A review on retrogrades

Retrogrades are an important phenomenon that is poorly understood by many people, although the name is recognized by many. We recently gave you an introduction to retrogrades in the natal chart and in everyday life, looking at what a retrograde means in general. We are looking at the outermost four planets. Read on to find out what gets turned topsy-turvy when Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto look like they are going backwards!

Saturn in retrograde

Saturn is in retrograde for a good portion of the year -- four-and-half months at a time. If you have Saturn retrograde in your natal chart, you are likely to be in conflict with authority. The conflict can come from either direction -- you may feel that people use their power to abuse you, or you may have a tendency to mismanage your own authority. In general, during a Saturn retrograde event, the rules are questioned, but extra effort and contemplation is put into projects.

Uranus in retrograde

Uranus is known as the wild card among the planets of the solar system. In general, surprises are common and the unexpected is expected when Uranus is in retrograde. If your natal chart identifies that Uranus was in retrograde when you were born, your personality may be notoriously erratic, encompassing different extremes at different times.

Neptune in retrograde

The planet of illusion and make believe has more physical influence on our lives than we might expect, according to belief in astrology readings. A retrograde here tends to make logic secondary to the imagination -- this might foster great creativity or great disasters! A person with Neptune retrograde in their natal chart could have issues with drug and alcohol abuse (escapism and fantasy worlds), or may tend to become deeply involved in stories and games.

Pluto in retrograde

Pluto is the planet of the underworld -- power and personal mastery are associated with it. When it is in retrograde, the things which were buried come to the surface -- the underworld becomes the above world. Fresh starts are possible, and dead ends are encountered. When Pluto was in retrograde in your natal chart, the power aspect is the one which tends to surface. Extreme power and corruption may be features in your life - whether you are on the delivering or receiving end.

Retrogrades in the Natal Chart

The term Mercury in Retrograde has seeped quietly, but comprehensively, into popular culture in recent times. While Mercury is the most well known planet to retrograde (probably because it is one of those that is more visible with the naked eye), it certainly is not the only one to do so. Today we are looking at what happens when a planet is in retrograde in the natal chart, and the specific effects of various retrograde planets.

What does retrograde mean?

Astrologers and astronomers (before they had the benefit of telescopes) both noticed the phenomenon of planets that went retrograde. A planet will sometimes seem to stop, move backwards in the night sky for a period of time (relative to its normal motion), and then regain it's forward motion again. This phenomenon is an illusion, caused by the fact that either the planet, or Earth, completes its orbit faster than the other body. The apparent movement seems to slow down as they approach the same point in their circumference, go backwards while the Earth is passing, and then resume forward motion once the Earth is passed. However, astrologers continue to interpret the effects as if the planet actually was going backwards.

Effect in a chart

A person with a retrograde planet in their natal chart will have certain events in their life delayed due to this action, astrologers believe. The retrograde areas in a natal chart (for example, love if Venus is retrograde, communication if Mercury is retrograde) are usually areas of challenge for the person, but not necessarily weakness. In fact, because so much time is spent on these challenges, they may develop into solid strengths over time.

Retrograde effects in general

In some cases, it may also feel to the person in question that the areas of life the retrograde planet rules simply feel askew. This is probably why the retrograde Mercury has such an effect on our public consciousness; as the planet that rules communication, we notice mishaps and misunderstandings, fights and arguments on a grand scale until Mercury is travelling in its normal direction again.

Mercury: Rules communication -- expect misunderstandings when in retrograde. Goes into retrograde for around three weeks, three times a year.

Venus: Goes into retrograde for around six weeks every 18 months. Affects relationships.

Mars: Goes retrograde for about two and a half months every two years or so. Causes anger to turn inwards.

Jupiter: In retrograde for four months of every year! Said to force spiritual re-examination and questioning of values.

Don't fear a retrograde in a natal chart, or in everyday life for that matter. They bring a necessary balance to every aspect of our lives.

Celebrity Natal Charts: Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods is an icon for many across the world -- proof that great things can be achieved by those with ordinary lives, and proof that youth is no barrier to success. Today we are delving a little deeper into the planetary imprints of Tiger Woods' natal chart, seeing what makes the man tick in astrological terms.

Tiger Woods was born in Long Beach, California, at 10:50 p.m., on Tuesday, December 30, 1975.

Sun in Capricorn

The sun was in Capricorn at Tiger Woods' time of birth, making him goal-oriented, ambitious, and giving him a love of money, according to natal chart interpretation guidelines. Tradition is very important with this aspect of a chart, and there is almost no game more traditional than golf! Capricorns tend to use their skills in expedience to initiate a slow rise through the ranks of their chosen profession, and even in relationships. However, a false sense of pride or ego can mar success in these natal charts.

Sun in the Fourth House

Despite the sense of expediency that people with the Sun in Capricorn have, the combination of this with Capricorn in the Fourth house makes family and early relationships very important. This aspect of Tiger Woods natal chart means that inside, he is constantly searching for connections between his past and present life.

