What Is Astrology? A Beginner's Guide

Astrology reads the positions of the Sun, Moon and planets as a symbolic language for character and timing. Here are the building blocks.

What Is Astrology? — stained-glass illustration

A Short Definition

Astrology is the study of correspondences between the movements of celestial bodies and human life. Western astrology uses the tropical zodiac — twelve 30° signs measured from the spring equinox — and interprets planets by sign, house and aspect.

The Four Building Blocks

ElementWhat it isQuestion it answers
PlanetsSun, Moon, Mercury to PlutoWhat part of you?
Signs12 zodiac signsIn what style?
Houses12 areas of lifeWhere in life?
Aspectsangles between planetsHow do the parts interact?

What Is a Birth Chart?

A birth (natal) chart is a snapshot of the sky at the moment and place you were born. It shows every planet's sign and house and the angles between them. Find your planet signs with our planet signs calculator.

Branches of Astrology

  • Natal — the personal birth chart.
  • Mundane — world events and nations.
  • Horary — answering a question from the chart of the moment it's asked.
  • Synastry — comparing two charts for compatibility.
  • Predictive — transits, progressions and returns.

Is Astrology a Science?

No — astrology isn't supported by scientific evidence as a predictive method. Many people use it as a language for reflection, self-understanding and timing, and that's how we present it here.

Where to Start

  1. Find your Sun sign.
  2. Learn your big three.
  3. Follow your horoscope and notice what resonates.
  4. Explore the elements, modalities and houses.

Questions & Answers

What's the difference between astrology and astronomy?

Astronomy is the science of celestial objects; astrology interprets their positions symbolically.

How long does it take to learn astrology?

The basics take weeks; reading charts fluently takes years of practice.

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