Mercury Mercury Mercury in the natal chart by sign and house position can vary a great deal. We will primarily discuss the planet Mercury in this section. The planet Mercury is associated with the mind's focus and our attention. Its primary function is the act of communication, both on the receiving end and on the giving end. Mercury also has a lot to do with what could be termed as our everyday living, and our connections with the outside on an immediate level. Mercury’s house position in the natal chart and its sign position indicate something about the way we think. It also has a lot to do with the learning process and how we become aware and absorb the information that the mind is incorporating into our point of focus. Mercury can be interconnected with our schooling. For example, if Mercury is poorly aspected in the natal chart, we may have some difficulty completing our schooling. We could have problems with concentration, or the written word would not come as easily to us as it would to someone who has a well aspected Mercury. Knowing this can be helpful and assist us when our children are having difficulty understanding or focusing on their schooling. Mercury has very little to do with feelings as it relates primarily on the non-verbal level. In some cases if mercury is in a very receptive sign (usually water signs) one can pick up information on other levels, such as telecommunication or through psychic channels. The planet is an important factor in consciousness raising, as Mercury can be associated with making some areas of life apparently unconscious more conscious. Gemini and Virgo are both ruled by the planet Mercury and if you know any people with their Sun , Moon or rising signs (Ascendant) in either Gemini or Virgo , you may find that the mind is a strong active force in their lives. Astrology 101 Information on Aspects to Mercury Mercury is the Planet of communication. It rules Gemini and Virgo and is associated with the third house and the sixth house . The Sun The Moon Venus Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune Pluto

The Fifth House The fifth house in astrology deals primarily with the act of pursuing enjoyment and pleasure in life. This can be found through many avenues of expression. The greatest of these expressions is found in the ability to express oneself without prejudgement and with ease. This is often released when the fifth house is activated through artistic endeavours such as dance routines or through a pursuit in music. Acting is also connected to the fifth house and in many cases many well-known actors of today have strong planetary influences linked to this house. This is the house of creativity. The eleventh house is connected to love received and the fifth house has to do with love given. This house is an expression of love that is given through romantic love affairs, although not linked to marriage. Marriage is a further continuation of love and is linked to the seventh house . The love given also can be spread through the love we have for our children, and this house often speaks of our children and procreation. Those with strong connections to the fifth house, either through planetary influences found in this house or by planets making aspects to these planets or the ruler of the fifth house cusp, will display many of these characteristics in their persona. Again this house is the house of pleasure and in many cases is also associated to gambling, speculation and a willingness to take financial risks It basically speaks of emotional enhancement through acts of playful interaction which provide enjoyment in our lives. Teaching abilities are also part of the fifth house foundation and anyone with a creative flair can do well in areas where teaching others can be utilized. Those with strong energies linked to the fifth house express some Leo characteristics as the fifth house is naturally ruled by the sign Leo . As a result, an individual with a Capricorn Sun with strong planetary links to the fifth house will be much more flamboyant and fun loving than the usual security minded Capricorn . The Capricorn tendencies of working to make a name for themselves may still be prevalent, but many of this individual's gifts would be found in areas where their self-expression can take them up that ladder of success which is so fundamentally essential to many Capricorn individuals. This Capricorn , strongly influenced Leo individual would not be as serious, would take chances and would be much more fun loving than the traditional Capricorn individual. Astrology 101 The Fifth House is naturally ruled by Leo This is the house of PLEASURE The First House The Second House The Third House The Fourth House The Sixth House The Seventh House The Eighth House The Ninth House The Tenth House The Eleventh House The Twelfth House

