The Sun: Yourself, Your Center
There is only one centre to our solar system, and there can be only one centre to your psyche. The Sun is the great powerhouse which illuminates us and shows us where we can get the most from life by radiating outward all that it represents. In Jyotish, the astrology of the Hindus, the Sun is known as 'atma karaka', or soul indicator, signifying a person's confidence, authority and power - the ego centre of the horoscope. The Sun is our central identity and 'true self', in that it is toward this more than anything that we should be moving and developing. Thus, it represents that which we wish to become and those we look up to. It is also our essence, our bliss, and that which we do for the sheer fun of it. The Sun is creativity, original flair, celebration and glory - the quality of output we tend to expect from heros and celebrities. But we are each capable of giving out more than we do - and I don't mean money. The Sun is about having a purpose large enough to animate the whole of your life and going about it with a tone of appreciation and joie de vivre. Your Sun shows how and where you can shine. Light your fire!

Leo
Leo energy is expressive, vital and exuberant. Often very artistic, theatrical and dramatic, this is the sign of creativity and the arts. Warm and big-hearted, Leo lives in full appreciation and celebration of the finer elements of life, bringing a dynamism and enthusiasm to everything it touches. This is the fearless 'becoming' stage, where things are done for their own sake, playfully and with pleasure.

5th house
The fifth house, a 'dharma', or 'life purpose' house, has to do with creativity and warm out-going self-expression. Here is where we  find our originality and flair, enthusiasm, and even pride in ourselves. Here is how we build confidence and self-esteem. This is the life area of 'personal sovereignty', where we begin to recognise and appreciate our own dynamic and playful nature. All forms of creative expression (including love affairs and offspring) are connected with this house.

 

The Moon: The Support System
The astrological Moon symbolises memory, memes and conditioning - the habitual, instinctive, unconscious side of our nature (and therefore the most predictible?). Our interface with the environment - how we react to it - is best indicated by the Moon's position and the planets it aspects. Because it represents our upbringing and emotional background, the Moon denotes our sense of belonging and well-being (or not) and what we need in order to feel comfortable and content. But all too often the tendency is for the Moon to reflect back the frayed impressions of old  hurts and vendettas, thereby wasting precious energy on painful and unproductive distractions of the past. Clearly what is needed is a more aspiring attitude; one in which we are continually banging our cup and demanding that our needs be satisfied! What is your special hunger? What kind of stimulation do you need in order to feel good about yourself? True gratification can be had only by feeding your Moon - and get the flavour of it! The Feast of the Present is spread out around you!

Cancer
Cancer is the mother of the zodiac, always making a home, protecting and providing a foundation for others. A sensitive sign where feelings and real experience count for more than cold logic, it doesn't get any more physical and emotional than this. Cancer energy is nurturing, sensitive, tender and moody. It feeds on emotional comforts, and often has a strong attachment to the past and ancestry.

4th house
The fourth house is a 'moksha' house and concerned with spiritual matters. Here is how we create the right conditions, the matrix or womb in which our desires can flourish; the climate necessary for things to grow. It's about receptivity, nurturing and succoring, and all the self-protective measures we take to insure a secure base of operations. This is why the fourth house is related to mothers, all 'mothering' functions, domestic issues and emotional comfort.

 

Mercury: Logical Connexion
Mercury is the articulate messenger - Hermes - master of the networks, change and complexity. He represents mentality: words, thoughts, ideas, communications. But more generally, this is the planet of connections - everything that links and conveys - synchronicity - the magical crossroads at which the observer stands to see the 'similarity of meaning' in the converging strands of various causes and effects. This is the meeting place of mind and matter, where logic, wit and reason are brought into play. The power of thought. The power of words. The ancestor of every action is a thought, and how we say something is often more important than what we say. Words trigger attitudes and set up resonances of their own, continuing to do their work even when the attention is elsewhere. Guided by your Mercury, you begin to construct a bridge between yourself and the world, bringing together all the unique circumstances needed to trigger results that none of them could have produced on their own - Embezzlement! Here is how you can hijack people, places and situations to best advantage - the way you should go about getting your way.

Gemini
Gemini is concerned with connections, communication and logic - voice, thoughts, writing and rational mental processes in general. It is also concerned with making comparisons, 'twins' and duplications of all kinds. Gemini is the communicator, the gossip of the zodiac, the collector of trivia. Gemini energy is unattached, independent, very inquisitive and changable.

