Astrology continued...

In astrology, there are 12 signs and they divide the 360 degrees of the circle of the zodiac into 12 equal divisions of 30 degrees each. So, planets are 'energies', signs are descriptive of how the energies express. When we say a planet is 'in' a sign, we mean it is in a particular position in the circle.This has nothing to do with the constellations that bear the same names as the signs. Signs vary because they are connected to elements - fire, earth, air and water - which act as descriptive values. They also vary because of certain qualities - cardinal, fixed and mutable - which also act as descriptive values. Each sign combines these descriptive values in a unique way so that no two descriptions are the same. For example, the Fire signs are either Cardinal Fire, Fixed Fire or Mutable Fire. So are the Earth, Water and Air signs. The subtle differences affect the way a planet expresses its energy. There is another factor. Each sign has a traditional planetary 'ruler' which adds its influence to any planet in the sign.

Houses are fields of experience. These are both outer, or material experiences and inner or psychological experiences. They are defined by certain mathematical relationships between a location on earth and the solar system. There are 12 houses. There are several different methods ways to calculate houses. By most methods, houses are not of equal 30 degrees like signs, except in the method called 'equal house system.' The system we have used is Placidus. Using this system some houses can be very small and other very large depending on the location on earth that the chart is set for. Each house has a particular meaning. Houses are not the same as signs. They do not describe anything. They are life's experiential fields.