THE ASTROLOGY HANDBOOK

by Nicole Durham

Intro

In order to interpret or understand a chart, you will need a birth time from a birth certificate. If this is hard to possess, or your memory is a little foggy, an unknown time is okay. But a reading won’t be as detailed, and there will be limited information to provide.

Once you have that information, head over to astro-seek.com. Enter your info, and proceed. Your natal chart will appear. It should look like this (this is my chart):

• If you want a computer generated report written for you, head on over to Cafe Astrology, enter the same information and read away. They don’t use wheel style, but table charts. Which can be misleading. I suggest doing so after reading this so you will know what it all means.

What do all those lines mean? Why are they different colors? Now it’s time to break it all down!

Layout

There are three main components of any astrological chart. The houses, signs and planets.

Houses

Each sign is thirty degrees wide. However, the calculation of the house degree varies, and often shows each house to be sometimes more and sometimes less than that amount. The chart provides information in twelve major life categories. The houses form the skeletal structure of the chart, and are always in the same location for everyone. You will also notice that the houses aren’t divided up equally in other chart systems. I’ll be using Placidus.

• Learn more about the house divisions of Whole Sign and Placidus here.

Angles

As mentioned in the beginning, each house represents a major life category that is ruled by a sign and its planetary ruler. The zodiac itself begins with the sign Aries, but where Aries falls within an individual’s chart is always unique -- Aries could fall at any point around the wheel because the wheel is always rotating. Ascendants change every 2 hours within a day (12 signs divided into a 24 hour day). Thus, why it's important to know your birth time.

The Ascendant (AC), also known as Rising, is the beginning of a chart and where the houses start. Moving counterclockwise through the Twelfth. The Ascendant is associated with the first house.

• Your Ascendant also determines your chart ruler. Once we determine our rising sign, and its planet ruler, we have found our chart ruler. In discovering this, we look to the house that the planet occupies, as well as the house sign it governs.

• The chart ruler indicates a central theme in our lives and differs from person to person. It is the energy that embodies your life as a whole. To understand what your chart ruler needs, is to understand what you need in order to feel fulfilled and understood.

The Descendant (DC) is the cusp of the seventh house. It’s opposite the first house and the Ascendant. It contains the important relationships, and others in your life – your spouse, partners (both business and romantic). But it’s also the other side of a debate, the other team. Even your adversaries or competitors. The Descendant is associated with the seventh house.

The Medium Coeli (MC), also known as the Midheaven, is the highest point in the sky where planets can travel during the day. Because this area of your life contains things that are the most elevated in the sky at the time, it also has to do with the highest potential of that moment. It’s related to what your purpose is in the world. It also relates to your career, your status or reputation. The MC is associated with the tenth house.

Opposite the Midheaven, there’s the Imum Coeli (IC) and the fourth house. At the bottom of the chart, it represents your roots, your lineage and heritage. You ancestors and family traditions too. Your lands and estate. The IC is associated with the fourth house.

Chart types

Natal

Your natal (birth) chart shows the position of planets, at the moment you were born, from the place you were born. It's a snapshot of your life. It’s a unique map, detailing the make up of who you are. Its symbols represent the locations of the planets on that map. The odds of anyone else having the same birth chart as you are astronomically small. But you can find others who share the same big three signs (sun, moon and rising) as you!

Transits

Transits are the current positions of the planets in the sky in relation to the natal positions of the planets in an individual’s birth chart. They are happening in real-time, affecting everyone to some extent but impacting individuals based on the specific alignment of planets with their natal chart. Transits are often associated with external events and circumstances. For example, a major transit from Saturn to a personal planet might coincide with a period of increased responsibility or a significant life event.

Progressions

A progressed chart shows you what's happening for you in terms of your personal development; the changes happening for you on an internal level. It is a good way to map out the different stages of life that a person may go through, while predetermining significant events along the way,

The same info that goes into your birth chart along with the present date, a progressed birth chart calculates how far the planets have moved from their spot on your birth chart. It's believed that the sun moves one degree forward on the wheel every year after your birthday. Since every sign occupies 30 degrees of the wheel, by the time you hit your 30s, if not earlier, the sun could very well have moved onto the next sign in your progressed chart. By comparison, the moon will move on from your natal moon sign much sooner, as it changes signs about every two and  half to three years in a progressed chart.

