The time of an individual's birth can be used to calculate what is known as the Ascendant, or Rising sign. We are looking for the zodiac sign that was ascending on the eastern horizon at the moment of the first breath. It symbolizes how we are likely to approach anything new throughout life. The Ascendant often describes the circumstances of our literal birth and earliest months of life. The appearance and traits of one's rising sign is usually visible as a characteristic style of behavior. It is worn much as we wear clothing, both as protection and as a way to move about in the world. As we come to know another individual better, the signs of the sun, moon, and the planets of the horoscope become more apparent.

Astrologers can compare the present positions of the planets to those of the original horoscope. The interpretation of this overlaid imagery is the astrological art of prediction. We look at the orbits of the planets as representations of the multiple cycles we are living. We experience love, career, self-esteem, financial conditions and health in cycles, to name only a few. To "read" a horoscope, astrologers begin by studying the original pattern at birth in the solar system. We then examine the present geometrical arrangement of planets and observe their relationships to the individual's primal model. Usually some cycles are on the rise while others have passed their peak of performance and are in a "falling" pattern. These images translate into increasing or decreasing energy of a particular life concern and the trajectory tells the story. 

Your Zodiac Sign:
Contrary to popular belief, the sun sign is not who you are, but who you are becoming during this existence. Some people identify firmly with their sign and others do not. The variations are usually related to whether the moon or any of the planets were in the same section of the zodiac as the sun at birth. If the sun's sign has the support of one or more planets, an individual is more likely to recognize himself in the trait description. It is fairly common for a person to feel affinity for the sign preceding or following the birth sign. This is due to the fact that the planets Mercury and Venus are often located one sign away from the sun and the traits they represent may "confuse" the issue.

Fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) are warm, enthusiastic and outgoing. They need a lot of fuel and therefore are constantly on the search for something new to "feed" them. Other signs must often create boundaries in order to prevent the fire signs from absorbing all the resources and space in the vicinity. One cannot really find fault with this, as the fire signs are usually quite unaware of the effects of their massive energy. When they reach a clearly defined edge drawn by another sign, they rarely take offense, and readily move in another direction. The fire signs are very intuitive and rely heavily on an element of luck which seems to be always with them. Fires often attract Earths to stabilize and center them.
 
  

Water Signs (Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces) are fluidly feeling and the range of their dispositions moves readily from ice storm to placid river to hot steam. Waters love the comforts of home and family and generally are strongly nurturing of anything that lives. They have compassionate instincts and are drawn to care for whomever or whatever seems weakened, defective or on the losing side. Waters are adept in the world of feeling and rarely are unduly frightened by any emotion they encounter. Airs (Gemini, Libra and Aquarius) and Waters are often mutually attracted. Airs need support when encountering deep feelings and past memories--they are prone to minimize the value of their emotional experiences. Waters, on the other hand, need help in the realm of logic and reason, so they draw heavily from the more verbal Airs.
 
  

The Age of Aquarius:
The Age of Aquarius has its astronomical basis in what is called "precession of the equinoxes." The earth's magnetic north pole draws a large circle in the sky over a period of approximately 26,000 years. This is the result of gravitational pull from the moon and the sun, resulting in a wobbling effect of the earth's axis. As the circle of the "Great Year" is drawn in the sky, every 2166 years (approximately) the north pole points toward a new sign in the zodiac. The precise moment at which this change occurs can be estimated within a century or so of accuracy. The birth of Jesus was among the markers of the last change of ages, from Aries to Pisces. Historically these changes have coincided with dramatic turns of human civilization. Markers of our current change to the Age of Aquarius are space travel and the paradigm-altering effects of our rapidly increasing technology. 

Interpretation of the meaning of the Age of Aquarius must be understood through both Aquarius (north pole) and the opposite sign of Leo (south pole). The sign of Aquarius is pro-egalitarianism. Taken to its extreme political end, we would develop a totally classless society of beings. We have seen unfortunate results from political efforts in that direction, such as loss of individual initiative and creativity. The poles must be balanced in such a way that our social systems worldwide are truly equal (Aquarian), while individuals are encouraged to contribute to society by recognition of their personal gifts. The mix of democracy and a capitalist economy can theoretically produce this outcome, but individual consciousness has not fully grown into the values needed to make it work. The good news is that we are just beginning this era of some 2100 years. Hopefully, we can find the truly functional combination between social equality and individual creativity. 

On my office wall I have a framed copy of the famous 1969 photo of the striking blue and white earth globe, suspended in the sky above the horizon of the moon. Those of us who are old enough, remember the spellbinding drama of watching televised images of our planet taken by the lunar astronauts. Never before had humans been distant enough from earth to see the beauty of our planetary home in the vast ocean of outer space. It was the first moment of global awareness for many in the human family. Perspectives changed among the masses during that extraordinary week of viewing ourselves as we are seen by the cosmos. I have since come to think of the first moon landing as the single most identifiable marker of the dawn of the Aquarian Age.