Teach Yourself Astrology - Motilal Banarsidass #author

Teach Yourself Astrology

Author(s): Pandit Gopal Sharma
Publisher: Lotus Press
Language: English
Total Pages: 125
Available in: Paperback
Regular price Rs. 150.00
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Description

Teach Yourself Astrology" is a popular approach to learning astrology, often referred to as a beginner-friendly guide for those who wish to explore the subject on their own. Astrology is the study of how the positions and movements of celestial bodies (such as planets and stars) influence events and personalities on Earth. The goal of "Teach Yourself Astrology" is typically to provide the foundational knowledge needed to interpret astrological charts and understand the basic principles of the discipline.

Here’s a basic guide on how you can begin learning astrology on your own:

1. Understand the Basics of Astrology

  • Zodiac Signs: There are 12 zodiac signs, each associated with certain personality traits, elements (Fire, Earth, Air, Water), and modalities (Cardinal, Fixed, Mutable). The signs are:

    1. Aries (Fire, Cardinal)
    2. Taurus (Earth, Fixed)
    3. Gemini (Air, Mutable)
    4. Cancer (Water, Cardinal)
    5. Leo (Fire, Fixed)
    6. Virgo (Earth, Mutable)
    7. Libra (Air, Cardinal)
    8. Scorpio (Water, Fixed)
    9. Sagittarius (Fire, Mutable)
    10. Capricorn (Earth, Cardinal)
    11. Aquarius (Air, Fixed)
    12. Pisces (Water, Mutable)
  • Planets: The planets represent different aspects of life. For example, Sun represents the self, Moon represents emotions, and Mercury is related to communication. The outer planets like Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto deal with larger societal or generational themes.

  • Houses: The astrological chart is divided into 12 houses, each associated with a particular area of life. For example, the 1st House represents the self, and the 7th House deals with partnerships and relationships.

  • Aspects: These are the angles formed between planets in a chart. They describe how the planets interact with each other, influencing a person's behavior and experiences. Key aspects include conjunctions, squares, trines, and oppositions.

2. Learn How to Read an Astrological Birth Chart

  • A birth chart (or natal chart) is a snapshot of the sky at the exact time and place of your birth. It shows the positions of the planets and how they relate to one another.
  • To create a chart, you'll need to know:
    • Date of birth
    • Time of birth
    • Location of birth
  • There are online tools and software (like Astro.com, Astrodienst, or apps like TimePassages) where you can generate a free chart.
  • Learn how to interpret the placement of the Sun, Moon, and Ascendant, as they form the core of your personality analysis.

3. Study the Planetary Movements and Their Influence

  • Transits: These refer to the ongoing movement of planets as they form aspects to the planets in your natal chart. Transits can signify timing for important life events.
  • Progressions: This method looks at the "movement" of planets from the time of your birth, based on a symbolic progression system.
  • Retrogrades: Planets like Mercury, Venus, and Mars often go into retrograde, where they appear to move backward in the sky. Retrogrades are considered times of introspection and review.

4. Focus on the 12 Zodiac Signs

  • Start by understanding each sign’s elemental and modal qualities. For example:
    • Fire Signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) are passionate and energetic.
    • Earth Signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) are practical and grounded.
    • Air Signs (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) are intellectual and communicative.
    • Water Signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) are emotional and intuitive.
  • Each sign has strengths, challenges, and characteristics that will influence how they interact with planets in your chart.

5. Understand the Four Pillars of Astrology

  • Planets: These show different energies in a chart (Sun for core identity, Moon for emotions, Venus for love, etc.).
  • Signs: These show the qualities and expressions of the planets.
  • Houses: These describe the areas of life in which the planetary energies manifest.
  • Aspects: These show how the planets relate to one another, indicating harmony or tension.

6. Use Resources and Study Materials

  • Books: Some classic books to get started with astrology include:
    • "The Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need" by Joanna Martine Woolfolk
    • "Astrology for the Soul" by Jan Spiller
    • "Parker’s Astrology: The Definitive Guide to Using Astrology in Every Aspect of Your Life" by Julia and Derek Parker

7. Practice and Apply What You Learn

  • Start analyzing your own chart and the charts of friends or family members. Try to identify patterns and make interpretations based on the positions of the planets, signs, and houses.
  • Pay attention to current transits and how they may be affecting you personally.
  • Keep a journal to document your observations and learnings, as astrology requires practice and reflection.

8. Expand Your Knowledge

As you get more comfortable with the basics, you can delve into more advanced areas of astrology such as:

  • Synastry: The study of relationships by comparing the charts of two people.
  • Horary astrology: Predictive astrology that answers specific questions.
  • Electional astrology: Choosing the best time for important events like weddings or business ventures.
  • Vedic astrology (Jyotish): An ancient Indian system of astrology with different methods and interpretations.