Astrology Guide

About Mary Anne

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My astrological studies began in New York City with many highly skilled
and respected teachers, mentors and professional astrologers affiliated
with the Astrologers Guild, and the National Council of Geocosmic
Research. They were Raymond Merriman, Charles Emerson, Gary Christian, Doris Hebel, Robert Hand.....to name a few.

After ten years of studies and attending workshops, I began my astrological counseling and teaching career. Along the way I became affiliated with Astrologers Guild, AFAN, and NCGR, through which I achieved professional status and certification.

My life journey took me to Hawai'i, where I learned "Ho'oponopono", the Hawaiian way of counseling, and combined that with astrological
concepts. My developed style and approach to guiding you through
astrology is with realistic, practical, down-to-earth USEFUL INFORMATION that will be helpful to you, and your personal situation.

YOUR ASTRO GUIDE

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Welcome to YOUR ASTROLOGY GUIDE. Astrology has been my passion, and one of my greatest learning experiences! In these pages I would like to share with you the knowledge and insights I've acquired over the years.

If you would like a realistic common sense approach to Astrological concepts, you've come to the right place! I hope these pages will add to your knowledge and inspire you to learn more about our "cosmic connection", and the reasons why we respond to it so dramatically.

In these pages you'll find the basic concepts of the Zodiac Signs, Planets, and Areas (houses), and also some advanced concepts which you can try for yourself to see how they work for you.

THE ZODIAC AND ECLIPTIC

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THE ZODIAC

The 12 Signs of the Zodiac are equal 30 degree parts of space, along the Ecliptic (apparent Sun's path) of our Solar System. Each sign represents an Archetypal "set of characteristics" which ancient astrologers formulated as they studied the seasons of the year. Many of these characteristics were formed through ancient Archetypes, myths, and recognized behaviors.

The signs of the Zodiac are named after the Constellations of the eciptic. But because of the precession of the Vernal Equinox point, the signs have not aligned with the Constellations for the past 2000 years, creating two Zodiacs!! One is the Tropical Zodiac, which most western astrologers use,(and which is used in these webpages), and the other is the Sidereal Zodiac, which is mainly used in Vedic/Hindu eastern astrology. The Vedic system is more closely aligned with the actual astronomical planetary movements through the Constellations. Because of the Earth's rotations and wobble effect, the Vernal Equinox point has moved backwards, at a rate of approx. 1 degree every 70 years! At this time, the Vernal Equinox point is actually at approx. 5 degrees of Pisces!
For more information on Sidereal Astrology, check out the list of websites on the last page of this site.

As our Earth moves around the Sun, each sign is seen as a "background" against which the Sun remains constant. When viewed from our moving Earth, the vantage point changes with each 24 hour day, and we see the Sun in a new position each day.

When the Sun is seen in 0 Aries Zodiac sign, it is said to have "entered" Aries, the first sign of the Astrological year. When the Sun is seen at 0 Taurus Zodiac sign, it has left Aries and entered Taurus Zodiac sign....and so on. So if you were born on any of the 30 days when Sun is in Aries, you are said to have the characteristics of Aries, and that is your Sun Sign. The same goes for Taurus and all the other signs.

Remember, these characteristics were formulated in ancient times as the astrologers studied behavioral patterns and mixed that with myths and stories of ancient times. So how do we in modern times relate to those characteristics?

Realistically, they become part of our early learning experiences, through the people around us, as we were growing up. We attune ourselves to certain
behaviors in others, which can be reflected by our astrological chart, and that is what we learn to do. So we become a part of the experience of the people, places and things in our personal world around us.

What about fate and destiny? Many astrologers believe that our soul chooses the day and time to enter earth's plane, and the family to be born into in order to carry out our soul's purpose in its current lifetime. If there is any truth to that theory, then all of our experiences are part of our soul's purpose. Our early life conditioning, through interactions with our parents, siblings, educators and mentors, peers, religious beliefs, and cultural practices, etc., can then beome a foundation for the personal choices we make in our lifetime, whether they be the right choices for us or not.

Although there are many ways to find our true selves, and to help ourselves, Astrology is a unique and exciting way to do that. The more you learn about your "cosmic connection", the better your life can become and continue to unfold.

THE ASTROLOGY CHART

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All Astrological charts are made on the basis of a person's day and year of birth, time of birth, City and State of birth. Charts can also be made for the start of a business, a marriage, or any other prominent event, using the same information as stated above.

