Astrology is not a predictor. Astrology indicates trends, cycles, and energy. How you respond to these trends, energies, and cycles will depend on where you are in your evolutionary journey. Perception is the key. Growth is the purpose. - Nefertiti

I am not a professional astrologer, however, I have always been fascinated by astrology, and I've read a whole lot about it. I remember being a little girl, watching Walter Mercado with my abuela and paying very close attention to what he was saying because I found it so interesting. As I grew up I started thinking more and more about our signs and saying this can't be it for everyone. There is NO WAY the Libra over there is having the same day as me. This is because the sign that we mostly associate with is the sign that the Sun was in at the time of our birth, but we completely ignore all of the other planets! So I started to do research, and come to find out that all of the planets effect us, just in different ways.

Your Natal Chart

Now, if you're really interested, studying your natal chart can be very beneficial. What is your natal chart you may ask? Your natal or birth chart is the chart showing exactly where the planets where at your time of birth. To find this out, you will need your date of birth, time of birth, and where you were born. Someone who has the same birth date and time as you will have a different chart if they were born on the other half of the Earth. Get it? Based on the planets and where they are you can get insight about hidden characteristics in your soul, and you can gain a much better understanding of yourself. Believe it or not this helped me out with much of my anxiety. I read my chart and parts about how hard I am on myself just kept jumping at me. This helped me to realize this about myself, and begin to work on it. Sometimes we don't realize things until they are put in a different perspective. There is much information in your birth chart that could help you with personal and spiritual growth.

This is what my natal chart looks like. Lets go a little deeper...

A little bit about the houses

As you can see in my chart, it is broken up into 12 equal parts or Houses. The houses in your birth chart show you which areas of your life are being influenced by the placement of the planets at the time of your birth, or the current planetary movements (but that is another topic). The first house always starts at the 9:00 position on your chart and they continue counter clockwise. 

If the essential meanings of the houses are understood, they can then be applied to and illuminate all the diverse activities and experiences traditionally symbolized by the houses.

Picture Source

1st House - The first house of a chart has the sign that was ascending over the horizon at the moment you were born on its cusp. This sign is known as the Rising Sign, or Ascendant. The first house has to do with how we appear or the way we come across, thus our appearance and personality. This is the essential stuff that bubbles up in us spontaneously and that is obvious to others as our trademark or activity. It is what makes us each so personally different. This house rules our personal self and everything about us that draws a reaction from our surroundings or others.

2nd House - The second house is concerned with how we respond to or field whatever impulses or unique and personal qualities we manifest via our first house. This is how we hold or "have" things (possessions, material goods, money, and the like). The second house always refers to how we secure ourselves, the kind of response we get from life and those around us. 

3rd House - The third house is concerned with explorations, investigations, and inquiry and research of all kinds. It also rules connections, communications, wires, tubes - anything that we can get through with our body, mind, voice, letters, what have you. It is here that we explore and search for the limits of our life, whatever we are working with at the moment. A very mental house, concerned with finding, furthering, peering, and all manner of questioning. Traditionally rules short journeys, siblings.

4th House - The fourth house is where we send down roots, find out limits, and generally secure ourselves. It is the end of any searching we might have done in the third house. Here we find or end our search, settle down, and manage to get in possession of the whole situation. This is our home and the base from which we can work, feel, and experience. This is the root of our experience, the core or thick of it. 

5th House - The fifth house has to do with awareness, emotion (to move out), and expression (to press out). Here there is always a growing sense of self-confidence and even a pride of ownership, since we begin to recognize and own our experience. We know that we have had or are having an experience. All forms of expression and offspring are connected to this house - children, animals, creative expression, and so on. A sense of direction and ownership takes hold at this point in our experience.

6th House - The sixth house has to do with salvaging and preserving what is good and healthy in our experience. Here we separate the wheat from the chaff. We begin to care for ourselves and our experience and thus health, nutrition. The idea here is that we are able to analyze our experience and have thoughts about what is pure and what is not. The sixth house is an attempt ti save the heart of an experience, one that already by that attempt is beginning to pass or not cohere. 

7th House - The seventh house is the house of partnerships, relationships, social life, and all that carries us beyond our personal self into an awareness of other people, community, and the like. This includes spiritual awakening and the discovery that we are more than just our personality. Here we begin to respond to our personal needs (and those of others) for the first time. We can see what is going on and are committed to it; thus, marriage and yoga, or union, is indicated to this house.

