You’ll never be able to really read a chart unless you overcome your prejudice. You have to be able to look at the whole which is akin to standing in front of a mirror, naked.

Now people have their bias but when reading a chart you must transcend this so the symbols can speak to you. To illustrate, it is very common people deny part of their chart and they have all kinds of hinky ways they do it.
Continue reading Demystifying Astrology: Prejudice ‘Round The Zodiac

This seems too simple but obviously it’s not…

moonpluto asks on How Do Oppositions Work:

“What about a chart without oppositions? Or a chart that has only one, for example — compare that with a chart that has many…”

If a chart has no oppositions then it has something else. This is like asking, “What if a person does not have long hair?” That would mean they have short hair or perhaps they are bald or their hair is medium. But I think you mean to ask about oppositions and projecting.
Continue reading Demystifying Astrology: What If A Chart Has No Oppositions?

Following up Jilly’s question on Personal Planets / Generational or Outer Planets:

“So if you have a personal planet in a house ruled by a non-personal planet, does that give your personal planet a non-personal flavoring?”

Some would say yes, I would say no but not without offering an explanation and splitting some hairs.
Continue reading Demystifying Astrology: When Is A Leo Really A Scorpio? Answer Is “Never”

“What are the differences between the outer planets & personal planets?”

The personal planets are the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Mars aka as your ego, your emotions, your thinking, your tastes and how you get what you want.

The social planets are Jupiter and Saturn; your perspective and your boundary, respectively. The best way I’ve heard this explained is that Saturn represents the skin or the barrier between you and what is OUT THERE.
Continue reading Demystifying Astrology: Personal Planets? Generational Planets? Whaaaat?

“I have Mars at 28 degrees of Pisces *trine* Uranus at 0 degrees Sagittarius. Since they aren’t in the same element, how would that make a trine act differently?”

This is a really good question. Think of it in terms of dressing or putting an outfit together. There are colors that you know do well together. They blend. That would be the straight trine… it’s a no brainer.
Continue reading Demystifying Astrology: What About Aspects Out Of Sign?

“My mom is a Taurus but all of the rest of her planets appear in Aquarius. Does this make her “more Aquarius then Taurus?”

Not really. I mean you could say that and many astrologers would but before you do, you should understand exactly what you’re saying. I realize I am weird but this would be like taking a telephone poll and tying ribbons all over and then concluding it was a ribbon not a telephone pole!
Continue reading Demystifying Astrology: My Sun Is In One Sign, But I Have A Lot Of Planets In Another Sign - What’s That Mean?

“Synastry” refers to the astrological study of relationships. There are 3 main techniques and each of them have their own merits.

A synastry chart or what I would call a “chart comparison” is when you check how one person’s planets relate to another person’s and interpret what you find.

If you want to understand this in real terms just consider that you are a person and you respond to other people. For example there are some people you just automatically like and feel easy around, others who activate you in ways that are not so comfortable.
Continue reading Demystifying Astrology: What Is The Difference Between Synastry Chart And A Composite Chart?

Every Gift Is A Curse In Exact Proportion

That is a strong statement, I say it all the time and I believe it’s true. I wrote about having a Venus Mars sextile in chart that provided me with a good deal of satisfaction (Little Things Mean A Lot). Whatever love or money I get, I tend to feel satisfied with it and while this brings me much pleasure, what do you think this does to my drive?

If I am satisfied… a fed dog as I say, I am not apt to go out and hunt as a hungry dog surely will. Consequently I may not achieve as much as a person with those planets in hard aspect.
Continue reading Demystifying Astrology: Every Gift Is A Curse In Exact Proportion

“My boyfriend has Saturn conjunct my Sun. Will he hold me back?”

He may but he may also be the best thing that ever happened to you. It’s true if someone has their Saturn in aspect to one of your planets (particularly the personal planets: Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Mars), they will have some authority over you.
Continue reading Demystifying Astrology: Saturn In Synastry - Mentor Or Oppressor?