Your

Introduction to
Astrology
 Your Introduction To The 12 Star Signs
Aries
Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, hot-blooded and passionate. If you’re an Aries, you want
things to happen fast and love speed and an adrenaline rush. You need constant stimulation
but are easily bored and can be impatient and feisty. The Aries archetype is the hero,
courageous, assertive and competitive - in it to win.
Taurus
Taurus is a sensual and earthy star sign. If you have planets in Taurus, you favour
enjoyment and love to indulge in simple pleasures. A seeker of comfort, you take life at a
leisurely pace and you’re at your best when you’re not rushed. You have a lazy indulgent
streak but you can be fiercely determined and steady as a rock.

Gemini
Gemini is the flirt of the zodiac, flitting through life with a happy attitude and an insatiable
curiosity. You’re at your best when life keeps you interested through lots of ideas, people
to see and places to go. You have the gift of the gab and a quick mind, you’re youthful &
flirty, and your preference is to keep things light.
Cancer
Cancer is the nurturing star sign, which favours warm and cosy surroundings. You love to
feel safe and secure. Home and family are your go-to zone where you can chill out and feel
protected from the outside world. Your emotions wax and wane so you can be moody but
your kindness and caring capabilities are legendary.
Leo
Leo is the drama queen, the show-off of the zodiac who loves to perform and be the centre
of attention. You’re a natural organiser. The bossy roar of your Leo Lion will emerge from
time to time but at heart you want to be acknowledged and adored. Extrovert and playful
by nature, you can sometimes be a shy pussy-cat.
Virgo
Virgo is the perfectionist of the zodiac. If you’re going to do something, you want to do it
right. You can be critical by nature which is helpful if channelled in the right direction and
you have a love of craft, ritual and routine. Your body is your temple and it’s essential that
you take good care of your mind, body and soul.

Libra
Libra is the star sign of relating. Whether in love, out of love or between love, relationships
are your forte. You’re the diplomat and mediator of the zodiac and can charm the birds
from the trees. You can be sweet-natured when you choose but making up your mind
doesn’t come easily. You have an eye for design.
Scorpio
As a Scorpio, you sometimes get a bad rep, thanks to the sting in your scorpion’s tail. You
have a hidden side to your nature and a deep and penetrating insight. Your laser focus
verges on obsession but when you commit, you do so wholeheartedly. You’re a master of
transformation and love to hide behind dark glasses.
Sagittarius
Sagittarius is the explorer of the zodiac, a traveller and lover of life with an expansive spirit.
You have a hedonistic streak and play is equally as important to you as work. Being a free
spirit means you don’t settle down easily but even if you do, freedom and adventure must
be an integral part of your life.
Capricorn
Capricorn is an ambitious star sign, hard working and persistent. You want to achieve in life
and be the best you can be. You love to have a mountain to climb and you’re at your best
when you have a long-term future goal to work towards. In life and love, you’re solid and
dependable as an oak tree.
Aquarius
Aquarius is ruled by two planets, Saturn & Uranus, so there’s an eccentric side and a serious
side to your personality. Friends and groups are your domain, although you sometimes
battle with being an outsider. You have your gaze on the future, a maverick who knows the
importance of individual action. You walk your own path.

Pisces
Pisces is the romantic star sign of the zodiac and you’re always looking for an escape route,
an activity which takes you away from the mundane side of life. Dreams and fantasy are
your domain and you need an outlet for your creative and spiritual source. You’re a
sensitive, emotional type who cares deeply for others.

Dates of all 12 Star Signs starting at the March Equinox.