8th House - The eighth house, traditionally the house of death, is concerned with getting rid of excess parts of ourselves that we see we no longer need. Thus this house also covers initiation and any activities where we are transforming toward a more integral position, getting to the heart of things. The no-nonsense quality of the eighth house makes it good for business ventures since here we are stripping away the dross to reveal the truth or essence of the subject.

9th House - The ninth house covers long journeys and religion (the longest journey of all). Here is what remains of the purification that takes place in the eighth house - the seed, or essence, of an entire cycle of experience. Religion comes from a Latin word that means to bind back, and thus refers to all things that last or endure, such as the truth. Essential ideas, philosophy, and all that is very heart of things belong here.

10th House - The tenth house is a house of practical vision and clairvoyance, for here we can see clearly what is. Reputation and career are often connected to this house, since the areas where we can see with greatest clarity are those we most often can put to use to make a living. In summary, this house is where we have real vision and can see to do and work. Planets transiting this house may provide moments of insight and clear-seeing as well.

11th House - The eleventh house has to do with putting our visions and dreams to work. Here we take our vows never to forget what we have seen and to work hard to make these dreams into reality. Thus this house has always been connected with altruistic and humanitarian goals and trying to set them in motion. It is the house of friends and community, because when we are powered by a real insight or vision  we share with all - irrespective of differences.

12th House - The twelfth house is about all that we go through in order to make our dreams into reality and manifest them in the world around us. It covers what we are willing to put up with, the sacrifices we will make in order to bring across what is really important. This is connected to prisons, institutions, betrayal, self undoing, and the like, because it is here we must choose to take some possible abuse for the sake of the message we are carrying, or  blow it all away with a negative reaction. Source for House Information

A little bit about the Planets

The Sun, the giver of life, represents our conscious mind in Astrology. It represents our will to live and our creative life force. Just as the planets revolve around the Sun in our solar system, we derive our life purpose from the Sun in our natal charts. The Sun is our ego. It is also our "adult"-- the part of us that censors our "inner child", that reasons things out, and makes final decisions. The Sun is our basic identity, and represents self-realization.  When you are asked, "Who are you?", and you've passed your basic statistics and occupation, your answers will be a description of your Sun. The Sun also represents our overall vitality. The Sun directs us, and can be considered "the boss" of our chart. The Sun () is so important in the chart, that the happiest people on this earth are those who identify (without over-identifying) with the Sun's expression. Though one might think that the traits of their Sun would come easy to them, the truth is, the Sun shows what we are learning to be. It is very important to remember that the Sun represents reason as opposed to instinct. 

With respect to the other luminary (the Moon), the Sun reflects the present or the "here and now", while the Moon infuses the past into our lives through the feelings. 

Grant Lewi referred to the Sun as indicative of "the psychological bias which will dominate your actions". He went on to say, "You may think, dream, imagine, hope to be a thousand things, according to your Moon and your other planets: but the Sun is what you are, and to be your best self in terms of your Sun is to cause your energies to work along the path in which they will have maximum help from planetary vibrations." (1)

When we are "acting out" our Sun, we are purposeful, directed, proud, and creative. On the negative side, we can be haughty, overly willful, self-centered, and judgmental.

In the chart, the position of the Sun by zodiac sign represents the native's life purpose and the style in which they leave their mark in the world. By house, the Sun's position shows where our personalities shine. The areas of life associated with that house reveal the types of experiences which contribute to our sense of individuality and which shape our sense of pride. These areas of life are ones in which we seek to express and focus our Sun sign qualities.

The Moon, in Astrology, is the ruler of Cancer. The Moon represents our deepest personal needs, our basic habits and reactions, and our unconscious. 

Where the Sun acts, the Moon reacts. How do we instinctively react or respond to problems? What do we feel we need for a sense of security? Look to the Moon in your natal chart for answers.

The Moon () is associated with the mother and with feminine energy in general. The Moon is both our inner child and our inner mother. It is responsive, receptive, and reflective. The Moon is our spontaneous and instinctual reactions.

Just as the Moon circles the Sun, in a symbolically protective manner, and reflects the Sun's light, the Moon in our chart shows how we protect ourselves, as well as make ourselves feel secure, comfortable, and safe.

