means that the planet exceeds or trespasses into strange territory – beyond the limits allowed by the Sun, the ruler of the Solar system. The planet in this condition becomes more emphasized and exceeds its authority, becoming an important influence in the forecast.
Phases of the Moon
After the full Moon, the Moon seems to shrink in size (as perceived from the Earth), gradually growing smaller until it is virtually invisible to the naked eye – at the time of the next new Moon. This is called the waning Moon phase, or the waning Moon.
After the new Moon, the Moon gradually gets bigger in size (as perceived from the Earth) until it reaches its maximum size at the time of the full Moon. This period is called the waxing Moon phase, or waxing Moon.
Retrogrades
The planets move around the Sun at different speeds. Mercury and Venus move much faster than the Earth, while Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto move more slowly. Thus there are times when, relative to the Earth, the planets appear to be going backwards. In reality they are always going forward, but relative to our vantage point on Earth they seem to go backwards through the zodiac for a period of time. This is called ‘retrograde’ motion and tends to weaken the normal influence of a given planet.
Short-term Planets
The fast-moving planets move so quickly through a sign that their effects are generally of a short-term nature. They reflect the immediate, day-to-day trends in a horoscope.
Moon
stays in a sign for only 2½ days
Mercury
20 to 30 days
Sun
30 days
Venus
approximately 1 month
Mars
approximately 2 months
T-square
A T-square differs from a Grand Square in that it is not a complete square. If you look at the pattern in a chart it appears as ‘half a complete square’, resembling the T-square tools used by architects and designers. If you cut a complete square in half, diagonally, you have a T-square. Many astrologers consider this more stressful than a Grand Square, as it creates tension that is difficult to resolve. T-squares bring learning experiences.
Transits
This term refers to the movements or motions of the planets at any given time. Astrologers use the word ‘transit’ to make the distinction between a birth, or Natal, planet and the planet’s current movement in the heavens. For example, if at your birth Saturn was in the sign of Cancer in your 8th house, but is now moving through your 3rd house, it is said to be ‘transiting’ your 3rd house. Transits are one of the main tools with which astrologers forecast trends.
Personality Profile
ARIES AT A GLANCE
Element – Fire
Ruling Planet – Mars
Career Planet – Saturn
Love Planet – Venus
Money Planet – Venus
Planet of Fun, Entertainment, Creativity and Speculations – Sun
Planet of Health and Work – Mercury
Planet of Home and Family Life – Moon
Planet of Spirituality – Neptune
Planet of Travel, Education, Religion and Philosophy – Jupiter
Colours – carmine, red, scarlet
Colours that promote love, romance and social harmony – green, jade green
Colour that promotes earning power – green
Gem – amethyst
Metals – iron, steel
Scent – honeysuckle
Quality – cardinal (= activity)
Quality most needed for balance – caution
Strongest virtues – abundant physical energy, courage, honesty, independence, self-reliance
Deepest need – action
Characteristics to avoid – haste, impetuousness, over-aggression, rashness
Signs of greatest overall compatibility – Leo, Sagittarius
Signs of greatest overall incompatibility – Cancer, Libra, Capricorn
Sign most helpful to career – Capricorn
Sign most helpful for emotional support – Cancer
Sign most helpful financially – Taurus
Sign best for marriage and/or partnerships – Libra
Sign most helpful for creative projects – Leo
Best Sign to have fun with – Leo
Signs most helpful in spiritual matters – Sagittarius, Pisces
Best day of the week – Tuesday
Understanding an Aries
Aries is the activist par excellence of the zodiac. The Aries need for action is almost an addiction, and those who do not really understand the Aries personality would probably use this hard word to describe it. In reality ‘action’ is the essence of the Aries psychology – the more direct, blunt and to-the-point the action, the better. When you think about it, this is the ideal psychological makeup for the warrior, the pioneer, the athlete or the manager.
Aries likes to get things done, and in their passion and zeal often lose sight of the consequences for themselves and others. Yes, they often try to be diplomatic and tactful, but it is hard for them. When they do so they feel that they are being dishonest and phoney. It is hard for them even to understand the mindset of the diplomat, the consensus builder, the front office executive. These people are involved in endless meetings, discussions, talks and negotiations – all of which seem a great waste of time when there is so much work to be done, so many real achievements to be gained. An Aries can understand, once it is explained, that talk and negotiations – the social graces – lead ultimately to better, more effective actions. The interesting thing is that an Aries is rarely malicious or spiteful – even when waging war. Aries people fight without hate for their opponents. To them it is all good-natured fun, a grand adventure, a game.
When confronted with a problem many people will say, ‘Well, let’s think about it, let’s analyse the situation.’ But not an Aries. An Aries will think, ‘Something must be done. Let’s get on with it.’ Of course neither response is the total answer. Sometimes action is called for, sometimes cool thought. But an Aries tends to err on the side of action.