The basics of Astrology
- taylorwright1503
- Feb 16, 2025
- 6 min read
In this blog post, I introduce the fundamental elements in astrology. I begin by defining what astrology before explaining what a birth chart is and how astrologers use them. I then explain the meanings of the fundamental units of astrology using a table format. The focus will be on the planets, zodiac signs (elements and modalities) 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 the positions of the planets influence human life and natural events. It frames astrology as an interpretive practice that links cosmic events with experiences on Earth both on a personal and a collective level. One well-known example is that Mercury retrograde periods often coincide with disruptions in communication, travel and technology. A concrete example of this is the closure of the Heathrow Airport on 21st March 2025 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 loss of revenue to the aviation industry.
What is your birth chart?
The birth chart is a snapshot of the sky when you were born, it reveals potential, patterns and themes in your life. It reflects not only personal traits but also relationships, family dynamics and life circumstances. Certain placements may highlight strengths and challenges but they indicate possibilities rather than fixed outcomes. Astrology is symbolic not deterministic, free will and personal choice play a role in how a birth chart plays out.
THE PLANETS IN ASTROLOGY
In Astrology, the planets show the qualities and characteristics that make up an individual. In basic terms, they represent different aspects of our personality, for example Mercury shows how we think and communicate and Venus shows how we express love and affection.
3 types of planets:
Personal planets: planets that influence our individual personality and daily life, (the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars). These planets move faster, they are therefore more personal.
Social planets: planets that influence both the individual and society as a whole (Jupiter and Saturn). These planets act as a bridge between the personal and outer planets.
Outer planets: planets that influence collective experiences and society at large (Uranus, Neptune and Pluto). These planets move slower therefore they affect entire generations and are more relevant to long-term cycles.
PLANETS AND KEYWORDS:
Planet | Keywords |
Sun | Ego, pride, self-expression, identity, the father. |
Moon | Emotions, needs, instincts, the mother. |
Mercury | Communication, thoughts, intellect, learning. |
Venus | Love, beauty, aesthetics, relationships, money, feminitity. |
Mars | Action, passion, aggression, assertion, anger, masculinity. |
Jupiter | Growth, luck, expansion, optimism, religion. |
Saturn | Discipline, restriction, challenges, responsibility. |
Uranus | Innovation, rebellion, change, technology. |
Neptune | Dreams, imagination, intuition, illusion. |
Pluto | Power, control, destruction, transformation, regeneration. |
PLANETARY TIMELINES:
How long does each planet spend in one zodiac sign? Read this table to find out.
Planet | Transit time | Retrograde period |
Sun | 30 days | N/A. |
Moon | 2-2.5 days. | N/A. |
Mercury | 3 weeks. | 10 weeks max. |
Venus | 3-4 weeks. | 6 weeks max. |
Mars | 6-7 weeks. | 2.5 months. |
Jupiter | 1 year. | 4 months. |
Saturn | 2.5 - 3 years. | 4.5 months. |
Uranus | 7 years. | 5 months. |
Neptune | 14 years. | 5-6 months. |
Pluto | 11-32 years | 5-6 months. |
THE ZODIAC SIGNS:
In Astrology, the 12 zodiac signs highlight various characteristics that make up a birth chart. They represent distinct archetypes, for example Aries is often described as assertive, action oriented and direct but also aggressive, impulsive and harsh. I explain the zodiac signs below:
Zodiac sign | Keywords |
Aries | Active, assertive, direct, passionate, impulsive. |
Taurus | Patient, sensual, grounded, loyal, stubborn. |
Gemini | Curious, versatile, inquisitive, playful. |
Cancer | Nurturing, sentimental, protective, caring. |
Leo | Confident, dramatic, brave, charismatic, proud. |
Virgo | Critical, analytical, organised, service-oriented. |
Libra | Balanced, diplomatic, charming, social. |
Scorpio | Private, deep, intense, secretive. |
Sagittarius | Optimistic, adventurous, philosophical, wise. |
Capricorn | Disciplined, ambitious, reserved, cautious, hard-working. |
Aquarius | Innovative, individualistic, eccentric, humanitarian. |
Pisces | Imaginative, empathetic, creative, spiritual. |
THE PLANETARY RULERS:
Zodiac sign | Traditional ruler | Modern ruler |
Aries | Mars | |
Taurus | Venus | |
Gemini | Mercury | |
Cancer | Moon | |
Leo | Sun | |
Virgo | Mercury | |
Libra | Venus | |
Scorpio | Mars | Pluto |
Sagittarius | Jupiter | |
Capricorn | Saturn | |
Aquarius | Saturn | Uranus |
Pisces | Jupiter | Neptune |
THE DIGNITIES IN ASTROLOGY:
Each planet has a zodiac sign dignity, this demonstrates the zodiac signs that each planet thrives vs. struggles in. Below I explain the terms domicile, exaltation, detriment and fall. Please also see the table in which I state the dignities of the planets.
