happy leo season!

have a cup of cosmic tea with me ✨☕️. mobile art by tobe fonsesca

[seraonthestars]

The Signs as Beach House

Aries: Sparks.  Aries is the youngest sign, and can be seen as a microcosm of life.  Their defining trait is their enthusiasm, and it is in this enthusiasm that they find their power, their immense capacity for good and for evil.  They hold so much fire within them, and yet, there is a certain simplicity and purity of spirit in the Aries.

Taurus: Somewhere Tonight.  Slow, steady, and stable, it may sometimes seem that Taurus has little going on in their life.  This may be true.  They are not always interested in exploring the extremities of life, but maybe they should be.  Still, there is a certain beauty in continuity, so long as it does not lead to monotony.

Gemini: Heart of Chambers.  Beneath Gemini’s many personalities lies a biting pessimism.  They tend to bury themselves with hobbies and interests and change in order to escape reality.  Gemini is much more complex than many may give them credit for, and a challenge they face is finding truth in themselves.  There is so much going on inside of them that it’s hard for them to land somewhere.

Cancer: Turtle Island.  The thing about Cancer is that they seem very dramatic, crying all of the time and making a big deal out of everything, but they’re not acting differently from the way that they truly feel.  Cancer has deep emotions, and they’re not afraid to hide it.  When their melancholy gets the best of them, they may retreat to sadness and be totally inconsolable, but I find they usually turn out okay in the end.

Leo: Lazuli.  If the Leo nature could be shrunk down to one word, inversely, that word would be “big.”  Even in the small things they do, they attract attention and exist with dignity.  They are fierce individualists, but they pay a fair amount of attention to the way others respond to them.  The goal of the Leo is to accept their magnetism without using it for manipulation.

Virgo: Take Care.  Virgo is defined by a certain ethereal quality.  Although they are Earth signs, something about them is certainly of the heavens (perhaps a trait borrowed from their sister sign?).  They are masters of service and duty, so what better song to represent them than one about taking care of others?

Libra: She’s So Lovely.  A beautiful, yet sinister song, there is hardly a better choice for the duality of Libra.  All too often, Libra is seen as ordinary or forgettable, when they are really masters of intrigue.  They carry immense power in the way they relate with others.  Whether they use this gift for good or for evil is up to them.

Scorpio: Beyond Love.  As a sign ruled by Mars, Scorpio may tend on the violent side, yet as a water sign, love is a big theme in life to them.  They seek this all-encompassing, transformative experience that is literally “beyond love.”  Scorpios can never settle for the commonplace affections that most people endure.  They’re after something spiritual.

Sagittarius: Zebra.  The carefree Sagittarian disposition may not be an act, but it can certainly be said that they have a hard time connecting with the consequences of their actions.  They value freedom yet rarely consider permanence, so they live in a state of absolute honesty and truth, which is sometimes quite admirable and other times highly chaotic.

Capricorn: Astronaut.  The sea goat’s journey is one of self-reliance, a quest to master themselves.  Thusly, they believe that they should carry the weight of the world alone.  Yet it is only when the Capricorn learns to trust in others that the are truly able to be their best selves.

Aquarius: Zebra.  The Aquarius is adamant about becoming unknowable.  They appreciate their privacy, and no matter how well one may think they know them, they always keep a bit of their character to themselves.  They are wild and free, but their inner Saturnian sense of responsibility keeps them in check of themselves.  They’re perfectly capable of existing alone, but they shouldn’t.

Pisces: Saltwater.  Devotional love comes like second nature to Pisces.  As the last sign, they are born with their hearts highest in heaven, and their love verges on angelic due to its pure, selfless essence.  Their love is boundless and perhaps not based in reality, yet it flows in endless waves forever.

[seraonthestars]

Whoops I have zebra here twice! Sorry about that!

