The Free Astrology Guide

Introduction
Astrology is a very popular topic that many are interested in. There are those who
remain skeptical, but also those who are quite curious… and some who simply
don’t care. Whatever category you fall into, you are still reading this guide, which
means you at least want to learn something about it.

This guide will provide an overview of popular topics in Astrology. The goal is to
provide enough information for you to learn something new, or become curious
and start doing your own research. It is very important to learn about oneself and
to continuously explore the aspects of one’s life. Whatever path you choose, it is
good to remain open-minded no matter what you decide to believe.
Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 1

Astrology - What's Really in the Stars? ......................................................................................................... 3

What is a Natal/Birth Chart? ......................................................................................................................... 4

Vedic Astrology ............................................................................................................................................. 5

Chinese Astrology ......................................................................................................................................... 6

Astrology and Love Compatibility ................................................................................................................. 7

Tarot Card Readings ...................................................................................................................................... 8

Ending Thoughts ........................................................................................................................................... 9

This practice, although seeming unorthodox, has been around for thousands of years and was
practiced by prominent civilizations like the Chinese and the Mayans. Astrology, they believed,
was a way of using the stars and the heavens to predict events of the future.

That idea still lasts today, as astrology can be found in a variety of places. Whether it is at the
local carnival or an in-home tarot card reading, many people still rely heavily on astrology. It
allows them to gain peace of mind while being slightly more aware of the future.

Astrology is not easy to carry out, as one must have a good knowledge in astronomy before
being able to prosper in astrology. There are a number of ways that astrology can be used to
predict events of the future. By using aspects such as the position and brightness of a star
relative to its position in the sky, for example, astrologers can give horoscopes for things such
as love and tragedy.

Horoscopes, which can be found in magazines, newspapers, and countless other places, are
usually generalized for people depending on when they were born and what "sign" they have.
These predictions, which say things such as when true love will be found our when a close
relative will pass away, can be surprisingly accurate.

It is because of this fact that astrology has survived the test of time and will continue to do so
for years to come.
What is a Natal/Birth Chart?
For those who believe in Astrology, a birth chart or natal chart is of utmost significance. According to its
believers, a birth chart contains everything right from birth to death. Horoscope and birth charts are
popular all over the world.

A birth chart can be said to be a mirror placed against the future. As such it reflects the impending and
distant happenings stored ahead. That is why it assumes so much of curiosity and anxiety. The birth
chart reveals fully the future happenings with regard to health, education, profession or employment,
married life, children, wealth, social status, deceases, accidents and even cause and time of death. It is
in this background that a birth chart becomes exceptionally relevant.

For western horoscopes, material aspects such as prosperity, poverty, luck, and health assume greater
significance, whereas the Chinese counterpart highlights personality and character mainly.
Characteristics, namely sympathy, courage, selfishness, elegance, and cruelty are what matter for the
Chinese. The western zodiac seeks the assistance of sun and eleven planets like earth and moon in their
astrology. The Chinese attributes relevance to animals such as the dragon and the tiger.

In order to erect an accurate birth chart, one should know the exact place and time of birth. Time of
birth is generally the moment of first breath of the child. If the time available is only approximate, the
results unveiled by the chart will not be fully dependable. If only date is available, and not time, a solar
chart can be drawn. Here, the position of sun and the related planets at midnight and at noon of the day
is taken into account. Usually the planets under consideration will not move and change positions
significantly during a day, so results would be fairly accurate.

The direction and reading of the birth chart varies depending on specific astrological traditions and
personal preferences. The design of the chart is generally circular. It is designed in square also. Twelve
signs of the zodiac namely Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer and so on are located in the outer space of the
chart. Twelve segments of the wheel (chart) form the astrological houses, which signify various areas of
life.

In the quadrant house system, angles of the wheel divides the main life chart into four quadrants of
three houses each. Every house includes portions of more than one astrological sign. This chart
composed of zodiac signs, quadrants and houses determines you and your life!

The birth chart is generally accepted world over. However, some religions prohibit their followers from
believing in birth chart and astrology. It is up to the individual to decide what they want to believe.
Vedic Astrology
Vedic Astrology or ‘Jyothish’ is the Vedic science of Astrology and Astronomy. The Sanskrit term,
‘Jyothish’ is derived from the word ‘Jyoti’ meaning ‘light’. It is considered to be one of the Vedas and
consists of about 400,000 verses.

