Astrology Lesson 1

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Lesson 1
Since antiquity, gazing upward to the sky above has been a part of daily life.
Predicting seasonal changes were measured by the longest and shortest days (the
solstices), and by the times when night and day were the same length (equinoxes), this
became a simple calendar for survival.
Aside from these practical repetitive cycles, the position of the sun and/or moon
were cited at the time of important events. This was a way of verifying if the event in
the sky coincided with the event on planet. The similarities were often considered
omens, and each tribe embellished them with their own myths and legends according to
their worldview.
Lore about the heavens above became abundant throughout the world. They spoke of
gods, and heroes that formed a complex hierarchy of celestial beings who watched,
judged, and manipulated the lives on the planet Earth.
As civilizations evolved ancient astrologers kept copious calendars monitoring the
celestial movements.The most convenient way to study the stars was by connecting their
groupings into recognizable patterns we now call the constellations and fixed stars.
This method gave birth to the classical astrology that is still practiced. The sky
was divided into twelve segments. Each one represented by its own constellation. It was
observed that the visible planets often appeared to cycle through they sky against this
backdrop of constellations. These planets eventually acquired personalities and
mythologies of their own, and astrologers soon began to affix significance to the
position of these planets against certain constellations in the sky.
Throughout the centuries, Astrology has dealt with the charting and interpretation of
the cycles and movements of celestial objects. Through the use of computers,
calculations that once took months for mathematicians to perform by hand can now be done
in seconds, and the positions of planets can be computed to a hundredth of a degree. The
interpretation part is another matter relying largely on practical research data from
case studies and intuitive skills that come from years of experience. The interpretation
of astrological events is a fine art.
Astrology deals with ten "planets". Eight of these are the sister planets of the
earth: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. The other two
are the Sun and the Moon, neither of which is a planet but are luminaries. However, as
seen from the earth, the Sun and Moon follow the same path as the planets. Thus they are
included in simply the listing of planets.
In Joan McEvers and Marion March's book, The only way to learn Anthropology, v.11
Marion D. March and Joan McEvers: The only way to learn Astrology, v.1 Basic Principles
:Revised edition, c.1981, ACS Publications, 1989, p.33comment: "The planets are the
actors, the signs are the roles they play and the houses are the settings or situations
in which the cast portrays the role". Adding to that analogy, the aspects are the words
the planets communicate with each other. The importance and the influence on action of
those words or dialog are dependent on the direction and emphasis given by the Director.
Free Will is the Director.

Planets represent different cosmic forces or energies that influence your basic
character traits and your changing urges and needs as you experience this life's
journey. They provide the energies that drive your physical, emotional, mental, and
intuition systems. These planetary energies are modified by the planet's position in the
zodiac, and by its relationships (aspects) to the other planets.
Other celestial bodies that are considered by contemporary astrologers are the
asteroids and Chiron. For the purpose of these introductory lessons we will be focusing
on the "ten planets". We encourage the reader to pursue other texts about the study of
asteroids and Chiron for information. Books we recommend are included in the Source
Bibliography. This recommendation comes with the assumption that before seeking this
information you have gained a firm foundation in the basic astrological practices.
Planets fall into three groups according to how long it takes them to make one trip
around the sun. The Personal Planets (also known as the Inner Planets), the Immediate
Planets and the Transpersonal Planets (also known as the Outer Planets).
~The first group of planets takes less than two years to make a full cycle. These
include the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Mars. Since we experience the influence of
these planetary cycles so often, we soon learn to recognize and control our reactions to
them. These are the Personal Planets.
* The keywords are suggested characteristics below but are not all inclusive as
adjectives. Keywords, as you continue through the lessons, will become helpful in
knitting together an effective interpretation to the charts you read. We do recommend
that you work with memorizing keyword traits of the planets and their effect, zodiac
signs, aspects and the houses. That study alone will allow you to manifest a fair and
concise interpretation of all charts.
Sun: Purpose, Identity
(Individuality)

Moon:
Feeling, responsiveness
(Personality)

Mercury:
Intellect, Communication
(Mentality)

Venus:
Attraction, Harmony (Affection)

Mars:
Energy, Assertion
(Initiative)