[seraonthestars]

The Sun through the Decans

Using modern-day rulerships

Sun in 0-9 degrees Aries (first decan, ruled by Mars): extremely childish.  They are the most driven of the Aries and possess a certain pure enthusiasm about them that is rather endearing.

Sun in 10-19 degrees Aries (second decan, co-ruled by Mars and the sun): the most self-centered of the Aries. Pretentious and charismatic but ultimately insecure and full of love.  They really have no idea who they are to be honest.

Sun in 20-29 degrees Aries (third decan, co-ruled by Mars and Jupiter): the kindest Aries, also the shyest.  Can be a bit outspoken, but tend to be less impulsive.  They are made calmer by Sagittarius’s detachment.

Sun in 0-9 degrees Taurus (first decan, ruled by Venus): completely stable.  They reject grandeur and prefer security, but they can be extremely driven and hardworking.  The strong, silent type, but they are still very stubborn.

Sun in 10-19 degrees Taurus (second decan, co-ruled by Venus and Mercury): organized and intuitive.  They are difficult to read and have a certain attractive quality about them.  This is the most spontaneous Taurus.

Sun in 20-29 degrees Taurus (third decan, co-ruled by Venus and Saturn): they are very stoic.  They are the most melancholic Taurus.  They are strong-willed and quite controlling, and Capricorn’s influence can make them easily depressed, but also romantic.

Sun in 0-9 degrees Gemini (first decan, ruled by Mercury): strong mind with incredible adaptibility.  They are fiercely charming and can be manipulative.  They are also quite restless and often overly-intellectual.  They, like their sister sign, like being right.

Sun in 10-19 degrees Gemini (second decan, co-ruled by Mercury and Venus): the stereotypical flirtatious Gemini.  They are outgoing and loving, but they tend to toy with people’s feelings and are rarely honest.  This is the Gemini who will make you fall in love with them for fun.

Sun in 20-29 degrees Gemini (third decan, ro-culed by Mercury and Uranus): quirky, verging on manic pixie dream girl territory.  Detached and magnetic.  The most honest and straightforward Gemini, but also the hardest to understand.

Sun in 0-9 degrees Cancer (first decan, ruled by the moon): deeply emotional.  These are the most dramatic Cancers, as well as the most self-centered.  They are both manipulative and easily-manipulated.  They are, however, very caring, and they rarely do things out of malice, unlike other Cancers.

Sun in 10-19 degrees Cancer (second decan, co-ruled by the moon and Pluto): destructive and possessive, but also powerful and passionate.  They are wonderful friends and massively emotional.  Their emotions completely rule them, which is sometimes good and sometimes horrific.

Sun in 20-29 degrees Cancer (third decan, co-ruled by the moon and Neptune): with added mutable influence, this Cancer is hard to understand.  They trust their emotions and intuition completely, but they are very easily influenced, so they often change things about themselves.

Sun in 0-9 degrees Leo (first decan, ruled by the sun): incredibly loving, but they do love themselves most of all.  There is an intense need for praise and attention, and everything they do is about them.

Sun in 10-19 degrees Leo (second decan, co-ruled by the sun and Jupiter): I would argue that this is the most naturally powerful Leo as they combine their inherent charisma with the good luck of Jupiter.  Ambitious and intellectual.

Sun in 20-29 degrees of Leo (third decan, co-ruled by the sun and Mars): this, however, is certainly the most driven Leo, perhaps even diabolically so.  They are unable to see other people’s points of view.

Sun in 0-9 degrees Virgo (first decan, ruled by Mercury): as much as people may think that Virgos are self-critical, the double-Virgo is massively egotistical and narcissistic.  They can be wonderful friends but they believe that they know best all the time.

Sun in 10-19 degrees Virgo (second decan, co-ruled by Mercury and Saturn): the kindest Virgos, as they combine the duty of Virgo with the devotion of Capricorn.  This Virgo is intelligent and hardworking, but they may be emotionally repressed.