Equinox
Aries (March 21 - April 19)
Taurus (April 20 - May 20)
Gemini (May 21 - June 20)
Solstice
Cancer (June 21 - July 22)
Leo (July 23 - August 22)
Virgo (August 23 - September 22)
Equinox
Libra (September 23 - October 23)
Scorpio (October 24 - November 22)
Sagittarius (November 23 - December 21)
Solstice
Capricorn (December 22 - January 20)
Aquarius (January 21 - February 18)
Pisces (February 19 - March 20)

n.b. The sun doesn’t move into each star sign at the exact same time each year. It can change
within a period of 24 hours. This is why the dates for each star sign aren’t standard. If you’re
born on the cusp of a star sign, it’s only by drawing up your birth chart (including your date, time,
and place of birth) that you can find out where the sun was when you were born.
 Your Introduction to the 10 Planets
Once you’ve seen the map of the heavens for the time you were born, you will be aware
that you are more than your Sun sign (also called Star Sign).
The Sun is the most important star in the sky, because all the other planets revolve around
it. Yet, it’s only one part of your personality.
Here’s a quick guide to what each planet represents in astrology:
The Sun
The Sun represents your essence, your identity, who you are becoming. It’s you as an adult,
your public persona and the way you engage with the world. The Sun rules the light of the
day and is one of the symbols which represents your father.

The Moon
The Moon represents your needs, your inner self, what comforts you. It’s you as a child,
your private persona and where you seek security in your life. The Moon rules the dark of
the night and is one symbols which represents your mother.
Mercury
Mercury is the planet of communication, the messenger in mythology. It’s the planet linked
to the mind and tells you about the way you learn and your communication style.

Venus
Venus is the goddess of love and tells you about the way you relate. It reveals what you
want when it comes to love, what gives you pleasure, your values, what you desire. Venus
rules women, money, art and beauty.
Mars
Mars is the god of war and tells you about your drive and ambition. It reveals the way you
do business, your physical strength, what angers you and where your passions lie. Mars
rules men, athleticism, sex and the libido.
Jupiter
Jupiter is the biggest and best planet in astrology. It tells you where you find good fortune
and opportunity. Jupiter represents truth and justice, foreign connections, higher
education, philosophy and religion. Wherever you find Jupiter in your horoscope is where
you can pursue meaning and purpose and expand your life.
Saturn
Saturn is the outermost traditional planet linked to endings and boundaries. It can be a
heavy influence and reveals where you may encounter authority, limitations or hardship.
Wherever you find Saturn in your horoscope, you may need to work hard or take things
seriously. It can also lend you self-discipline.
Uranus
Uranus was discovered in 1781. It’s the planet of change, revolution and innovation. The
key psychological term is to ‘dissociate’. Uranus’ nature is future-oriented, impulsive and
radical. Uranus is the awakener.
Neptune
Neptune was discovered in 1846. It’s the planet of dreams, fantasy and the imagination.
The key psychological term is to ‘dissolve’. Neptune’s nature is seductive, empathic and
blissful. Neptune is a creative or spiritual influence.
Pluto
Pluto was discovered in 1930. It’s the planet of power, transformation and control. The key
psychological term is to ‘destroy’. Pluto’s nature is obsessive, intense and all-consuming.
Pluto takes you on a journey into the underworld.
 Additional Points
Chiron
Chiron is an asteroid which was discovered in 1977. Since then, healing has become a buzz
word both for our earth and in our personal lives. Chiron can reveal a personal wound you
carry, either emotionally, physically or psychically.
North Node
The Nodes - the South Node & North Node - are karmic points in astrology which reveal
your life path and your purpose in this lifetime, the reason why you’re here. The North
Node represents your main areas of growth and your biggest learning.
Ascendant
The Ascendant reveals the star sign that was rising at the time you were born. You only
know your Ascendant sign if you know your time of birth. It’s the start of the zodiac wheel
and the beginning of the 1st house - see below. It’s the cover on your book, how you want
to be seen and how others see you.
Midheaven (MC)
The Midheaven is the angle which points to the peak of your horoscope, the start of your
10th house - see below. Whereas the Ascendant is personal, the Midheaven represents
your career, your life in the public eye and your future path. It’s where you’re heading in life
and can reveal your destiny, you deeper purpose.

