Keeping it Frank

Almost everyone knows what zodiac sign they were born under, but that’s where the majority stops. When I tell people I’m a student of astrology, I get confused looks. What does that even mean? How can you study something that isn’t real? There are nine planets, the moon, and a sign on the horizon (rising/ascendant), that were in a unique position the exact moment every individual was born. If the moon can move the tides, I guarantee it affects people. After all, we are about 60 per cent water.

I work in healthcare; we all know based on behaviours when a full moon is coming. It is more than a pseudoscience. Since ancient times astrology has been studied. Astrology has played a part in every culture, and is a fantastic tool to get to learn oneself deeply, without the expensive costs of therapy! So, let’s dive in.

Every planet is “home” to a specific zodiac sign, and every planet represents a unique characteristic trait of you. What do the planets mean? I thought there was only my Sun sign? Be prepared — it’s going to get slightly overwhelming.

The Sun is represented by Leo. The Sun is the ego, our identity, and life purpose.

The Moon is represented by Cancer. The Moon is emotion, instinct, and protection. Also, the mother.

Mercury is shared between Gemini, and Virgo, and represents communication and learning styles. Mercury will always be your Sun sign, or one of the adjacent signs.

Venus is ruled by Taurus and Libra. Venus signifies love and pleasure. Venus will either be your Sun sign, or within two signs before or after the Sun.

Mars is ruled by Aries and Scorpio, and represents our assertion, determination, and action.

Jupiter is Sagittarius and Pisces. It shows expansion, growth, and opportunity.

Saturn is represented through Capricorn and Aquarius. Saturn is karma, authority and maturity. Also, the father.

I study Hellenistic astrology so, I stop at Saturn, but that’s a topic for another day. However, modern astrology incorporates the other three so let’s discuss those too.

Uranus is represented by Aquarius; it shows change and liberation.

Neptune is ruled by Pisces; it is our imagination and transcendence.

Pluto is still considered a planet through astrologer eyes, and is ruled by Scorpio. It shows power and transformations. Pluto is a generational planet, and from my own research corresponds and explains the average mindset for every generation.

Our rising sign is how people see us, how we present ourself, and shapes the entire chart. It is arguably the most important position in a chart.

Wait, what’s a chart?

This is what my birth chart looks like. From this one circle I can explain everything about my past, present, and future. And while, half of it seems empty, the empty houses are just as active.

            Houses are critical for an accurate reading. The form of houses is determined by your ascendent and time of birth. Mine is Aquarius, so my first house is Aquarius, and follows the zodiac calendar in consecutive order until the final and 12th house.  

            All of the houses represent a different aspect in life — varying from self to others—, our philosophies, values, and even our careers. It’s similar to how the planets represent our characteristics. This is where we can really learn more about how we deal with life, who we are, and why we are the way we are.

            There is a whole world within a world in astrology. Just when you think you know everything, you don’t. New theories are always emerging. There’s countless of asteroids that also influence our charts. And I haven’t even started to explain the modalities, elements, aspects, and degrees, and how to read them efficiently. All of these describe you, and we can even take it further and analyze the birth chart of a country. Essentially everything can be analyzed through astrology.

            Astrology is used worldwide but shamed in our Western world as a waste of time, or something children are into. It is an entire science and the best tool we can use to understand life and self on a multidimensional level.

If you like learning something new everyday, I highly recommend getting into astrology.