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THE NATURAL CHART
First, let us look
at the natural chart. This is how the cosmic clock looks with one
of the dials set to zero. (The chances are very slim that your chart looks
like this.) Right now, we are only concerned with the symbolism and
vocabulary. We will show you how to apply this information shortly.
The astrological chart is divided into 12 pie shaped sections. These
are called HOUSES. The actual pie section is a house.
The lines that separate the pie sections are called CUSPS. In the
natural chart, the sign portion of the chart has been set to zero.
This is to show you the natural affinity of the signs and the houses and
make it easy for you to remember the symbolism. |
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DAILY MOTION OF THE SIGNS
The signs are
30 degree sections of the path of the Sun (30 x 12 = 360) named after the
constellations contained therein. Since the earth rotates once each
day, the sign on the horizon will change about every 2 hours ( 360 / 24
= 30). This is why the birth time and location are important.
On the first day of spring, at dawn, the Sun will be in Aries on the horizon
(the left of the chart) . At midday, the Sun will be at the top of
the chart still in Aries, and Cancer will be on the horizon. At sunset,
the Sun will be on the right side of the chart, still in Aries, and Libra
will be on the horizon . At midnight, the Sun will be at the bottom
of the chart, still in Aries, and Capricorn will be on the horizon.
The signs rotate clockwise once
each day. |
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YEARLY MOTION OF THE SUN
The Sun and the
other planets usually travel counter clockwise. The Sun is in Aries
on the first day of spring (left), Cancer on the first day of summer (bottom),
Libra on the first day of autumn (right), and Capricorn on the first day
of winter (top). This means that if you were born at sunrise and
you are a Cancer, your Sun and Cancer will be on the left side of the chart.
If you were born at midday, the Sun and Cancer will be on the top of the
chart. The planets will be in a different pie section (house).
Again, this is why time and location of birth are important. If your
chart does not read correctly, then, for whatever reason, the time you are
using needs to be adjusted. Right now, just be aware of the motions.
The planets usually travel counter clockwise
at different speeds. |
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ASCENDANT
We start on the
left side of the line that divides the chart into two halves, upper and
lower. This is the cusp of the first house also known as the ASCENDANT.
This is the eastern horizon. A chart calculated for sunrise on a
given day will have the Sun on this line. The Ascendant is, in the natural
chart, the beginning of life, the first day of spring (vernal equinox),
dawn, and the start of the first house. |
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ARIES - 1st HOUSE
The first house
is the beginning of existence, and the beginning of spring. Here things
start to grow. "I AM" is the symbolism of Aries. The first house
echoes the symbolism of the I AM of Aries. Therefore, the first house is
where you would look to see how you project yourself (I AM) to the world.
The first house is also where you look for issues concerning the face,
personal appearance and outlook, and general health. |
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TAURUS - 2nd HOUSE
Going counter clockwise
around the circle is the next cusp (line) marking the start of
the second house (pie section). Now we are in the middle house of
spring. Spring has stabilized and so must the entity. Once
the entity has asserted itself, it must consolidate its gains. The
most immediate need for any growing thing is resources. The key expression
for Taurus is "I HAVE". The second house echoes this. This is where you
find your possessions, your earning ability, your finances, and your values. |
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GEMINI - 3rd HOUSE
Continue around
the circle to the third house. This is the third and final house
of spring. Spring is fading and Summer is coming. The entity
now begins to communicate with the world. Here, we find Gemini with
its symbolism of "I THINK". The echo of the third house is communication.
Here we find how you think and communicate, your learning ability, and the
people with whom you interact daily, including siblings and neighbors. |
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IMMUM COELI (IC) (bottom of the heavens) or NADIR
This brings us
to the cusp (line) of the fourth house (pie section). This is called
the immum coeli (IC), or the nadir. It is the bottom half of the
line that separates the chart into a left and a right half.
It is the Summer Solstice (the longest day). It is also the middle
of the night and the start of the fourth house. |
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CANCER - 4th HOUSE
This brings us
to the cusp (line) of the fourth house (pie section). This is called
the immum coeli, or the nadir. It is the Summer Solstice, the
longest day. This is the beginning of Summer. This signals a new
beginning, and conversely an ending of the old. Until now, all of
the houses have been personal houses. With the Cancer cry of "I FEEL",
we begin the companionship houses. Here, we find how you feel about your
home and family. It also shows your relationship with one of your parents. |
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LEO - 5th HOUSE
House five
echoes the spirit of Leo, "I WILL". Here, we find love, companionship and
children. We also look here for forms of creative expression, such
as fun, hobbies, parties and social activities. It is interesting that
the I WILL of Leo has an affinity with fun, happiness, and love.
These are all choices. We also find speculation and gambling here. |
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VIRGO - 6th HOUSE
We now move to
the last house of summer, the sixth. The motto of Virgo is "I ANALYZE".
In this house, the analysis is echoed in the ability to organize and accomplish
useful work. Here we find work done for you or for someone else (employment
and underlings). Also, here we find your ability or inability to
work; hence illness is here, too. |
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DESCENDANT
The cusp of the
seventh house is the autumnal equinox, the start of fall.
This cusp (line) is the other side of the ascendant and is called the descendant.
This is the western horizon where the Sun sets. It is the opposite
of the ascendant. It is the other half of the line that separates
day from night. Here, just like the other equinox, day and night are
equal. |
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LIBRA - 7th HOUSE
The seventh house
represents the next phase of life. The first house was the projection
of the entity. This house is the opposite of I AM. It is other
people. Here, we see the Libra motto of "I BALANCE". Just what
does Libra balance? The scales try to strike a balance between what
I am and what you are. Here is where we find others. Our marriage
or business partner would be found here, also people who openly oppose
the entity. These are the people that the entity must deal with as
equals. |
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SCORPIO - 8th HOUSE
The eight house
is the next on the list. Here, we see the opposite of the second house.
The second house was your possessions and values. The eighth house
is other peoples' possessions and values. Scorpio is the natural sign
for this house and the motto is "I DESIRE". |
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SAGITTARIUS - 9th HOUSE
The ninth house
is the communication of others. Here Sagittarius is in its natural
place saying, "I SEE". This is where you see what others are thinking.
Hence, it is the natural place for publishing, religion, colleges,
law, etc. |
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MEDIUM COELI (MC) (middle of the heavens)
or MIDHEAVEN
The cusp of the
tenth house is called the midheaven, or medium coeli. It is the Winter
Solstice (the longest night), and the first day of winter. It is
also the middle of the day. |
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CAPRICORN - 10th HOUSE
The opposites
continue. The fourth house was your home (private life) and one of
the parents. The tenth house is your public life and the other parent.
The key thought for Capricorn is "I USE". Here, you find your reputation,
employers and authority figures. |
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AQUARIUS - 11th HOUSE
The eleventh house
is the natural place for Aquarius. The theme of Aquarius is "I KNOW".
The fifth house was your creative expression and children. Basically,
your ability to give love. Therefore, your friends are here,
including social groups. Just as the fifth house concerned speculation,
the eleventh is the other side. Your hopes and wishes are here. |
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PISCES - 12th HOUSE
The twelfth house
is the last house of the quarter and the last house of the circle.
We are now getting ready for spring and the repeat of the cycle.
The motto of Pisces is "I BELIEVE". Here, you find your limitations
(real or imagined). Hospitals, large institutions and confinements
are also found here. |