Your progressed birth chart doesn't spell out your destiny. So, it's perfectly fine if it doesn't resonate with you. Much like your Solar, Venus, or Saturn return charts, it's simply another way to check in with yourself as you continue to grow as a person.

Inside the chart

Planets

Retrogrades

• Note: Sun and Moon never retrograde.

Planets and bodies can appear to be moving backwards in the sky for a period of time, and are said to be retrograde. “Appears” is the key word here, because, technically speaking, no planet actually moves backwards in their orbits around the Sun. In fact, they don’t even slow down.

When a planet or body is retrograde in the birth chart, its energies are turned inward. They’re often felt more strongly, but there is something about the planet’s energies that the native keeps hidden or undercover. There can be shyness, discomfort, or awkwardness expressing the planet’s energy directly or overtly.

Each retrograde cycle has a shadow period before and after a retrograde period. Shadow periods occur when the retrograde planet begins to adjust from apparent forward to back motion and backward to forward motion. You may feel the stirrings of a retrograde period for several days, even weeks before it officially starts.

• Retrograde period: Number of days a retrograde lasts.
• Retrograde cycle: Number of days between periods.

Dominants

In a natal chart, dominant planets indicate the native's broad psychological profile and their traits of characters.

A planet becomes dominant when it meets one of the following conditions: It is posited near an angle of the natal chart. It is posited in a sign of its rulership. It rules the Ascendant or the Sun. It is the only planet tenanting a hemisphere. It forms numerous aspects with other important points of the natal charts.

The "dominant" concept is useful because in all areas of life, the expected behavior of, let’s say a Saturnian for instance, is quite serious, rigorous, withdrawn and lone and has nothing in common with that of a Jupiterian. A jovial, good-natured, powerful and benevolent. In brief, the dominant is a tool used to simplify, understand better and gain time in the process of analyzing a natal chart.

Houses and Rulerships

Planets represent the experiences in our life. These transient bodies in the sky, mirror our transient experiences here on earth. As they always do, these experiences further shape our personality. What house a planet is in, shows us in which area these experiences of life occur. What sign rules each house, shows us what characteristics these experiences are made up of. In terms of our personality, the houses show which areas of life are major areas for us. The signs show characteristics are prominent in our personality.

Signs

The signs represent, where along the ecliptic, the zodiac signs were at the time of your birth. What sign was Rising? What is setting (descendant)? This is where individual interpretations can begin, now that we have two components of the chart to compare. It can be said the signs show characteristics of the sky, at the time of your birth.

The twelve signs each take thirty degrees of this three-hundred-sixty degree system. The sun is said to be in each one at approximately one-month intervals during the year. The signs are as follows:

Elements and Qualities

Elements and Qualities describe the basic energy, and temperament, of each sign. You’ll learn a lot about a person by observing the balance of planets and important chart points as they fall into the different elements and qualities. As an example: A person who has a heavy dose of planets in cardinal signs, but very few in fixed, will be a person who rushes after the things they want in life full of energy and dynamic action. But probably will lack the stamina and initiative to follow through on their efforts.

Elements

Fire

A chart that is strong in fire will be optimistic, energetic and, as the name implies, fiery. Pride and anger are fire traits, as is generosity. Fire signs tend to be life lovers and embrace their interests with vigor. They are optimistic and enthused for the most part but capable of theatrics and temper outbursts when angered.

Earth

Earth charts tend to be just that – down to earth, no nonsense types. Practical and hardworking, solid and reliable, with plenty of common sense and patience. Earth signs handle things with responsibility, foresight and seriousness. They are stable and goal oriented. They are generally more concerned with things that affect them directly.

Air

A strong air chart will be above all else communicative. Air also confers logic and reasoning ability, together with objectivity and agility. The air signs channel everything through their thought processes and tend to be tolerant and understanding. They are people oriented signs and extremely communicative.

Water

A chart that is strong in water will be dominated by emotions and sensitivity. Dreaminess and intuitive psychic abilities are also water traits. Water signs filter everything through their emotions and feelings. Life is felt on deep levels rather than observed. They are intuitive people readers and tend to be sensitive and vulnerable and often create strong self defensive shells to deflect potential wounds.