Sun in 20-29 degrees Virgo (third decan, co-ruled by Mercury and Venus): the ultimate charmers of the zodiac.  They are ethereal and beautiful, and something about them makes them seem godlike.  They are almost universally liked but are fairly private.

Sun in 0-9 degrees Libra (first decan, ruled by Venus): contrary to what some people may say, the pure Libra is quite selfish.  They do everything in balance, and that means carving out time for themselves.  They are also dramatically idealistic and romantic.

Sun in 10-19 degrees Libra (second decan, co-ruled by Venus and Uranus): this Libra is very independent.  They are more likely to be drawn toward typical Libra-like humanitarian careers than the other Libras.  They are the least romantic.

Sun in 20-29 degrees Libra (third decan, co-ruled by Venus and Mercury): this is the least-balanced Libra.  What may be mistaken for Scorpionic influence really comes from the wild nature of Gemini, who makes this Libra unpredictable and dominating.

Sun in 0-9 degrees Scorpio (first decan, ruled by Pluto): they can be a bit nutty.  They are the typical extreme Scorpios who want to be mysterious, enigmatic, and cool, but who are really overrun with feelings of loneliness.

Sun in 10-19 degrees Scorpio (second decan, co-ruled by Pluto and Neptune): this Scorpio is nicer and more outgoing than other Scorpios.  They are caring and attentive but dislike being told what to do.

Sun in 20-29 degrees Scorpio (third decan, co-ruled by Pluto and the moon): although this Scorpio is probably the most prone to extremes, they are also the most caring.  They can always see right from wrong.

Sun in 0-9 degrees Sagittarius (first decan, ruled by Jupiter): this is the true Sagittarius intellectual.  They appreciate both truth and harmony and are not easily rattled.  Their morals are strong, but they can be quite irresponsible.

Sun in 10-19 degrees Sagittarius (second decan, co-ruled by Jupiter and Mars): a more athletic Sagittarius.  The “boy next door” Sagittarius probably has his sun in the second decan, as this Sagittarius is ambitious and adventurous, but not as intellectual as the other decans.  Still, they are kind.

Sun in 20-29 degrees Sagittarius (third decan, co-ruled by Jupiter and the sun): the crazier Sagittarius tends to be born here.  They are prideful, powerful, and passionate, and very attractive.

Sun in 0-9 degrees Capricorn (first decan, ruled by Saturn): a graveness of spirit lies with the first decan Capricorn.  They are not necessarily ambitious, but they do hate failure.  This Capricorn is cold and logical, but they have tremendous discipline.

Sun in 10-19 degrees Capricorn (second decan, co-ruled by Saturn and Venus): the most social and outgoing Capricorn, and also the least likely to express their love because they have the most of it.  Saturn is naturally restrictive, and with Venus, that means that love is made a mountain to climb.

Sun in 20-29 degrees Capricorn (third decan, co-ruled by Saturn and Mercury): this is the luckiest Capricorn because things tend to come naturally to them.  They are intelligent and quick-witted, and the pain of Saturn is felt less thanks to Mercury’s erratic personality.

Sun in 0-9 degrees Aquarius (first decan, ruled by Uranus): loyal and affectionate, and definitely the most consistent of the Aquarius decans.  They are talented and intellectual, but they listen exclusively to themselves and border occasionally on narcissism.

Sun in 10-19 degrees Aquarius (second decan, co-ruled by Uranus and Mercury): this is the most fun Aquarius.  Aquarius is co-ruled naturally by Saturn, and Mercury, as it does with the third decan Capricorn, makes the second decan Aquarius lively and intelligent.

Sun in 20-29 degrees Aquarius (third decan, co-ruled by Uranus and Venus): of the Aquarius decans, the third is the kindest.  They have deeply-ingrained morals and value dependability.  They tend to be optimistic and fair in nature, if a bit detached.

