Decoding Your Birthchart

by Stephanie Austin M.A.

 

 

Life is a journey. And our birthchart is a map of where we want to go. It details the directions we want to explore, the challenges we'll meet, and the gifts we'll have to bring back to others.

At first the signposts can look quite intimidating. Planets, signs, aspects, houses are just the basics. Then there are asteroids, midpoints, rulerships, transits and progressions to add in and relocation, synastry, and numerous other techniques and applications. Where do we start? And where does it end?

The key to making sense of it all is to understand how everything is part of a cycle. When we see the components of astrology as part of a meaningful progression, the puzzle of seemingly disparate parts melds into a template of wholeness. This is the ultimate goal of studying astrology, to come into conscious relationship and wholeness--relationship between the different parts of ourselves, with others, and with the Universe itself.

The very shape of the birthchart illustrates this goal. The cosmic code of our life's journey is framed by a circle, an ancient symbol of wholeness. Combined with the four directions, this forms a mandala, an archetypal symbol of integration. "Mandala" comes from a sanskrit word meaning circle and center. Mandalas are centering devices, and reveal both our center of individuality and our connection to the Source, the Great Center.

The fundamental components of astrology (signs, planets, houses, aspects) are derivatives of this great circle. The twelve signs of the zodiac (Gr. for "wheel of life") comprise an archetypal cycle of development. Each sign marks a particular set of qualities necessary for the evolution of consciousness. From personal identity (Aries) to transpersonal consciousness (Pisces), each sign expands on the learning of the previous sign, and is preparatory for the next phase. Each correlates to the one before, to the one after, to its opposite, and to all the other signs by its relative position in the progression.

The twelve houses relate to each other in much the same way as do the twelve signs, building on each other and progressing into ever more inclusive experiences. They differ in that they represent the environment and activities which will most directly lead to mastering the energies symbolized by the planets and signs. But the progression of the houses closely parallels that of the signs. Each relates to the house before it, after it and opposite it as well at to the rest of the houses.

The relative positions of the planets also symbolize an evolutionary progression of consciousness. The greater the distance from the Sun, the more encompassed beyond the personal and the greater the awareness needed for its skillful expression. Each planet is a gate or threshold into a more inclusive understanding which can only come through mastering the previous level.

The aspects also form a progressive cycle of development. A conjunction is the beginning of a new cycle, akin to Aries and the Ascendant symbolizing a new beginning. An opposition is analogous to the opposite sign, Libra and the Descendant, the balance between self and other. The phases of the moon beautifully illustrate this progression. The moon's form constantly changes, but it is an orderly development, a waxing and waning, which, much like the seasons, echoes the cycle of the signs, planets and houses.

Understanding this fundamental and continuous progression is one of the major keys to astrology. Understanding the power of symbols and their multi-dimensional qualities is another. Symbols are like colors and tones which stimulate the unconscious and embrace many levels of meaning and interpretation. We have to use both our right and left brains to decipher our birthcharts. Astrology ultimately is a tool for accessing intuitive wisdom, leading us to the development of a consciousness which transcends duality and leads to wholeness. Synthesis. Pisces. But first we have to go through the rest of the zodiac...

 

Tips for the Astrological Explorer from the Zodiac:

 

 

 

Aries--Keep a "beginners mind" as much as possible. Remember you can always learn more, especially from the basics. Read as much as you can, but make it your own.

 

Taurus--Use your senses. Notice the sights and sounds of the archetypes around you. Doesn't that flower remind you of Venus? And that television of Uranus?

 

Gemini--Astrology is a language. Like any language, the more you speak it, the more it speaks to you. Think in images, symbols, metaphors. A picture is worth a 1000 words.

 

Cancer--Feel it. Notice your moods shift when the Moon changes signs. Feel the difference between the dreaminess of Pisces and the action of Aries.

 

Leo--Have fun! Do astrodrama with friends or a class. Learn your cosmic script by giving a voice to each of your planets and writing their dialogue. Play with different scenarios!

 

Virgo--Analyze, analyze, analyze. Take it apart, then put it back together. Start with the planet, then add in the sign, house and aspects until it begins to form a picture.

 

Libra--Compare your chart with others. Imagine what it might be like to have those charts, or to be the opposite of what you think you are.

