Spirit of Astrology

The symbols used in western astrology to represent the spheres of constellations have their origin in antiquity.

The basic symbol used for each zodiacal sign is still in use today, although there have been minor changes over time.

Aries – the Ram

This is drawn to represent the horns of the ram designed to represent the power of the militant fighter and leader who depicts the dogged courage and energetic force of the planet Mars – the pioneer.

Taurus – the Bull

Shows the harmonious combination of the circular sun with the crescent moon as its crown – this was associated with the earth power of the bull as well as the goddess of all nurturing qualities including the arts and beauty – with Venus its ruler. 

Gemini – the Twins

Shows twins depicted as separate entities but united by a line above and below to show the dual nature that is characteristic of its influence upon the mind – Mercury is its planetary ruler.

Cancer – the Crab

The sign is created by two small circles, each with a tail and fitting together in a way symbolic of the shy crab or as some depict, of two spermatozoa. Each circle describes the moon phases to illustrate the emotional influence of this sign ruled by the Moon.

Leo – the Lion

This sign has changed somewhat over time when the circle representing the Sun, the ruler of this sign was more dominant but the mane of the lion, king of the beasts, remains under royal influence of the Sun.

Virgo – the Virgin

The universal M sign of the spiritual mother or feminine principle is here to represent the nurturing of all things of value in thought and studies. The energy is magnetic and introvert and associated with the purity of maidenhood. Mercury is its ruler.

Libra – the Scales

Representing equilibrium, balance and justice and the scales by which law is administered – still is retained in modern legal symbolism. Venus is its ruling planet.

Scorpio – the Scorpion

Again the M sign of the masculine sex symbol of extrovert expression and a reminder of the inherent danger in the use of sexual energy for self gratification instead of perceived as a sacred trust for creativity. Once considered that Mars is ruler – now generally considered to be Pluto.

Sagittarius – the Archer

The design is always an attempt to show half human, half animal – a generous combination of qualities that show an influence demanding choices between earthly pursuits and the heavenly goal of his arrow – Jupiter is its expansive ruler

Capricorn – the Goat

The ram’s horn and the curves that show tangled tusks of the mountain goat that can climb up to the heights of ambition should it keep free of entanglements. It indicates the power to overcome problems ever seeking to be of service – it is ruled by Saturn

Aquarius – the Water Bearer

Usually there is a little confusion here. Once water was considered the traditional power but now it is seen rather as electrical as we witness the gradual alteration from two horizontal waving lines to the vertical – Uranus the planet is its ruler for the Aquarian New Age

Pisces – the Fishes

Two curved crescent moons back to back and bound by a horizontal line indicates the emotional life and restraints of this zodiacal sign that allows supreme sacrifices to be made through selflessness –the planet Neptune is its ruler.

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A Libra born person has an innate desire to share with others.  In family life this is first obvious in a child’s behaviour as is their strong sense of fair play.

Libra has the sign of the scales symbolizing this focus upon balance and justice and many who are attracted to the legal profession or in an environment where they can satisfy their refined aesthetic sense of decoration and proportion.

Each Libra dominated personality will have a romantic streak and a need to share in marriage or in friendships, on an equal footing in social life. Their strong values about marriage usually result in idealistic hopes of a faithful and trusting relationship that will last ‘for ever and ever’. This wonderful love relationship that endures may be rare but is most likely to involve members of Libra’s starry influence.

Love, balance and beauty are the harmonious gifts from the planet Venus that rules this sign.

It is hoped that all who are blessed by these wonderful qualities will find plentiful planetary energies to fulfil them or be able to maintain them by withstanding any influence that threatens their expression, both in the outer material world as well as the inner being.

Libra ruled people have the opportunity to channel love, peace and harmony and so make a quiet but positive contribution towards our future state of peace and brotherhood of our planet.

