by Jan Spiller


There are many misconceptions regarding astrology. For instance, the horoscopes listed in the daily newspapers are only based on the sign position of the Sun, whereas full natal astrology takes many more things into account. The application of astrology to people can be approached as a study of individuality, from either a psychological perspective or on a predictive, event-based level.

The main concepts to understand in astrology are the Planets, Signs, Houses and the relationships between them, which are called Aspects. From an astrological point of view, each person's unique individuality is based on the endless variations of these four components. Actually, astrology is a scientific study of individuality, and the astrological chart provides a very precise picture of the unique way each person is "wired." In fact, due to the varying speed of each planet's orbit around the Sun, a person's birth chart is not duplicated for more than 25,000 years!

The energies that were active in the atmosphere at the exact moment of your birth were stamped on the cellular level of your very being and remain a part of you during this lifetime. Your birthchart is actually a schematic: a graph that shows this "inner wiring" you were born with, but what you do with that wiring is up to you.

Astrology is a tool to gain objective awareness of your own patterns of behavior. We all have tendencies that lead to inappropriate actions and feelings of isolation and unhappiness. The trick is to discover our own "glitches" and empower ourselves to avoid them. With this objective knowledge we can choose to make adjustments that result in our life operating more smoothly.

Astrology itself is not "spiritual," yet it can be an effective tool for opening the way to accessing our spirituality. By understanding our psychological wiring (as objectively pictured in the astrology chart) we can accept and work with ourselves with more understanding and detachment. This calms the turmoil of the inner personality and allows our innate spiritual nature to emerge. And by understanding the psychological wiring of others through their astrological charts, we can more easily accept their unique differences without taking it so personally; we can learn to enjoy the variety rather than seeking to change others into an extension of ourselves. So although astrology itself is not spiritual, it can lead to important spiritual experiences, such as unconditional loving acceptance of ourselves and others.

In learning to use astrology in your life, it is essential to gain some understanding of the four most important components of any birthchart: the Planets, Signs, Houses and Aspects. What follows is some basic information you will need in order to interpret and use your chart. Having your chart handy as you read this information will allow you to begin to tune-in to what the combinations of planet, sign and house feel like in your own chart, and this is a great way to begin to understand how astrology works.

THE PLANETS: Show the universal URGES we all need to experience and express on planet Earth. (For example, the planet VENUS represents the universal desire to love and be loved).

THE SIGNS: Show the individual STYLE with which we express these urges. (For example, VENUS in ARIES would indicate that the person's love nature is feisty , enjoys conquest or fiery interchange, is impulsive, ardent, and enjoys new beginnings.)

THE HOUSES: Show the ARENA in which each urge can best be activated and satisfied. (For example, VENUS in the 11th House means that friendship and group activities are the elements that best stimulate and satisfy the urge to love and be loved).

THE ASPECTS: Show the mathematical, energetic relationship between the urges. (For example, a square' is an energetic relationship of inner conflict. If VENUS squares MARS in a person's chart they will experience conflict between love and sex: they may feel that can't be in love with someone they are attracted to sexually).

© Jan Spiller