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INTRODUCTION to ASTROLOGY by Michael McClain

You may be at the stage of asking, "What is a horoscope?"  What is astrology all about? If so, you're going to find the answers here. To begin, the horoscope is a map that appears as a two dimensional chart. It shows the position of the Sun, the Moon, and planets at the precise moment of your birth. The planets are frozen in their position at that initial moment of birth. That is why this type of horoscope is known as the birth chart or the natal chart. A correct interpretation of these birth positions exposes much about you. It can be thought of as the "hand" that has been "dealt" in life. This doesn't suggest that your life has already been decided. A horoscope can never show how you are going to "play" this hand. It's largely up to you to decide that. While you usually have freedom of choice or free will, the horoscope does reflect the natural inclinations you have, the lessons you have to learn, the issues to be faced, and the problems to be solved. It may be thought of as merely an abstract formula showing the energies you've been given, or perhaps tasked. The use that you make of these energies, or opportunities, if you will, depends upon you, the individual. Astrology can provide incredible keys to understanding, but it doesn't necessarily provide clear and simplistic answers to any problems with which you may be dealing. Obtaining information about your horoscope may give you some insights and understanding of the reasons why you behave as you do.

To have the horoscope of another revealed allows the reader to understand that person better. You can see and understand him or her more accurately, objectively, and with a much greater tolerance. Understanding your horoscope may allow you to more clearly understand and accept yourself, and therefore do what you can with your natural attributes.

Important: If you want to learn about your own birth signs (your horoscope), you must obtain a copy of the horoscope chart. My favorite site offering FREE horoscope charts is the Astrodienst Atlas.  If you need to go get a chart, please bookmark this page now so we don't lose you in the process. After you get a copy of your chart, you'll find more help in reading and understanding it here.

After you obtain a copy of your horoscope, you will be ready to dive into the many mini readings that will begin to draw a special word picture unique to you or the individual whose chart you are focusing on today. First, you should become familiar with the twelve signs and the planets. The chart on the symbols page will be a major help. Then keywords will give you an elementary understanding of the sign/planet influences that will be expanded upon later.

After you have obtained your horoscope charts and begun to gain an understanding of the placements, you will want to move on to read about the Sun, the Moon and the planets in signs and also the readings blending your Sun and Moon signs.

Next the focus will shift to the houses with a brief summary, the planets in houses, and how your Ascendant (rising sign) sets a personality in motion. Learn about the sign on the cusp of each of the 12 houses in your horoscope. The planets in aspect define how the interaction between planets influence behavior.

A format is provided to guide you through the process of developing a horoscope reading using many of the applicable readings.

Learn a little about Chiron, the Moon's nodes, modes of activity, the four elements, retrograde planets and more. For the students writing papers on astrology and other who are interested, some key links discussing the history of astrology have been assembled.

A synastry section discusses relationships and why sometimes they work with the greatest of ease, and sometimes a successful pairing takes a whole lot more effort.

© Michael McClain 1996-2008.  Permission is granted for unlimited noncommercial use.  All other rights reserved.