3rd house
The third house is a 'kama' or 'desires' house and shows how we can make connections and communicate with the world. This is where we draw parallels, make comparisons, and sort through it all. A very mental house, it is concerned with finding, gathering, all manner of questioning, articulation and conversation. In short, it symbolises the functions of the rational mind - linking observations and ideas, and using them to our advantage.

Virgo
Virgo energy is analytical and precise, always separating out what is worthwhile and worth supporting from that which is outmoded and of no further use. A mental earth sign, here the mind takes control over matter. This is the sign of 'ways and means', implementation, instrumentation, physical effectiveness and efficiency. Virgo energy is always facilitating, often caring more for others than for itself.

6th house
The sixth house, another 'artha', or 'wealth' house, is the house of 'physical efficiency'. Here we separate the wheat from the chaff, get a sense for what is useful and what is not and make practical use of it. This is the stage of 'apprenticeship' where we make the connection between mind and matter by adapting ourselves to a situation and then seeking to improve upon it. It shows how well we handle the details of life - our ability to solve problems and get our way.

 

Venus: The Attractor of Attraction
Venus is harmony. She symbolises our relationship with all that we meet in the world. When we appraise or appreciate something, whether that be another person or a new car, this is Venus - the sense of love or compassion we may feel. Venus is reciprocity, interaction with others, compromise, reconciliation and balance. She is also our need for approval, and how we seek it -  'we'  consciousness and union. This ability to get-it-together is also tested by our talent (or lack of) for developing a sense of wealth and affluence. Venus is what we love, feel comfortable with and what appeals to us. And  she has much to do with desires, luxuries and their enjoyment.  She is also about making oneself enjoyable. Thus her energy is what has been called the courtier spirit, which means being agreeable, or smoothing the path. In many ways she shows us how we can get the most, both relationship-wise and financially, out of  life. As the planet of balance and resources, Venus speaks to us about the ways one influences the other; for as any successful businessperson will tell you, you must be willing to spend money in order to make it. This is the lifeblood of commerce - there must be an out-going as well as an in-coming flow of energy. Good relationships require give-and-take, as do all successful enterprises.

Taurus
Taurus is about drawing on the bounty of the Earth, and seeking material security and physical safety there. It is the on-going, enduring, unchanging and preserving element. Hightened sensory input is also important, for it is the mission of this sign to not only find a sense of place within the material realm, but to enjoy it to the fullest - to becoming physically aware of and bond with the environment.

2nd house
The second house, an 'artha' house and connected with matters of wealth, is concerned with how we respond to, enjoy, and get in harmony with our surroundings. This is how we hold or acquire things (possessions, material goods, money, and other resources), and how we gain material support and sustenance. The second house refers to how we secure ourselves, how we make a firm foundation, and the kind of response we get from life and those around us. Thus it has much to say about our material rewards.

Libra
Libra energy is responsive and conciliating, assuming the appropriate reaction - the 'delicately-weighted strategic response' - to any question or statement. What is sometimes seen as two-faced is only Libra's facility at responding to each in kind, giving both sides equal consideration. This is certainly the social sign, par excellence. Impersonal and impartial, this sign doles out only what is demanded - nothing overdone, but nothing neglected.

7th house
The seventh house, the descendant - opposite of the ascendant - is another 'kama', or 'desires' house and is connected with partnerships, relationships, and the Other. Here is where we learn to strike a balance - the art of give and take. All that carries us beyond our personal self into an awareness of contradictory or complementary points of view is symbolised by the seventh house. This is where we begin to respond to the personal needs of others for the first time. Thus marriage and union (yoga) are indicated in this house, as well as one's ability to respond to the marriage partner.

 

Mars: Drive and Willpower
Mars is the planet of motivation and drive. It is the self-starting impetus, initiative and energy. When we search for the meaning of something, life or whatever, it is Mars that urges us on, keeps us searching. Mars also drives us against things too and sends us into war and combat. It looks for the challenge, takes charge and 'pioneers'. Mars is purposeful, direct and courageous. Where our passion is, there is the planet Mars. Thus it also has to do with ardor and acting on impulses. Martian energy enjoys becoming involved in the thrust of life - acting promptly on an urge which seems authentic and, in that conviction, creating more trust in its actions. This is a circular process: The more we trust and act, the more we receive impulses that can be trusted.

Aries
Aries is the sign of pioneers, leaders and 'firsts'. It is impulsive, assertive and spontaneous. It tends to act first, only thinking about what it may have done later. Rushing in where others fear to tread, Aries energy is attention-getting and always provokes a response from the surroundings and from others. It takes decisive action and loves self-reliance.

1st house
The first house, also called the ascendant or 'rising sign', is a 'dharma' house and connected with life purpose. It has to do with how we come across to others, thus our appearance and how we make a first impression. This is the essential stuff that bubbles up in us spontaneously - what is obvious to others as our 'trademark approach'. The first house shows our ability to be recognised, how we make a directed effort, and how we exert our will. Cultivate the strategies of this factor to 'move forward' in life.

 

Jupiter: Philosophy and Life Path
When it comes to an astrology of success and 'empowerment', some planets are more important than others simply because of their nature. As the planet of outreach and exploration, Jupiter plays a very important role here. The Hindu word for Jupiter is 'Guru' (Teacher), and Jupiter is about having an outlook or belief system - something we can identify with or look forward to. It shows how we search for meaning in our lives, and therefore has much to tell us about our 'ideal' vocation. Jupiter is the guiding philosophy which provides us with our sense of direction and shows us how to approach life's problems. Jupiter is 'conscience', ethics, as well as our opinions and how we form them. It represents our speculations about the world and can tell us much about the process of self-discovery. As the 'lord of opportunity', prosperity, affluence, and all the benefits we earn through our outgoing-ness and out-giving to others, Jupiter's position in your chart is instrumental in determining your capacity for optimism and attracting luck. To enhance Jupiter's benefit in your life, follow the indications of his placement in your chart. In general, by adopting a spread of effort rather than a concentration - by accepting Life's invitations and maximising what they have to offer - by saying 'yes' to the exotic and unfamiliar - we deliberately extend our range of contacts and interests whereby luck can reach us. There is an organic connection between this attitude and the arrival of the good things in life. A note of warning though, you can have too much of a good thing.

Sagittarius
Sagittarius is nothing if not direct, candid and to the point, for this sign is always concerned with the absolute truth of the subject at hand. Associated with philosophy, outreach and all things boundless, Sagittarian energy is always welcome in politics as well as social and community endeavors where its basic fairness and expansiveness is an asset.

9th house
The ninth house, a 'dharma' house, shows where we are willing to go beyond our everyday experience in search of meaning. Traditionally the house of 'long journeys', the ninth house is where we take journeys both of the body and the mind: Philosophy, beliefs, speculation, opinions and how we form them all belong to this house. Any time we reach out, explore new territory, or align our activities with something bigger, we are operating in the realm of the ninth. Along with Jupiter's position, here is where we attract luck by keeping open and receptive to opportunities.

 

Saturn: Duty and Responsibilities
Saturn is the prince of the material world - the planet of materialisation and incarnation, self-containment and personal distinction. Saturn rules the limitations of the world we live in and so indicates where we are bound to learn self-discipline and duty - whether we like it or not! It is the boundaries around us that make identity possible. As time passes, you slowly but surely crystallise a personal identity, distinct and unique from the others around you, by excluding whatever does not seem compatible with your purpose. Each new day adds to this evolutionary sense of 'I', with the object being an increased sense of responsibility. Saturn is said to be the hard taskmaster, the planet that keeps us from getting carried away in one direction or another. And although it seems to limit and undermine, it also defines and clarifies. For it is the process of sedimentation - building layer upon layer with structure and control - whereby we see our ambitions realised. Nothing worthwhile can be accomplished without determination, concentration, persistence, commitment and patience.

Capricorn
Capricorn is the business head of the zodiac, and the very opposite of the emotional Cancer. Given to clear ambition, practical insight and vision, this sign always takes a distanced perspective and makes a cool appraisal. Deliberate and painstaking, sometimes to the point of austerity, Capricorn loves work and the hard-earned results. Status and material reward are also very important.

10th house
The tenth house, the Medium Coeli, commonly called the 'midheaven' and abbreviated 'M.C.', is an 'artha' house, and the house of practical vision and achieving a personal distinction. Therefore, reputation and career are often connected to this house. The sign on this cusp, and any planets located in this house, show how we should strive to benefit society and become self-piloting individuals. The tenth is about having a goal in life and the self-determination to reach it. Here we live our calling and have a connotation for others.

 

Uranus: Break-Throughs, Insights and Independence
To live a full and satisfying life, you must be vividly yourself. Many of us are afraid to be different, and the pressure to conform can be stifling. But to live creatively is to find your own way, even if this means going against the grain. This urge to free-will and self-authorisation is Uranus, the planet of fierce independence. Surprise can be stimulating - the jab that gets you out of the rut. And if you want to ride the wave of chaos instead of being swallowed by it - if you want to liberate yourself from the disruptions and shocks around you - you must voluntarily keep out of the groove. Realise that change is the only constant phenomenon. In randomness is all potential. Disorder increases possibilties. Chance! Uranus is the reverse of the status quo and always unconventional and heretical: If life is accidental, we are free to give it any point we like. Become Yourself!

Aquarius
Aquarius, the sign of humanitarian goals and altruism, is impartial and nonsectarian. Aquarian energy is communal (even global). The focus is on the goal, and the goal is always one that is for the many and not the few. Thus this sign is connected to far-seeing visions, world views and group work of all kinds. This sign tends towards coolness, independence.

11th house
The 11th, a 'kama' house, is where we put our visions and dreams to work for others. The most future-oriented of the houses, the 11th shows our major goals and the oppotunities we have to reach them. It is how we turn our dreams into reality. Thus this house has always been connected with altruistic and humanitarian goals and with having the self-authorisation to set them in motion. Inventive and unusual, eleventh house activities often break from conformity, establishing new and unprecedented states of being.

 

Neptune: Ideals & Imagination
Neptune is the desire and ablility to transcend normal consciousness and everyday waking life - to dream the impossible dream. This 'divine discontent' can be the cause of much mischief in itself, for to pursue the Ideal is often to avoid the reality of how things are. But, when it comes to many of the apparently insolvable problems, the Neptunian approach is often the most sensible and practical: Rise above it and get over it! The healthy tendencies of Neptune lie in its ability to see the cosmic humor in almost anything; to laugh at life's absurdities. And sometimes laughter is the only genuine response - the last great act of defiance! This is the art of 'sitting loose to life', which means developing a less resisting, more surrendered attitude in which we expect the best of all unfulfilled possibilities and potentials - and never stop dreaming!

Pisces
Pisces energy runs deep and toward the mystical - whatever transcends the everyday world. This sign is understanding, patient and compassionate. Super-sensitive, it tends to absorb its surroundings like a sponge. The sign is very trusting, accepting and giving of  itself for the sake of larger, more important issues. It loves free-ranging activities which allow for some imaginative scope.

12th house
The twelfth, a spiritual or 'moksha' house, is where consciousness dawns - it is the house of the rising Sun. This is the indeterminate state - the chaos before the new impulse - where all is yet unfulfilled potentialities. Traditionally this is the house of 'sacrifice', and is often connected with prisons, betrayal, and self-undoing. Although we can choose to become trapped or frustrated by the many obstructions to attaining our dreams, we can also choose to reach outward and upward to a more fulfilling state by transcending the usually down-dragging conditions and rising above the difficulties - establishing a life nearer our ideal. Here in the twelfth we have the capacity to reach final liberation by using our visionary scope and working creatively with life's intangibles - the power of imagination!

 

Pluto: Intensity and Initiation
Pluto is the planet of profound change, starting deep within you and moving toward the surface, often touching upon the most sensitive areas. It's about waking up to the 'hidden things', and doing so by reaching an intensity of awareness whereby, once touched, you have no choice but to change and grow. Pluto is the process of becoming fully conscious of (revealing) what has been happening all around you, even though you may not have been aware of it. Like sex and death - you get to a certain stage in your development and suddenly you realise what's going on. Pluto is first-hand sensitive experiences and times of complete identification with a person, feeling or idea. This is very intense stuff, and to touch upon this material is to go through permanent change and transformation - inner alchemy.

Scorpio
Scorpio is intense, passionate and very personal. It rushes past superficialities and right to the heart of any matter. A loyal friend but a fanatic foe, this sign does well in politics and all areas where someone who dares is rewarded. Associated with sexual energy, Scorpio loves to get involved, going down deeper, coming up dirtier, and laying bare anything that lies hidden there.

8th house
The eighth house, another spiritual or 'moksha' house, is the house of first-hand transformative experiences and situations - those areas of life that we may not care to face, but we must face sooner or later... the so-called 'inevitables' of life, such as sex, death and taxes. The eighth is also concerned with catharsis, the getting rid of excess parts of ourselves that we no longer need. This house covers initiations of all kind and any activities where we are transforming toward a more integral position. Thus it also covers any jointly held resources, their problems and their benefits.