A pagan forum should expand on all subjects and possibilities. Amen or should I say Awen.

[Jembru]

Re: Astrology: where do I start?

I want to read this correctly. By you saying you don't have many Leo traits due to Air & Water qualities , I am assuming you are a Leo Sun sign? If not please tell me your sign. Thank you.

- - - Updated - - -

Gemini ascendant makes you a quick thinker and talker. But I would imagine that the Capricorn Moon slows down the process a bit. Capricorn goes to the depth of things and protects deep rooted insecurities that can surface as creativity. But both energies are not ultimately compatible. Air & Earth.

The water is in the rest of my chart. I think you might have mixed me up with the OP?? I wasn't looking for an explanation of my chart (but it's appreciated anyway). As I've already explained, I studied astrology quite enthusiastically when I was younger, so already have a comprehensive analysis of my chart. I guess different people might focus on different traits so have different feelings from the charts though, so like I said, you're thoughts are still appreciated.

I don't remember the other planets, but if I recall correctly, Capricorn was the only Earth sign, I had a few fire, a lot of air and just enough water to temper my Leo traits. I was mad enough to draw my chart in my BoS, so if you're really curious I can take a look when I am at home.

[Tiger Phoenix]

Re: Astrology: where do I start?

Of course I do!! ^^

Rising sign is Gemini and Moon sign is Capricorn!

I want to read this correctly. By you saying you don't have many Leo traits due to Air & Water qualities , I am assuming you are a Leo Sun sign? If not please tell me your sign. Thank you.

- - - Updated - - -

Gemini ascendant makes you a quick thinker and talker. But I would imagine that the Capricorn Moon slows down the process a bit. Capricorn goes to the depth of things and protects deep rooted insecurities that can surface as creativity. But both energies are not ultimately compatible. Air & Earth.

[SonoftheWaters]

Re: Astrology: where do I start?

I've been wanting to get more into the study of astrology. I've read a little from Mr. Crowley, but im a noob and kinda feel like i need something a little more basic. Lolol What would you guys recommend for a beginner?

I have never really been drawn to Astrology but I found the book "The Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need by Joann Woolfold" to be useful

Do you know your ascendant and moon sign?

I had to double check my rising but
Sun: Gemini
Rising: Sagittarius
Moon: Leo

[Jembru]

Re: Astrology: where do I start?

Do you know your ascendant and moon sign?

Of course I do!! ^^

Rising sign is Gemini and Moon sign is Capricorn!

[Tiger Phoenix]

Re: Astrology: where do I start?

I dated a Leo, and gah, it was a nightmare. I don't have many typical Leo traits. It's largely due to the air and water in the rest of my chart. I hate drama and have a very small social circle so I don't have to get dragged into all that crap. I'm not vain in the sense of taking pride in my appearance, but I do have a lot of insecurity about how I look, which could be a warped version of Leo vanity. I have little interest in expensive brands, or trying to uphold an affluent image. In fact I hate all that brand loyalty and status symbol crap, and rarely go clothes shopping. I do collect things though (or did), and get joy from little things like pretty notebooks. I have the Leo temper though. Although it was more marked when I was younger. I never show anger to JP (he gets too upset, so I can't bring myself to), so that's taught me to ignore my Leo nature, and talk through my anger. There's a reason I so rarely post in the rant threads... I've been told I seem more like a Gemini! Again, that's the air in the rest of my chart!

Do you know your ascendant and moon sign?

[Jembru]

Re: Astrology: where do I start?

I dated a Leo, and gah, it was a nightmare. I don't have many typical Leo traits. It's largely due to the air and water in the rest of my chart. I hate drama and have a very small social circle so I don't have to get dragged into all that crap. I'm not vain in the sense of taking pride in my appearance, but I do have a lot of insecurity about how I look, which could be a warped version of Leo vanity. I have little interest in expensive brands, or trying to uphold an affluent image. In fact I hate all that brand loyalty and status symbol crap, and rarely go clothes shopping. I do collect things though (or did), and get joy from little things like pretty notebooks. I have the Leo temper though. Although it was more marked when I was younger. I never show anger to JP (he gets too upset, so I can't bring myself to), so that's taught me to ignore my Leo nature, and talk through my anger. There's a reason I so rarely post in the rant threads... I've been told I seem more like a Gemini! Again, that's the air in the rest of my chart!

[kalynraye]

Re: Astrology: where do I start?

Yes, but it doesn't make up for the fact that most Leos are DRAMA QUEENS (not aimed at you, Jembru, but one of my exes was a Leo. Great in bed, but holy crap, everything had to be about him. Which is apparently a Leo trait).

I would also second looking into textbooks. Read different opinions about it, see what's most comfortable for you.

Lol KP is a Leo and yes most days everything is about him. Hes also extremely prideful and a know it all but my Libra traits don't mind it most of them time. Its my moon sign that takes issue with it. I haven't messed around with astrology in a while. Hmmm... *wonders off to search out my books*

[habbalah]

Re: Astrology: where do I start?