Virgo Ascendant, Pisces Descendant

The face that Tiger Woods shows to the World, his Ascendant, is Virgo -- detail oriented, perfectionist, tidy and very self confident. This self confidence could boost his false sense of ego that having the Sun in Capricorn creates. Tiger's perception of the world is mostly mentally based, rather than emotionally based or spiritually based. He is practical and logical.

The Piscean descendant in his natal chart, though, means that underneath all that practicality Tiger Woods definitely has a more spiritual side. The intuition of Pisces helps Tiger Woods understand people and their motivations quite well, and brings a tenderness to his relationships.

Mercury in Capricorn

This positioning in Tiger Woods natal chart creates an easy ability to concentrate and a naturally good memory. The attention to detail of this aspect extends the Virgo ascendant, and adds dignity and earnestness.

Celebrity Natal Charts -- Barack Obama

We are just getting to know the new U.S. president properly, seeing how he is behaving after close to a year in office and after facing some big challenges with the rationality of Jupiter itself, and the big-heartedness of a typical Leo! Barack Obama's birth time recently entered the public domain, and today we are looking at what his natal chart predicts for him and explains about him. We'll be looking at it mostly in terms of balances or comparative weights of the signs, elements, modes and houses.

Born: Aug 4 1961, 7:24 pm, AHST +10:00
Honolulu HI, 21°N18'25'', 157°W51'30''
Geocentric Tropical Zodiac

Sign balance in Obama's natal chart

Scores: Aries 0; Taurus 0; Gemini 3; Cancer 2; Leo 7; Virgo 3; Libra 0; Scorpio 1; Sagittarius 0; Capricorn 1; Aquarius 1; Pisces 0

Obviously the Leo sign is strongest for Barack -- born on August 4, he is a typical Leo. His natal chart shows that he will be self-confident, big hearted and a powerful leader. He may tend towards the dramatic, and will have to take care not to appear arrogant or vain.

These Leo qualities are tempered by the fact that he is also Virgo strong and Gemini strong, giving him a mix of agility and versatility, practicality and perfectionism.

Elemental balance in Obama's natal chart

Scores: Fire 7; Earth 4; Air 4; Water 3

Barack Obama's natal chart has a definite lean towards fire signs, indicating that he will be energetic, dynamic, spontaneous and adventurous. It is possible that he might lack reflective qualities -- hopefully the mass media will do that for him!

Mode balance in Obama's natal chart

Scores: Cardinal 3; Fixed 9; Mutable 6

Obama's chart is strong in fixed modes -- these occur in Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius and Taurus. He is motivated by adapting to internal forces, and will prefer stability and security. In some ways he'll be averse to change -- however, this quality should hopefully engender a sense of caution about his presidential activities.

House balance in Obama's natal chart

Scores: 1st 0; 2nd 0; 3rd 0; 4th 3; 5th 2; 6th 6; 7th 2; 8th 2; 9th 1; 10th 0; 11th 0; 12th 2

The sixth house is strongest in President Obama's natal chart, and like the strength in Leo, it indicates a practical attitude to life. Work, health and service are emphasized here. The combination of 4th house strength with 6th house strength means that Obama focuses on home and family, and approaches these areas of life with an innate practicality.

Horoscopes -- Getting to the Bottom of the Outer Planets

Astrologers and astronomers have had relatively little time to study the outer planets as opposed to the innermost planets. The outer regions of the solar system hold gas giants and large moons, and their physical characteristics have a strong correlation to their effect in a person'sastrological reading. Today we are getting back to basics, and looking at the physical characteristics of the four outermost planets, as well as what they govern under astrology principles.

Jupiter

Jupiter was named by the Romans after the King of the Gods -- the god of sky and thunder. He ruled over laws and social order in Roman mythology, and the planet itself is often seen to preside over the solar system in the same way. Physically, Jupiter can sometimes catch asteroids in its circle of gravity, and prevent them from potentially smashing into another planet. It is composed mostly of the two simplest elements, hydrogen and helium, but may have a rocky core of heavier elements. Through a telescope, its atmosphere is made up of different color bands.

In astrology, Jupiter spends almost a whole year in each sign of the zodiac. It is associated with growth, prosperity, good fortune. Education, and the higher principles of law and religion are also ruled by Jupiter.

Saturn

Saturn is the next furthest planet from the Sun, and its name comes from another Roman god which is equivalent to the Greek god Kronos, the father of Zeus. It is compositionally similar to Jupiter, made mostly of hydrogen and helium, and it is one of the most recognizable planets in the solar system due to the rings composed of ice and rock. It has 61 moons!

The crystallization of rocks and ice in its rings mean that astrologically, Saturn is associated with principles of crystallization and structures. It shares governance of ambition with Mars, but is also associated with boundaries and practicality.

