First of all, a horoscope is an astrological map of the heavens keyed to the time and place of a specific birth. It is a kind of a map that appears as a two dimensional chart. It shows position of the Sun, the Moon, and planets at the precise moment of your birth. The earth moves from west to east & hence the Sun appears to move from east to west. The 360 degree circle of the zodiac is divided into 12 parts of 30 degrees each called the zodiac signs.

Each sign has special characteristics that mark and distinguish it from others. In setting up this astrological map for the birth of a native we divide the circle into twelve sections. These areas are called houses. Each house defines a SPECIFIC AREA. The first house concerns the native's personal identity. The second house deals wit the native's earning power or source of supply. The third house concerns the native's thoughts or sense of communication, etc.

The horoscope map, in addition to house areas and spatial designators called signs, also contains a third symbol—the planets, including the Sun and Moon.

While the houses of the horoscope identify areas of experience and the signs set the stage under which these areas of experience will operate, the planets act as symbols of force or the focus of attention bringing the other two elements together.

A correct interpretation of all these sky bodies exposes much about you. They could be thought of as weather conditions in the sky at the moment of your birth. You can treat this map as a guide of your personality. But it doesn't mean that all your life has already been decided. It's largely up to you to decide that. While you usually have freedom of choice or free will, the horoscope does reflect the natural inclinations you have, the lessons you have to learn, the issues to be faced, and the problems to be solved. These "weather conditions" shows the energies you've been given. The use that you make of these energies, or opportunities, if you will, depends upon you, the individual. In other words, the information learned from your horoscope may only give you some insights and understanding of the reasons why you behave as you do.

How To Set Up A Horoscope...

First of all, the time of birth, generally referred to as clock time, should be exact as possible. Only small allowance on time is possible because every four minutes of clock time accounts for one degree of movement by the earth around the zodiac. Any appreciable error is going to throw the house divisions off and place planets in the wrong houses.

The houses are always shown in order. The cusp (beginning) of the first house (also known as the ascendant—AC) is the left-hand horizon. The tenth house cusp (also known as the meridian—MC) is always at the top, although it may not actually be at right angles (exactly 90°) to the horizon (AC) on the left.

Everything in the horoscope is placed by measurement in degrees of the zodiac. The zodiac is the BELT OF SPACE surrounding the earth. It is hypothetically divided into twelve equal segments of 30° each called SIGNS. Once we have identified the area for each house division, we can then insert the planets into the horoscope BY HOUSE according to their own measurements by sign and degree. The planets' positions are calculated for each day at noon zero degrees Greenwich.

Houses of the Horoscope...

THE HOUSES DEFINE THE AREAS OF EXPERIENCE, LOCATE WHERE THE ACTION IS, AND FOCUS THE CONSCIOUS ATTENTION OF THE PERSON ON THE MATERIAL THAT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO HIM.

The signs of the zodiac serve primarily as units of identity and measurement. That is, by their presence and degree they establish the character and "weather conditions" under which the action will take place (within a specific house area). They set the stage and color the scenery against which the story will unfold.

The planets provide the cast of characters and type of action that will take place. The nature of the action, disclosed by the houses, is more important than the scenery or tempo or weather conditions under which the action takes place (the sign on the house) or the instrumentalities or agents or instigators of the action (the planets).

Each planet is keyed to a specific sign of the zodiac. A planet is said to rule a sign because of an affinity in their natures.

Each sign of the zodiac is keyed to a specific house area of the horoscope also because of an affinity in their natures.

All the houses figure in some way in the person's total perspective. Each house contributes its influence in the affairs of another house through the affinity of rulerships. The planet that rules the sign on the cusp of the house points (by its house position) to the area of experience by which the affairs of one house "serve" another house.

Any planet in a house immediately signifies that the person will have some conscious concern in that area of experience. This may be either pleasant or difficult, depending on other considerations.

Two or more planets in the house naturally give even more concern to the native over the affairs of that house. Through the chain of command—signs, planets and rulerships — one is able to determine the areas of experience that will occupy the native most and where the greatest concentration of force should ultimately be directed.

Regardless of any other considerations, the most important area of experience to the person is the house that holds the Sun. On the chart, this is point at the left side of the horizonal center. Moving counter-clockwise from there, the twelve houses of random size continue to complete the ring.

The second most important area of the horoscope is the Ascendant/Rising Sign/First House cusp is calculated to an exact degree based on the precise moment of birth. To understand the full meaning of what your Ascendant tells, you must understand that this moment of birth places an influence on each of twelve areas of the life or houses of the horoscope.

Other houses that command special attention are the house that holds the ruler of the ascendant (first house), since this is the key to daily contacts; the house that holds the ruler of the Sun house, since this is the key which unlocks the native's fate; the house that holds the Moon, since this is the focus of the native's emotional attention; and the tenth house, which identifies the native's conscious ambitions as well as the report card that he will ultimately receive in life. The house which holds the planet which rules the house under consideration naturally holds the key for the situation according to the nature of the planet itself.

As an initial step in learning astrology you are advised to concentrate first on the meaning of the houses. When you know what affairs a house contains, you should also realize what affairs it does not include.