Introducing Astrology: A Guide
- Stargaze Astrology
- Jul 1
- 6 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
This blog post introduces the fundamental basics of astrology. I first define what astrology is before defining what a birth chart is and how astrologers use them. The focus is on the significations of the planets, zodiac signs (elements and modalities), the houses, and major aspects (conjunctions, sextiles, trines and squares).
What is Astrology?
"The study of the movements and relative positions of celestial bodies interpreted as having an influence on human affairs and the natural world" - Oxford Languages
Essentially, this quote interprets astrology as the study of how planetary positions influence human life and events of Earth. It frames Astrology as an interpretive NOT a deterministic practice. One popular example is that Mercury retrograde periods often coincide with disruptions in communication, travel and technology. For example, on 21st March 2025, the Heathrow Airport was forced to close due to a fire at an electrical substation, Mercury was in Aries (a fire sign) during this time. This caused travel disruptions to thousands of passengers and a loss of revenue to the aviation industry.
What is a birth chart?
The birth chart is a snapshot of the sky when you were born, it reveals potentials, patterns and themes in a natives life. It reflects not only personal traits but also relationships, family dynamics and life circumstances. Certain placements may highlight strengths and challenges, however they indicate possibilities rather than fixed outcomes. Astrology is symbolic, free will and personal choice play a role in how a birth chart plays out.
The Planets in Astrology
In the birth chart, the planets show the qualities that make up an individual. In basic terms, they represent different aspects of our who we are. For example, Mercury shows how we think and communicate, whilst Venus demonstrates how we love and express affection.
There are 3 main categories of planets in which I explain below:
Personal planets (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus & Mars): these influence our personal life experience, These planets move faster.
Social planets (Jupiter, Saturn): these influence both the individual and society as a whole (Jupiter and Saturn). They act as a bridge between the personal and outer planets.
Outer planets (Uranus, Neptune & Pluto): these influence collective experiences and long-term societal trends. These planets move slower, therefore they affect entire generations.
*The big 7 are the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. These planets are the most fundamental to an individuals birth chart. In traditional astrology, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are excluded, only modern astrologers typically use them.
Planets & Keywords:
Used in traditional astrology:
Sun: ego, vitality, identity, self-expression.
Moon: Emotions, regulation, instincts, inner safety.
Mercury: Communication, thoughts, intellect, memory.
Venus: love, affection, values, aesthetics.
Mars: action, assertion, conflict, cutting, severing.
Jupiter: growth, expansion, religion, philosophy.
Saturn: boundaries, restriction, discipline, responsibility.
Used primarily in modern astrology:
Uranus: innovation, change, advancement.
Neptune: dreams, imagination, illusion, confusion, disillusion.
Pluto: Power, control, corruption, transformation.
Planetary Timelines:
How long does each planet spend in one zodiac sign? Read these tables to find out:
Planet | Transit length | Retrograde period length |
Sun | 30 days | N/A |
Moon | 2 - 2.5 days | N/A |
Mercury | 3 weeks | 10 weeks max |
Venus | 4 weeks | Once every 18 months(6 weeks max) |
Mars | 1.5 - 2 months | Once every 25 months (for 7 months) |
Jupiter | 1 year | 4 months |
Saturn | 2.5 - 3 years | 4-5 months |
Planet | Transit length | Retrograde period length |
Uranus | 7 years | 5 months |
Neptune | 14 years | 5 months |
Pluto | 12-32 years | 5-6 months |
See the dates 2026 current retrogrades:
The Zodiac Signs
The 12 zodiac signs highlight the characteristics that make up a birth chart. They represent distinct archetypes, for example, Aries is often described as assertive, action oriented and direct but can also be aggressive, impulsive and harsh.
Aries: Active, assertive, direct, passionate, impulsive, self-focused.
Taurus: Patient, sensual, grounded.
Gemini: Curious, versatile, inquisitive, playful.
Cancer: Nurturing, sentimental, caring, protective.
Leo: charismatic, proud, self-expressive.
Virgo: critical, analytical, service-oriented.
Libra: diplomatic, justice-focused, charming, other-focused.
Scorpio: Deep, intense, private, probing
Sagittarius: Philosophical, freedom-seeking, wise, adventurous
Capricorn: disciplined, ambitious, cautious, hard-working
Aquarius: innovative, individualistic, humanitarian
Pisces: imaginative, empathetic, creative, spiritual
The Planetary Rulers
Zodiac sign | Planetary ruler |
Aries | Mars |
Taurus | Venus |
Gemini | Mercury |
Cancer | Moon |
Leo | Sun |
Virgo | Mercury |
Libra | Venus |
Scorpio | Mars (traditional) and Pluto (modern) |
Sagittarius | Jupiter |
Capricorn | Saturn |
Aquarius | Saturn (traditional) and Uranus (modern) |
Pisces | Jupiter (traditional) and Neptune (modern) |
Essential Dignities in Astrology
Each planet has a zodiac sign essential dignity, this demonstrates the least vs most favourable zodiac sign placement for a particular planet.
