An introduction to Astrology

With over 7 billion people in the world, surely more than 12 personality types must exist, right? Yes. You’re absolutely right. In fact, it is estimated that it will take another 4,320,000 years until a person will be born with the exact same Astrological make-up as you. This Astrological make-up is known as a Birth Chart and every person in the world has one which is entirely unique to them! 

So what does a Birth Chart ​look like?
Here's an example, bearing in mind that no two individuals will have the same chart. Even the charts of twins will be different! 

Figure (A) Natal Birth Chart example

In Astrology, there are: 

• 12 Houses (each house represents a different area of life: career, family, relationships etc). These include the Ascendant, Descendant, Imum Coeli and Midheaven Houses. 
• 12 Zodiac signs (Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces). 
• 10 Planets (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto). And, 
• At any given moment in time, each of the 10 planets will be in one of the 12 Zodiac signs (eg. Sun in Cancer, Moon in Virgo, Mercury in Scorpio etc).

When a person asks “what is your star sign?”, they are actually asking you about your Sun sign which is determined by the day and month a person is born. For example, someone who is born on November 5th will answer, “I’m a Scorpio”, however, the individual is not just a Scorpio! They also have a Moon sign (eg. Moon in Taurus), Venus sign and Mars sign etc. Sun signs are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Astrology. The composition of all 10 planets, signs and their House Placements, and the aspects they make to one another, is what makes one person completely unique from the next. 

Why is it important to know your other planetary signs?
​Because each planet and its sign tells you about a different aspect of yourself. For example, your Moon sign represents your emotional self, your Mars sign represents how you express anger and how you take action. 

Here is a breakdown of the Birth Chart in Figure (a): 

Figure (b) Breakdown of Planets and their Signs

Of course, many people will be born on the same day, in the same year and in the same city. So what makes your chart different from the next person's?
 
Your Birth Chart is formed at your exact time of birth (to the minute). Your Ascendant (aka Rising) sign is determined from the moment you were born and refers to where the Sun was rising in the eastern hemisphere. This moment in time is used to create your Birth Chart (otherwise known as a Natal Birth Chart or Horoscope).  
 
Your Ascendant sign, which is essentially the beginning of your Birth Chart, will be in one of the 12 Zodiac signs. The Ascendant changes approximately every 1.5 – 2 hours each day. The Ascendant denotes the first of the twelve Houses in your Birth Chart. There is only a 1 in 12 chance that your Ascendant sign (dictated by the time of your birth) will be the same as your Sun Sign (dictated by the day and month of your birth). 

What is the significance of an Ascendant sign?
The Ascendant sign describes the first impression you make on others. Let's say you're a Taurus Sun sign with a Leo Ascendant sign. Your friends will most likely describe you as stable, reliable and down to earth (Taurus traits), but strangers who meet you for the first time will probably describe you as loud, outgoing and passionate (Leo traits). 

To calculate a person's Birth Chart and find out one's Ascendant sign, you must know the exact time and place of birth. Without this information, it is impossible to calculate one's Birth Chart. 

Where should you start if you're a beginner to Astrology? 
If you are new to Astrology, I recommend starting with your "Big 3", which are your Sun, Moon and Ascendant signs. They are ultimately the most important signs in your Horoscope. 

Astrology is a tool which allows us as individuals to explore the incredibly complex composition of our personalities, our subconscious urges, fears and desires, our hidden motivations, and the darkest corners of our mind. 
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