posted December 11, 2004 04:00 PM              

HOWEVER...there just seems to be so much under each heading. For example, under "EMOTIONS" it says to look at the Moon, Venus, and planets in water signs. Sounds easy, right? Well...when I look at the Moon, should I ONLY use the sign and house it's in for now, or do I throw in all the aspects as well? I have a LOT of them.

I also noticed, that if I do what it says under certain headings, like for family, the interpretation of an aspect will say NOTHING about family at all. I actually had to break the FAMILY section down, as it threw friends under there as well!! And Mars just because it has to do with "social energy" in general! SO CONFUSING.

posted December 11, 2004 06:25 PM              

I always start with the planetary placements, and specifically, the family experience of a person, because that is what forms the person the most.

Sun represents father
Moon represents mother
Mercury represents siblings
Venus represents freinds and lovers, and tastes
Mars represents adversaries and also your own 'drive' style and areas of extra personal energy exertion
Saturn represents authority in general, but also grandfather, and sometimes father, if he was an especially strong authority and a repressive, unyeilding force
Jupiter represents grandmothers and also what makes us grow and gives us hope on a soul level.

The sensitive houses, 1st, 4th, 7th, and 10th are key locations to look at, especially if they have personal planets near them.

the signs, well they are important too, but not as important as planet placements. The aspects the planets make to one another indicate the condition of the relationships one has with the people they represent. The aspects also say alot about the relationship these people have with each other, according to the owner of the chart.

The first house is especially important, because it's ruling planet is said to be the ruler of the chart, the planet that all other planets take their lead from. It's like the Master of Ceremonies of the chart party.

Personally, I look at the signs last when interpreting a chart, unless a certain sign seems to take prominance, or it's reinforced by it's ruling planet being prominant in the chart and/or it's natural house is activated by personal planets being in it.

the best way is to just start with the sun. Where is it? What planets are aspecting it? Are they soft aspects or hard aspects? That talks about your experience with the dad element in your life, as well as your own goals and self identity.

Then move on to moon, and do the same...etc.