Sun in 0-9 degrees Pisces (first decan, ruled by Neptune): the most Neptunian of the Pisces.  Emotionally intense and completely detached to everything, this Pisces floats through life with exhaustion, hoping that eventually they’ll find the proper shore.  Life is possibly an endless quest for something that will never come.

Sun in 10-19 degrees Pisces (second decan, co-ruled by Neptune and the moon): this is the romantic Pisces.  Giving and maternal, they would do anyone for the ones they love.  I would argue that they are the most strong-willed and least manipulative of the Pisces.

Sun in 20-29 degrees Pisces (third decan, co-ruled by Neptune and Pluto): the psychic Pisces.  Although some may assume that the late-born Pisces is Martian due to its neighbor Aries, it is really due to their Scorpionic influence.  The most practical Pisces.

[seraonthestars]

A Tour of Your Astrological Solar System

You are the Earth, and the planets, stars, and satellites that float around you are necessary to your existence, as are you to theirs.  Although an understanding of astronomy isn’t exactly critical to an understanding of astrology, figuring out the way you relate to your own solar system can be helpful.

The sun is the largest body in the solar system.  It is that around which all other planets revolve, and it takes up the dramatic majority of the solar system.  Thusly, the sun is the most important “planet” (the sun and moon are technically luminaries, but for the sake of ease will be referred to as “planets”) in your birth chart.  The sun shines through in every other position, and it must be taken into account when interpreting any other part of the birth chart, as it is the planet that is most likely to change another planet’s expression (unless that planet is tightly aspected).  You are, however, not necessarily the sun.  Rather, it is the guiding body around which your life is centered.

Mercury is the planet that lies closest to the sun.  It is so close, in fact, that it is never farther than one constellation away from the sun, meaning that Mercury is always in the sign of the sun, or the signs before or after the sun.  Mercury, as the sun’s closest confidante, is related to how we communicate.  Self-expression is tied tightly to the ego, just as Mercury and the sun are basically inseparable.

Venus is the third planet, and it lies between the sun and Mercury (the ego and communication) and Earth (the effective self).  Venus relates the ideal to the real as both the planet of love and relationships and the planet of values and style.  Venus, the way we relate to others, is also closely related to our ego.  Predictably, that means that Venus is also never far from the sun; Venus can only be in the same sign as the sun, or within the two signs before or after.

Earth can be likened to the real self in astrology.  The best way to relate it to astrology is to call Earth the houses.  The first house cusp is, after all, determined by the constellation on the eastern horizon at birth, so counting the ascendant as the effective “Earth sign” works.  Although the other planets may disclose our traits and tendencies, the houses are where we express those traits, just as, although we’re affected by all planets, our lives take place on Earth.

The moon, in stark contrast to the rest of the astrological planets, does not revolve around the sun, but Earth.  The moon is the astronomical body that is closest to us, so it makes perfect sense that the moon, in astrology, is the inner self, the subconscious, passive personality.  The moon makes our existence as Earth possible, and it’s something we fiercely needed in order to support life.  Therefore, without tapping into the energies of our moon signs, we miss out on something truly vital.

After Earth is Mars.  Mars is the last rocky planet, and it is also the final fast-moving planet, so it rounds out the personalized part of the birth chart.  From what I seen, people actually act like their Mars signs, which makes a lot of sense given that it is the planet of action.  I have seldom met someone who didn’t actively use the traits of their Mars sign.  Mars is the least specific personal planet, and it plays a part in everything we do, driving us.

The first of the gas planets is Jupiter, the largest planet in the solar system.  Jupiter is often referred to in astrology as a “small sun” as it is the ruler of Sagittarius, a fire sign, the only fire sign that isn’t ruled by the sun itself somehow.  Jupiter shows us, quite literally, where we are large, where we may be excessive, as well as how we expand.

It is well-known that if there were an ocean large enough to carry it, that Saturn would be able to float.  How funny it is, then, that Saturn, in astrology, is the planet of heaviness.  If Jupiter is how we expand, Saturn is caged by her rings, and she restricts us.  Saturn is what challenges us, what we are meant to overcome.

