I try very hard to explain things and I feel for those who are trying

[ricochetastroman]

to understand. I know how difficult the "first few years of studying astrology" is.

You hear from me. Susan Miller, Karen Bishop, other's on this site, on and on, this astrologer, that astrologer, that New Moon, Pluto in Capricorn; Jupiter, Neptune, Chiron. It's MAZE of confusion.

Until you have studied for a long time you have to way to put all of this in perspective. In context.
That's the problem.
Till then, keep reading, GET TO KNOW THE GENERAL archetypal meanings of the planets and signs.
GET TO KNOW YOUR CHART even if you can't identify much of it at first.

1. take me and all other astrologers with lots of grains of salt
2. be VERY wary of strong generalizations.
3. NEVER accept that some planet is on you to cause you ill, it just isn't so.
4. see my tidbits and other astrologers as just one more tiny piece of the puzzle.

it WILL start to fit together. All new astrology students start out "afraid" of these mysterious forces/energies.

There really is NO reason to sweat it, it's all in God's plan.
It really is.

Bless everyone

[kentauros]

1. That's why I leave astrology to the "experts"

;)

There are enough fields of study in all things spiritual that while I become an expert in what interests me the most (like healing or writing about it) that I can leave the seemingly more complex stuff to those that have the proper calling.

When I have a need for astrology in my life, I'll just ask an expert to do up a chart and interpret it, incisively and intuitively. The rest of the time I'll just go outside on a clear night and be in awe of the universe :D

[Delphinus]

2. You said that very well, kentauros.

I feel the same way - I've not the time or resources to devote to grasping it completely; my path seems to lie elsewhere. I sure am glad we have experts and knowledgeable people around to help us out.

[MorningGlow]

3. I agree

Everyone has their different strengths. Astrology is NOT one of mine, and I accept that instead of trying to add more to my plate and just getting frustrated trying to learn something I have no affinity for. :)

[ricochetastroman]

5. I understand

but if you pick up bits and pieces it will give you knowledge that will serve you in any field you are in.
You're probably not going to become an astrologer. I know.

I tried for years to make my students into astrologers - didn't work.

Now, I let be what it is and they all end up using it as a great foundation. Doing it this way, i.e., with no intention of going pro, will better help you understand little things when they happen, such as eclipses.

[kentauros]

6. Perhaps, but I understand more astronomy than astrology.

I'm still satisfied to leave knowing about any of its workings to those best qualified to understand it. Whereas if you want to know a little bit about herbology, just ask :D

[Eurobabe]

10. I love astrology, took to it like a duck to water

way back in 1985. Periods of being into it, and backing off. Lately I have been very interested in it again. I am by no means an expert, I would consider myself an intermediate student. I use it as a psychological tool. It's really helped me to revisit my chart during times of duress, I know where my weaknesses are - believe me. :(

Right now, my natal Mercury in Cancer (r) opposition my Saturn are playing havoc with my psyche, as I am trying to navigate the choppy waters of ending a 17 year relationship. This damn tug of war between need to express my true inner feelings and nature vs. need for security and fear of change.

Ugh, I know it's just a phase, but it's killing my stomach these days. I really enjoy your comments, BTW. :hi:

[I Have A Dream]

4. Astrology is one of the few things that has ever called out to me.

When I chose "More intelligent" in my recent poll of which one thing I'd choose to improve if I could, one of the reasons was so that I could better understand astrology.

My mind holds me back in so many ways. I hate having an undisciplined mind that refuses to "get with the program". (I guess I'll also partially attribute it to Neptune on my ascendant.) I hate having a mushy mind. x(

[Avalux]

7. I am drawn to astrology but have a scientific mind, so I have a hard time grasping concepts.

I want to learn but, for instance, I still don't know what Gemini ascendant Gemini means or what Saturn in my 10th house means. I read posts here all the time but never write my own because I'm not sure and don't want to sound silly.

Love your stuff and I'm intensely interested by your explanation of the current Neptune, Jupiter and Chiron thing. I've got so many changes happening (GOOD change) that my head is spinning. :hi:

[ricochetastroman]

9. Nice to hear from you

I know, it's wild. This rising, that setting, this square to this'n'that.
Glad to hear the good stuff is happening from the Jup/Chi/Nep for you.
It's happening to ALL OF US, only we don't all recognize it in our own lives at this moment for various reasons.