Qualities

• Qualities describe action, activity and energy. It is how the chart native utilizes their energy to go after goals.

Cardinal

A strong cardinal chart will be full of ‘get-up-and-go’ and the drive for action. Cardinal charts get things done – not necessarily the right things, at the right time, but they take the initiative at all times. Cardinal signs actively pursue their needs. They are dynamic examples of their elements, full of energy, drive and activity. Cardinal signs do first, think later and impulsivity and impatience can become problems when an overabundance of cardinal energy is found in the chart.

Fixed

Fixed charts are just that in many ways. These are stable and steady, with endurance and determination, but not very good at getting the ball rolling to start with. Fixed signs utilize a very directed and focused energy. They are answerable after they have selected a goal. Dedicated purpose and intensity are trademarks of charts strong in fixed signs. Too many fixed points and the person can be unbendable, opinionated and excessively stubborn.

Mutable

Strong mutable charts are very flexible and adaptable, often being all things to all people. An ability to change is their greatest asset, but indecisiveness is common. Mutable signs go with other people's energy. They bend, give and harmonize and tend to flow all over the place. Their basic mode of activity tends to be emotional and changeable according to the element. Too much mutable in a chart can result in lack of motivation, over emotionalism and too much tolerance and apathy.

Dignities

The dignity of a planet in a certain position speaks of the way that planet feels where it is found. While we can use aspects to understand the energy flow of entities in our chart, dignity will show us the basic energy level and the ability to find grounding through a certain symbolism. The feeling of Venus in Taurus, Pisces or Scorpio will make all the difference, and if its dignity is low, the self-worth a person has will drop, guilt will take over, and beauty and love will seem more distant. This can be applied to any planet or celestial body in our chart and it is truly important to understand which of our inner natures has strong roots and makes us creatively confident and strong, and which one doesn’t.

Domicile

A planet posited in the sign it rules is said to be in its rulership, domicile, or home. Thus, it is able to totally fulfill its role, and it is most likely that its action plays out very positively.

Detriment

On the contrary, when a planet is in the sign opposite the sign it rules, it is said to be in detriment. Thus, its action is negative, misused, or non-existent or weakened.

Exaltation

A planet in a sign of a similar nature, but which it does not rule, is said to be in exaltation. The planet gets strength and energy from its exaltation, and thus, its influence is positive.

Fall

A planet in the sign opposite the sign of its exaltation is said to be in fall. Therefore, contrary to the exaltation, the planet loses its strength and influence.

Aspects and Degrees

At the time of birth, planets are creating aspects, in relation to each other in the chart. The planets in aspect speak to each other by sharing each other’s energies, and influencing the houses and signs they’re situated in. The purpose and function of aspects in a chart is to characterize the dynamic of how planets interact with each other, modifying how that planet will express itself depending on what planets it is under the influence of an interaction with.

• + = Applying orb
• - = Separating orb

In the chart above, you see blue and red lines. The colors indicate whether the relation is a difficult or easy flowing aspect. They are as followed:

Applying and Separating

The faster of any two planets in an aspect is the active force making the aspect (the one stirring up the commotion) whether it is in applying aspects or separating aspects.

In an applying aspect, the faster planet moves toward the slower moving planet and in the separating aspect the faster planet moves away from the slower moving planet. The Moon is the fastest moving planet of all the planets because it moves every 2 to 2-1/2 days. It's rockin' at a pretty quick clip. Venus and Mercury are fairly faster moving planets but they aren't as quick as the Moon. The faster moving planet is always learning lessons from and being shaped and molded by the slower planet, and never vice-versa. Take the case of Venus opposing Neptune, since Venus is closer to the Sun and is therefore faster in its orbit than Neptune (because it's an outer planet), Venus is the one learning the lessons from and being shaped by Neptune.

In an applying aspect, the degrees of two planets are coming closer together to become more exact. When they become exact, that means they would be exactly in the same degree. As the two planets come closer together, you feel it. You would be feeling the energy, the prodrome, the intuitive hit that something is on the verge of happening. Depending on the planets involved, you might have a sense of excitement, impending doom, sexual energy or financial excess where you start spending or saving as a response to the energy. 'Applying' aspects that are coming closer together are considered to be much stronger (I say more intuitive) than a 'Separating' aspect. 'Applying' aspects will get a rise out of you. This could be a rise such as an emotional fit, becoming more creative, preparedness, etc. because your intuition in response to the 'applying' aspect is tuning in to the energy.