The final three planets, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto, are called generational planets because they move so slowly that the signs stay the same for entire generations.  These planets don’t necessarily strongly affect one person, but they can define time periods and generational ideas and transitions.  Just as these planets are very from the sun but still part of the solar system, they may not be immediately noticeable in the person but they can be tapped into during transits and with aspects with the personal planets.

[shycancer-deactivated20190103]

Lately I’ve been thinking of people’s skepticism when it comes to calculating dominant signs/planets using the astro.com method and I’m kind of feeling skeptical too now, I never really questioned how they calculated it. And I’m not sure if I really think my dominant signs are accurate (Aquarius, Pisces, Cancer) I sort of agree with the Cancer one; I think my dominant signs would be Cancer and Gemini (because I have those two signs in two personal planets each). How do you guys calculate your dominant signs/planets?

[ayyries]

I personally don’t really like dominance systems at all, or at least the conventional way to calculate it. It’s personally too objective for me.

[shycancer-deactivated20190103]

So would you say people are better off just deciding their own ‘dominants’ for themselves? I personally don’t even mention/care for dominants very often, and I usually don’t find it relevant enough to incorporate it into any situation (like for example I don’t think it’s necessary to say “oh my Aquarius dominance makes me behave this way yadda yadda yadda”) And how do you go about determining one’s most influential planet in the birth chart?

[ayyries]

I feel like there shouldn’t be a singular system at all. I think dominance should be calculated on a case-by-case basis. To be honest, I feel like dominance system feels like a “one size fits all” system that shouldn’t be implemented since we all have different, unique natal charts. I’m planning to get rid of the dominance feature off my chart readings due to this.

I feel like you may have to ask the native a lot of questions before calculating dominance if you choose to do it. What sign do they think they relate to the most? What planet do they most strongly resonate with? See, the answers to these questions aren’t always found in a bunch of planets in Gemini or a bunch of aspects made to planets. While they can, you have to look deeper: look at the lords, the aspects, and other details to consider.

For example, I feel I have a lot of Pisces energy. That’s because the lord of my 7th House stellium is in the 12th House. I also have numerous aspects made to Neptune. However, I’m only Venus, Sun, and Moon dominant.

Other people may have energies that are not taken accounted for. Unaspected planets would be considered weak in most dominance systems, but they’re actually quite important in the natal chart. You’d even have to question what “weak” or “strong” even means in the natal chart at that point. Singleton planets would also be considered “weak,” but you can’t know for sure until you ask the native.

I feel like people should only focus on finding one dominant sign and planet. After all, dominance systems serve to be a good way to look at the chart “at-a-glance.” I just kind of find it counterproductive when most people try to look for the deeper stuff in the natal chart when dominance systems aim to do the opposite.

[seraonthestars]

This is how I feel too! I think that a chart should be taken as a whole with each part affecting every other part, and I feel like dominants are like slightly more specific sun signs in that they are overly simplistic. No chart, in my opinion, can be defined by a single sign.

[seraonthestars]

Happy Gemini Season! 🎉♊️

May your month be filled with knowledge, new experiences, and excitement! 💗👯

[slickygirl]

https://instagram.com/p/BT9HKkHAMrA/

[seraonthestars]

Nardine :)

Red :)

[seraonthestars]

anika:)

White, if that counts 😜

[seraonthestars]

Jelyna!

Purple! :)

[seraonthestars]

linzie!

Oooo green!

[seraonthestars]

Desiree 😶

Definitely pink!

[seraonthestars]

abeer (name)

Red but like a fun dark red

[seraonthestars]

Ariyan (for the colour name thing) please and thank you

Ooo cool name!  Let’s go with purple

[seraonthestars]

jessie!!

orange!!!

[seraonthestars]

Katie

Hmmmm..blue

[seraonthestars]

paige!

Green!

[seraonthestars]

Maya

Still red :)