Astrology Can Be a Fun Hobby To Learn More About
Astrology is an ancient study of how the planets impact our personalities and our life development. Learning astrology is a lot like learning about wine; every time you get a handle on one field of study, another opens up and gives you more interesting homework to review. Of course, each personality is different and our upbringings can have a big impact on how we react to the world around us. However, many who study astrology understand that each person, at the time of their birth, is given a set of tendencies or viewpoints that create a structure for their life. The sun sign is the most commonly known feature of this field of study, but the other planets can also have a big impact on our understanding of the world.
Beginner Tips on Astrology
Your first step in determining your astrological research goals is to find out
- Your exact date of birth
- The time of day you were born
- The zip code or region of your birth
We're all born under the same sky, but the stars are all in a different alignment and will have a different impact. With your birth date, you can determine your sun sign. When you know the time of day and your region, you can also determine your rising sign and the position of other planets that pull on you and shape your personality and spirit. To start, determine your element. For example, if you're one of the following, then you’re a water sign.
- Cancer, born between June 21 and July 22
- Scorpio, born between October 23 and November 21
- Pisces, born between February 19 and March 20
This means that you may be a bit standoffish and shy in the early stages of a relationship, but once you understand the undercurrents of any situation, you become more open. Your personality type is extremely loyal once you're comfortable with someone.
There are also the other three base elements. The fire signs, including Leo, Sagittarius and Aries, tend to be a bit flashy and like to be on stage. Earth signs, such as Capricorn, Taurus and Virgo, are quite grounded and tend to be loyal and dependable. The air signs, including Libra, Aquarius and Gemini, are terrific communicators and are willing to hear all sides.
Finding Lessons on Astrology
If you're looking for lessons on astrology, pay special attention to your chart to start. Rather than studying your daily horoscope, look for the planets that will be impacting your personal sun sign as the year progresses. Understand that the planets closer to the sun can be a bit more volatile because they're more mobile in relation to the earth and the sun.
If you've ever heard of Mercury going retrograde but wondered what it meant, this speed or mobility will make more sense. At points in the astrological year, Mercury appears to move backward or retrograde. Of course, it doesn't really; it just appears to do so because of our view of it as we orbit the sun. Mercury is all about communication, so it's recommended that we not make big commitments when Mercury is in retrograde.
Pluto, the planet of transformation, is furthest from us. When Pluto moves into your sign, it's going to be there for a while. While transformation can bring about wonderful things, it's seldom comfortable while you're undergoing it. Understand also that you can either go along for the ride or fight transformation; the pain level of the experience is something you can control.
Part of the fun of astrology is learning more about your personality. Everyone likes to be right, but if you take mistakes or critiques personally, learning from them will be more painful. As you learn to break away from taking things so personally, keep an eye on Mars, the planet of war, assertiveness and strength. Are you going to stand up for yourself, or are you planning a real battle?
The study of astrology can go as deep as you like. If you find your daily horoscope unhelpful, study your chart for the whole year. Set some goals, understand that you'll be facing some challenges, and prepare yourself so you can weather your storms effectively.