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Our western astrological map consists of a circular disc with the twelve divisions, each of 30° called ‘Houses.’ These areas each indicate a facet of your personal life and character. They also relate to the circumstances and conditions that you will be encountering in your life adventures.

The segment that touches the horizon from below on the left hand side, is the Rising Sign that occupies the first house. In their natural sequence, and going anti-clockwise, the rest of the twelve zodiacal signs follow to find their placement.

When beginning to search for indications about yourself, it is of course best to do so in consulting a profession and experienced astrologer, one who has had some years of study of the subject.  However, even with elementary knowledge, we can learn a few points if we become familiar with the traditional meanings, qualities and circumstances related to these twelve areas of the heavens and the planets that occupied them at our time of birth.

This map registering our Natal Chart influences remains a constant reference throughout our lifetime, although of course must be changed and modified as time goes by and we ourselves determine our life course and make personality changes.

The First House will indicate a strong factor regarding our body, general appearance and type of personality expression.

 Not only the zodiacal sign (your Rising Sign) that is coming above the horizon at your time of birth but also any planet in that 30 degree segment of the circle will influence interpretation and so must also be considered. For example, if your Rising Sign happens to be Aries which is strong and wilful, and you also have the planet Mars situated in that sign, you will be bound to be a very active or even combative person, and your appearance will tend to be dark and body slim. There will be an element in your nature that may be either courageous and strong in adversity, or you may express it differently in an aggressive, selfish tendency.

 As Astrology is a science that deals with energies and its language is not one that claims to judge human choices, none but the finest astrologers will make prediction concerning any individual’s ultimate decisions or outcomes.

So we must approach self analysis through our chart as just a discovery of one piece in the jigsaw after another as we seek for the complete picture that represents us.

 Second House (going anti-clockwise, remember) is an indication of your type of possessions, material estate, your investments – finances – building – collecting -physical destiny or karma -  inherent good fortune – emotions – desires 

Third House by its ruler and planet will show your intellectual interests and studies, or lack of same and your inclinations to travel in your mind as well as physically- brothers and close relatives- early schooling – writing – speech – adaptability- short journeys -electronic age education and interests – activity – intellectual talents, wit

Fourth House is your home or place of security, early upbringing and comfort zone -your home – parents- domestic situations- real estate and property-home life- inheritance -environment – harmonious factors in life- also family matters and environment in latter years – inherited tendencies

Fifth House points to your choice of pleasures – sexual appetites -creative talents – entertainment- offspring – children – speculation – risk taking- gambling – education – teaching of all kinds – disappointments in friendship – or regarding children

Sixth House relates to matters of health and good or bad indicators may tell of any weaknesses – service – dedication – devotion to duty – work- sense of responsibility-nursing – medical – rectification – adjustments – healing – relationships with family aunts and uncles

Seventh House shows partnership in marriage or in business enterprises and is important when considering any wisdom that astrology may offer regarding compatibility issues… (before any commitment is best!) spouse – marriage – partnerships – individuality – enemies -sharing bonds – public in general – litigation – contracts and agreements

Eighth House will register your type of long term life path and any material or intellectual legacies you may inherit – matters related to death – endings and finalities -regeneration- payments-losses – fatalities –consciousness -  reflections on meaning of life and seeking answers

Ninth House is the area to look for your innate philosophy and religious or spiritual beliefs and whether you have any intensity or lack of interest in deeper issues – long journeys and travels of the mind – aspiration -imagination – expansion -  philanthropy – legal profession- visionary -science

Tenth House points to career and your success, reputation and acclaimed status in the world- worldly achievements – citizenship – honour – profession – reputation- work – standing in the community – power in the social order – public affairs

Eleventh House points to our enduring friendships and our social inclinations- ambitions – altruism – sympathies – sense of brotherhood- step children – social affiliations – attitude towards people – inner hopes and wishes

Twelfth House It is the area that tells of loneliness and suffering- secrets- inhibitions-negative karma – any withdrawal from the world – exiles – hurt by secret enemies.  It deals with the restricting factors in circumstances, failures, limitations and difficulties.