MERCURY'S RETURN Mercury is the planet of the mind and deals primarily with communication, the thought process and decision making. It is tied to such things as writing, public speaking, teaching, short trips, transportation such as vehicles and all things related to interaction with others. For all returns, a chart must be prepared for the exact day that the planet in question (Mercury in this case) returns to its original place by sign and degree that is was at the time of birth right to the minute. Some sites will do this calculation for you or you can buy programmes that do this work. The Mercury return usually follows closely to the solar return and occurs once a year. The rising sign is very important and will help define how life unfolds over the year in Mercury related ways. If Mercury is conjunct an angle or several planets, it often suggests an eventful year. Quite often a surge of energy related primarily to Mercury is experienced on the day it returns to its natal position. We would have to check which house Mercury is found in and although it returns to its original position by sign and degree the timing will be different from our birth time so the ascendant and houses will be different from their position in the natal chart. If, for example, the rising sign is Aries, this will be a year of personal activities that can be used to propel us forward in life. Aries always wants to push ahead and strive for personal growth. This could be the year for activities related to signing of agreements, buying an automobile, starting a book or releasing a book, beginning teaching or moving into a programme that will help you achieve what you are trying to accomplish. If we have Cancer on the ascendant, this could be a year that agreements or disagreements occur within the family or within the home environment. This could be a year when nurturing a family member or in contrast a year when we are in need of nurturing. Sensitivity is an important factor at this time and often intuitive experiences are enhanced. Of course things run deeper at this time as emotions are a big part of the process. Don’t forget as with any chart all the defining characteristics have to be taken into consideration. A challenged ascendant or difficult Mercury would suggest a year of some difficulty and decision making may not be easy, but in many ways the mind can still figure out the best route to take. The house and sign position of Mercury will define the area of life involved for the return year and will also define the energies associated with the sign. Don’t forget to also look at the ruling planet of the ascendant as it will give us further information. For example with Sagittarius on the ascendant, we will need to look at where Jupiter is in the return. The placement by house of Mercury (Angular, Succedent, and Cadent) along with the general meaning behind what these placements suggest will also be important. Angular and Succedent as well as Cadent energies are all quite different from one another. If for example using only as a timing device, if Mercury occurs in a cadent house most of the energy will take place in the first 4 months of the year. If Succedent then most of the activity will take place in the middle of the year and if in Cadent things take hold in the last four months of the year. Remember Mercury returns are highlighting Mercurial connections and will only last for one year. Also regardless of how challenging the chart appears, we can always find ways to work with the energy and learn from our experiences. Astrology 101 Planetary Returns Venus Return Mars Return Saturn's Return Outer Planet's Return (Uranus, Neptune & Pluto)

The Eighth House The eighth house is rather a mysterious house, although not quite as mysterious as the twelfth house . It is considered an occult house and many undertones related to the mystic have their origins in this house. The occult is closely linked to this house, as it is naturally ruled by Scorpio , which has its routes buried in the psychic underground This house is ruled by the planet Pluto . Pluto regenerates and causes one to delve deep into one’s own psyche and discover the undercurrents that push and pull us to where we are meant to go throughout our lives. Pluto is all about transformations, and life and death issues which is closely linked to the eighth house. Death and rebirth can be brought forward on many levels. This house deeply relates to death and rebirth. By the time a transiting planet passes through this house, we will have undergone a transformation which will focus on the energies of the planet transiting this house. If there are planets located within this house, such as the Sun, we will experience great changes to our core personality, especially if Uranus or Pluto are the planets transiting our Sun in this house. This house offers support and an interest to uncover our most inner characteristics which are found deep inside that places that we may not venture often. When an outer planet is transiting through this house, we may be forced to dig up issues that have been locked up in our subconscious for years. The support that this house speaks about occurs when we confront these so called demons that have been dormant for years and face them head-on to transform them into something that can assist us in our overall growth This is also the house of legacies, wills, inheritance, alimony and taxes. Depending on what needs to surface while a transforming planet such as Pluto passes through this area of our chart, these areas will be brought to the surface. Other people’s money is governed by this house as well as joint finances. Often these types of issues are resolved by the time a transiting planet passes through this house if there is a connection to these matters. This is the house of the unspoken word, and often there are other powers related to spiritual connections associated to this house. People with many planets in this house natally often have a marked increase in psychic experiences and especially when linked to any signs that are in the element of water. This is a powerful house and often the necessary changes that need to take place in a person’s life unravel during times when planets are transiting through this house. It usually takes a little time to uncover all the transformations that have taken place, as much lies beneath the surface and you will have to uncover the hidden messages that may be revealed during transits through the eighth house. Sex is also under the domain of this house and much can be uncovered by the study of this house to ascertain the sexual undercurrents in a person’s life. The sign on the cusp will help to uncover much of these sexual undertones of the individual and how they respond to sexual "content" entering their lives. Astrology 101 The Eighth house is naturally ruled by Scorpio . The eighth house is the house of INTIMACY, TRANSFORMATION and SHARED RESOURCES The First House The Second House The Third House The Fourth House The Fifth House The Sixth House The Seventh House The Ninth House The Tenth House The Eleventh House The Twelfth House