Domicile: a planet in a sign that it naturally rules, the planet is therefore "at home". The energy is comfortable and familiar.
Exaltation: a planet in a sign in which it does particularly well, a strong and elevated position. It brings out the most positive expressions of the planet.
Detriment: a planet in the opposite sign to the domicile placement. It is more difficult for a planet to express its natural energy, like being out of place or in an unfamiliar territory.
Fall: a planet in the opposite sign to the exaltation, it is placed in an unfamiliar environment. The natural qualities of the planet become harder to manifest.
Planet | Domicile sign | Exaltation | Detriment | Fall |
Sun | Leo | Aries | Aquarius | Libra |
Moon | Cancer | Taurus | Capricorn | Scorpio |
Mercury | Gemini, Virgo | Virgo | Sagittarius, Pisces | Pisces |
Venus | Taurus, Libra | Pisces | Scorpio, Aries | Virgo |
Mars | Aries, Scorpio | Capricorn | Libra, Taurus | Cancer |
Jupiter | Sagittarius, Pisces | Cancer | Gemini, Virgo | Capricorn |
Saturn | Capricorn, Aquarius | Libra | Cancer, Leo | Aries |
Planet | Domicile sign | Exaltation | Detriment | Fall |
Uranus | Aquarius | Scorpio | Leo | Taurus |
Neptune | Pisces | Cancer/Leo | Virgo | Capricorn/Aquarius |
Pluto | Scorpio | Aries | Taurus | Libra |
Elements in Astrology
The 12 zodiac signs are divided into 4 elements, fire, earth, air and water. There are 3 signs in each element as shown below:
Fire - Aries, Leo, Sagittarius: action oriented, energetic and passionate.
Earth - Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn: grounded, practical and methodical.
Air - Gemini, Libra, Aquarius: intellectual, social and communicative.
Water - Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces: emotional, intuitive and instinctive.
Modalities in Astrology
The zodiac signs are separated into 3 modalities, these describe how they express their energy: these are cardinal, fixed and mutable. There are 4 signs in each modality (one of each element) as illustrated below:
Cardinal - Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn: associated with action, forward momentum and initiation, these signs begin each season.
Fixed - Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius: associated with building, stabilising and maintaining but can be resistant to change, these signs mark the middle of each season.
Mutable - Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces: associated with adaptability, flexibility and an open mind but can be indecisive, unstable or fickle, these signs mark the end of each season.
12 houses in Astrology
The houses represent different areas of a natives life. They represent not only the individual but other influences that extend beyond the person, for example, home and family (4th house) and friends and networks (11th house). Any zodiac sign can occupy any house, however, this depends entirely on the natives ascendent/rising sign. I use the whole sign house system, therefore one house is allocated to one zodiac sign in a birth chart.
House | Keywords |
1st house | Identity, appearance, life, body, beginnings, character, attitude to life |
2nd house | Money, possessions, material value |
3rd house | Primary education, communication, siblings, short distance travel, neighbourhood |
4th house | Private life, hidden things, land, ancestry, origins |
5th house | Pleasure, creativity, sex, entertainment, artistic expression, children |
6th house | Injury, sickness, health, work, service, employees |
7th house | Relationships, partners, weddings, adversaries, open enemies |
8th house | Inheritance, taxes, bonding, partners finance, loss, occult |
9th house | Higher education, foreign places/people, culture, religion, philosophy, long distance travel |
10th house | Career, ambitions, authorities, leaders, high visibility, reputation |
11th house | Awards, aquaintances, alliances, organizations, audience, networking |
12th house | Enemies, suffering, illness, seclusion, isolation, prison, hospitals, mental health institutions |
Planetary Joy Scheme
In traditional astrology, the 7 classic planets (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn) are assigned a house placement where they are considered most favourable in a birth chart.
Mercury - 1st house
Moon - 3rd house
Venus - 5th house
Mars - 6th house
Sun - 9th house
Jupiter - 11th house
Saturn - 12th house
Aspects in Astrology
In Astrology, the aspects show how planets in a birth chart interact. The aspects range from supportive, challenging and neutral.
Conjunction: planets merge energies, 2 planets are in the same sign, they therefore influence each other whether harmoniously or more challenging.
Sextile: an aspect of opportunity, there is harmony between the planets involved. Not overwhelmingly positive but a 'nice' angle.
Trine: the most favourable aspect, brings natural talents and a sense of ease. This involves 2 planets in zodiac signs of the same element, they see eye-to-eye.
Opposition: planets are in opposite signs, they represent a push-pull dynamic which requires balance between two extremes.
Summary
Comments