We can also think of the Moon as that which gives usanimation. It rules rhythmic ebb and flow of activity and energy. The Moon is a mediator between the inner world and the outer world. While the Sun is rational, the Moon is irrational. Habitual behaviors and prejudices are ruled by the Moon. Prejudices may not be acted out, as our Sun may censor them, but the Moon rules our spontaneous reactions and feelings. For some of us, our Moons seem to drive our personalities more than the Sun does. This is particularly true if the Moon is in a water sign (Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces), or if it is conjunct an angle in the chart (near the Ascendant, Descendant, 4th house cusp, or 10th house cusp). For true happiness in life, it is wise to neither give your Moon too much nor too little importance in your life.  I feel that Grant Lewi, in Astrology for the Millions, offered the most evocative description of the Moon when he wrote the following: "When you "know what you mean but you can't say it," it is your Moon that knows it and your Sun that can't say it. "Thoughts that do often lie too deep for tears" are the thoughts of your Moon's nature. The wordless ecstasy, the mute sorrow, the secret dream, the esoteric picture of yourself that you can't get across to the world, or which the world doesn't comprehend or value - these are the products of the Moon in your horoscope. When you are misunderstood, it is your Moon nature, expressed imperfectly through the Sun sign, that you feel is betrayed. When you know what you ought to do, but can't find the right way to do it, it is your Moon that knows and your Sun that refuses to react in harmony. Also, when you "don't know why I said that," it was your Moon expressing despite your Sun (if you are innerly satisfied with the involuntary speech), or the Sun expressing against the will of the Moon (if you are displeased with what has slipped out). Things you know without thought - intuitions, hunches, instincts - are the products of the Moon. Modes of expression that you feel are truly your deepest self belong to the Moon: art, letters, creative work of any kind; sometimes love; sometimes business. Whatever you feel is most deeply yourself, whether or not you are able to do anything about it in the outer world, is the product of your Moon and of the sign your Moon occupies at birth." (1) With respect to the other luminary (the Sun), the Moon infuses the pastinto our lives through the feelings, while the Sun reflects the present or the "here and now". When we are "acting out" our Moon, we are imaginative, creative, intuitive, sentimental, adaptable, introspective, and protective. On the negative side, we can be moody, restless, and irrational. In the natal chart, the position of the Moon by sign shows how we emote and respond to our environment, as well as our instinctual habits, especially in our homes and in private. By house, the Moon's position shows which areas of life we feel the most "at home" or comfortable.

Mercury, the messenger of the gods, is the ruler of Gemini and Virgo. Mercury is the messenger in Astrology as it is in Mythology. It is the planet of day-to-day expression and communication. Mercury's action is to take things apart and put them back together again. It is an opportunistic planet, decidedly unemotional and curious.

In modern times, we tend to "meet" people's Mercury first. Many people make a connection for the first time through e-mails, for example. Mercury rules whether we are flowery in our speech and/or written words, concise in our choice of words, or business-like even in our personal communications.

Mercury not only rules communication, it represents coordination. Thought processes, ideas, and sensory information from both unconscious and unconscious sources all need to be coordinated and understood. Mercury analyzes, sorts, groups, and makes sense of things. How does we handle nervous energy? How do we express and convey our thoughts? How do we approach others and information in order to learn and exchange ideas?

When we are "acting out" our Mercury, we are inquisitive, curious, communicative, and versatile. On the negative side, we can be high-strung or nervous, nit-picky, indecisive, and overly technical.

On a personal level, look to Mercury in the chart to reveal how individuals get their point across, how they study, and how they process information. Mercury by sign shows an individual's style of communication. By house, Mercury reveals where natives seek to have a voice as well as which areas of life they tend to intellectualize and give a lot of thought to. Mercury colors the planets it aspects with a desire for communication and exchange of information. Similarly, the planets Mercury aspects affect the way an individual communicates. Mercury prominent in a chart points to wit, liveliness, and curiosity.

Venus is the Goddess of Love. In Astrology, Venus has dual rulership over Libra and Taurus. As a result, Venus represents two main areas of our life: love and money.

"Love and money" is actually a simplistic interpretation of Venus. Venus rules our sentiments, what we value, and the pleasure we take in life. Grace, charm, and beauty are all ruled by Venus. Through Venus, we learn about our tastes, pleasures, artistic inclinations, and what makes us happy. 