Venus Venus Venus in your birth chart through sign and house placement describes the potential attraction through love and creativity. When its energies are flowing smoothly, Venus denotes Spirituality from a creative prospective. Venus is a social planet and describes how we relate and draw to ourselves shared experiences. This could include parties, social gatherings where we would be the one organizing the occasion or the recipient of such an event. Venus also depicts our financial status and our ability to encompass material wealth. Venus is a beneficial and benevolent planet. Where Venus is found in our charts is where we will find grace of style, beauty and love. Venus is always present when a meaningful love affair is activated. Venus deals with affection both given and received. The sign placement, as well as aspects to natal Venus will indicate how easy or difficult it may be for us to express the qualities linked to this planet. Locate Venus in your natal chart and look at the transits (planetary movement) to see where and when love can become activated in your life. Look to natal Venus in your chart to see how you express love and use astrology to open the door to understanding this sensitive planet and how it can assist you when dealing with delicate matters. Venus is an open doorway and propels us forward in our quest for love. Find Venus in your chart and learn how to manifest its purest qualities in your life. Astrology 101 Venus is the planet representing love and material rewards. It rules Taurus and Libra . Venus is associated with the Second House and the Seventh House . The Sun The Moon Mercury Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune Pluto

Aspects to the Midheaven (MC) We are working on this section and will be adding more information in the future For information on the Midheaven or Medium Coeli (MC) visit our main page on this topic in our Axis or Angle House Cusps. We are focusing on aspects to the Midheaven in this section. Information on the energies of the Midheaven Trine Aspects Pluto Trine Midheaven Saturn Trine Midheaven Neptune Trine Midheaven Conjunct Aspects Jupiter Conjunct Natal Midheaven Square Aspects Jupiter Square Midheaven Saturn Square Midheaven Neptune Square Midheaven Opposition Aspects Saturn Opposition Midheaven Neptune Opposition Midheaven Sextile Aspects Jupiter Sextile Midheaven Back to Aspects Back to Astrology 101

The Second House The Second House The second house is naturally ruled by the sign Taurus and its planetary ruler Venus . This house governs such things as monetary structures including possessions and finances. It is considered a house of material structure and provides you, if well aspected in your natal chart, opportunities to accumulate material abundance and in turn provides material security. The second house also deals with security on different levels, such as emotional security. If this house is well aspected, it delivers inner feelings of security, although quite often this security comes from knowing that your finances are in order. If this house and its ruler, which is defined by the sign on the cusp and its planetary ruler, (for example if you have Aquarius on the second house cusp the ruling planet would be Uranus ), is under stressful aspect, then the second house would be under developmental pressure. If planets in this house or the ruling planet of this house have challenging aspects, then often the individual will have issues about personal worth. Anxieties in this area of life will become increasingly evident and the individual will have to confront these issues and undergo some transformation to gain insight into why they feel this way about themselves. If left unchecked, these apprehensions can mature into traumatic life issues that hinder the person in their overall development. Another way this energy can be released, if challenging aspects hinder this area of life, is through issues dealing with your own personal finances. The person can experience shortages and have to work diligently to overcome these deficiencies. It should however be noted that even if a house is under stressful conditions in the natal chart through careful deliberation, concentrated focus and in general, hard work, one can overcome any conditions found in the birth chart. All challenging aspects are stepping stones to achievement and often push the person to work harder than most, thereby achieving greater success in their life. If the second house is well aspected and has planetary links such as Jupiter or Venus well aspected in this house, there is potential for an easy life, with more financial opportunities than with the average person. If Pluto is in the second house or for example favourably aspects Jupiter or Venus in the second house, the chances for financial abundance and security in life are highly accentuated. Astrology 101 The Second House is naturally ruled by Taurus and it the house of VALUE The First House The Third House The Fourth House The Fifth House The Sixth House The Seventh House The Eighth House The Ninth House The Tenth House The Eleventh House The Twelfth House