Uranus

Uranus was the first planet discovered in modern history -- it was not recognized as a planet by early astronomers because it has a slow orbit and is relatively dim. It is mainly composed of hydrogen and helium but also has significant proportions of water as ice (said to be associated with intuition and invention). It is blue in color, and has a unique configuration among the planets because of an axis of rotaton that is tilted almost perfectly sideways.

Uranus is associated in astrological readings with individuality, being unconventional, discoveries, inventions and electricity. Anybody of people with progressive aims or ideals is said to be governed by the position of Uranus in the astrological chart. It co-rules the 7th house with Saturn.

Neptune

Neptune was named after the Roman god of the Sea, for its deep blue color, and like Uranus has a high proportion of water compared to the other gas giants. It has a higher internal heat than Uranus, so is slightly warmer despite being further from the Sun.

In astrological readings, Neptune's position is associated with illusion and confusion, but also with the positive qualities of idealism and compassion. Spirituality, the mass media, drugs, fantasy and psychic phenomena come under Neptune's sphere of influence.

Important Love Compatibility Factors in Your Astrological Reading

Love compatibility with regard to astrological signs is sort of like a giant cookbook of different recipes. Each partner has a given set of ingredients … some dishes that can be put together using the two sets of ingredients will be delicious. Some will make your tongue curdle and your stomach boil! Some will be unexpected, but be memorable long after they have actually gone. Today we're looking at the astrological factors which make two sets of ingredients, or natal chart factors, work together to make dishes that are all different, but equally delicious.

The Ascendant

The ascendant is an extremely important part of single astrological readings as well as love compatibility charts. Qualified astrologers will be able to predict areas of stress in a relationship when given two people's ascendants. The ascendant determines whether you will be initially attracted to one another, as it represents the face you show to the world, however is equally important in making a relationship lasting.

The Vertex

The point where a person's astrological reading shows the intersection of the ecliptic (the path of the sun), and the Prime Vertical is known as the vertex. The Vertex is often associated with fate and destiny, and if two vertices show strong interrelationships, a relationship often has a feeling of inevitability and the people being made for each other.

Sun/moon contacts

Relaitonships are all about supporting each other's differences, so when one partner's Sun finds the other partner's moon in a love compatibility chart, there is a strong sense of support in the relationship. This does not happen in every love compatibility reading.

Grand Trines

When a simple trine in one person's love compatibility chart is turned into a grand trine by the positioning of the planets in their partner's chart, it has potential to turn the relationship into a very special one. In some charts, the grand trine effect is reciprocated in both charts, whereas in some, the effect is only seen for one partner. This overlay of characteristics means there is a special bond between the two people.

Similarity in Nodes of the Moon

The moon is often associated with past lives, but can also be related to your personality and spirituality in this life. Where the Nodes of the Moon are similar in two people's love compatibility charts, it shows they have a similar approach to life, and the two people feel strongly that they need to be together.

Lunar Phases in Astrological Readings

The moon is the closest heavenly body to our planet, and in astrology, it is believed that it has an enormous effect on how our personality is expressed. The moon is considered a yin body. It is receptive, soft, appears at night time, and is constantly shifting and changing. Here we look at how the phase of the moon is generally thought to affect your personal astrological reading.

The phases of the moon are divided into three-and-a-half-day periods, which we see as phases of the moon. The waxing phase is when the amount of light reflected is increasing, the waning phase is when the amount of light reflected is decreasing. In order from new moon (where there is no sunlight reflected from the surface), to full and back to new, the phases of the lunar cycle recognized by astrology are:

• New moon
• Crescent moon
• First quarter
• Gibbous
• Full moon
• Disseminating (Gibbous on the waning side)
• Last quarter
• Balsamic (Crescent moon on the waning side)

New moon births astrological readings

People born under a new moon are thought to be intuitive, spontaneous, and to view life as a grand adventure. They respond intuitively, but can be self-involved.

Crescent births astrological readings

People born under a crescent moon can have lives characterized by struggles and breakthroughs. Emotional ties to the past are strong and common in these people, and they often live with their parents for longer than usual.

First quarter births astrological readings

These people love action and perform well in crises … not just in ordinary pressure situations, but in environments like the emergency room and in ambulances.

Gibbous births astrological readings

An innate desire for perfection and a dissatisfaction with the first, prima facie answer characterizes people born under a gibbous moon. Astrological readings often show that they make good apprentices and have sharp, analytical minds.

Full moon births astrological readings

People born under the full moon are idealists, who value nothing more than the relationships in their lives and can be quite religious.

Disseminating births astrological readings

Communication is the keyword of people born dutring the disseminating phase of the moon.

Last quarter births astrological readings

Last quarter births see their lives as a constant process of readjustment and correction. They are always striving to know themselves better - the phase is seen as symbolizing a crisis in consciousness, as opposed to the crisis in action which embodies the first quarter.

Balsamic births astrological readings

Closure, surrender and resolution are the keywords of people born under a balsamic moon. Astrologers believe they have psychic abilities, and that they are often visionaries.