From a mid-17th century Icelandic manuscript showing the 12 Houses in Astrology.

Are your days becoming more interesting? It’s the time of year when everyone is busy. The planets are in some interesting configurations — Mercury coming out of Retrograde, while Mars is showing and preparing to go into Retrograde. This means it’s still good to proceed with caution on important negotiations. Remember during this busy season to look at things with logic and take the time to get at deeper meanings in your communication.

“…we look in your “Fourth House,” to learn about your home and family influences, we look in your “Tenth House,” to see where your ambition might lead…”

How are your relationships going? One revealing area of Astrology lies in the interpretation of your “houses”, and those of your loved ones. If you’ve ever looked at an actual horoscope chart, you may have noticed it is divided up into 12 sections of a large circle. These section are your “houses”, and each one relates to a different part of your life. And what planets fall in a particular house determines how you are influenced in that area. For example, a planet, or planets, in your 7th House will have a major influence on your relationships, marriage, and business partnerships.

Most folks seem to know about their Sun Sign, since it’s pretty easy to determine based on the date you were born. But there are some things that are even more important than Sun Signs, and those aspects depend on your time and place of birth. For example, we look in your “Fourth House,” to learn about your home and family influences, we look in your “Tenth House,” to see where your ambition might lead, and we look in your “Third House” to get an idea of how you communicate with those around you. This can be helpful for introspection, and also to learn more about what makes loved ones “tick.” There are 12 houses each pertaining to a different aspect of the personality. These can be helpful in understanding your own questions about yourself, and questions you have about others.

The houses are determined by dividing the path the Sun takes at your time and place of birth, across the sky, into 12 segments. They are numbered counter-clockwise from the eastern horizon. There are actually different systems to determine “Houses” used by Astrologers around the world. In the West, most use that which was brought out by the Babylonians.

Below is a simple list of the 12 houses of Western Astrology with their Latin name, Ruling Sign, and a brief statement of their influence.

1. 1st House- Vita (Aries) : The self, ego, beginnings.
2. 2nd House – Lucrum (Taurus) : Money, values, priorities.
3. 3rd House – Fratres (Gemini): Communications, siblings, neighbors.
4. 4th House – Genitor (Cancer): Family, caring, imagination.
5. 5th House – Nati (Leo): Leisure, holidays, creativity.
6. 6th House – Valentudo (Virgo): Employer, work, duties.
7. 7th House – Uxor (Libra): Marriage, partnerships. negotiations.
8. 8th House Mors – (Scorpio): Birth, death, relationships, self-transformation.
9. 9th House – Iter (Sagittarus): Religion, education, freedom.
10. 10th House – Regnum (Capricorn): Status, ambition, celebrity.
11. 11th House – Benefacta (Aquarius): Friendships, clubs and societies.
12. 12th House – Carcer (Pisces): Retreat, reflection, sacrifice.

NOTE: Remember, that in your horoscope, the planet(s) falling in each house also impact the meaning — making your horoscope as unique as your own individuality.

Mars as seen from the Hubble Telescope

Have you been feeling a bit “firey” at all lately? This could be the influence of the “Red Planet” — Mars. You can use your fire for good work, or course — it is the fuel that drives your ambition, and passion. Mars can also be at the root of impulsive action. Mars is going Retrograde this month (from Nov. 15th thru Jan. 30 — a time to exercise caution in your affairs), and it’s a good time to explore the influence of the “Red Planet.” Historically, Mars was the Roman’s God of War. Astrologically, Mars exerts its influence with energy, strength, in ambition, aggression, and impulsiveness. It is often associated with the element of Fire. You can watch for its presence in your horoscope, and gauge how it affects different personalities.

“Now is a good time to look at truths in your relationships and career — make a careful evaluation, then proceed with your choices and plans wisely.”

How do you balance ambition and passion with wise behavior that is good for your career and relationships? Ahhh… one of the key questions in life. Astrologically speaking, you don’t want that hot little planet — Mars — to fire you up so much that you can’t think straight. Thinking strategically, planning things out, and listening to spiritual counsel (from the “big guy” of course) is the answer to that question. But sometimes there are so many tugs and pulls on us that it seems almost impossible. It isn’t. Forget about “impossible” and take back your power.

Those of you that follow Mercury Retrograde, know that it has moved out of Retrograde this week , and that means that you can begin moving forward with confidence on important negotiations and communications. This is true, but remember that Mars is going Retrograde, mid month, so don’t be in too much haste. Caution is still in order. Now is a good time to look at truths in your relationships and career — make a careful evaluation, then proceed with your choices and plans wisely.

Historically, “cosmolabes” and other devices were used to calculate aspects.

How does Astrology help you figure out what’s going on in your life, and in the lives of romantic interests, coworkers, and family members? Well there are books and books on that, but one thing we do is look at “Aspects” in the horoscope. An aspect is the angle the planets make to one another in a particular horoscope. You can think of this as energies interacting in a personality (each planet represents a certain type of energy). This has been called “astrological harmonics,” and you can think of a chart as a sort of musical score for your life. What notes will you play with the people you work with, and the people you love? That’s where it gets very interesting.

Sometimes events in your life are in “harmony”, some times they are quite out of tune. It is very interesting when you look at all of the different character traits of someone you know well — it can be quite a long list. And your character traits, have to work well with those around you for your social self to be in harmony. That’s why Astrologers look at Aspects, and in particular Major Aspects revealed in one’s horoscope, and in the charts showing what’s going on daily, weekly, and monthly. Awareness of major aspects in your life — emotional awareness — can be used as an opportunity to change and alter your life that will benefit you.

“Understanding your energy blueprint and those of important people in your life can help you make wise choices.”

Is Astrology all about your Sun sign? No… there really is a lot more to it. Among other things, we Astrologers look at your horoscopes to determine different types of “aspects”, like Conjunctions, Sextiles, and Squares. These, generally speaking, have to do with the way the planets line up in different configurations within the houses of your horoscope. Conjunctions may be thought of as blended energies, and sometimes this can mean a blindspot in your life. Sextiles, may point to your talents, and Squares can create certain tensions within the personality — not necessarily a negative thing. Tensions can be just what’s required to motivate action. There are other types of aspects too, which combined, show a sort of energy blueprint for your personality. Understanding your energy blueprint and those of important people in your life can help you make wise choices.