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We are all familiar with the expression ‘evolution’ although our understanding of it may be oversimplified by its use in the context as a survival mechanism through the adaptation of natural forms.

Spiritual evolution is another matter. It works upon the increase of consciousness and intelligence. The aim to encourage the growth of the spark of intelligence that resides in each living creature and in the forms of all species in the vast kingdoms of nature, from the first slow stirrings in the minerals, to all plant life, insect, bird and animal, to the independent mind and intelligence that possesses the power of free will and resides in human form.

Although spiritual evolution may also be based upon our learning and our ability to adapt to human circumstances, it is concerned with the advancement of our immortal soul. This is slowly achieved by the gaining of wisdom and life’s truths and by the constructive expression of the noblest qualities we possess. This is provided in a system that provides opportunity for the human soul to learn and to grow gradually, through a succession of incarnations.

This is where the understanding of Astrology comes into consideration as to the manner whereby we as individual souls can learn all the lessons earth life has to teach us….the courage of Aries, the strength of Taurus, the power of speech of Gemini, the compassion of Cancer, the power of love of Leo, the exactitude of Virgo, the balance and beauty of Libra, the passion of Scorpio, the aspiration and wisdom of Sagittarius, the perseverance of Capricorn, the universality of Aquarius, and the willingness and sensitivity to sacrifice personal ego for the general good that is best known to those who understand Pisces.

This sketchy outline of the life curriculum for human learning is only a hint as to the deeper issues involved. But we can begin to see a better reason for our birth chart with its defined encouragements and cautions if we use it to help focus upon our personal disciplines for this present personality and circumstances.

As far as already confirmed, astrologers, both by astronomical progressions and by historical examples and known world teachers, that humanity as a whole evolves in what seems to be the reverse order of the zodiac from our present standpoint. For example, Jesus Christ the great spiritual Avatar exemplified the teaching of the Piscean era with the symbol of the fish being dominant. The anticipated teacher for the Aquarian Age with its symbol of the water bearer, will guide us in a different fashion to suit our present needs, 2000 or so years later. And after that our earth history will be subject to the Capricornian energies of a future millennium.

It is necessary that eventually each of us personally experiences all that earth life has to teach us, through experience of all energies represented in the twelve signs of the zodiac. This is accomplished through a succession of incarnations some as a male and others as a female as determined by Karmic or spiritual law.

Regarding the order in which individual human beings progress through life’s school, there is some considerable interest. For instance, if born under Leo this life, does this mean that next life we will be under Cancer or do we move from Leo into a Virgo incarnation?  Some would argue that to be forewarned is forearmed!  Personally I do not know the answer nor do I presume to think it is wise to seek so ambitiously. Rather to apply what we already know would seem wise.

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Spirit of Astrology is dedicated to providing information about the principles of this ancient science, and to indicate something of the art of applying what is known of the subtle powers that affect human culture and all life on our planet.

There is much to show the validity of astrology, whether it is applied to understanding human nature, health, psychiatry, or the potentiality for arriving  at best outcomes when the ‘climate’ of cosmic influences are harmonious. Research has been extensive in many areas of human interest and we will present many interesting features and positive developments in the science.

However, it is in the spiritual sphere that astrology offers something quite unique in challenging us to interpret the energies of our solar system and beyond that create the subtle environment to which we are joined by invisible strands .

In this era we seek satisfaction in knowing where we personally fit as atoms in this great cosmic world in which we live and move and have our being. We feel that astrology answers many questions regarding both our individual worth and how we can contribute to life as a whole.

We hope you find our site interesting and welcome your comments.

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Astronomy and Astrology are closely related grand sciences that help us to learn of the forms and forces that exist beyond our planet Earth. The former observes the visible heavenly bodies and the structure of the universe. The latter interprets their influences not only upon human nature but upon all life and events on our planet.