In a separating aspect, this means the orb of the aspect (square, trine, opposition, etc.,) between two planets increases as time rolls along. In other words, the degrees are getting further apart and not coming closer together and relief is in sight. A 'separating' aspects is said to be weaker than an applying aspect and now you can see why because the excitable or intense period is easing up, which leaves you with the experience to be remembered the next time an 'applying' aspect rolls in, your intuition should tuning in the minute you sense the prodrome. A separating aspect should leave you feeling relieved or refreshed.

The planets from slowest to fastest are in this order from teacher to student: Pluto, Neptune, Uranus, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sun, Venus, Mercury and the Moon.

Decans

(under construction)

Bounds

(under construction)

Zodiacal Releasing

(Description by: Helena Woods)

Zodiacal Releasing is an ancient timing technique that times the precise chapters of a person’s life. It’s an advanced technique and it can be used to time a person’s career and life direction, as well as their bodily health and relationships. Some periods have heightened importance and others are quieter. Some periods are positive and others are more unpreferable. And zodiacal releasing can show you when!

By reading your ZR periods, you can see how your life is broken up into chunks, for example, you have sections of your story (L1) which can be decades-long, chapters (L2) which can be around a year to three years, paragraphs (L3) which are months-long and then as short as sentences (L4) which are days.

ZR Introduction - Intro #2 - ZR calculator - ZodiacalReleasing.net

Resources

In the resource section, I provided links to my favorite websites, apps, astrologers, etc. that have helped me in my journey.

Websites:

• Astrology
• Astrodienst
• Astrology King (helpful for aspect analysis for natal and transit charts)
• Cafe Astrology (helpful for birth chart reading descriptions)
• Astro Theme
• Libra Rising (has a variety of ephemeris / helpful for looking up dates)
• Astro Seek (very helpful planet and asteroid calculators / a community to meet other astrological people etc.)
• Astro Charts
• Zodiac Calendar
• Aquarian Astrology
• Astro Library
• 12andUs
• Astro Matrix
• The Whole Astrology Workbook (test out your skills in interpreting a birth chart)

Apps:

• AstroMatrix Android | Apple
• DailyHoroscope Android | Apple
• Charts Astrology  Android | Apple
• Nebula Android | Apple
• Nuit Android | Apple
• Sanctuary Android | Apple
• The Pattern Android | Apple
• TimeNomad Android | Apple
• TimePassages Android | Apple

Books:

In this list I will provide links to buy the books. If money is scarce, I'd suggest you request and place holds on the book of choice at a library before purchasing. This is a method I have used since I began researching. Just to make sure I thoroughly like the book before owning it, and buying it. If you also have a preferred place to purchase books, that isn’t Amazon, please use that source instead.

• Zodiac: Athena’s Sun Signs by Athena Starwoman - Amazon

(this was the first astrology book I ever owned and I bought it in the bargain section at barnes and nobles when I was about fourteen or fifteen)

• Linda Goodman’s Sun Signs by Linda Goodman - Amazon
• The Secret Language of Birthdays: Your Complete Personology Guide for Each Day of the Year by Gary Goldschneider & Joost Elffers - Amazon
• The Complete Book of Birthdays: Personality Predictions for Every Day of the Year by Clare Gibson - Amazon
• Astrology 101: From Sun Signs to Moon Signs, Your Guide to Astrology by Kathleen Sears - Amazon
• Linda Goodman’s Love Signs: A New Approach to the Human Heart - Amazon

(this book made me very popular when i was in high school - various friends, and even teachers always came to me to look up their sign along with their person of interest. i knew all the tea.)