It's not your star sign.. we leos just have that affect on people. ^^

Yes, but it doesn't make up for the fact that most Leos are DRAMA QUEENS (not aimed at you, Jembru, but one of my exes was a Leo. Great in bed, but holy crap, everything had to be about him. Which is apparently a Leo trait).

I would also second looking into textbooks. Read different opinions about it, see what's most comfortable for you.

[Tiger Phoenix]

Re: Astrology: where do I start?

I've been wanting to get more into the study of astrology. I've read a little from Mr. Crowley, but im a noob and kinda feel like i need something a little more basic. Lolol What would you guys recommend for a beginner?

I'm not sure you are still partaking in the forum but I personally was looking for an astrology thread. Your birthchart is the key. If you know your date of birth you can get information on your ascendant, your Sun sign and your Moon sign. That goes a long way in describing your personality and compatibilities. There are many Apps that can give you this information for free. Many people do not know their birth time. No worries. Using an ephemeris you can know the position of every planet at the time of your birth. in the hands of an Astrolger that is enough to reveal a great many things about you, this lifetime and your destiny. Astrology is the gateway to understanding the Stars and your place amongst them.

For me it represents the poet's way of interpreting the Universe.

[DavidMcCann]

Re: Astrology: where do I start?

Try your public library for a textbook, or buy one with lots of stars at Amazon. I learned years ago, so I'm not up to date on beginners' books. Get a free chart calculation program from the internet: Morinus is OK. Then cast as many horoscopes as you can find data for and practice interpretation!

[Jembru]

Re: Astrology: where do I start?

I personally have great sex with Leos, .

It's not your star sign.. we leos just have that affect on people. ^^

Seriously though, I think sometimes posts go unnoticed depending on the time of day and how specialised the subject is.

I'm less into astrology than I used to be, but I have a CD rom program that draws out a person's birth chart in seconds, and also maps out the current position of the planets so you can compare this against your birth chart, or simply plan your magic around it if that's your working style.

Perhaps the way I came to learn astrology, would be a good way to start. By the time I came to study astrology properly, I already had a clear grasp of the basic qualities of each zodiac sign to the point that without having memorised them, I could meet someone who was gemini, and reel off typical gemini qualities.

I was introduced to astrology through wicca and in a very formulaic way during my first degree. I began as many do, by learning the basic qualities of the elements, and genders (polarities) right at the start of my studies, as a self-teaching teen witch. At this point I learnt how these relate to the tarot suits (an easy connection as the basic wiccan ritual tools also mirror these; the wand (wands/staves), the athame (swords), the pentacle (pentacles/coins) and chalice (cups). Then while in my first proper, and only meaningful coven, I learnt that the zodiac signs also align with these, 3 each of fire signs, water signs, air signs and earth signs. At this time I started to study tarot more too, and learnt how the numbers relate to the cardinal, fixed and mutable qualities of the zodiac signs, and only had to learn the significance of those three qualities. Then without ever having to sit down and learn 12 zodiac profiles and 56 minor arcana meanings, I just had to think 'Gemini = Air, positive, mutable' and reel off what those three qualities combined would mean. If reading the tarot I'd think '4 of cups = water, negative, fixed' and then let my intuition build from that.

It saved a LOT of time, and when I used to teach tarot, this is the system I used. In fact, I went so far as to advise my students not to look up meanings in books.

Once you have the basics, it is up to you if you want to take it deeper, learn about the planets (also easier if you're also studying tarot), houses, decanates and so on. Although we were encouraged to dip a toe into a variety of occult arts during second degree, I personally never went any deeper than the basics needed to be able to read the charts my CD rom threw up (I bet there's a website that can do the same thing these days).

Personally though, I'm not sure I'd advise aiming to be able to guess someone's sun sign. Not because it's in any way wrong or harmful, but just because it's not important and could distract your attention from developing more useful skills. I can tell you hand-on-heart that I have accurately done so, much to the amusement of my friends or colleagues, but I have explored astrology enough to know that the sun sign can be a poor indicator of someone's personality, and I've guessed it wrong as many times as I've got it right. If the other planets support it, sure, the sun sign is most dominant, but you so often have a conflict of qualities in the rest of your chart, the net result of which can render your sun sign pretty much useless. The best way to find out someone's sun sign is to simply ask them. If you want to show off, by all means memorise the dates so you can go for the whole. 'Oh, it's your birthday on Sunday is it? A virgo then..' Nothing supernatural, but people still appreciate that.

RANT WARNING; A final note; I absolutely hate horoscopes. I don't believe in them even remotely, and it saddens me that the noble science of astrology has been dragged down by such absolute potty water. I do believe we continue to be affected by the planets, but not based simply on our sun sign. Our birth charts are so, so, so much more complex than that.