In regard to humans, there is third science of Psychology that so well should be part of the trio. It can analyze the personality and identify some of the keys that motivate the physical, emotional and mental responses of the individual human being or living creature to the invisible subtle weather patterns created by forces we cannot choose to ignore.

The three in concert provide a solid basis for strengthening our understanding of the link between the material and abstract worlds. We are reminded that the essential role of all science is to bring us closer, not only to realization of the extent and oneness of the whole of life but to help us, as individuals,  play a positive role in the grand scheme of things.

To be able to understand the worlds beyond our own in the Solar System and beyond, in our galaxy and further still, to other galaxies, requires a special expansion of our perceptions, our imagination and our comprehension. Few of us have these abilities so natural to astronomers.

It is easier for us to begin at the beginning and to contract our focus to our physical earth with all its people, its international, social and environmental issues and here start our journey in discovery of the wider universe.  We are inclined to desire a safer comfort zone to think of individuals, and even more do we feel at home when we contract our gaze to consider the familiar world of our own self.  It will not be long, however, before we feel confined and desire to expand to our limit before repeating the natural cycle of expansion and contraction that affects all creativity and growth.

It is here in the contraction zone we begin to apply the study of the science of Astrology, to learn of influences that affect our physical health, recognize our personality virtues and failings and identify our inherent or natural talents. Gradually we venture into the region of the more profound aspects of the soul and the understanding of others with all the complexities that are involved as we learn that not only individuals but nations and events are affected by the stars.

It is only when we feel confident in our increase of knowledge of fundamental Astrology, and wish to venture into the wider world of abstract thought and spiritual studies that we are prepared to experience inner realization of the reality of life’s greater truths. As we progress, our wisdom grows and all diverse knowledge becomes simplified through the alchemy of understanding.

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To understand our personal nature is a natural motivation and an ever constant requirement if we are to be in control of our lives and fulfil our potential talents.

Astrology offers a simple process to help begin self understanding using symbolism related to the planets and the zodiacal signs to explain natural energies that impact upon our Earth from the heavenly bodies – Sun, Moon and planets. To these we inevitably must respond, even if unconsciously, as we react to weather patterns. Psychological responses are influenced by our individual character and our strongest established thoughts and feelings, but also issue from our core centre, our soul.

To begin to simplify the complex patterns of energy affecting human nature, astrology uses the ancient system of dividing our sky into 12 angles related to the constellations that reside in that part of the heavens, and which we call the zodiac.

Just as the Sun is important in considering the weather, so it is the first consideration in astrological influence. At the hour of your birth, the Sun was located in one of the zodiacal areas, where it remains for a month, from the 21st of one month to approx. 21st of the next month. At this time that must be accurately calculated by astronomers, the Sun passes into the next sign. For example, if born on the 22nd of May you would relate to the information about the sign Gemini, and another person born 18th May would belong to the previous sign which is Taurus.

The most basic starting point is for us to identify the major zodiacal sign that influences us. Anyone else in the world, born on the same day of the month will share that sign, known as your Sun Sign. The chart of 360° with its 12 divisions, allows 30° for each sign’s territory.

It is unusual to find a person who does not know their astrological birth sign. But it may not be clear to those who are born on 21st-22nd of any month, on what is called the ‘cusp’. The exact degree is required to determine which the dominant sign is truly, but as this requires an ephemeris or further astronomical data, it may be generally safe to assume that your nature will partake of the characteristics of a mixture of both of these signs. However at the outset, you will learn a lot about yourself by reading what is available about some of the inherent personality and character qualities commonly attributed to all in your Sun Sign.

These traits are always mentioned with the purpose of balancing the positive with the negative – the first to help you feel confident in your strengths and the latter to remind you of possible failings that must be overcome. From this simple exercise you will begin to realise how complex is your own nature and the patience that will be required to get to know yourself and your potential to live life positively, in harmony with the Spiritual Source of your life energies.

You will find it worthwhile.

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