Astrology has been a subject of fascination for centuries, allowing us to delve into the mysteries of the universe and gain insight into our own lives. Whether you're a seasoned astrology enthusiast or just starting to explore this fascinating field, understanding the different planets and their influences is key.
Mobile App View
Our mobile app provides a user-friendly experience, allowing you to access the positions of the planets today and up to 30 days in the past and future. Designed with simplicity in mind, it offers a lightweight experience tailored to your mobile device. However, if you prefer a more robust feature set and don't mind the extra CPU usage, you can opt for our desktop version.
Desktop App Version
Imagine being able to go back in time to the moment of your birth and see the heavens as they were. With our desktop app, this becomes a reality. You can discover the sign each planet was in and even identify if any were in retrograde. While the positions shown in the app are accurate, it's important to note that they may not align precisely with the charts used by astrologers.
How do I control the desktop app?
Navigating the app is intuitive and user-friendly. The top slider allows you to control the flow of time, enabling you to move forward or backward. Pressing the yellow button next to the slider puts the app into real-time mode, where the planets move at the same speed as they do in space. To return to the present day, simply press the yellow button next to the date and time display at the top. For more detailed information on using the app, click here.
Geocentric View
In our geocentric view, all the planets are arranged around the Earth, giving you a comprehensive understanding of their positions in relation to the zodiac signs. This ensures that each planet is accurately depicted within its corresponding sign.
Which Planets are in Retrograde?
Retrograde motion is a fascinating phenomenon in astrology where planets appear to be moving backward in the sky. During this time, their influence may be reversed or directed inward. It's worth noting that retrograde phases can vary, and accurate charts may be necessary to determine the exact start and end dates.
Astrology Today - What does it all mean for me?
Astrology is a vast and complex subject, with numerous interpretations and methods used to analyze a person's natal chart. By combining the positions of the planets at the time of your birth with their current positions or the significance of a specific moment, astrologers can provide valuable insights and predictions.
Different schools of thought within astrology offer various approaches and techniques to interpret these positions and provide guidance. To gain a deeper understanding, consider exploring the concepts and symbology behind modern Western astrology through informative resources and videos.
What is a Horoscope?
Contrary to popular belief, a horoscope is not just a prediction of the future. It is an astrological chart or diagram that depicts the positions of celestial bodies, including the Sun, Moon, planets, astrological aspects, and sensitive angles, at the time of a significant event, such as a person's birth. The word "horoscope" derives from Greek words meaning "time" and "observer." It serves as the foundation for divining various aspects related to that event or specific periods.
The Signs of the Zodiac
The sky is divided into 12 areas, each representing a zodiac sign. These signs correspond with specific stars, and as planets orbit the Sun, they appear to move through these signs. Each sign is associated with an element (earth, air, fire, or water) and a mode (cardinal, fixed, or mutable). These elements and modes contribute to our personalities, highlighting traits such as passion, practicality, intellect, and adaptability.
The Planets
Each planet, including the Sun and Moon, influences different aspects of our lives. For instance:
- The Sun represents our ego and self.
- The Moon governs our emotions and moods.
- Mercury influences communication and thinking.
- Venus influences harmony and affections.
- Mars embodies confidence and energy.
- Jupiter signifies prosperity and good fortune.
- Saturn represents limitations and practicality.
- Uranus symbolizes individuality and inventiveness.
- Neptune embodies idealism and compassion.
- Pluto signifies transformation and power.
While the personal planets (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Mars) affect our personalities and immediate relationships, the outer planets have a more general impact on how we interact with the world.
During periods of retrograde motion, a planet's effects can be enhanced or reversed, bringing unique energy and challenges.
Planets and Signs
Each planet rules over specific signs, enhancing their influence while in those signs. Here's a breakdown of the planetary rulerships:
- Sun: Leo
- Moon: Cancer
- Mercury: Gemini and Virgo
- Venus: Libra and Taurus
- Mars: Aries (and Scorpio)
- Jupiter: Sagittarius (and Pisces)
- Saturn: Capricorn (and Aquarius)
- Uranus: Aquarius
- Neptune: Pisces
- Pluto: Scorpio
Understanding these rulerships allows us to comprehend the influence of each planet and its associated signs.
Elements
The zodiac signs are further categorized into four elements:
- Fire Signs: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
- Earth Signs: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
- Air Signs: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
- Water Signs: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
These elements represent different aspects of our lives, such as passion, practicality, intellect, and emotion. The more planets you have in a specific sign, the stronger those personality traits will be.
Modes
Similar to elements, each sign has a mode associated with it. These modes represent different approaches to life and behavior:
- Cardinal Signs: Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn
- Fixed Signs: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius
- Mutable Signs: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces
Cardinal signs are energetic and proactive, fixed signs are stable and perseverant, and mutable signs are adaptable and flexible. The number of planets you have in each mode influences your personality traits accordingly.
Working out the Planets' Influences
Determining the accurate influence of each planet requires considerable skill. However, a general rule of thumb is to count the number of planets in each sign at the time of your birth, as well as their distribution among the elements and modes. This information provides insights into the strength of each element and mode in your personality.
What are the Houses?
Just when you thought you were getting a grasp on astrology, there's more to explore! Houses represent the areas of life in which specific personality traits manifest. There are 12 houses, and their alignment depends on the time, date, and location of your birth.
To calculate the houses, a combination of birth time and location is necessary. Each house corresponds to a specific sign, as depicted in the diagram below.
The houses categorize different areas of life, influencing aspects like relationships, career, health, and personal growth. The sign that overlays the cusp of each house determines its influence.
What do the Houses Mean?
Each house carries a specific significance and represents different areas of life. Here's an overview:
1st House (Aries) - House of Self: Physical appearance, traits, first impressions, and personal outlook.
2nd House (Taurus) - House of Value: Material and immaterial possessions, finances, and self-worth.
3rd House (Gemini) - House of Communication: Education, communication, intelligence, siblings, and local travel.
4th House (Cancer) - House of Home and Family: Ancestry, roots, early environment, and emotional foundations.
5th House (Leo) - House of Pleasure: Recreation, entertainment, love, creative self-expression, and children.
6th House (Virgo) - House of Health: Routine tasks, skills, employment, health, and service to others.
7th House (Libra) - House of Partnerships: Relationships, marriage, agreements, and diplomacy.
8th House (Scorpio) - House of Reincarnation: Intimacy, joint resources, occult matters, and self-transformation.
9th House (Sagittarius) - House of Journeys: Travel, culture, higher education, knowledge, and religion.
10th House (Capricorn) - House of Social Status: Ambitions, career, social standing, authority, and the influence of the father.
11th House (Aquarius) - House of Friendships: Friends, groups, aspirations, and hopes.
12th House (Pisces) - House of Self-Undoing: Mysticism, seclusion, subconscious influences, and hidden enemies.
Each house provides unique insights into different aspects of life, which astrologers analyze to gain a comprehensive understanding of an individual's experiences and potential.
And There's More...
Astrology is a vast and ever-evolving field, with countless systems and variations. Some astrologers incorporate astronomical objects not visible to the naked eye, while others align the zodiac to different reference points. It's essential to find an astrologer and approach that resonates with you.
As you embark on your journey into astrology, remember that it's a complex subject that can take a lifetime to fully grasp. This article only scratches the surface of this fascinating and intricate field. Enjoy exploring astrology and discovering the insights it offers into the connections between the cosmos and our lives.