We look to Venus in the natal chart to see how we approach relationships of the heart, as well as what gives us pleasure. Do we enjoy the give and take of relationships (Venus in Libra), the security our relationships give us (Venus in Cancer), or the thrill of the conquest (Venus in Aries)? Its placement in the houses of the natal chart reveal which areas of life we seek to balance, refine, and derive pleasure from. Do we take particular pleasure in our day-to-day work and routines (Venus in the 6th house), in study and travel (Venus in the 9th house), or in taking care of our house and home (Venus in the 4th house)?We also turn to Venus to show how we spend our money, the types of gifts we buy, and how much we spend on leisure activities (not to mention the kinds of leisure activities we seek out).  Traditionally, astrologers have interpreted the position and condition of Venus in the natal chart differently depending on the gender of the native.  The reason for treating Venus in men's and women's chart differently is based on the idea that men may tend to "disown" the qualities of Venus in his own chart. Since the energies of Venus have to go somewhere, when a man doesn't "own", or identify with, his Venus, the energies would be projected onto the women he meets and relates with. Similarly, women are thought to more easily relate to and "own" Venus qualities.

The concept of projection is an interesting and valid one. However, while it may hold true with Venus to some extent today, we prefer not to attach gender bias to Venus and Mars. In our experience, men and women tend to take on the role of Venus in their relationships in equal measure.

Venus rules attachments to others. It rules attractiveness--both the ability to attract and attraction to others (and things). Venus energy is harmonious, and this is why people with Venus prominent in their charts are often peace-makers. In Venus, we find a need to be appreciated and to appreciate. Venus rules, amongst other things, the arts, love and romance, beauty and the beautifying process, money, entertainment, leisure, sensuality, and comfort.

Venus is never more than 45 degrees away from the Sun. Venus rules Libra and Taurus, is in detriment in the opposite signs of those it rules (Aries and Scorpio), is exalted in Pisces, and in its fall in Virgo.

When we are "acting out" our Venus, we compromise, make peace, are loving, and act with taste. On the negative side, we can be self-indulgent, self-centered, vain, and superficial.

Mars, the God of War, is the ruler of Aries. In astrology, Mars is the planet of energy, action, and desire. It is the survival instinct, and can be thought of as the "leftover" animal nature of man. 

Mars rules our animal instincts for aggression, anger, and survival. Our sexual desires come under

the rule of Mars. Whereas Venus rules romantic attraction, Mars is most associated with basic body attraction. This is the planet of action rather than reaction. With Mars, there is no contemplation before action. The drive associated with Mars differs from that of the Sun in that it is self-assertion rather than assertion of the will; it is raw energy rather than creative energy.

