There are many aspects of astrology that are not often considered by those who do not actually study the subject. Most people think that astrology consists of sun signs. However, there are many other aspects of astrology that must be considered for the art to be truly accurate and useful.
The Planets
There are ten planets studied in astrology. The number ten is arrived by adding the sun and the moon. The earth is not counted, because our perspective is from the earth. Each planet influences both the sun sign and the house in which it resides in the astrological chart.
Each planet represents the influence that it holds over the sun sign and the house in which it rules. Saturn, for example, represents the limitations of man. Jupiter represents leadership and prosperity. The other planets have their own representations and influences.
Planetary movements and alignments are also very important in astrology. Various planetary alignments and movements can indicate extreme influences over all aspects of our lives. For example, when Mars is in retrograde, conflicts will be more dominant in our lives.
The Houses
There are twelve houses in the Zodiac, or astrological chart. Each house represents an aspect of our lives such as romance, career, or family. The houses are very important in the interpretation of astrology. The house in which a planet resides shows what influences will be held over that aspect of our life.
Because there are twelve houses but only ten planets, each astrological chart will have two vacant houses. These vacant houses represent areas of the life that are unimportant in this life. It is believed that either you have been successful in that aspect of your life in another life, or other aspects of life are in more immediate need of attention than those represented by the vacant houses.
The Signs
The Zodiac sun signs are the most common aspect of astrology. There are twelve sun signs, based, roughly, on the months of the year. Each sun sign rules for approximately twenty eight days.
The twelve signs of the Zodiac are well known to most people. They include Capricorn, Sagittarius, Aquarius, Scorpio, Gemini, Libra, Leo, and Ares, among others. The sun signs are most often used to create typical horoscopes.
The Moon Signs
The moon also has twelve signs that are used in the interpretation of astrology, as well as the phases of the moon that are commonly known. The twelve signs of the moon are named after the twelve signs of the sun. However, these signs do not meet often.
The twelve signs of the moon circulate monthly rather than yearly. Therefore, each sign of the Zodiac occurs within its own sign of the moon one time each month. This may occur for one to three days. It is when the sun sign and moon sign are the same that the individual's mental clarity is at its peak.
When the sign of the moon is the opposite of the sun sign of the individual in question, conflict will ensue. Some phases of the moon are detrimental to decision making regardless of the sun sign held by the individual. In any case, the moon's energies and emotions influence the overall readings of the rest of the aspects of astrology.
The best-kept "secret" about astrology is that astrology is something which is open to all people, regardless of age, gender, background, belief, or any other factors. Not only is astrology not as mystifying nor complicated as it may appear on the surface, therefore allowing access to this fascinating topic to anyone who is interested, astrology will provide a nearly-limitless amount of information and help to anyone who desires it. All it takes is interest, determination, and the willingness to both learn and put what one learns into positive action. While on the surface astrology may appear intimidating with its charts and mathematical data, the essentials of astrology can be easily understood and put into action by anyone and everyone. One does not need to be intellectually-gifted or specially trained in any way in order to begin a personal journey into astrology and reap the benefits of all it has to offer.
In astrology being universally-accessible, this also means that despite popular view it is not contrary to most people's current beliefs-systems. While those on some "spiritual paths" may embrace astrology more fervently than others, in fact astrology being an integral part of some spiritual paths, there are very few current established beliefs-systems which frown upon or actually forbid the practice of astrology.
Many people mistakenly believe that believing in astrology as a fact or the practice of it is "against" their particular religion; in most cases, however, this is not true. While even routine church-goers or preachers of most mainstream, Biblically-based religions may hold this point of view, it is interesting and refreshing to learn that this opinion is not based in fact.
Kabbalah, which is the oldest and most wide-spread aspect of Jewish mysticism, relies strongly on astrology, both in belief and in practice. It is considered to be a positive aspect of both religion and of life; and it is something which those who are deeply committed to their Jewish faith are encourage to learn about. Astrology is seen as a worthwhile means of learning to better understand oneself, the world in general, and how we are connected to our world. Rather than being contradictory to one's faith, astrology is a very large part of it. Whatever can assist us in our process of learning and understanding is a good thing.
Amongst the Christian religions, astrology generally has a bad reputation. At the very least it is considered to be a means of bypassing God and, instead, relying on something other than God. Those who hold this opinion have apparently missed the numerous passages in the Bible which clearly use the terms, for they are not presented in a negative manner.
At its worst, some of Christian belief hold the notion that astrology is demonic in nature, and directly influenced by satan. This erroneous notion is based on the opinion that anything which is not directly connected to God must be connected to his opposing forces; it is similarly based on the belief that anything of an extraordinary nature must be suspect.
The field of astrology, therefore, is open to nearly anyone who wishes to learn about it. In doing so, you will be presented with wonderful opportunities for a much deeper understanding of yourself and your world!
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