Astrology for Yourself: How to Understand And Interpret Your Own Birth Chart

by Demetra George

ASTROLOGY is a language, art, and science that studies the relationship between the cycles of celestial bodies and the affairs of people on earth.

The purpose of learning astrology is to better know and understand ourselves and our place in the cosmos.

On an energy level, the signs represent the twelve primary energy fields, the formative principles of the universe, or the archetypal patterns.

On a psychological level, the signs correspond to twelve basic personality types; and even more specifically, to the twelve basic psychological needs that each and every human being experiences.

Table 2: Zodiacal Essences

Each sign, or energy pattern, is a unique combination of the concepts known as polarity, element, and modality.

the astrological elements of fire, earth, air and water.

Astrologically, the elements depict four distinct personality temperaments that are basic to human nature. Fire is the identity principle. Earth is the material substance principle. Air is the mental principle. Water is the feeling principle.

three signs that specifically express the fire principle. They are Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius.

The element of fire corresponds to the active life force, the principle that animates and energizes. Fire represents the energy of spirit.

Individuals with an emphasis of fire often express themselves through direct action and inspire others with their visions. Fire seeks to realize its identity.

any positive principle, when exaggerated, can become negative.

Like a fire raging out of control, this person consumes everything in his or tier path.

a person deficient in fire lacks energy, zest, and joie de vivre.

Three signs of the Zodiac personify the qualities of air. They are Gemini, Libra and Aquarius.

The element of air corresponds to the mental realm of ideas where thoughts become the structures through which energy precipitates and coalesces into form. Air represents the energy of breath.

Individuals with an emphasis of air often express themselves by sharing and communicating their ideas to others. Air seeks to make social and intellectual connections.

Too much air produces the “up in the air” or “airhead” individual who cannot ground him- or herself long enough to apply any of his or her marvelous ideas. These people often...

Too little air, on the other hand, can lead to a lack of perspective and objectivity in life. Difficulties in learning and poor communication skills may also be...

Three signs of the Zodiac embody the traits of earth. They are Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn.

The element of earth corresponds to the physical realm where objects are perceived directly by the senses as real and tangible. Earth represents the energy that gives form and substance to creation.

Individuals with an emphasis of earth often express themselves by mastering the world of common-sense reality, actualizing their dreams, and supplying their basic survival n...

Too much earth in the birth chart produces a “stick in the mud”—the person whose overcautious nature and fear of change prevents him or her from taking risks and breaking out of an old rut.

Too little earth, however, creates an “ungrounded” individual who has difficulties coping with the mundane responsibilities of everyday life.

The solid earth person, on the other hand, feels obligated to keep commitments and to fulfill responsibilities.

Three signs that best reflect the watery temperament are Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces.

The element of water corresponds to the emotional realm of feelings where the subtleties of meaning and interrelatedness are perceived. Water represents the energy and power of unconscious forces that motivate us.

Individuals with an emphasis of water often express themselves through their sympathy, compassion, and intuitive awareness. Water seeks emotional and soul understanding.

Overly watery people live on an emotional roller coaster. Calm one day, stormy the next, they are forever turbulent. Such individuals need to bring their undisciplined feelings under their c...

watery folk may perceive themselves as weak, helpless, and needing protection. Hence, they need to transform these feelings of dependency by tapp...

individuals who lack water can easily become cold and unsympathetic. In order to develop their feeling nature, they often form close ties with watery types.

Fire and Air can be grouped into one category and Earth and Water into another.

Fire- Air signs are more out-going and self-expressive—pouring forth their energies into the world. Their keyword is Freedom.

Earth-Water signs, on the other hand, are more in-going and self-repressive—magnetizing what they need and conserving their energies within...

the fire and air signs are found opposite each other, as is true with the earth and water signs.

Aries is the pioneer, Leo is the performer, and Sagittarius the philosopher.

The three modalities, known as cardinal, fixed, and mutable, describe a threefold cyclic process.

The Cardinal phase initiates and generates energy, and corresponds to the signs Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn.

The Fixed phase stabilizes and concentrates energy, and corresponds to the signs Taurus, ...

The Mutable phase adapts and distributes energy, and corresponds to the signs Gemini, Vir...

The elements describe how energy manifests as form.

The modalities depict how energy manifests as movement—specifically as centrifugal, centripetal, and spiralic patterns.

The cardinal phase represents outward, centrifugal motion

The fixed phase symbolizes inward, centripetal motion

The mutable phase describes linking, s...

The Cardinal Signs: Initiating Action The cardinal modality is expressed in four signs—Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn.

The cardinal signs correspond to centrifugal, radiating energy which moves outward in a definite direction. The essential nature of these signs is to initiate action, start things, get things going.

exaggeration of the cardinal mode suffers from choosing too many activities and commitments. While these individuals may start a number of projects, they rarely complete them.

deficiency of cardinal energy, however, an individual may lack drive, initiative, and the ability to ...

The Fixed Signs: Stabilizing Security The four fixed signs are Taurus, Leo,...