The Ninth House The Ninth house is naturally ruled by the sign Sagittarius and the Planet Jupiter . Sagittarius and Jupiter combined speak of optimistic expansion through the use of the mind and through life’s experience. This house seeks to expand the scope of the mind's focus using whatever means appropriate to reach this understanding, whatever that understanding may entail. Higher education is one scope in finding answers, whether this be through actual academic schooling or the schooling of life. As learning can come from many sources in the ninth house, long distance travel, foreign cultures and travel through the mind are all areas that relate to this house. Many of life’s issues and deeper understandings can be attained while visiting foreign countries and the people one meets along this journey. One seeks to discover more of our world through communication with people of different cultures to gain an appreciation of our life’s meaning. The Ninth house provides learned information through gathering the meaning of things gained only through experience. This is the house of philosophy and religious interaction, and any planets found in this house use their particular energies to uncover philosophic meaning to an otherwise conventional world. Within the realms of the ninth house the higher meanings of life can be unearthed through wisdom gained in experience at any level that appropriately satisfies this yearning for truth. Dreams and visions also come into play in this house, as the mind's focus shifts and works through channels that consciousness only discovers when delving into these states. Problems can be resolved through these channels. This issues can then be modified to fit into the proper channels and as a result will be understood on a conscious level. The ninth house is where we uncover the truth through any channel that provides us with answers. It is the study of religion in its highest form and through philosophic understandings, we slowly weave our way through our life’s journey and uncover the deeper meaning of life and the ultimate truths. Astrology 101 The Ninth House is naturally ruled by Sagittarius. This is the house of PHILOSOPHY and FOREIGN TRAVEL. The First House The Second House The Third House The Fourth House The Fifth House The Sixth House The Seventh House The Eighth House The Tenth House The Eleventh House The Twelfth House

Neptune Retrograde Neptune Retrograde The outer planets remain in retrograde for longer periods than the inner planets. Those that have Neptune in retrograde in their birth charts will certainly be affected. Those that have Neptune stationary in their birth chart will be even more powerfully affected. “Powerfully” may not be the appropriate word as Neptune’s energies operate in very subtle ways. Its influences are felt often through intuitive channels and the unconscious mind. In direct motion, Neptune often suggests cloudiness with our reasoning, potential deception or we may not be facing facts. In its higher representation is suggests idealism. It also could suggest a romantic involvement often associated with an idealistic view of the partner or situation. It is also linked to artistic abilities coming to the surface. Neptune is linked with fantasy and visions while in direct motion, but its energies turn to reality and dealing with the actual facts when in retrograde. Open-heartedness and level-headedness linked to common sense are terms that could also be associated with Neptune’s retrograde cycle energy. Since Neptune deals primarily with the mystical and spiritual side of our consciousness, during the time when Neptune is retrograde, you may find that you realize more concrete solutions or answers to questions pertaining to these pursuits. This applies particularly to those with Neptune retrograde in their birth charts. Look to see which house Neptune is transiting through during this cycle and also look where Neptune is located in your birth chart. Neptune’s retrograde cycle is approximately 150 days in length, and it spends about 14 years in each sign. Its return cycle is approximately 165 years, so we never experience its return in our lives. About 40 percent of people have Neptune retrograde in their birth charts. As a result, Neptune’s retrograde energies are quite common. When Neptune is in its direct cycle, there can be a cloudiness about life, depending on how it is aspected in the birth chart. There may be deception and deceit or often illusion and disarray when it comes to seeing things as they are. When Neptune turns retrograde, it becomes more genuine and more lifelike as Neptune can be illusionary when direct. It is more reliable and life becomes more real although what you see, at times, may not be all that pleasant. There can be a real feeling of let-down after a period of feelings of idealism and wonder but the truth is what we want, regardless of how it may look. Because of Neptune’s influence, when we view the world as it is, a part of us still wants to see it through rose coloured glasses. There is the unrealistic hope under this retrograde influence that what we see might just vanish; but it will not, and we have to face facts Life becomes more practical and realistic with the retrograde cycle, and this can also include “visions” that are real. This can also include mystical understanding that is also real and identifiable. Neptune retrograde is not a bad thing but it is truth in a broad scope. Mercury Venus Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Pluto Astrology 101 Retrograde