Vedic Astrology can be divided into three different types: Siddhanta meaning ‘Principle’, Hora or Jataka
which means ‘Astrology of an Individual person’ and the Samhita which means ‘Astrology of a Group or
masses’. The English word ‘Hour’ is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Hora’.

Vedic Astrology has existed for more than 5000 years and originated in India. Vedic Astrology is very vast
and elaborate and it is based on the Sanskrit Scriptures, Puranas, etc. Maharishi Parashara is believed to
have given the Vedic astrology its present written form.

As said earlier Vedic Astrology is a combination of Astronomy and Astrology. While Astronomy deals
with the movements of the planets and the impact of them on an Individual, Astrology throws light on
our Dharma or the purpose of our life.

In short, Jyothish can be an excellent method to understand the fate of the individual and character
based on the movements of the planets. This doesn’t imply that the planets have the entire control over
our lives.

On the other hand, the Astronomy or the observation of the planetary movements indicates the
probable changes that can occur in our lives based on Karma or our past deeds. The division of Vedic
Astrology, Siddhanta, is also known as ‘Ganita’ which means ‘Mathematics’. And hence, as the term
indicates, Jyothish consists of Mathematical Calculations to derive at the right planetary positions for an
individual based on the Birth time, Place of birth, Time of Sunrise and Sunset on the particular day, etc.

Hora deals with the Astrology of an Individual. It describes in detail the individual herself, her family
situation, longevity, career, marriage possibilities, financial condition and each and everything a person
wishes to know about herself until the end of her life on earth.

Samhita is a term that deals with the mass of people and hence it is useful in predicting the natural
disasters, epidemics, earthquakes, etc. Jyothish is treated to be an indispensable part of the Hindu way
of living.

More people are found to trust and rely in the Jyothish predictions and they seek the advice of the
learnt astrologers before venturing into any business, marriage, journey, profession, etc. As they believe
that it can guide them to the right direction and also help them evade any untold incidents much earlier.

As said, Vedic astrology is getting more popular nowadays and it’s even taught in the Universities as one
of the serious disciplines.
Chinese Astrology
For people who are used to having twelve astrological signs correspond roughly with the twelve months
of the year, the Chinese zodiac may seem a bit intimidating at first. Unlike Western Astrology, the
Chinese zodiac consists of a sixty year cycle that blends elements from three major Eastern concepts.

The first cycle is, perhaps, the easiest cycle to follow. A symbol that has become increasingly popular in
the last few decades is the shared circle yin-yang symbol; this is the first cycle of the Chinese zodiac. Yin
and yang represent opposite but equal and complimentary attributes. Yin is symbolic of femininity, the
moon, tranquility, softness, water, and the Earth. Yang is representative of masculinity, the sun,
aggression, hardness, fire, and the Sky. Years that end with an even number (0, 2, 4, 6, 8) are considered
Yang years; those with an odd number (2, 3, 5, 7, 9) are considered Yin years.

The second cycle follows the interplay between the five major elements, or primary forces of nature.
Those elements are Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth. As with Yin and Yang, each of these elements
has particular associations with planets, colors, and concepts. Metal is matched with Venus, the
direction West, the season of Autumn, and the color white. Water is associated with Mercury, the
direction North, the season of Winter, and the color black. Wood is matched with Jupiter, the direction
East, the season of Spring, and the color green. Fire is associated with Mars, the direction South, the
season of Summer, and the color red. Earth is matched with Saturn, the center of the circle that strange
few weeks before the season officially changes and the color yellow. Each of these elements takes a two
year cycle, giving each element a chance to show both its Yin and Yang aspects. Years ending in 0 and 1
are Metal years; 2 and 3 are Water years; 4 and 5 are Wood years; 6 and 7 are Fire years; and 8 and 9
are Earth Years.

The final cycle is a twelve year cycle that represents twelve major personality types as depicted by
animals. These animals are, in order of the 12 year cycle: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse ram,
monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. Depending on location, some of the animals differ. For example cat is
substituted for rabbit and goat for ram in Vietnam. This combination of three cycles gives each year
three distinct associations; yin or yang, one of five elements, and one of twelve animals. The time it
takes for the cycle to travel from the year of Yang Wood Rat through all possible permutations back to
Yang Wood Rat is sixty years. A New Year begins, as one would suppose, at Chinese New Year which
often falls in late January or early February.
Astrology and Love Compatibility
Although a lot of people are skeptics, nonbelievers, and realists; almost everyone is curious. What their
sign is, what their horoscope of the day is, and finding out whom they are compatible with. Sometimes
the results are shockingly accurate.