Mars is the push that gets us out of bed in the morning, our drive and desire nature, and our active energy. When we are "acting out" our Mars, we are assertive, directed, forthright, and adventurous. On the negative side, we can be impulsive, rash, impatient, aggressive, and forceful.In the chart, the position of Mars by sign shows our basic sexual nature, how we express our anger (our temper), whatmakes us angry, and our first instinct to act. Our competitive nature is revealed in the nature of Mars' sign. By house, the position of Mars shows the areas of life where we apply our drive and express our enthusiasm. Planets that Mars contacts are colored with action and self-assertion. These planets can represent the kinds of experiences we seek. Jupiter, the King of the Gods, is the ruler of Sagittarius. In Astrology, Jupiter is a planet of plenty. It is tolerant and expansive. The first of the social planets, Jupiter seeks insight through knowledge. Some of this planet's keywords include morality, gratitude, hope, honor, and the law. Jupiter is a planet of broader purpose, reach, and possibility. Jupiter has generally been associated with good luck and bounty. Optimism and growth (including mental and spiritual growth) come under its rule. On the up side, Jupiter is associated with a sense of humor, good will, and mercy. The more negative manifestations of Jupiter include blind optimism, excess, and overindulgence. Irresponsibility that results from blind optimism, not ill will, can be displayed. In the chart, the position of Jupiter by sign reveals how we express our generosity and tolerance. It shows how we go about trusting others and improving our lives. Where do we look for wisdom and understanding? Look to Jupiter's position by house and to the planets it contacts for answers.  Saturn, is the ruler of Capricorn. In Greek Mythology, Cronus was one of the Titans, and the father of Zeus. Cronus ate his children to prevent himself from being dethroned as the King of the Gods. That is, until his wife, Rhea, tricked him into swallowing a stone when Zeus was born. In astrology, Saturn is associated with restriction and limitation. Where Jupiter expands, Saturn constricts. Although the themes of Saturn seem depressing, Saturn brings structure and meaning to our world. Saturn knows the limits of time and matter. Saturn reminds us of our boundaries, our responsibilities, and our commitments. It brings definition to our lives. Saturn makes us aware of the need for self-control and of boundaries and our limits. Saturn is often associated with our fathers or father/authority figures. In childhood, the discipline, rules, and regulations imposed on us by our authority figures--from parents, teachers, and the like--were not always pleasant, but they actually helped us to understand the world around us. Similarly, Saturn's lessons actually help us to grow. In the chart, the position of Saturn by sign and house reveals our own limitations, fears, and sense of responsibility. Saturn brings definition, and often limitation, to the planets it aspects.  Uranus, God of the sky and the heavens, is the ruler of Aquarius. In Astrology, the energies of Uranus are electric and crammed with change. Uranus is forward-looking. It balks at tradition, and celebrates originality and individuality. Uranus is associated with technology, innovation, discovery, and all that is progressive. On the up side, Uranus is associated with enlightenment, progressiveness, objectivity, novelty, and ingenuity. Negative expression of Uranus is rebelliousness without a cause and irresponsibility. When Uranus is not developed, it reacts; but when natives are truly in tune with its energies, Uranus is highly intuitive. It represents the spark of intuition that spurs invention. We can see Uranus as the intuition that sparks further studies or investigation. In the chart, the position of Uranus by sign will be shared with other people in the same generation due to the comparatively slow movement of Uranus in the heavens. By house, the position of Uranus shows where individuals look to stir things up, put a new spin on situations, and go against established thought or order. Uranus aspecting other planets in the chart color those energies with some willfulness, quirkiness, and originality. Where we find Uranus in the chart is where we see some refusal to blend in with others (and situations), and some erratic life patterns. Neptune, God of the Sea, is the ruler of Pisces. In astrology, Neptune is considered a planet of inspiration, dreams, psychic receptivity, illusion, and confusion. Neptune rules spirituality, and all things subtle. A youthful, and sometimes naive, spirit characterizes those with a strong placement of Neptune in their natal charts. On the up side, Neptune is associated with intuition and spiritual enlightenment. As well, it is a planet of mercy and compassion. The more negative manifestations of Neptune include deception, trickery, deceit, guilt, and addiction.  In the chart, the position of Neptune by sign will be shared with other people in the same generation due to Neptune's slow movement in the heavens. By house, Neptune's position shows where intuition, dreams, and psychic sensitivity come into play. Natives may be able to rise above the demands of the ego in the areas of Neptune's influence. Planets that Neptune contact are often colored by fantasy and dreaminess, and a vulnerable nature that may be susceptible to disillusionment. Here, we find hope that is sometimes unrealistic, a poetic and intuitive outlook, and compassion. Pluto, God of the Underworld, is the ruler of Scorpio. (In Greek mythology, the corresponding god was Hades). In Astrology, the energies of Pluto are transforming. Pluto represents subconscious forces, ruling all that is "below the surface". On the up side, Pluto is associated with renewal and rebirth. It represents endings and new beginnings, as well as spiritual growth and rebirth. Negative expression of Pluto is an obsessive desire for power and control and general destructiveness.  In the chart, the position of Pluto by sign will be shared with other people in the same generation due to the comparatively slow movement of Pluto, the outermost planet, in the heavens. By house, the position of Pluto shows where individuals search for truths and deeper meaning. This area of life may be associated with change, upheaval, power struggles, and issues of control. Pluto in aspect to other planets in the chart colors those energies with obsessive qualities, power struggles, the need to find deeper meanings, and willingness to explore and examine. Where we find Pluto in the chart is where we either seek change and transformation, or have it thrust upon us if we refuse to accept our deepest needs. If we fear Pluto's energies, or our "dark" side, destructiveness (both directed at ourselves or others) is a byproduct. Source for Planet Information Having a description of the planets and houses will help you to understand your personal chart. Anyone who is interested in getting a copy of your chart with detailed description of your Planet-House-Sign aspects please leave a comment below, or email me at natalia@soulistichealthandwellness. I would love to help you understand a little bit more about astrology, and specifically your astrology.  Peace and Love,  Coach Natalia