“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate” C.G. Jung
Congratulations on wanting to study astrology. It is an awarding adventure that can last a lifetime.
It is recommended that you have your chart read by a professional astrologer to be able to experience what your chart can tell you. If you are not comfortable with that, and want to do it yourself here is what you will need to interpret your chart.
First learn how to interpret the natal chart; then you will be able to see what is possible for your future. Many people want to learn astrology to know what their future will hold, the potentials and possibilities. To know what is coming your way that is the second tier of learning astrology is to understand transits in your chart and how the influence of the planets will impact your life. You can visit the other webpages with video instructions for what to expect when you are under a Saturn, Uranus, or Pluto transit.
To begin with a basic understanding of the planets can be found here.
If you are serious about studying astrology, purchase an astrology program in order to do progressions and see your transits, although there are references you can use if you want to do the math yourself. The computer program does not need to be expensive and there are free programs you can download. I have never downloaded a free astrology program yet they are out there. The program that I use is Sirius Astrology Program from astro software yet I have purchased and used many other find astrology programs also. Each one has its own strength, which software you will feel more comfortable with comes down to personal preference, the major astrology software companies, Matrix, Astrolabe, Kepler, etc all have accurate data bases for locations, time zones, and compensation for DST.
1.) Interpret your planets and asteroids and moons nodes
2.) Interpret the meaning of the aspects to your planets/ asteroids and node
3.) Interpret the strength of your planets
4.) Interpret the meaning of your planets in houses
5.) Interpret the phase of your moon and progressed moon cycle
6.) Interpret your progressed chart and solar arc chart
7.) Interpret the transits to your natal chart and progressed chart.
The above step by step formula will get you started.
There are many other techniques that you can add in as you become more adept and skilled, such as the midpoints, harmonics, planet nodes, Arabic parts, fixed stars, Sabian symbols and parans, antiscia points to name a few.
Don’t let the task of learning overwhelm you, this is why the world of learning astrology can be a life long hobby. There is so much to discover and each piece of astrological information uncovers yet another hidden gem.
Start with these books to get a basic and fundamental understanding. Of course there are many other fine astrology books to choose from, but here is a start. Once you read and understand 100 astrology books by good authors you will be on your way where looking at the chart, something will click and you will begin to truly be able to understand the messages from the planets. You may be asking What are the best astrology books to learn astrology? There are so many good ones, and others that are so so, I have included astrology books that are a good start. You will discover your favorite astrology authors and can explore further. These books are not in hierarchical order.
All Around the Zodiac: Exploring Astrology’s Twelve Signs- Bil Tierney
The Soul Purpose: Attaining Fulfillment and Security with Astrology – David Railey
The Luminaries: The Psychology of the Sun and Moon in the Horoscope – Liz Greene
The Inner Sky: How to Make Wiser Choices for a More Fulfilling Life by Steven Forrest
The Book of Pluto: Finding Wisdom in Darkness with Astrology Steven Forrest
Asteroid Goddesses: The Mythology, Psychology, and Astrology of the Re-Emerging Feminine- Demetra George
Saturn: A New Look at an Old Devil Liz Greene
The Ascendant – Jodie Forrest
The Astrological Neptune and the Quest for Redemption Liz Greene
Pluto: The Evolutionary Journey of the Soul, Volume 1- Jeff Green
Pluto, Vol II: The Soul’s Evolution Through Relationships Jeff Green
URANUS Freedom From The Known -Jeff Green
Healing the Soul: Pluto, Uranus and the Lunar Nodes -Mark Jones
Mysteries of the Dark Moon: The Healing Power of the Dark Goddess- Demetra George
Chiron and the Healing Journey – Melanie R Reinhart
Moon Signs: The Key to Your Inner Life – Donna Cunningham
Healing Pluto Problems – Donna Cunningham
Chiron: Rainbow Bridge Between the Inner & Outer Planet – Barbara Hand Clow
The Yod Book: Including a Complete Discussion of Unaspected Planets – Karen Hamaker-Zondag
Astrology for the Soul – Jan Spiller
Synthesis & Counseling in Astrology: The Professional Manual – Noel Tyl
Vocations: The New Midheaven Extension Process – Noel Tyl
Finding our Way through the Dark- Demetra George
The House Connection: How to Read the Houses in an Astrological Chart – Karen Hamaker-Zondag
The Twelve Houses ¬- Howard Sasportas
The Twelfth House: The Hidden Power in the Horoscope Karen Hamaker-Zondag
Interpret the phase of your moon and progressed moon cycle
The Lunation Cycle: A Key to the Understanding of Personality
Dane Rudhyar
Classical Astrology for Modern Living: From Ptolemy to Psychology & Back Again – J. Lee Lehman
Planets in Transit: Life Cycles for Living – Robert Hand
The Changing Sky: A Practical Guide to the New Predictive Astrology -Steven Forrest
Prediction in Astrology: A Master Volume of Technique and Practice – Noel Tyl
Classical Solar Returns – J. Lee Lehman
Astrology of Fate – Liz Greene
Predictive Astrology: The Eagle and the Lark – Bernadette Brady
The Arabic Parts in Astrology: A Lost Key to Prediction- Robert Zoller
Solar Arcs: Astrology’s Most Successful Predictive System – Noel Tyl
Planets in Composite: Analyzing Human Relationships – Robert Hand
The Astrology of Family Dynamics – Erin Sullivan
Skymates: Love, Sex and Evolutionary Astrology – Steven Forrest, Jodie Forrest
Astrology for Lovers – Liz Greene
Brady’s Book of Fixed Stars – Bernadette Brady
Traditional Medical Astrology – J. Lee Lehman
The Martial Art of Horary Astrology ¬ – J. Lee Lehman
The Combination of Stellar Influences – Reinhold Ebertin
Applied Cosmobiology – Reinhold Ebertin
Dial Detective – Investigation with the 90 Degree Dial
Midpoints: Unleashing the Power of the Planets – Michael Munkasey
Astrology and Cosmology in the World’s Religions Nicholas Campion
A History of Western Astrology Volume I: The Ancient and Classical Worlds Nicholas Campion
A History of Western Astrology Volume II: The Medieval and Modern Worlds Nicholas Campion
Sky And Psyche: The Relationship Between Cosmos And Consciousness Nicholas Campion
Best wishes for a joy filled journey in studying your astrology chart – may it open up many door of hope and fulfillment in your life.
Find your local astrology organization, join a national organization, attend conferences.
For those of you who are super serious and have the financial means Kepler College has an excellent curriculum
for in-depth study.