As we sit on the cusp of the Aquarian Age, we are collectively being transformed into a more evolved way of existing on planet Earth. The Piscean Age (of blind belief) has had some quite negative results. But we are now beginning to move to the beat of the Aquarian drum, and this rhythm pulses to the cadence of knowledge, community, and like-minded cohesion. If you’re reading this, it’s because you’ve expressed some form of interest in Astrology. As a show of appreciation and in keeping with the Aquarian theme of community, I’ve created a beginner’s guide to reading your own birth chart and a space for learning. Keep reading to get the details!
What is the Birth Chart?
Although this will be a review for many of you, allow me to give a brief explanation of why the birth chart is so significant. The heavenly bodies are alive and active – every moving and fixed star, every asteroid, every constellation. As a result of being animated with life force, they possess energetic frequencies and archetypal expression. And while these bodies of energy can be millions, billions, and even light years away from Earth, their energies are non-local. That means we feel the results of their archetypal expression, the angles (angels) they form to each other, and the alterations to their expression based on the sign and house they occupy at any given time.
Whether one “believes” in Astrology does not matter. The fact is these heavenly bodies impact our reality.
In the book Water, Pure and Simple, the author writes:
…every minute, the Earth is bombarded by dozens of tons of water in the form of small comets made of ice – small being a relative term, insofar as they are as big as a house. These fiery aqueous objects appear between 600 and 15,000 miles from Earth at the rate of 5 to 30 per minute, and can be seen from the ground. It is likely that these ice comets have been confused in the past with shooting stars, even with UFOs.
…As incredible as it may seem, a million tons of water are hurled at the Earth every day, and no one can explain where it comes from. Yet these big balls are part of our lives. They vaporize upon impact with the atmosphere and therefore contribute to the rain that falls to earth: part of the water falls on us during a rainstorm and part of the ground water we drink, is actually extraterrestrial in origin. The Earth is nourished by water from outer space, like a living being quenching its thirst.
If the above seems completely irrelevant, I beg you to please bear with me. On Earth, we live in water, as the air we breathe is a form of water that is far less dense than the water we drink or swim in. Nonetheless, it’s still water, proof of which is experienced when we visit places like coastal Florida, Georgia or South Carolina in the heat of the summer. These places are known for how humid they are (i.e. how much water is in the air).
With the understanding that we are breathing water and that “millions of tons of water are hurled at the Earth every day,” all of unknown origin, the familiar astrological statement, “when you take your first breath, you breathe in the heavenly positions of the planets, fixed stars, asteroids, etc.,” doesn’t seem that far-fetched. Thus, we can posit that the birth chart represents the condition of astral water at birth, that colors the life of the Soul it is assigned to. And maybe, this is why Aquarius (the Water Bearer) is said to be the sign of Astrology. For, to know the Stars is to know the condition of the water contained in the vessel.
The Offering
When I’m giving readings, clients often express a desire to learn how to read their own birth chart, recognizing how empowering it can be to be able to consult their own star map. While the study of Astrology is a lifelong endeavor, there is some basic information that can allow one to evaluate the birth chart and really get acquainted with the psyche, natural tendencies, gifts and challenges.
To help in the exploration of your birth chart, I’ve created an introductory pdf. While it certainly isn’t exhaustive, the document will touch on the following 10 items:
- The meaning of the Zodiac
- How basic grammar explains the interaction between the planets, signs and houses
- The nature of each planet’s expression
- An overview of the 12 signs
- A breakdown of the 12 houses
- The meaning of the modalities (triplicities)
- The significance of the elements (quadruplicities)
- An exploration of the 12 rising signs
- The significance of the chart ruler
- An overview of the most commonly used aspects and their meaning
In addition to consulting this document, it would be wise to read other material. And you don’t have to be an aspiring astrologer to study, as the more time you dedicate to the subject the better you’ll get to know yourself, loved ones, friends and associates.
It takes a great deal of effort to write in a coherent and concise fashion. Furthermore, the author must possess a certain level of understanding to convey the information in an intelligible and easy-to-comprehend fashion. Therefore, when you explore good literature, you’re able to take advantage of this concentrated effort and magnify your learning.
To further reiterate the above, the act of reading and taking notes stimulates brain activity and promotes deeper understanding. Then, as you apply what you’ve learned to your birth chart, you’ll be rewarded with a more visceral knowledge of yourself.
Again, I’ve put forth an offering to aid in the initial exploration for some, and to provide additional perspective for those who are already students of Astrology. Click the link below to start the journey:
Download a free copy of “10 Tips for Reading Your Own Birth Chart”
A Community of Learning
To further assist in the learning process, I’m also glad to offer 720 Astrology Study Club. This online learning space offers the following:
- Privately recorded videos that cover the astrological basics
- Live, recorded video learning and discussion sessions via Zoom
- An ever-evolving book list to aid in the learning process
- The sharing of online and other resources
- Discounts on readings and other 720 Astrology offerings
- A unique combination of astrological, linguistic and metaphysical information
This is a tumultuous time on planet Earth, but we can liken this period to the birth of a child. During this time of chaotic pain and exhaustion, we find the mother breathing heavily as she is forced to endure the struggle of transition. The hidden Soul that has inhabited a new human body is now being thrust into the 3-D realm. We find ourselves, collectively, experiencing a quite similar situation. We are becoming.
Astrology provides clarity and a means to navigate through the murky waters of life. If you’re looking to expand your knowledge of this science/art, I’m more than happy to be of assistance!
Know the stars to know yourself,
Jamal