 

Scorpio--Be a detective. Research the birthdates of friends, lovers, relatives, and see how the symbols fit with your experience of them and what they say about themselves.

 

Saggitarius--Discover your truth. Just remember that everyone else has theirs too. Much more important than having the right answer is asking the right question.

 

Capricorn--Use astrology responsibly. What you say and how you say it can harm or heal. If someone asks you to look at their chart, know your limits and respect them.

 

Aquarius--Network. Find or form a study group. Go to astrology lectures and conferences. Work to reform the image of astrology.

 

Pisces--Have compassion. Understand that everything has its place in the magic of creation and is doing the best they can. Relax, have faith, dream and open your heart.

 

For an indepth examination:

 

1) Look at the chart as a mandala. Where is the energy constellated? Above or below, left or right, clustered or splayed? What visual impression does it give you?

2) Really get a sense of the Sun. Think of the element, mode and polarity of its sign, then reflect on what its hero/ine's journey is about as described by that sign. Then add in the house. Where does it want to shine? What makes life light up for you? Then look at the aspects to the Sun. These further defines its journey. Easy aspects feel like helpers, hard ones may be like dragons until we make friends with those energies. Don't underestimate the power of aspects, especially close ones. Where is the planet connected with your sun sign? Examine it by sign, house & aspects. Ruling planets are important keys which open the energy symbolized by the planets and signs involved.

3) Look at the rest of the planets (including Chiron) in the same way, taking each by sign, aspect and house. Go slowly and free-associate; use keywords as springboards but don't limit yourself to them.

4) Are there major configurations, like a T-square or stellium? Think about what those planets are trying to achieve together and what it would take to make them all happy.

5) Where are the Lunar Nodes? Consider their sign and house location. Are you in a healthy balance with these two signs and houses? Look at any major aspects to the Nodes.

6) What is the sign on the Ascendant? As you did with the Sun and other planets, look at its element, mode, polarity, sign. Look at the ruling planet for that sign. Where is it located by sign, house and aspects? How does your ascendant and its ruling planet describe your self-image and world view? How does it filter or funnel everything else in your chart?

7) For a real in-depth tour of your birthchart, look at each of the house cusps, or at least the angles. What are the signs involved and where are their ruling planets? How do those describe your approach and lessons in those areas of life?

8) Look for themes that repeat more than once or twice. For example, a prominent Venus, lots of Libra or Cancer planets and western hemisphere dominance point toward relationship being a major life theme; lots of Aries, Virgo, strong Saturn -- independence.

9) Explore the mythologies associated with prominent planets and signs in your chart. Are any of the asteroids strongly aspected in your chart? If so, study their mythologies too.

10) Look at your secondary progressions. What is the relationship between the progressed Sun and progressed Moon? Are any progressions making aspects to each other or to natal planets? What are the potentials wanting to come forth at this time?

11) Pencil in the transits occuring at this time. Remember, the farther out the planet, the greater the consciousness necessary to receive its message. Note the planets being aspected and which houses they rule, as well as the houses being transited. Look at the synodic cycles of the outer planet transits. If you have Saturn opposing your Sun, what happened when Saturn conjuncted your Sun about 14 years ago and squared it 7 years ago?

12) If you still have some Virgo energy left, look at the Solar Return chart for this year and your solar arc directions for further details on this phase of your life. For a Neptunian view, look up the Sabian symbols for your natal and transiting planets.

From here, there are many directions you can explore--Uranian, Helio, Horary, Vedic astrology, Arabic parts and other sensitive points, composites, local space, to mention just a few--its almost infinite. Check out as much as possible and use what works for you. Astrology is holographic. Go deeply into one piece and you'll find the whole. Most important of all, remember that the map is not the territory. You are not your birthchart. Rather, the birthchart is a tool to help you discover who you really are. Like any tool, it can help create, or destroy. Use it wisely. Use it to empower yourself and others to "follow your bliss". Namaste.

 

 

Stephanie Austin M.A. is an astrological counselor, teacher and writer practicing in the San Francisco Bay area. For information regarding astrology classes, lecture tapes, or to schedule a workshop or consultation, please visit www.EcoAstrology.com.