Your Introduction to the 12 Houses

The houses of the astrology wheel are an integral part of your horoscope. The symmetry
that is inherent within astrology remains, as the wheel is divided into twelve equal sections,
called ‘houses’. Here’s a list of the meanings of the twelve houses:
1: physical body, personal goals, image and profile
2: money, possessions, values, self-worth
3: communication, education, siblings, local neighbourhood
4: home, family, roots, the past, your legacy
5: creativity, romance, entertainment, children, luck
6: work, routine, health and lifestyle, service to others
7: relationships, the ‘other’, enemies, contracts
8: joint finances, other people's resources, taboo issues, life beyond the veil
9: travel, study, philosophy, legal affairs, publishing, religion
10: career, vocation, status and reputation
11: friends, groups, networks, your role within society
12: retreat, sacrifice, spirituality, inner self, places of confinement

The Symmetry of Astrology

There is a beautiful symmetry to the zodiac (see horoscope wheel, first page). There are
twelve zodiac signs which can be divided into two sets of ‘introvert’ and ‘extrovert’ signs,
four elements (fire, earth, air, water), three modes (cardinal, fixed, and mutable), and six
pairs of opposite star signs.
One of the attributes of astrology is in bringing opposites together, showing how they
complement each other and work together and, in so doing, restore unity. The horoscope
wheel represents the cyclical nature of life.
 Elements
The houses of the astrology wheel are an integral part of your horoscope. The symmetry
that is inherent within astrology remains, as the wheel is divided into twelve equal sections,
called ‘houses’. Here’s a list of the meanings of the twelve houses:
There are four elements in astrology, and three star signs are allocated to each. The
elements are:
Fire: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Earth: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Air: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Water: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces

What each element represents:

Fire: Fire blazes bright, and fire types are inspirational, motivational, and adventurous. They
love starting things and having fun.
Earth: Earth is grounding and solid, and Earth rules money, security, and practicality. Earth
represents the physical body and favours slow living.
Air: Air is intangible, a vast entity, and air rules thinking, ideas, social interaction, debate,
and questioning. Air represents the air that we breathe and the airwaves.
Water: Water is deep and healing, and water rules feelings, intuition, quietness, relating,
giving, and sharing. Water represents our emotions and our deeper connection with the
flow of life.

Modes
There are three modes in astrology and four-star signs allocated to each. The modes are:

Cardinal: Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn

Fixed: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius
Mutable: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces

What each mode represents:

Cardinal: The first group represents the leaders of the zodiac. These star signs love to take
the initiative and be proactive. Some say they’re controlling.
Fixed: The middle group holds fast and stands the middle ground. These star signs are
stable and reliable. Some say they’re stubborn.
Mutable: The last group goes with the flow and drifts through life. These star signs are
flexible, adaptable, and dual-natured. Some say they’re all over the place.
 Introvert and Extrovert Star Signs/Opposite Star Signs
The introvert signs are the earth and water signs, and the extrovert signs are the fire and air
signs. Both sets oppose each other across the zodiac.

The ‘introvert’ earth and water oppositions are:

Taurus - Scorpio
Cancer - Capricorn
Virgo - Pisces
The ‘extrovert’ air and fire oppositions are:
Aries - Libra
Gemini - Sagittarius
Leo - Aquarius

The Planetary Aspects

Aspects are connections formed between planets depending on where they are in the
zodiac when you were born. The aspects the planets make create patterns which reveal
more about your personality and your life path.
The major planetary aspects are conjunction, sextile, square, trine, opposition, and
quincunx. Here’s what they mean:
Conjunction is a powerhouse aspect when two planets sit side-by-side and are next to one
another in the zodiac, i.e. 0° apart. They intensify one another.
Easy Aspects:

Sextile is an easy aspect when two planets are two signs apart, i.e., 60° apart. They make a
friendly connection.
Trine is a flowing aspect when two planets are in a star sign of the same element, i.e., 120°
apart. They work together in a positive fashion.
Challenging Aspects:
Square is a clashing aspect when two planets are square one another, i.e., 90° apart.
There’s tension between them.

Opposition is when two planets are in opposite star signs, i.e., 180° apart. The two planets
are in conflict, and the aim is to work with them in a complementary fashion.
Quincunx is sometimes known by another name, the inconjunct. The planets are five signs
apart, i.e. 150° and it’s a blind spot combination.
Astrology Symbols