• Sextrology: The Astrology of Sex and the Sexes by Stella Starsky & Quinn Cox - Amazon

• Cosmic Love by Jan Spiller - Amazon

• The Secret Language of Relationships: Your Complete Personology Guide to Any Relationship with Anyone by Gary Goldschneider & Joost Elffers - Amazon
• Astrology and Relationships: Simple Ways to Improve Your Relationship with Anyone by David Pond - Amazon
• Astrology in the Workplace: The Zodiac Guide to Creating Great Working Relationships by Penny Thornton - Amazon
• The Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need by Joanna Martine Woolfolk - Amazon
• Essential Astrology: Everything You Need to Know to Interpret Your Natal Chart by Amy Herring - Amazon
• Llewellyn's Complete Book of Astrology: The Easy Way to Learn Astrology by Kris Brandt Riske MA (Book 1 of 2) - Amazon
• Llewellyn's Complete Book of Predictive Astrology: The Easy Way to Predict Your Future by Kris Brandt Riske MA (Book 2 of 2) - Amazon
• Astrology: An Enlightening Primer for Starry-Eyed Beginners (The Awakened Life) by Madeline Gerwick-Brodeur - Amazon
• The Signs: Decode the Stars, Reframe Your Life by Carolyne Faulkner - Amazon

• As Above, So Below by Alan Oken - Amazon

(this book, along with “the only astrology book you’ll ever need”, were gifted to me by an astrology enthusiast/mentor/and parent of one of my dear friends, Bruce. as a high school graduation gift. he was impressed how skilled i was at remembering everyone’s birthdays, and how intuitive i was about each individual’s personality. he encouraged me to keep my growing interest in astrology alive and became a great support for me in the positive direction- I know the price is very out of range for some of us, the copy I still own is very much worn and ripped and is currently being held together by scotch tape.)

• Astrology for Wellness: Star Sign Guides for Body, Mind & Spirit Vitality by Monte Farber - Amazon
• The Little Book of Saturn: Astrological Gifts, Challenges, and Returns by Aliza Einhorn - Amazon
• Midlife Is Not a Crisis: Using Astrology to Thrive in the Second Half of Life by Virginia Bell - Amazon

Astrologers:

• Bracha Goldsmith - Twitter | Website | YouTube
• Alyssa Sharpe - Instagram | Twitter
• Danielle Arias - Twitter | Website | Instagram
• Kirah Tabourn - Twitter | Website | YouTube
• Bee - Instagram | YouTube | Linktree
• Akenya Seymour - Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
• Kelly Surtees - Facebook | Twitter | Website | YouTube
• Aliza Einhorn - Facebook | Website | YouTube 
• Aliza Kelly - Twitter | Instagram | Website
• Maria Sofia Marmanides -  Instagram | Linktree | Website
• ShawtyAstrology🧚🏽✨ Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
• Hannah’s Elsewhere - Instagram | Youtube | Website
• What’s Your Sign Podcast - Facebook | Twitter | Podcast

• Julia Loken - Twitter
• Stevie Anderson - Twitter
• Lisa Chanoux - Twitter

• Chris Brennan - Twitter | Website | YouTube | Podcast
• Dustin Cormier - Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Youtube | Website
• Will Harrison - Facebook | Twitter | YouTube
• Jason Fleming - Twitter | Website
• Victor Olliver - Twitter | Website
• Rob Bailey - Twitter | Website
• Colin Bedell - Instagram | Website
• Patrick Watson - Facebook | Twitter | Website | Youtube
• Nick Dagan Best - Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Youtube | Website

• The Astrology Livestream with Nick and Patrick / Sundays at 2pm EST (on hiatus)

• Astro Poets - Twitter

• Dorothea Lasky - Twitter
• Alex Dimitrov - Twitter

Credits:

Images:

• Houses template by Kelly Surtees Astrology Facebook
• Angles template by Source | Direct

Services

Head over to my website to see what I’m offering.

*I am not offering video at the moment. Please read my Disclaimer before requesting a reading*.

DM me via social media, or email me at Nikki Astrology for inquiries.

Outro

I hope what I provided here was helpful, and answered some things for you. There is more to astrology than this. But these are the basics needed to interpret and understand a chart. It's entirely up to you if you want to study more. It takes a lot of patience in wanting to learn this craft. It is a life long self study. Not only is it beneficial for yourself, but to help those who want to understand themselves too.

If you feel like this was any help to you, here are some ways you can show love. Nothing is too big, nor too small. Simple feedback is just as greatly appreciated!

• Zelle: niiicole.durham@gmail.com
• CashApp: nicoletisha
• PayPal: nicoletisha
• Venmo: nicoletisha

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Love 💓