daily ?

[ShamanFeather]

So I know that astrology tends to affect us daily. I'd like to know whats going on in the sky and what it means. I know little about the planets or astrology. How do I learn this?

Like right now I've noticed people in relationships bugging all over, but I dont know if there is an astrological coincidence or not.

So where do I begin?

[KEishin]

Well, it would depend how much you know about astrology to begin with. There are many ways of tracking the transits of the planets, as they are called.

In general when it's a short-lived phenomenon you can assume it's based on one of the faster moving planets (Sun to Mars). One of those planets (and we count the Sun and Moon as planets in astrology, btw) moves quickly enough that it affects smaller groups for shorter periods. So while Mercury is Rx, we will all be affected, certain ones will be hit harder than others.

But when it's something that everybody is feeling you can be guaranteed it's something to do with the outer planets (Jupiter to Chiron). They move so slowly that they are often called "generational" planets. When they interact with your chart it's for a long time, sometimes excruciatingly long. For example, everyone born in the generation between 1995 and early 2008 will have Pluto in Sagittarius. All those kids when they grow up will get nailed by a square to Neptune in Pisces at about the same time, so *all* will get hit as hard and likely in the same areas of life. The differences will based on other factors of their chart.

As far as what might be going on right now to drive people bonkers . . . there is a configuration of planets called a Grand Cross in the skies right now. It invloves 4+ planets that look like, well, a square. If you think of the planets like four horses all tethered in the center pulling in their own different directions, you get a good idea of how it works. Such a configuration creates tension in the places it touches one's natal chart, which for many people with Suns in Taurus, Leo, Scorpio or Aquarius gets really frustrating. For anyone with a lot o planets in those four signs, they are feeling the brunt of this right now too, so very few people are off the hook.

In order to find out your personal transits you have a couple options:

1. Sign up for an online astrology service that tracks such things and sends you either a report (for a fee) or allows to read up on free info on their website. I personally love www.astro.com (http://www.astro.com) for both.

2. Get a book called a ephemeris which tracks the planet positions (the Llewellyn Pocket Planner or AFA Pocket Mini Calendar are good intro books) and read up on the transit interpretations.

3. If you are comfortable with astrological symbolism you can take a copy of your natal chart and note sensitive areas that will happen when planets aspect them.

Any questions, please feel free to ask!

[ShamanFeather]

the book might be interesting...

I had my chart read, but I didn't get to keep a copy, and I don't really remember that much about what is in what house. I know that I have a bowl shaped chart.

I've heard the "only astrology book you'' ever need" is excellent. Is this true? Because I"ve tried to learn this on my own and my head just starts spinning, or I'm like, Ok I got this now what?

[KEishin]

The "only astrology book" is an exellent introduction, egotistical title aside. :) The problem with any book on astrology, even the basic ones, is that you have to learn whole heck of lot of terms and symbols before you can even get started. In many ways it's like learning music (which I'm doing right now). You need to know all the notes and staffs and keys before you can even open your mouth to sing or pick up an instrument to play, which is all I really want to do. But nope, I have to learn all the basics before I can get started!

My only suggestion is to focus on getting really comfortable with one area and ignoring the rest for now. Otherwise you'll overwhelm yourself. Take it in small chunks and ask lots of questions of us - we don't mind! We were all where you were once.

[business voodoo]

kieshin is so right ... the best advice i ever got was "get your books first" ... that was in relation to taking a class, seminar, etc. i like stephen arroyo's 'chart interpretation' for a beginner book because it not just teaches the basic but gets you to start digging with depth from the get go ...

if you are a meditative person, "astrology inside out" by bruce nevin is a great way to understand astrology how it relates to you in particular, and has a daily meditation learning guide to help you understand the energies and symbols. he too teaches astrology for the deeper focused student. nevin's book also introduces many areas of astrology that the 'only astrology books you will need' would never cover like tarot cross-references, harmonics and other levels of interpretation. definitely one of the most comprehensive teaching books around, but it is not for everyone.

good luck ... keep asking questions and be persistent ... while i started with numerology and sacred geometry and i started focused studies on astrology in 1997 ... it wasn't until 2002, the key opened the door and all the bits and pieces of knowledge i had accumulated suddenly made cohesive sense in a holistic way ... so be patient with yourself.

[Crystal Raven]

depending on what angle you want...learning or knowing or both
here's a really great site a friend of mine has for just this kind of thing
Evolving Door (http://www.evolvingdoor.ca/)