Astrologers use a book called an Ephemeris to calculate which Zodiac signs the Planets are moving through on each day. The time of a birth, or other event and location of birth or event (longitude and latitude of City and State) will enable the astrologer to set a framework for the entire chart. Each chart will have 12 areas (houses) and each area will have one of the Zodiac signs designated to it. After that framework is established, the Planets of the birth or event are noted in their signs, and are placed within the area to which they belong. That picture then beomes one's "Natal Chart" or one's "Event Chart" and is the basis for all other astrological work.

Depending upon the birthtime and place of birth or event, one of the astrological signs will begin the chart, at the "sunrise point" (left side of chart) and that is called the Ascending Sign or Ascendant. If the chart is started with sign Leo, then each of the other signs will follow in their natural order such as: Leo, Virgo, Libra, and so on, around the chart. Each sign as it appears on an area (house) of the chart, then becomes a clue as to how a person has become "conditioned" to deal with the major issues of life of that particular area. A planet within an area gives more clues and focus to major issues. If it's an event chart, then the picture will show the circumstances surrounding the event, and the effect that event would have on one's life.

THE 12 ZODIAC SIGNS

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Much has been written about the 12 Zodiac signs in books and other materials. So here let's take a brief look at their main characteristics:

ARIES - An independent, agressive and "me first" overtone. Likes lots of activities and self-starting projects. Shows courage to get up, get going and do things "my way".

TAURUS - A stable, sensible, cautious "its mine" overtone. Likes to maintain the status quo. Slow but sure to get things done by sheer persisence and determination.

GEMINI - A curious, versatile, interested "what's that" overtone. Amusing, witty or flippant while talking about a variety of subjects, and juggles them all.

CANCER - A nurturing, motherly "i really care" overtone. Likes to caregive and is very protective of whoever or whatever belongs to them, by collecting and preserving.

LEO - A dramaic and proud "I'm important" overtone. Likes to be playful and warm-hearted. Appreciates having fun and being the center of attention.

VIRGO - A problem-solving "lets get it fixed" overtone. Likes to critique, analyze, repair and work out all the little details, using a "hands-on" approach.

LIBRA - A peaceful, harmonious "let's get together" overtone. Likes to evaluate, balance, coordinate, cooperate and mediate to see all sides of an issue.

SCORPIO - A deep, passionate and intense "let's change it" overtone. Likes to "get rid of" or transform whatever or whomever is not working well, or is no longer useful.

SAGITTARIUS - A freedom loving philosophical "lets' be happy" overtone, Likes to be educated by others and by travelling around. Will preach about, promote and publicize whomever or whatever seems interesting.

CAPRICORN - A serious, paternal, pragmatic and practical "let's do what's right" overtone. Likes to be reliable, productive, and can be depended upon to do whatever is appropriate.

AQUARIUS - A non-traditional, erratic or unpredictable "let's shake things up" overtone. Likes to reform and make things better for mankind, or rebel and make trouble in a radical way.

PISCES - A compassionate, trusting and heaing "let's get away"overtone. Likes to rescue or save others from harm, or escape from the harshness of life by taking the spiritual paths.

PLANETS OF OUR SOLAR SYSTEM

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There are 8 Planets: MERCURY, VENUS, MARS, JUPITER, SATURN, URANUS, NEPTUNE and PLUTO which astrologers use when making charts.
There is one Star - SUN, which is used in making charts.
There is one Satellite - MOON, which is used in making charts (the Moon which moves with our Earth.)

Each of these Planets, Star and Satellite are said to express a particular kind of "energy intelligence" in our lives here on Earth, through the ANCIENT ARCHETYPE of each planet, thus giving us a "cosmc connection" to those energy archetypes described as follows:

SUN - The "HERO" archetype energy of VITALITY and life-giving force. Power, liveliness, warmth and pride.

MOON - The "GREAT MOTHER" archetype energy of NURTURANCE, feeligs, emotions, belonging to a clan, needfulness.

MERCURY - The "MESSENGER" archetype energy of THINKING, communicating, receiving and sending out information, reasoning power.

VENUS - The "APHRODITE" archetype energy of SHARING, cooperating, appreciating, valueing, attracting, harmonizing and beautifying.

MARS - The "WARRIOR" archetype energy of AGRESSIVE ACTION, pursuing, initiating, risk taking, pushing forward.

JUPITER - The "GREAT BENEFIC" archetype energy of EXPANDING, educating, seeking more of, preaching, bigness, inclusiveness.

SATURN - The "STERN FATHER" archetype energy of LIMITING, setting boundaries, taking responsibility, disciplining, exclusiveness, smallness.

URANUS - The "LIBERATOR" archetype energy of REBELLING, upsetting social boundaries, inventing, awakening, uprooting, causing havoc.

NEPTUNE - The "MYSTIC" archetype energy of DISSOLVING, transcending social boundaries and restrictions, escaping from reality.

PLUTO - The "PRIMAL POWER" archetype energy of REMOVING to get rid of, destroying to take over, and then replacing with intense RENEWAL.

The Sun is at the center of our Solar System. The magnetic field of the Sun holds all the Planets in their orbit around it.

THE AREAS OF THE CHART (Houses)

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There are 12 areas in every astrological chart. Each area has multiple meanings, and environments, which ancient and modern astrologers have formulated. These meanings are based on practiclal observations in human behavior, as well as myths and stories. The areas (houses) can be viewed as "environments" into which you were born, and then continue to express your inner self through your planetary placements there. Here is a brief overview of each of the 12 areas:

FIRST AREA (also known as Ascendant or ASC) - One's developed viewpoint of the world, and expression of personal identity. Issues regarding one's self-interests, personality, and dealing with people in general.

SECOND AREA - Issues regarding one's material resources, money and possessions, ability to earn income, skills and valuable talents, attitudes about self-worth.

THIRD AREA - Issues regarding one's way of communicating, learning, dealing with local community, giving and receiving information, early education, general mental attitude.

FOURTH AREA (also known as IC) - Issues regarding one's homebase, emotional security, personal dwelling place, land, family roots, parental caregiver, ancestral homeland.

FIFTH AREA - Issues regarding one's playfulness, creativeness, hobbies, recreations, relationship to children. One's way of expressing love, romance.

SIXTH AREA - Issues regarding one's health routines, daily work schedules, services to or from others via poblem solving or maintenance. Healing of the body or mind. On-the-job training.

SEVENTH AREA (also known as Decendant or DEC) - Issues regarding one's marital or business partnerships, commitments made with others on an equitable level, interactions with companions, consultants, and all others who share a personal relationship.

EIGHTH AREA - Issues regarding jointly shared funds, money possessions and resources. Loans from others, grants, investments and intimate sharing of one's physical self with others.

NINTH AREA - Issues regarding one's extended education, travel, sharing of information. One's educators, mentors and sources of wisdom, philosphy or religious viewpoint.

TENTH AREA (also known ad Midheaven or MC) - Issues regarding one's vocational pursuits, professional interests, sense of accomplishment, forming a reputation or status in life, dealing with authority figures.

ELEVENTH AREA - Issues regardig one's group interactions, casual friendships with those of like mind, participation in shared recreations.

TWELFTH AREA - Issues regarding one's spiritual life, hiding away or retreating from confrontation with the material world, feelings of isolation, emotional health and healing issues.

TO SUM UP

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The PLANETS represent ancient archetypes of ENERGIES which we somehow respond to. The ZODIAC SIGNS represent CHARACTERISTICS we are conditioned to. The HOUSES represent the ENVIRONMENTS within which we express ourselves and our planetary patterns.

CURRENT INSIGHT- WHAT ARE TRANSITS?

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ALL OF THE PLANETS IN OUR SOLAR SYSTEM ARE CONSTANTLY MOVING THROUGH SPACE, ALONG WITH OUR EARTH. THEY ARE "TRANSITING THROUGH " OR MOVING THROUGH ZODIAC SIGNS AS WELL. SOME PLANETS MOVE MUCH FASTER THROUGH A SIGN THAN OTHERS DO....AS THE FOLLOWING TABLE SHOWS:

EARTH- TAKES APPROX 30 DAYS TO TRANSIT THROUGH EACH SIGN (as Earth moves, we see the Sun against the background of the Zodiac Sign)

MOON - TAKES APPROX. 2 1/2 DAYS TO TRANSIT THROUGH A ZODIAC SIGN

MERCURY, VENUS AND MARS - CAN TAKE FROM 20 DAYS TO SEVERAL WEEKS OR MONTHS TO TRANSIT THROUGH A ZODIAC SIGN

JUPITER - TAKES APPROX. ONE YEAR TO TRANSIT THROUGH A SIGN

SATURN - TAKES APPROX 2 1/2 YEARS TO TRANSIT THROUGH A SIGN

URANUS - TAKES APPROX. 7 YEARS TO TRANSIT THROUGH A SIGN

NEPTUNE AND PLUTO - CAN TAKE ANYWHERE BETWEEN 15 AND 30 YEARS TO TRANSIT THROUGH A SIGN.

CURRENT TRANSIT OF PLANET URANUS

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The Planet Uranus has been TRANSITING (moving through) the Zodiac sign, PISCES since March 2003...and will continue moving through that sign until March 2011. All of you Pisces sun-sign folks, or those with other planets in Pisces are surely feeing some of the effects of this erratic planet by now!

The archetype energy of the planet Uranus is upsets, surprises, inventions, independence, social unrest, etc. This energy applying to your natal planet in Pisces would have the effect of "triggering" some very different activities and inner potentials of your life. It's as though a "visitor" were knocking at your door, with new information for you to consider and assimilate into your daily lifestyle. If everything now seems "topsy-turvy", that's the archetypal energy of Uranus shaking us up with a wake-up call to change things. This transit of Uranus in Pisces will last for approximately seven years, so we have ample time to get used to the new energy, and to consider making changes a little at a time!

JUPITER ENTERS AQUARIUS

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Planet JUPITER enters sign AQUARIUS on January 5, 2009 and will continue to transit through sign AQUARIUS until January 17, 2010. AQUARIUS is the sign associated with electronics, inventions, new and untried ideas, bold and innovative initiatives, whirlwind activities, and clear, bright insights. We can expect many new trends to unfold in a very big way, as JUPITER is a planet associated with growth and expansion, large enterprises, and hope for the future.

For all of those who have Ascendant, Midheaven, Sun, Moon or other planets in AQUARIUS, this will be a time when doors may open for progress in whatever goals you want to accomplish, and a more expansive outlook for future plans.
Faith and trust in one's own abilities and a willingness to try new and innovative pathways will go a long way in expanding the AQUARIUS lifestyle. This is your time to seek the "open door" to opportunity, and to walk boldly through towards a new adventure!

CURRENT TRANSIT OF PLANET SATURN

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The Planet SATURN will transit through the Zodiac sign VIRGO.... entering the sign in early September 2007, it will continue its transit there until early July, 2010. The archetype for planet Saturn is an energy that can bring extra responsibilities, slowing our energies down, and making us feel constricted or confined. It also makes solid and secure or binding. All of these energies are having an effect on the sign VIRGO in ways that can seem harsh to deal with.......So if you have your Sun in VIRGO, other planets in VIRGO, or your Ascendant or Midheaven in sign VIRGO, you can expect to be cautioned to slow down, wait, make firm decisions, and set boundaries for yourself. It's a good time to deal with all issues from a realistic viewpoint!

Since VIRGO is the sign associated with work and service, health and good nutrition, and taking care of one's/others daily physical needs, SATURN can assist VIRGO in these issues, as well as define or consolidate these issues. Expect to see some reduction in food service areas, as well as produce in the marketplace, and health service areas, which may cause some serious problems if not dealt with in a constructive manner. Best of all, whatever has not been working well will probably go through some structural changes for the better.

PLUTO ENTERS CAPRICORN

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Planet PLUTO will briefly enter sign CAPRICORN from Janary 26, 2008, until June 14, 2008, and then re-enter the sign on November 26, 2008, where it will remain in CAPRICORN until January 21, 2024!! This is a long-haul transit and many, many things connected to sign CAPRICORN will probably go through intense and life-altering changes. Usually the PLUTO energy starts out as very, very subtle behind-the-scene changes that are brought to light close to the ending years of the transit. We know that "something is happening....things seem to be transforming".....but sometimes secretive sources may not want to reveal themselves as to just what the changes mean for our daily lives. Consider the current problems with large financial institutions and their lending practices, and you will begin to see how many of us were "not aware" of the home-loan crisis, and just learning about how widespread it is now! That's how PLUTO energy works, massive change that starts with a rumble and ends up as a gigantic explosion! But there is a very positive side to PLUTO in that "out of the ashes arises a new experience"!!

All of us with Ascendant, Midheaven, Sun, Moon or other planets in CAPRIORN may start to hear the "rumbling" in the very near future, so try and think of ways we can alter our lifestyles without having some massive changes coming from power sources outside of ourselves. That's always one of the best ways to handle PLUTO energy.......take our own "inner power" and make it work for the good of all of us on Earth.