[davsand]

8. I've always mentally put astrology in the category of "Don't try this at home."

That may not be true for anyone else, but it is how I feel about it. I am working to understand some of the fundamental aspects of it--especially as it pertains to the various planets and their overall "influences," but for the most part I think it is something that maybe isn't within my immediate grasp right now.

It isn't that I think I can't learn it, it is more a matter of focusing on what I am most comfortable with and more intuitively attuned to. Just as some people are more naturally attuned to song, rather than dance, I think (for me, anyhow) my natural abilities lie more in things like Tarot or Numerology. No harm, no foul--just a difference. I sure would not want a Proctologist doing Neurosurgery on me, and I think maybe Astrology is a specialty just as is Tarot or any other form of teaching.

I find a great validity in Astrology, and I find that I have benefited a great deal from what I have learned from the Astrologers in my life, but for now it just isn't something I am actively working at.

Something I have been chewing on a great deal of late, is the responsibility that I feel "readers" (of any kind) have. I've talked about it here before, but it just keeps coming up for me that HOW I share knowledge is almost more important than the actual information.

I'm not sure why this keeps coming up in my life lately, but it is there an awful lot. I made the decision to walk away from reading for others several years ago, but lately it just keeps coming back up--again and again. I dunno if I am responding on some level to the general overall level of angst right now, or if I am moving into a different place in my world. Either way, whatever comes will arrive in its own time--in spite of fretting on my part.

Peace to you all.

Laura

[rumpel]

11. I have a very basic question.

Rick, I really appreciate all you do, and I am learning a lot.

But there is this mental block I have, to understand, or maybe because I am a visual person, or I can not quite grasp this basic concept of aspects.

Question 1. The blue and red aspect lines in a chart. Is it that the blue lines are supposed to indicate favorable aspects, and the red lines indicate a strained aspect?

Question 2. for example in the chart below, I see a lot of shapes. In this case triangles. There is talk about xx trine to xx. But it takes 3 elements to form a triangle. Yet, a trine is 120 degrees between 2 planets and uses the third point as the center of the chart, right?

Basically, I am confused with the shapes I see, since the triangles, for example use a planet as the third point, or not?
arghhh

Also, some are clearly blue triangles, and some shapes are incomplete, so to speak and then there are the dotted green lines...



:crazy:

[ricochetastroman]

12. Rumpel

please send me you chart data in Private for my records, if you wish.

1. Usually, you see darker aspects for squares and oppositions, supposed harsh or challenging.
Red, for easy, favorable, trines, conjunctions and sextiles.

Here they are opposite for whatever reason.
Most software lets you color it the way you want to.

Be wary of using a black and white mentality towards aspects, as Arroyo says, it's the combination of planets that matters and the closeness of Orb. But generally, you are on the right track. As always, Astrology is slippery and very hard to pin down.

2. A trine is any 2 planets 120 degrees separated plus the orb. When 3 line up in a great big triangle, you have a 3 trines or a Grand Trine... which is very powerfully positive, (mostly).

No planets are made up here. The lines go between actual positions of the planets. We had a great advantage in the old days when we drew them by hand. Place your finger on the pt of a planet, count 4 signs aways, same degree, use the orb = Trine, etc.
Trines to the Ascendant (as well as the midheaven) are confusing you as well as minor aspects such as quincunxs or inconjuncts (150)

For now, as you are learning, I'd use only the "Ptolemaic" aspects
conjunction 0
opposition 180
square 90
sextile 60
trine 120

I'd acutally skip the sextile till you get used to the others which are far more major.

see if the software you use can give you options on these things.

You are getting confused: "It takes 3 elements to form a triangle"
Aspects have NOTHING to do with elements

A trine can be from 10 Capr to 10 Virgo, true
It can also be from 1 Capr to 29 Leo
the aspect by degrees is what matters
these charts are hard to read, imho

[rumpel]

13. studying....

thank you, Rick, I can see, I was first of all, confusing the Grand Trine (shape) and the aspect of a trine.

This particular chart I got from astro.com and is a default chart for natal & transits, but I asked to "draw aspect lines to all" option.

The red color, I thought is like the terra alert :rofl: "pay attention".

Do you have a suggestion for a better online chart generator for beginners? Thanks A Million

:hi: