Carolina Dean

 What is Divination?

Types of Divination

The Tarot

Divinatory Meanings of the Tarot

Reading the Cards

Card Spreads 

Tarot Magick

How to Read Playing Cards 

The Runes

Divinatory Meanings of the Runes 

Introduction to Astrology

Interpreting Your Natal Chart  

Divination is the process of gaining information about the past, present, or future using certain object and tools which may include but are not limited to Tarot Cards, Runes, Astrology, Playing Cards, and the use of Crystal Balls---these being the most popular modes of divination today. 

The practice of divination has existed throughout history and permeates every culture. It has been used to foretell the future, find hidden treasure, discover the guilty, and lead one to love. The responsibility for divination has often fell upon the Priest, Shaman, Oracle, Witch, or Psychic---however, with practice, anyone can learn to use divination.  

Human beings have developed a wide range of techniques to obtain information from supernatural sources. Of these many methods, they can fall into three main categories. They are:

Inductive Divination

Interpretive Divination 

Inspired Divination 

Inductive Divination relies on the individual to observe and interpret various signs and omens. The modes of use in inductive divination are caused by chance and therefore cannot be affected by human behavior, which is believed to increase the validity of the information given. Form of inductive divination include

Astrology

Palmistry

The Shape of Clouds

The Flights of Birds

The shape of an animals intestines

The movement of the wind,

The shape of wax poured into water

Interpretive Divination relies on the ability of the individual to read and understand a collection of pictures, symbols, or patterns that have a pre-determined meaning. The individual then interprets the meaning of the symbol in relation to the question asked. Forms of interpretative divination include:

The Tarot,

Playing Cards

I-Ching

The Runes

Inspired Divination often occurs spontaneously with no effort on the part of the individual and is often associated with higher powers such as Deities and Spirits who directly give information to the individual. However the mode in which that information comes to the individual can vary.  Forms of inspired divination include

Clairaudience

Clairvoyance

Clairsenience

Necromancy

 Link:

Psychic Gifts

An ancient esoteric system of symbols that uses 78 different cards to represent the vast majority of experiences any single person can encounter throughout the life journey. The cards operate on many levels, describing both internal developments (emotions, thoughts, intuitive feelings) and external ones (actions and physical events). Think of the complete Tarot as a map where each card represents a different piece of a jigsaw puzzle. This puzzle symbolizes the wide variety of possibilities and experiences available to us all. Each individual selects different pieces of that jigsaw to create a unique life experience. Each card has a separate significance, and they can be put together in a wide variety of ways to show the quality of the events within our lives at any given time.

The symbols are the different pictures we find on the cards. Every card within a Tarot deck has special meanings that are based upon many things; these can include mythology, esoteric or secret knowledge, association, color, etc. They give us important information through a visual form; a Tarot picture definitely does tell a thousand words, if not more. Whenever we see a particular design or symbol on a Tarot card, we are seeing more than just its outer form; we are looking beyond the illustration to find the deeper meaning or vibrations attached to it. This will then influence the meaning of the card itself and our interpretation of it.

Let me explain this further by using an example. Rabbits and eggs are objects that were related to an ancient pagan fertility festival of birth, abundance and growth known today as Easter. For many years, these two things have traditionally represented the qualities of fertility and the like (after all, rabbits are known to multiply their numbers very easily and very well). Ancient peoples noticed a correlation between what they saw and what their celebration meant to them (such as the egg and birth), then took these items and gave them a special significance and they became symbols for Easter. By making these external objects symbols, they gained a greater meaning; the picture of a rabbit became more than just another animal, it represented something deeper.

In a similar way, the Tarot is full of hidden meanings and references. The pictures that your eyes focus on are merely windows that will lead you to more profound information as you delve into the inner realms of each card. This leads me to the second part of this esoteric system, the correspondences. Correspondences are the different qualities or meanings that have been assigned to each card throughout the years. These interpretations are derived from different methods of observation, knowledge, symbolism, spiritual wisdom etc., and from a variety of teachers and sources.

Before we study the cards, it is important that we investigate this concept of Symbolism further, as it is one of the foundations upon which the Tarot has been built. Symbolism is the connection of personal and/or spiritual meaning to a particular emblem or figure. The human race has a need and a tendency to externalize inner ideas, feelings and knowledge through attaching those mental connections to an outer form. This is a way that we can strive to understand our inner dimensions and the hidden qualities of life by finding items that we can project those concepts onto. This then allows us to analyze and understand those inner qualities more deeply in a way that moves beyond the need for words.

Through the Tarot, you can develop a deeper and more harmonious connection to the seemingly arbitrary visual images shown within the cards, and this will occur as you discover and understand the meanings that lie behind them. The expression of energy within the illustrations of each card indicates different qualities that are present in both our inner and outer lives. They give meaning to the vibrations and experiences that surround us and expand our ability to understand and interpret different events, developments, etc. They also show us our awareness of these inner realms by opening up greater abilities of perception within us. The more you look, the more you begin to see, intuit and understand. This leads to greater discernment and wisdom.

Through the Tarot, we can understand the patterns that operate in the life of every single person. We all have our individual rhythms and modes of expression, and by understanding these patterns, we learn to flow with our personal cycles. This helps us to become the masters of our own destinies, rather than passive subjects of outside forces. Studying the Tarot or having a reading can be a path to self knowledge as well as a method of prediction. The divinatory aspect of the cards definitely does exist. This is because, in addition to the meanings within the cards themselves, there are certain factors in the Tarot that will assist you in developing your ability to tap into the unlimited subconscious mind. However, it is also important for you to understand from the beginning of your studies that the cards are so much more than a method for telling the future, and prediction is only one possible use.

Structure and Use of the Tarot

The Tarot is a set of 78 cards with allegorical representations today used for divination, that first appeared in Medieval times. A typical Tarot deck consists of:

• The major arcana, consisting of 21 trump cards and the Fool card;

• The minor arcana consisting of 56 cards

o Ten cards numbered Ace to 10, in four suits (Wands, Cups, Swords, Pentacles)

o Four Court Cards (King, Queen, Knight, Page) in the same four suits.

Each of the these sections have their own independent functions and each card within these sections has its own unique meaning. The Major Arcana traditionally deal with personal, spiritual and life stage archetypes or models; the Minor Arcana focus on situations, everyday events and reactions; and the Court Cards concentrate on individual people and personality types. Therefore, by combining all three aspects, you can get an accurate and complete rundown on every human emotion, condition and reactive capability as well as events, experiences and personal development issues. These meanings can be combined and utilized effectively in many different ways.

• Divinatory

The reader utilizes the vehicle of the Tarot to analyze both the past and present in order to scan the probability spectrum of alternate futures. The more accurate readers are able to focus on the most probable alternate futures. The closer the future comes to the present, the more possibilities become probabilities, and ultimately inevitabilities. Therefore, the accuracy of a reader’s ability to foresee a future event decreases in direct proportions to the distance those future events lie ahead in time. Tarot teaches that by active participation in the events occurring in the life of a person, he or she can shift the probabilities towards their desired ends.

• Meditation

Because of the symbolic, archetypal nature of the cards, you will find them to be of great assistance as focal points for meditation. They will lead you to deeper insights regarding any issue and take you further toward the experience of your divine self and that greater, wiser part of your inner being. Meditation is also a great way of getting to know the deeper meanings of your cards.

• Psychic Development

The cards provide guidelines and information that show us the path we travel as each of us moves along the journey of inner soul development. They literally act as signposts and mirrors that will assist you during your travels along your personal mystic path. In this way, the Tarot can give you important information, advice, support and direction. The cards can become a great ally, giving you objectivity so that you can investigate personal life issues with more clarity.

Using tarot in this way will also tap into the designs and desires of your subconscious mind, helping to bring the different aspects of your being together in unity, which leads to greater harmony in your life. Each and every one of us is here to learn, grow, experience and taste from the cup of life and all its possibilities. The information contained within the Tarot will help you and anyone you do a reading for to accomplish this with greater ease.

Reading the Cards

I start the session by telling the seeker a little about the Tarot, what it will and will not tell them. I explain that the Tarot is simply a tool and that it has no power in and of itself. A reading is like a roadmap, it provides information so that you can make the best possible choices for yourself. I explain that the future is not fixed or fated and that the power to make positive changes in life is within the power of the individual through the choices that they make.

Pre-Reading Ritual

My pre-reading ritual consists of my spreading out a cloth to lay the cards upon. In addition I light a candle and set out a clear glass of water. As I do this, I silently ask for guidance in order to give the individual the best possible reading. I take out my cards and pass them over the water to cleanse them. Then I ask the client to cut the cards and put them back together. This card usually gives me an indication of the persons current mood, outlook, the issue they are dealing with, etc and I use this as the persons calling card (see below).

Formulating the Question

I talk to the seeker about asking the right questions and this is often the most difficult part of any reading. I tell the person to avoid asking such questions as Will I ever get married? Will I lose weight? Will I find a soul mate? Will I get pregnant?

Instead of asking questions such as the above, I usually advise the seeker to restate them like such: My partner seems to lack a sense of commitment, can you tell me if I am making the right choice by being with him/her? I am on a weight loss program, can you tell me if I am making wish choices that will help me reach my goal? I can seem to meet a compatible mate, can you tell me what I am doing wrong? I am trying to get pregnant, do you have any advice for me?

If the person has never had a Tarot reading before, and are unsure about what they want to talk about, I usually do a general reading and then if they have further questions address them in a separate reading.

Choosing a Calling Card

A calling card is a card that is meant to represent a person who is either posing the question or who is the subject of the reading. Before reading the cards, remove the card from the deck that represents the individual, or subject of the reading. There are many different methods which have been used to determine a person's signifier, or calling card, the most traditional of which concerns itself with matching the individual's age and temperament to the pip, or face, cards in a tarot deck. For example, adult males are Kings, adult females are Queens, whereas young adults and teenagers are Knights and children are pages.

Some readers determine the suit to use for a person's signifier by using the element associated with the person's Sun Sign. Using this methods Wands represent the fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sagitarrius), Cups represent water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces), Swords represent air signs (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) and Pentacles represent earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn).  Using this method, I would be represented by the King of Pentacles.

Some readers determine the suit by considering the person's temperament. Wands are driven, over achievers, Cups are emotional and empathetic, Swords are the intellectual types, and Pentacles are earthy and creative. Using this methods, I would be represented by the King of Cups.

Finally, some readers take into account the individual's coloring. For example, Wands represent blonds, Cups represent dark blonde to light brown, Swords represent Red heads, and Pentacles represent dark brown to black hair. Again, using this methods I would be represented by the King of Pentacles.

The simplest method of determining a person's signifier which I know utilizes the Magician for a Man, the High Priestess for a woman, or the Fool for anyone. In other instances, you may wish to take a more literal approach and use the Empress for a pregnant woman, the Emperor for a male authority figure, The Hierophant for a Priest or member of clergy, the Chariot for a race car driver, The Moon for a psychic, the Sun for a person with a "sunny disposition", The Death Card for a mortician,  etc... Using this method, which I prefer, I am represented by the Hanged Man (someone gifted with the powers of foresight and perception and who has an unconventional view of life)

However, keep in mind that you are not limited to the Major Arcana when choosing signifiers. The same creative vision can be applied to the Minor Arcana for this purpose. For example, the Nine of Pentacles can represent someone with a green thumb and love of animals, the Six of Swords can represent a sailor, or ferry worker. In addition, depending on the deck you have, there may be cards that are not in a traditional deck.

Shuffling and Cutting

While the cards are being shuffled, the person shuffling them should concentrate on the specific question or issue that they wish to know more about. A reader may or may not ask if the person has a specific question in order to determine the type of card spread he or she will use. If while you are shuffling the cards, any cards which fly out of the deck are collected and places aside face down. After the reading, these cards can be consulted for extra information.

There is no certain number of times the cards are to be shuffled, just shuffle them until they feel right to you. Once you are done shuffling the cards they are cut into three stacks to the right and then placed back together again to the right, or some prefer to do this at random

The Reading

The cards are then collected by the reader and arranged according to a spread. Each position in a spread has its own sphere of influence (i.e. the past, the present, how you feel, etc.) The cards are read in relation to the position it occupies within the spread. As you read the cards, you attempt to weave the reading into a cohesive story, being specific as you possibly can.

If after all the cards have been read, and the person needs more clarification on the matter that I usually take a card from the bottom of the deck and read it as I would any outcome card. Alternatively, I also collect all the cards used in that particular reading and have the client shuffle and cut just these cards and read them using another spread.

After the Reading

Often after the reading, the person will want to discuss some of the things that you have said during the reading, giving you confirmation on your insights. When given such information it may help you to further guide the individual and set them on the right path. However, if the person does not offer you any feedback, dont pressure them. Often during the reading, the person may not be able to connect what you are telling them with the question asked, but later, after much thought, it may make sense.

Payment for Readings

I never charge brother or sister witches for readings, or even close friends or family members. However, when reading for the general public, I advise them to pay me what they feel the reading is worth. The reasons for this is not that I do not have confidence in my abilities, but simply to get around the fortune-telling laws in many states which forbid charging for fortune-telling.

When I read for a paying client, I normally have a plate on the table for the person to leave their offering as I prefer no to touch the money until they have gone.

 

1. The general atmosphere surrounding your question. 

2. This card accentuates the first card by compliment, or contradiction. 

3. Where you are now.

4. Where you wish to be.

5. The Past

6. The Near Future.

7. Your attitude, feelings, and opinion.

8. The attitude, feelings, and opinions of others.

9. The best that you can hope for.

10. The final outcome of the situation.  

The Manor 

Overview: This is a spread that I created in the mid 90’s, it is my favorite spread for general readings or as a daily spread. I think that if you give it a chance you’ll like it as well. The Manor is a 9 card spread used for general readings. It represents a house of nine rooms and each room represents a different area of your life.

S. Your Signifier

1. The Attic- The general atmosphere around you.
2. The Kitchen- Matters within your control.
3. The Library- The Past
4. The Solarium- The Future
5. The Home Office- Money and Material Matters.
6. The Master Bedroom- Your Hopes and Fears
7. The Dining Room- What you expect.
8. The Foyer- What you do not expect.
9. The Basement- What is sure to come.

Directions: To use this spread choose your signifier and place it on the table before you. Shuffle and cut the cards as usual, then deal out the first nine cards as indicated in the diagram above. These nine cards can be read alone for a general reading, or early in one's day for a daily reading.

However if you want a little more depth to your reading, you can deal out an additional 18 cards by starting over at number one again dealing out nine cards, then repeating the process by dealing out an additional nine cards from one to nine again. This will give you three cards for each room. Alternately you can deal out three cards at each position at the outset, it is a matter of personal preference.

Most schools of thought on Playing Card divination advise the student to memorize meanings of each card in a standard 52 card deck, for both upright and reversed positions. Others advise the student to meditate on each card and develop their own meanings.

In my work with Playing Cards I have used a combination of both methods. Following you will find the method by which I read the cards today, and which I have found to produce accurate results. First, the cards are divided into three groups. They are:

The Four Areas of Life

• Hearts represent love, friendship, and close relationships.

• Diamonds represent business and money matters.

• Clubs represent creativity, energy, hard work, and rewards.

• Spades represent change, the unexpected, and warning.

The States of Being

• Ace (Sun)- Ego

• Two (Moon)- Emotions

• Three (Mercury)- Communication

• Four (Venus)- Affection

• Five (Mars)- Aggression

• Six (Jupiter)- Expansion

• Seven (Saturn)- Discipline

• Eight (Urnaus)- Freedom

• Nine (Neptune)- Perception

• Ten (Pluto)- Transformation

Players in the Game of Life

• King of Clubs (Aries- The Leader) outward appearance, ego, self identity.

• King of Diamonds (Taurus- The Provider) money and material matters.

• King of Spades (Gemini- The Judge) communication, siblings, short journeys.

• King of Hearts (Cancer- The Advisor) home and family.

• Queen of Clubs (Leo- The Achiever) love, children, and creativity.

• Queen of Diamonds (Virgo- The Supporter) health, work, and pets.

• Queen of Spades (Libra-The Worrier) marriage, agreements, and partnerships.

• Queen of Hearts (Scorpio- The Healer) sex and death.

• Jack of Clubs (Sagittarius-The Adventurer) spiritual growth, dreams, and long journeys.

• Jack of Diamonds (Capricorn- The Gambler) career, ambition, profession.

• Jack of Spades (Aquarius- The Trouble-Maker) friends, assocations, and open enemies.

• Jack of Hearts (Pisces- The Lover) karma, transformation, and self-undoing.

Jacks represent a person of either gender, whose connection to the seeker is indicated by the suit. Jacks are read as potential, influences not yet fully formed.

Queens represent a female connected to the seeker, or the seeker herself. Again, the suit will indicate how she is connected to the seeker, or to the question asked. Queens are read as emotional, fluid, and wavering.

Kings represent a male connected to the seeker, or the seeker himself. Again, the suit will indicate how he is connected to the seeker, or to the question asked. Kings are read as logical, fixed, and possibly stagnant.

Putting it All Together

With a clear understanding of these three groups, you can combine each individual element to determine the meaning of each card. For example, the three of hearts means “communcation about love or friendship”, which could be interpreted as a love letter, an email, or a secret meeting between lovers. As always interpretation is the key, the correct interpretation depends on the client’s situation at the time in relation to the question asked.

The simplest reading of all consist of fanning out the cards and running your hands over them while thinking of your question. Turn over the card that calls to you and base your answer on the meaning of the card. Pull other cards for clarification.

Another simple reading consist of shuffling the cards while thinking of your question, then cutting them into three stacks before you. The top card of each stack is drawn and read as:

Spirit- Your motivation for asking the question

Being- Where you are now.

Destiny- Where things are going.

History of the Runes

Unlike the Tarot, whose exact history cannot be traced back to a specific culture, the Runes comes to us directly from the Norse/Germanic people. It has been expressed by some authors that only those whose direct lineage includes Norse, Germanic, of Scandinavian can work with the Runes, however, this is a misnomer, and there is no reason why anyone cannot learn to use the Runes.

The exact age of the Runes cannot be accurately gauged. It is a common concession among scholars that the Elder Futhark is the oldest Northern European magickal system for which we have definitive evidence. This form of the Runes dates back to circa 150 Before Common Era, and it shows a fully developed and stable system, which leads us to believe that it had been around for a few centuries before that time.

However, what we know as the Runic Alphabet seems to have developed from two distinct sources. Evidence indicated that the Runes had a magickal purpose as well as a practical one. The Runes were used as an alphabet, a written form of communication, and as a form of short hand. Nonetheless the Runes were also used as a tool for divination (most commonly in the form of casting lots) and self-empowerment, as well as a focus for spells, and carried as talismans.

Few practitioners actually study the system in depth. Most people see the Runes as a simple divination system that has no history, cultural context, or deeper magical/religious meaning. The mythology of the culture which gave us the Runes tells us that Odin, a powerful figure in Nordic Mythology, found the Runes while hanging from the Tree of Yggdrasil. The Runes are certainly not the innocent fun often implied by popular runic manuals. To see the ambivalence, fear, and respect felt toward Odin and the Rune Masters, we need only to read the ancient mythological stories of the Nordic people. To study the Runes is to journey into self in order to face your darkest fears, to question everything that you previously believed in, to step off the cliff of ignorance into the abyss of knowledge.

Structure of the Runes

The classical, and oldest, Rune alphabet, the Futhark consist of 24 letters and begun with the letters ‘f’, ‘u’, ‘th’, ‘a’, ‘r’, ‘k’., much like ‘a’, ‘b’, ‘c’ in the American English alphabet. The Futhark is divided into three groups or eight, called families, with each family being named after the first Rune in that family. They are Feoh, Haegl, and Tyr.

Additionally, Runes are divided into pair, which are positioned side by side within each family, called Pair Runes. Pair Runes relate to one another either by contrast or contradiction.

Runic Divination

As we have seen in part, the Runes are a tool of divination, but which also has other uses, similar to the Tarot. The difference between the Tarot and the Runes is that Runes are a set of 24, although some say 25, stones or wooden tiles, instead of 78 cards. A relatively new trend on the market is the production of Rune Cards, which are drawn in the same style as Tarot Cards. The reason for the difference in the number of Runes (24 verses 25) is that some practitioners make use of a 25^th blank Rune, which represents the unknowable, or that the outcome has yet to be decided by the powers that be. The student must decide for himself if he wants to utilize the extra Rune of not, it is a personal choice.

As with the Tarot, most of the Runes can be read in both their upright, or reversed positions, the meaning differing with each case, either by compliment or contradiction. There are also some Runes which can only appear right side up, due to its geometric shape. In fact, some Rune casters have chosen to always read the Runes in their upright positions, regardless of how it turns up in a reading. Again, this is a personal choice.

Runes are very versatile and are powerful tool for divination, meditation, and introspection. If you listen to them, they will teach you a great deal. As a matter of practicality, they are great use in decision making and creative problem solving. When you have decided on a course of action, you may consult the Runes to discover the outcome of that decision. Should you find that the decision was not prudent, you can change your plan accordingly and thereby avert a negative outcome.

There are several ways in which to utilize the Runes for the purpose of divination, and each person will over time develop his or her own style. Following are a few more popular ways in which to use the Runes for the purposes of divination.

• Rune cards can be used in the same manner as Tarot Cards (see Tarot)

• Rune stones and tiles can be kept in a bag and drawn out, using Tarot spreads as models for interpretation, or you may only draw one to three Runes for a quick answer.

• Some individuals prefer to “throw” them only a special cloth. All of the Runes are held in the hands, while concentrating on the question or issue at hand. When ready, the Runes are gently thrown onto the cloth. When using this method, one reads only the Runes which have landed face up. The reader regards those Runes closest to himself as the past, those beyond that as the present, and those furthest away as the future.

Each Rune carries with it associations which have been assigned to them by those who have gone before. The exact meaning of the Runes can only be found through meditation on each Rune. The meanings provided here are not absolute, there are other valid meanings. Meditating carefully on each Rune will help you achieve a true understanding of what that Rune means to you.

Feoh- Possessions, material gain, wealth, goals, ability to overcome obstacles.

Ur- Strength, virility, health, protection, success after time, promotion.

Thorn-  Gateway, self-imposed misery, use caution, unexpected luck, opportunity.

Ansu- Signals a good person, think before speaking, healing, spirituality, and wisdom.

Rad- Journey, travel, self-discovery, contemplation, seeking one's own path.

Ken- Open guidance, energy, power, positive action, good things coming.

Gyfu- Partnership, important development in a relationship, possible marriage, a gift of communication.

Wunjo- Joy, happiness, success, good news, affection, nirvana.

Hagel- Disruption, clearing away the negative, unseen forces, blessing in disguise. 

Nyd- Need, want, emotional hunger, attend to unacknowledged needs, a time for patience.

Isa- Ice, change needed stagnation, falling in your own trap, time out, paude, darkness before the dawn.

Jera- Harvest, reaping what you sow, money matters will improve, goodluck ahead, moving, delay, knowledge.

Peorth- Initiation secrets, unforseen change, reunion, take a chance, a gamble pays off.

Elwaz- Protection, success in all endeavors, allies, stand firm, ward yourself, spirit guides.

Sol- The Sun, progress, success, travel, health, voctory, power.

Tyr- Warrior, movement forward, passion, be bold, voctory, true justice, and self-sacrifice.

Birch- Growth, new energy, possible pregnancy, love, nurturing, and creativity.

Mannaz- Man, order, plan changes, self-reliance, wholeness, put yourself first.

Eh- Movement, confidence, travel, advancement, victory, partnership.

Lagu- Flow, healing, feel rather than think, a psychic male, freedom, the moon.

Ing- Fertility, a goal realized, simple life, hope, planning for the future.

Daeg- Breakthrough, transformation, dreedom, a weight has been lifted, positive change.

Odal- Home, moving in a new direction, inheritance, family allegiance, homeland, love of one's own country, patriotism.  

Link

Rune Magick

Introduction to Astrology

Astrology is the most common and popular method of divination, it is also, arguably the most complex. It cuts through virtually all religious barriers, and has pervaded our entire culture. How many of you have ever read your horoscope in a newspaper or magazine? Almost everyone knows his or her astrological sign; however few can tell you anything deeper about the subject. Anyone who turns their attention to a deeper study of the subject of astrology will gain a great deal of knowledge about not only themselves, but also the individuals around them

A Brief History

One may define Astrology as divination by the stars; however, it is in reality the study of planetary cycles and how these cycles affect all aspects of our lives. The Earth, as well as the other 8 planets in our solar system moves in individual cyclic patterns around our Sun. In much the same way, our Moon revolves around the Earth, creating a delicate and highly complex grand design, also known as the macrocosm. It is believed that the world above mirrors the world below, hence the ancient maxim “as above, so below.” The planets do not dictate our thoughts, words, and deeds, they merely reflect them. Astrology is believed to have originated in ancient Egypt and Babylon, however, some of mankind’s greatest thinkers from all over the world believed in this universal concept and undertook a detailed study of planetary patterns and how they affect the many aspects of our lives, in order to obtain enlightenment.

Most of our knowledge of modern Astrology is based on information that came to use by way of the Greeks. The Greeks, who had developed advanced forms of mathematics, expanded on the information that had come from the Egyptian Astrologers. Even today, we still refer to the planets by their Roman name, simply because the Roman Empire absorbed so much of Greek culture when it invaded Greece, as it built is infamous empire.

The Zodiac

While today we know that the Earth revolves around the Sun. This was not always thought to be true. Man once believed that the Earth was the center of the universe and the Sun revolved around it; in fact, even suggesting the reverse was once a crime punishable by death! During the twelve months it takes for the Earth to rotate around the Sun, the Earth is bathed in light at angles, which constantly change---producing the four seasons. As stated earlier, the Earth rotates around the Sun, but from the viewpoint of those on Earth, the Sun appears to move across the sky. As it does so, it moves through the Zodiac, an invisible 360 degree circle divided into 12 sections of 30 degrees each. Each 30 degree section of the Zodiac is thought to be under the influence of one of the 12 Signs and Houses that comprise the Zodiac.

Houses vs. Signs

The houses and signs occupy the same space within the zodiac. However, where the houses are stationary, the signs are constantly moving. To better illustrate this idea, imagine two concentric circles, one inside the other. Each circle is divided into 12 equal sections. The outer circle represents the Signs of Astrology, and the inner circle represents the Houses of Astrology. The first house is located at about the same place as the number 8 on the face of a clock, and it naturally lines up with Aries, the second House is located at the number &, and lines up with Taurus, and forth through the Zodiac. The Houses and the Signs also share the same correspondences. It is interesting to not that each sign is bases on a constellation additionally, each constellation has its own myth, or set of myths attached to it.

The Search for Meaning in the Zodiac

Each of the twelve Signs and Houses of the Zodiac have specific correspondence, they are.

1. Aries- Outer image, ego, identity.
2. Taurus- Money, material matters, and personal possessions.
3. Gemini- Communication, siblings, short journeys.
4. Cancer- Early childhood, family, home and security.
5. Leo- Love, children, creativity, romance, hobbies.
6. Virgo- Daily routine, health, pets, and service to others.
7. Libra- Marriage, agreements, partnerships.
8. Scorpio- Death, inheritance, taxes, the occult.
9. Sagittarius: Travel, long journeys, philosophy, and education.
10. Capricorn- Career, ambition, profession.
11. Aquarius- Goals, friends, hopes, clubs, and organizations.
12. Pisces- Karma, sacrifices, solitude, or lesson you must learn.

The 12 signs are classified in three distinct ways. Once classification, known as the Elements, divides the twelve signs into four groups: Fire, Earth, Air, and Water.

• Fire signifies energy, aggressiveness, enthusiasm, and impulsiveness.
• Earth signifies practicality, conservatism, stability, and materialism
• Air signifies intellect, reason, and communication.
• Water signifies emotion, imagination, sensitivity, and spirituality.

The second classification is known as Qualities, which divides the twelve signs into three groups: Cardinal, Fixed, Mutable. Qualities denote the signs interaction with the outside world.

• Cardinal Signs are outgoing, creative, and enterprising.
• Fixed Signs are resistant to change and are perfectionists.
• Mutable Signs are flexible and adaptable to change.

A third classification divides the signs into two groups named as male and female. Male signs are direct, outgoing and energetic, while Female signs are receptive, introspective and magnetic.

Classification of the Signs of the Zodiac

In this way, no two signs are completely the same. For example, there are three Earth Signs; however, no other Earth Sign are both mutable AND female at the same time. Additionally, the astrological signs are said to be “ruled” by one of the planets. A ruler is a planet which serves as the major influence of a sign of the zodiac. Like the signs, the planets carry their own distinct energy and correspondences. Traditionally they are as follows:

1. Sun- The ego, outer persona, identity, one’s logic.
2. Moon- The inner self, emotions, secrets, and intuition.
3. Mercury- Communication, intellect, skills.
4. Venus- Love, pleasure, beauty, the arts, women.
5. Mars- Passion, energy, challenges, stamina, men.
6. Jupiter- Good luck, expansion, success, happiness.
7. Saturn- Reality, blockages, responsibility, obstacles.
8. Uranus- Originality, progress, individuality.
9. Neptune- Dreams, illusions, inspiration, and psychic-ism.
10. Pluto- Rebirth, transformation, renewal, karma.

Archetypes of the Zodiac

When one refers to his or her astrological sign, he or she is referring to which sign of the Zodiac the Sun was occupying at his or her exact moment of birth. The exact date at which the Sun makes its transition from one sign to another varies, but generally speaking, this occurs about once every thirty days. The sign of a person born on the day that the sun moves into the next sign is determined by the time that they were born. Two people may be born on the same day, and while one person may be considered one sign, the other person can, in fact, be considered another one. This transitory period is referred to as the cusp of that sign.