In astrology, compatibility is usually determined through sun signs. The sun signs are the ones we hear
most about; i.e.: Leo, Aries, Libra, Taurus, etc. The sun travels around the earth once every year. And
during that period, the sun moves through all twelve of the sun signs spending a month in each. So if the
sun was moving through Aquarius at the time of your birth, you would be an Aquarius.

When it comes to love compatibility, knowing the elements and motives behind the signs my help you
better understand the person who belongs to it. The signs all fall into an element category that
determines their motive.

The fire signs are Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius. The motives of fire signs are to provide inspiration, leaps of
faith, energy, and spirituality. Then there are the earth signs: Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. Their motives
are to provide stability, material security, and feelings of safety. Air signs: Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius.
The motives of air signs are communication, intellectual stimulation, and social connection. And finally,
the Water signs: Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. Their motives are to provide nurturance, emotional
expression, and sensitivity.

Determining compatibility is simple, like if your sign is stubborn and headstrong, maybe you would be
more compatible with someone who is also stubborn, but emotionally sensitive. Or opposites may
attract in your case. It's about finding that balance. Someone who may flourish in the area you are
lacking.

Although you may be a skeptic, a realist, or even a scientist, there is no doubt that sometimes the
description of your sign and your personality is eerie. So maybe trying to find love based on their sun
sign could help determine the outcome of your relationship.

Or just check it out. You know you're curious…

Many people consider tarot cards a tool of divinity, while others refer to them as pictorial aids. In reality,
the cards are simply tools and the degree to which mystical or magical powers the user wishes to
implicate them with is a personal decision of the individual. Experience with, and study of the tarot
cards will paradoxically demystify the cards and prove their inherent worth.

While it is often thought that people can learn to read for themselves, it is never an effective choice.
Even the most knowledgeable tarot reader is not objective enough of their own situation in life to read
the cards in a manner that will guide them to worthy outcomes in their lives. If it is one’s desire to have
their cards read then one should find a skilled, talented and well respected reader. There are many
online sources and organizations that can offer references. There are also a variety of psychic fairs and
conventions held around the country that have a full roster of readers. However, one of the best ways
to find a reader one is sure to like is by personal reference. Ask friends and family members who they
have had a good reading with and start with them.

There are a couple of things to expect at a reading and a few ways it can be made more successful.
Before you enter the reader’s space, make sure to clear your mind. This can usually be accomplished by
taking a few long deep breaths. Walk in the reading with the mindset of wanting to know and learn.
Avoid letting nerves cause unnecessary talking. The reader will do his or her best work when focusing on
your inner self and not your nervous energy. You will generally be asked whether you have a particular
question in mind or whether you would like a general reading. This will help the reader decide which
spread of the cards to use. You will usually be asked to shuffle the deck while thinking of your concern.
There is no right or wrong way, just follow your instincts.

When finished, the reader may ask to have you cut the deck into piles or perhaps, will not. This will
depend on the spread the reader has chosen. The most important thing to do next is to listen to the
reader. Hear all the information without interrupting. Many things that don’t make sense at the
moment may very well make sense later in the reading or even after you’ve left. Most importantly,
consider a tarot reading a way of sorting through issues in your life rather than a prediction of the
future. We create our own futures with our own decisions.
Ending Thoughts
Hopefully after reading this guide you have learned something useful or interesting. Of course, not every
single topic in the vast world of Astrology was covered, but the aim is to just cover the basics. There’s a
lot of information out there and it can sometimes become confusing. By reading this guide, you should
now have a greater understanding and more tools to explore Astrology on your own.

Also remember that many people have many different thoughts, opinions and ideas when it comes to
Astrology and how it relates to their own belief systems. There are plenty of skeptics out there, as well
as those who are very passionate about how they feel in regards to Astrology or any topic in spirituality.
However, what YOU believe is completely up to YOU. You choose your OWN path. Your happiness is
gained by learning about yourself and the world around you. So study, study, study!

Thank you for reading. Good luck in your journey!

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