Chapter One Introduction Your birth chart, with its zodiac signs and planets, captures the precise moment in time when you were born. In fact, horoscope literally means hour watcher, an observation of the hour of birth. This snapshot of the celestial bodies frozen in time is yours for life, and it will give you a lifetime of information. Exploring your horoscope need not be complicated, and in the following pages you will find all you need to simplify the process. Ideally, this language of symbols describes your life's fullest potential--and that's what this book is all about. Each horoscope has a distinct blueprint, so we begin with a discussion of your chart pattern, providing an immediate overview of the driving force in your life. The signs of the zodiac and their placement in your birth chart show how you manage things. The twelve houses-- each assigned a different topic--point to where you may achieve honors and success. The resources you have at your disposal, as defined by the planets, reveal family dynamics, personal and intimate relationships, finances and financial prospects, professional and vocational aptitudes, natural talents, creativity, and much more. If you have ever wondered what would be the best career choice or life path, the section on aspects will help identify your strongest career and vocational indicators. When you first gaze at your horoscope, it's like discovering a secret map that will lead you on an exciting journey. And, like the circle that has no beginning and no end, your journey of self-discovery is an ever-unfolding adventure. framework of the horoscope The following outline describes the framework of the horoscope and illustrates how to use this book. It lists the interpretive techniques that are offered and explained in detail in the following chapters. These methods will give you easy access to the meaning of your horoscope. You do not need to understand complex theories or concepts. If you can identify the symbols, then you can understand your horoscope. In these pages, you will find everything you need, including lots of visual aids and charts to help you define your birth chart. At the end of the book is a comprehensive glossary. It is best if you follow along with a copy of your horoscope. If you have never had your birth chart done, there are a number of Internet resources that provide free chart services. A few good ones are www .alabe.com, www.astro.com, and www.astrology.com. For those of you who do not have access to the Internet, you may complete the form at the back of this book to obtain a free copy of your birth chart. If you are not sure of your birth time, you may be able to obtain a time-stamped copy of your birth certificate by going to the National Center of Health Statistics website at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/howto/w2w/ w2welcom.htm. I. The Seven Chart Patterns The first thing you notice when you look at your horoscope is a pattern formed by the distribution of the planets. This chart pattern falls into one of seven categories, each with a specific meaning. It offers a broad view of the whole person, leading to a better understanding of the finer details. The pattern type, like a first impression, gives you an immediate picture of the driving force or motivational factors in your life. A. The seven chart patterns: Splash, Bundle, Locomotive, Bowl, Bucket, Seesaw, and Splay. B. Hemispheres: The next feature to note is whether the planets are mostly in the upper half or the lower half of the circle. Or you may notice that most of the planets are on the right-hand or left-hand side of the circle. This division of the circle into hemispheres describes inner and outer behavior. C. Quadrants: The circle can be further divided into four quadrants that describe your developmental process and focus. Each of the four quadrants shows a particular area of life experience. The first quadrant is the realm of self-awareness; the second quadrant is related to creativity and talent; the third emphasizes relationships and interaction with others; and the fourth stresses profession/ occupation, friendships, and humanitarian concerns. II. The Twelve Signs of the Zodiac Around the edges of the wheel are the twelve signs of the zodiac. Each of the twelve signs is unique in its expression and describes how you approach things. The signs also can be grouped according to certain similarities, such as element and quality. A. Twelve zodiac signs B. Four elements: fire, air, water, and earth--describe your basic nature C. Three qualities: cardinal, fixed, and mutable--describe how you tend to act D. Ascendant sign: describes your appearance and demeanor III. The Twelve Houses Each sign sits at the beginning of a house--on it's cusp . Notice that the houses are numbered in the middle of the wheel in a counterclockwise direction. Each of the twelve houses describes a particular area of life experience, and the sign on its cusp illustrates how you approach that area of life. A. Twelve houses B. House position: angular, succedent, and cadent C. Empty houses D. Twelve signs through the twelve houses IV. The Planets The planets are dispersed around the wheel and reside in various houses. Each planet describes function or, to put it another way, something in particular about the way you carry out your life. The planet describes what is going on, while the house describes where the action occurs. A. The ten planets: eight planets and two luminaries (the Sun and Moon) B. The planets in the houses C. The planets in the signs V. The Aspects Aspects are the angles between two planets or between a planet and any point on your horoscope. They are measured in degrees, and when planets form these angles, they interact with and reflect the influence of the other. A. The five major aspects: conjunction, sextile, square, trine, and opposition B. The ten planets and their primary aspects C. Aspects to the Ascendant and Midheaven So let's begin by examining the seven chart patterns to determine which one is closest to your own. Like a first impression, your birth chart pattern instantly reveals the essence of who you are. Then in the following chapters, we will look at the finer details of your horoscope. Excerpted from Astrology for Beginners: An Easy Guide to Understanding and Interpreting Your Chart by William W. Hewitt, Bill Hewitt All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
