Understanding Astrology
Astrology is the ancient study of the cosmos. Our ancestors have been gazing up at the night sky, tracking our place in time and space, for millenniums. Astrologers study the celestial bodies orbiting our sun in relation to the zodiac. Astrology is not some fortune-telling, life-defining practice. It is a language of symbols we can use to interpret the circumstances of the world we perceive. It is a way of understanding what is within and what is without. Through this symbolic language, we can explore the psychology of our human experience. Astrology is a creative, intuitive practice of understanding community, identity, and spirituality.
The Sun
Our radiant, omnipresent life force. Its light touches each astral body in our solar system. We cannot even gaze at this magnificent ball of incandescent gas without damaging our eyes. As its light covers the Earth, it provides every organism with warmth and nutrients. The Sun is the womb we all originated from. It is the essence of creation, integral to our life force. It is the largest extension of our organs. All life revolves around the Sun- literally and figuratively. Without it, we would have no time, progression, harvest, or duality.
The Sun’s position relative to the 12 zodiac constellations describes our seasonal experiences on Earth. The zodiac wheel begins with Aries on the ascending horizon. The Sun enters Aries- the cardinal fire sign- as the Earth enters its spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere. As the year progresses, each sign marks a change in season on the planet and within ourselves.
The Sun represents the self. One of my astrological teachers uses the metaphor that each of us is the Sun of our own solar system. We are unable to perceive ourselves, only the bodies orbiting around us. We know ourselves only by contrast. Though we may grow up to become self-aware beings, we are always limited to our own perspectives. Yet we have such a powerful effect on anything that comes into our plane of existence. Even the Sun is limited in its scope of perception. Our Sun is one among infinite stars in space. There are places in the cosmos it cannot reach. But the power of the Sun’s energy is one of expansive creativity and destruction.
The Moon
Intuitive and emotional, the moon rules water and represents our inner space. The Earth’s moon has a gravitational force that pulls our oceans into tidal bulges. Since the moon is the closest celestial body to Earth, it changes phases fastest. The moon completes its full cycle in about 30 days. Its phases are symbolic of how our emotions are fluid and ever-changing. The moon moves between zodiac signs every two-and-a-half days.
New Moon: At this phase, the moon is in line with the sun from our perspective on Earth. The Dark Moon asks us to go inwards. Plant seeds and set intentions for the upcoming cycle. Beginnings and endings often coincide around this. Spend time in contemplation and reflection.
Waxing Crescent: This is the first sliver we see after the Dark Moon. It opens our perceptions and fosters higher levels of awareness. It reveals new insight.
First Quarter Square: The first half-moon is the Imum Coeli from the new moon. It represents a turning point that may present us with challenges. It suggests rooted and groundedness to progress in a cycle.
Waxing Gibbous: The energy from the moon is gathering momentum at this point. It promotes high productivity and exciting energy. What has been brewing begins to boil.
Full Moon: At this phase, the moon is the polar opposite of the sun. The zodiac sign of the full moon is always opposite to the zodiac sign of the sun. Passion, tension, and conflict are high. Harvest the fruit from the seeds planted during the new moon.
Waning Gibbous: Falling away from the energy of the full moon, use this time to absorb your experiences. Disperse, release, and let the dust settle.
Last Quarter Square: The last half-moon is the Midheaven from the new moon. Share what you gained from the full moon. Use your fruits in a practical way. Create separation and distance as needed. This is a time of transition.
Waning Crescent: In the final phase before the next moon cycle begins, let go of any energies, emotions, or situations you no longer wish to carry. Empty, shed, and release.
The Stars
Aries (19 April-21 March) ruling planet: MARS element: FIRE quality: CARDINAL Impulsive, independent, confident, aggressive
Taurus (20 April-20 May) Ruling planet: VENUS element: EARTH quality: FIXED
Sensual, stubborn, aesthetic, peaceful
Gemini (21 May-20 June) ruling planet: MERCURY element: AIR quality: MUTABLE
Communicative, inquisitive, open-minded, curious
Cancer (21 June-22 July) ruling planet: MOON element: WATER quality: CARDINAL
Nurturing, sensitive, emotional, protective, creative
Leo (23 August-22 September) ruling planet: SUN element: FIRE quality: FIXED
Playful, courageous, creative, sociable
Virgo (23 August-22 September) ruling planet: MERCURY element: EARTH quality: MUTABLE
Pragmatic, sensible, detail-oriented, critical, loyal
Libra (23 September-22 October) ruling planet: VENUS element: AIR quality: CARDINAL
Diplomatic, pleasing, balanced, indecisive
Scorpio (23 October-21 November) ruling planet: PLUTO element: WATER quality: FIXED
Obsessive, passionate, investigative, perceptive
Sagittarius (22 November-21 December) ruling planet: JUPITER element: FIRE quality: MUTABLE
Adventurous, idealistic, honest, blunt, opportunistic
Capricorn (21 December-20 January) ruling planet: SATURN element: EARTH quality: CARDINAL
Ambitious, practical, determined, hard-working
Aquarius (21 January-18 February) ruling planet: URANUS element: AIR quality: FIXED
Pisces (19 February-20 March) ruling planet: NEPTUNE element: WATER quality: MUTABLE
Dreamy, nostalgic, faithful, psychic, sensitive, spiritual
The Cosmic Collective 