Astrology espouses the idea that humankind is both simple and yet complex. Simple in the basic traits a human child will display at birth, and yet complex in the specific personality and behavioral patterns that an individual will ultimately assume. Both positive and negative personality traits are found in each generation and thus in each individual. Some of the personality traits attributed to the astrological signs are as follows:

1. Aries- Fiery, assertive, and direct.
2. Taurus- Productive for the purpose of gaining security, stable and stubborn.
3. Gemini- Adaptable, conversational, fragile, and restless.
4. Cancer- Nurturing and emotionally sensitive.
5. Leo- Self-Confident, proud, dramatic, territorial.
6. Virgo- Analytical, critical, meticulous and a perfectionist.
7. Libra- Harmonious, balanced, artistic, and appeasing.
8. Scorpio- Intense, magnetic, and penetrating perception.
9. Sagittarius- Inspiring, broad vision, an adventurer and tactless.
10. Capricorn- Disciplined, responsible, cold, rigid, practical, and materialistic.
11. Aquarius- Unconventional, innovative, aloof, naïve and a humanitarian.
12. Pisces- Intuitive, compassionate, gullible, and escapist.

Take a moment to go back and read the correspondences for each sign as well as the correspondences for their planetary ruler. Notice how the same or similar key words are used for a planet as well as the sign that it rules? For example, the Moon, planet of emotions rules Cancer which is known for being nurturing and emotionally sensitive. Also, notice how a planet rules more than one sign, but the planetary energy affects the sign in different ways. For example, Mercury the planet of communication, intellect and skills rules both Gemini and Virgo. Mercury gives Gemini an adaptability, while encourages Virgo’s perfectionism.

The characteristics attributed to a specific astrological sign do not describe the whole of an individual. To completely understand the personality as a whole, the astrologer must take into account the aspects of a person’s horoscope. A horoscope is simply a pictorial map of the heavens at a specific moment in time, usually the moment of a person’s birth. To draw a horoscope, an astrologer needs three pieces of information, they are:

1. Date of birth.
2. The time at which the individual was born.
3. The place in which the individual was born.

With this information, an astrologer can draw a person’s horoscope and from it tell a great deal about the person’s character, among other things. It is also these three pieces of information that you will need in order to obtain your own natal, or birth, chart.

As we have seen, an astrological chart is comprised of a 360 degree circle divided into 12 equal sections with each section containing 30 degrees. These 12 sections represent the span of both 12 Signs and 12 Houses. The Astrological Wheel can be divided in other ways as well. One manner of division is called the Four Hemispheres, named after the four directions, North, South, East, and West. The shaded areas below indicate the portion of the hemisphere indicated.

1. In what Quality(s) are you strong and what do you think that says about you?
2. In what Quality(s) are you weak and what do you think that says about you?
3. If there is no clear indication numerically, how do you feel the way in which your qualities are divided in your chart affects your own temperament?

1. In what sign is your North Node?
2. What does this say about how you seek to find your mission in life?
3. In what house is your North Node?
4. What does this say about where you seek to find your mission in life?
5. In what sign and house is your South Node, and what does it say about the talents and skills that you brought into this life?

Exercise Ten

Using the process of astrological synthesis, generate a personality profile based on your interpretations of the various elements in your Natal Chart.

Link:

Free Printable Astrological Charts

EXERCISES

1. Write a five page essay on divination, include such information as

• What divination is?
• History of divination.
• How divination works.
• Forms of divination.

2. Research at least one person from any point in history, either living or dead, who is known for their divination skills. Write a one page essay about them and include their method of divination.

3. Research at least one account of divination from any media (books, television, movies, plays, etc…) and describe their method of divination. Explain if the portrayal of divination was realistic, if not; explain what they got wrong. For example, in the 1973 motion picture Live and Let Die, Jane Seymour portrays a tarot card reader. She has the power to read tarot cards with 100 percent accuracy. However, when she becomes emotionally upset, her ability to see the future becomes unclear, and when she loses her virginity, she loses all her powers of foresight.  

4. Choose three methods of divination which appeal to you. Write a detailed essay on each method of divination, explaining its origins, methods of use, and how it is performed.

5. Of the three methods of divination you chose in the previous exercise, choose one for further study. Obtain the materials needed to perform that method of divination and practice it for one year. You can record your progress in your journal, or maintain a separate journal for these studies.

6. Find your Natal Chart from exercise 2 in the About Me chapter and using the workshop in this chapter delineate your own Natal Chart. Use any outside references that you need in order to complete this exercise, and note these in your journal along with your completed delineation.