Neptune Retrograde The outer planets remain in retrograde for longer periods than the inner planets. Those that have Neptune in retrograde in their birth charts will certainly be affected. Those that have Neptune stationary in their birth chart will be even more powerfully affected. “Powerfully” may not be the appropriate word as Neptune’s energies operate in very subtle ways. Its influences are felt often through intuitive channels and the unconscious mind. In direct motion, Neptune often suggests cloudiness with our reasoning, potential deception or we may not be facing facts. In its higher representation is suggests idealism. It also could suggest a romantic involvement often associated with an idealistic view of the partner or situation. It is also linked to artistic abilities coming to the surface. Neptune is linked with fantasy and visions while in direct motion, but its energies turn to reality and dealing with the actual facts when in retrograde. Open-heartedness and level-headedness linked to common sense are terms that could also be associated with Neptune’s retrograde cycle energy. Since Neptune deals primarily with the mystical and spiritual side of our consciousness, during the time when Neptune is retrograde, you may find that you realize more concrete solutions or answers to questions pertaining to these pursuits. This applies particularly to those with Neptune retrograde in their birth charts. Look to see which house Neptune is transiting through during this cycle and also look where Neptune is located in your birth chart. Neptune’s retrograde cycle is approximately 150 days in length, and it spends about 14 years in each sign. Its return cycle is approximately 165 years, so we never experience its return in our lives. About 40 percent of people have Neptune retrograde in their birth charts. As a result, Neptune’s retrograde energies are quite common. When Neptune is in its direct cycle, there can be a cloudiness about life, depending on how it is aspected in the birth chart. There may be deception and deceit or often illusion and disarray when it comes to seeing things as they are. When Neptune turns retrograde, it becomes more genuine and more lifelike as Neptune can be illusionary when direct. It is more reliable and life becomes more real although what you see, at times, may not be all that pleasant. There can be a real feeling of let-down after a period of feelings of idealism and wonder but the truth is what we want, regardless of how it may look. Because of Neptune’s influence, when we view the world as it is, a part of us still wants to see it through rose coloured glasses. There is the unrealistic hope under this retrograde influence that what we see might just vanish; but it will not, and we have to face facts Life becomes more practical and realistic with the retrograde cycle, and this can also include “visions” that are real. This can also include mystical understanding that is also real and identifiable. Neptune retrograde is not a bad thing but it is truth in a broad scope. Mercury Venus Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Pluto Astrology 101 Retrograde

The Descendant or DC in an Astrology chart lies on the cusp of the seventh house. The Rising sign or Ascendant is the sign coming over the horizon from the east at birth & the Descendant is the sign descending on the western horizon. The natural rule of the Descendant is Libra (creating balance). The Descendant’s energies pertains to the need to integrate self with others. The Descendant defines what we seek in a relationship, what we are looking for in an individual & how we will react to them. DESCENDANT OR DC The Descendant in an Astrology chart is the opposite axis of the Ascendant and lies on the cusp of the seventh house. The Rising sign or Ascendant is the sign coming over the horizon from the east at birth, while the Descendant is the sign descending on the western horizon at birth. The natural rule of the Descendant is Libra, which is the sign associated with creating balance. This is what the Descendant’s energies pertains to--the need to integrate self with others. Depending on the sign on the cusp of the seventh house which is always exactly 180 degrees from the Ascendant, it will define how we relate to others. As you can imagine, Aries on this cusp would be very different from let’s say Libra on this cusp. The Descendant also defines what we seek in a relationship, what we are looking for in an individual and how we will react to them. On a deeper level, it is said that the sign on the seventh house cusp or Descendant describes the unconscious part of ourselves that we need to seek from within and work on in order to become complete. It is not that these qualities are lacking only that they are hidden or not acknowledged. We have to come to terms with these qualities and bring them to the surface or remove them from our makeup. Through relationships with others, we build on and develop ourselves. The sign on this cusp often describes the type of person we are attracted to, good or bad. It describes the type of person we seem to keep meeting up with, over and over again. An example of this might be if you have Virgo as your Ascendant. You would express yourself in an organized manner. You would be very precise and your attention to detail would be impeccable. You would easily see the faults or shortcomings in others as well as within yourself. You would undoubtedly use this information to decipher yourself as well as others. If your Ascendant were Virgo, your Descendant would be Pisces. With Pisces, you would be attracted to dreamy people, mystical people or people that you feel you need to save in some way. You may be drawn to people who have a difficult time in the so called “real world” and it would be easy for them to use alcohol and drugs to try to escape reality. They would be a very gentle person with an ability to accept others without restriction. They could be psychic, spiritual or an escapists and usually hard cold facts are not easily digested. These energies obviously would vary depending on the overall condition of the Natal chart and the emphasis in certain houses. A detailed examination of the Natal chart is required in order to get a full and clear picture. As you can imagine, we can learn a lot from these ever gentle people and perhaps through these people we can learn not to be so judgemental or find within ourselves the ability to locate only the good aspects of in others and ourselves. We can find out a lot about ourselves through close personal contacts and business relationships, as this would fall under the Descendant as well. We may find that the sign on the Descendant could describe our perfect business partner for a prosperous business or perfect lover eventually leading to marriage. Discover more of yourself by carefully analysing the Descendant in your Natal chart and find hidden characteristics that if allowed to bloom will complete who you are as an individual. This is the highest qualities working at its best from this placement. ASCENDANT OR RISING SIGN IMUM COELI OR IC MIDHEAVEN OR MC Back to Axis or Angular House Cusps Back to Astrology 101

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