Putting It All Together.

Now if you’ve been following this workshop, you know a little bit more about the Ascendant, Sun and Moon. You’re ready to start doing simple readings based on these key points. Start by locating them individually. Consider the sign and house.

Remember: Planets are the actors, signs are the costumes and houses are the sets. That means that the planet represents the main drive. The sign colors that drive and gives it a form. The house is the area where this energy tends to play out.

Next consider any aspects. To continue this “all the worlds a stage” metaphor, Aspects are the lines. Aspects represent interactions between the drives.

The Ascendant shows the overall impression, but don’t forget to consider any planets conjunct the Ascendant as those will affect how the person is perceived. Another way to get an overall impression is to consider the balance of elements and qualities in the chart.

Avoid the temptation to make things up. Ask questions instead. You have studied the associated meanings of all these planets and signs and whatnot and now you’re looking at a chart. It seems if this here represents x and this here represents y, then the person must be a “stingy lover” or have an “overbearing mother.” It’s ok to form a hypothesis, but don’t tell anyone they’re one way or another, especially when you’re just starting out. Rather, ask politely “Do you find this sort of things happens?” or “Do you get along with women better than men?” etc. Be prepared to be disproved. There are countless variations on the human theme.

Read more charts than books. This is were you will learn the most astrology. Genuine observations are more valuable than any book you can read. The more you talk to people about their charts, the more associations you will make, the more you will start to see how energies play out.

Have fun. Don’t let astrology make you nervous or afraid (no matter what transit you’re having.) Astrology is a tool to help you understand what is happening in your life. If it causes you great discomfort, it is no longer a useful tool and should be set aside.

Chart X

ASC – 21 degrees Cancer
Another Moon ruled chart (see chart this time with Mercury and Mars conjunct. This mama says what she means and means what she says. Cancer risings look good in low cut tops.

The Sun – Cancer in the 12th House.
Cancer is sweet and sentimental but also, lets say subject to the tides. The mood fluctuates. In the 12th house gives extra sensitivity as well as increased intuition.

The Moon – Capricorn in the 6th House.
Same Sun/Moon combo as chart 6. Capricorn moon has a tendency to what some would call “workaholism.” Those who have this moon just call it “getting stuff done.” In the 6th intensifies this need to be busy.

Can you guess who else has this combination of Cancer Rising, Cancer Sun and Capricorn Moon?

The elf herself, actress, model and hot mama Liv Tyler. Here she is talking about her family and career.

Satori says…

Clearly there’s a lot of Cancer in this chart but with Cancer rising with Mercury and Mars conjunct, this person not only looks it but walks the walk (Mars) and talks the talk (Mercury)! Whatever form this takes, running marathons for breast cancer awareness or talking to mother on the phone every day, it should be pronounced.

This full moon native, with Cancer Sun opposing Capricorn Moon, has a dramatic cardinal grand cross prominent in their chart. The Sun and Moon make up one axis while the Midheaven/Nadir make up the other. Pluto conjuncts the Nadir, or Imum Coeli (IC), at the bottom of the chart adding punch to this already powerful configuration. The IC is a Moon-ruled point, resonating with Cancer. It represents the area of the chart tuned in to the home and the most inner self. Pluto here is a powerhouse of a foundation.

The Grand Cross or Grand Square is a stressful but powerful formation. In cardinal signs it resonates with identity. The Sun and the moon here, echo that fact.

This year’s grand cross exactly activated the grand cross in this chart. Pluto, Saturn and Uranus in the sky are big hitters. The Moon and the Sun, the MC and IC are very personal placements, and undoubtedly this person feels these energies in a profoundly personal way. The effect of the transits to Pluto is a more generational one, and though not negligable is shared with agemates as more of a transformational rite of passage. Put these together and you’ve got one hell of a personal mid-life crisis.

The four points of the natal grand cross are located in significant areas of the chart, the home vs. career, and mundane vs. divine. Taken really broadly you can boil this down to inner vs. outer. This person is right now at the height of their archetypal hero’s journey. Someday, I’m sure, in retrospect this time will be the stuff of legend in their personal history.

And Dixie…

With this Cancer emphasis, you’ve got feelings about your feelings and feel your way around to navigate them all. Overall, this works pretty well courtesy your intuitive streak accessible through those emotional tides. Your Capricorn moon, however, can leave you feeling like your work is somehow not quite good enough and may cause mood swings waiting for results to manifest. Don’t let the delay between effort and payout throw you. As long as you check initial efforts against your internal gut barometer, you will get what you need out of the results. Letting doubts wash right over you shores you up and leaves you more effective (as well as happier).

What do you see in this chart? Do you know someone with similar placements? How do you think the different faces of Cancer here might be in real life? And while we’re asking questions, what did YOU think of this workshop? Did you learn anything? Do you still have questions? Ask, comment, or give us your feedback, ’cause we’re all ears. It’s your workshop and this is the end, so have fun!