Domicile: a planet in a sign that it naturally rules, this means the planet is "at home". The energy is comfortable and familiar.
Exaltation: a planet is in a sign which it does particularly well, a strong and elevated position. It brings out the positive expressions of the planet.
Detriment: a planet in the opposite sign to the domicile. 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, in an unfamiliar environment. The natural qualities of the planet become harder to manifest.
Planet | Sign of domicile | Exaltation | Detriment | Fall |
Sun | Leo | Aries | Aquarius | Libra |
Moon | Cancer | Taurus | Capricorn | Scorpio |
Mercury | Gemini & Virgo | Virgo | Sagittarius & Pisces | Pisces |
Venus | Taurus & Libra | Pisces | Aries & Scorpio | Virgo |
Mars | Aries & Scorpio | Capricorn | Taurus & Libra | Cancer |
Jupiter | Sagittarius & Pisces | Cancer | Gemini & Virgo | Capricorn |
Saturn | Capricorn & Aquarius | Libra | Cancer & Leo | Aries |
THE ELEMENTS IN ASTROLOGY:
The 12 zodiac signs are separated into 4 elements, these are fire, earth, air and water. There are 3 signs in each element as shown below, they each embody the following qualities:
Fire - Aries, Leo, Sagittarius: action orientated, 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.
THE MODALITIES IN ASTROLOGY:
The zodiac signs are separated into 3 modalities which 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, leadership and starting new things, these signs initiate each season.
Fixed - Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius: associated with building and stabilising, can be stubborn and resistant to change, these signs mark the middle of each season.
Mutable - Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces: associated with adaptability and flexibility but can be indecisive and unstable, these signs mark the end of each season.
THE 12 HOUSES IN ASTROLOGY
In Astrology, the houses all represent a different area of life. They represent not only the individual but other influences in life of the person such as home and family (4th house) and friends and networks (11th house) for example. Any zodiac sign can occupy any house. The houses are explained below:
Houses in astrology | Keywords |
1st house | Identity, appearance, outlook, first impressions. |
2nd house | Money, possessions, value, self-worth. |
3rd house | Communication, learning, primary education, siblings. |
4th house | Home, family, upbringing, maternal figure. |
5th house | Creativity, fun, romance, hobbies, self-expression. |
6th house | Daily routine, work, health, wellbeing, habits. |
7th house | Relationships, marriage, contracts, open enemies. |
8th house | Shared resources, intimacy, death, transformation. |
9th house | Travel, religion, higher-education, beliefs. |
10th house | Career, public image, reputation, paternal figure. |
11th house | Friends, social groups, aspirations, networks. |
12th house | Solitude, the subconscious, secrets, dreams, illusion, escapism. |
TRADITIONAL ASTROLOGY - PLANETARY JOYS:
In traditional astrology, the 7 classical planets (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn) are assigned a house placement in which they are considered most comfortable. These are labelled planetary joys as explained below:
Planet | Joy |
Mercury | 1st house |
Moon | 3rd house |
Venus | 5th house |
Mars | 6th house |
Sun | 9th house |
Jupiter | 11th house |
Saturn | 12th house |
THE ASPECTS IN ASTROLOGY:
In Astrology, the aspects show how planets in a birth chart interact and how the energies play out. The aspects range from supportive, challenging and neutral. The main aspects are explained below:
Conjunction (0°): planets influence each other directly, 2 planets are in the same sign, (e.g. Moon and Saturn in Gemini, intellectual and disciplined emotional responses). This is a neutral aspect, the condition depends on the planets involved.
Sextile (60°): planets experience a natural flow of energy (e.g. Sun in Aries, Moon in Gemini), support between assertive ego (Sun) and lighthearted/ intellectual approach to emotions (Moon).
Square (90°): planets experience tension and challenges, (e.g. Venus in Taurus, Mars in Leo presents a difficulty acting (Mars) on romantic feelings (Venus).
Trine (120°): the most favourable aspect, planets bring natural talents, 2 planets are in zodiac signs of the same element (fire, earth, air, water), (e.g. Mercury in Leo and Mars in Sagittarius, alignment between adventurous action (Mars) and theatrical communication (Mercury).
Opposition (180°): planets are in opposing signs and present a push-pull dynamic which requires balance, (e.g. Moon in Taurus opposite Mars in Scorpio, balance between stable/secure emotions and self-growth, transformation and empowerment).
SUMMARY:
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