Published 20/01/2026 • Updated 20/01/2026 by Joanne Jones

Understanding Astrology: A Beginner’s Guide

Astrology is a symbolic language for understanding personality, timing, and life patterns. It is based on the movements of the planets and stars.

The Beginner’s Guide to Astrology is a comprehensive guide to understanding what astrology is, how it works and how to start using it for insight and reflection. It is crammed full of information for the person new to astrology and will help you to understand the basics and how to use it in a practical and balanced way.

This article is written by Joanne Jones, an international astrologer and psychic medium. Joanne has been studying and working in astrology and psychic guidance for over 30 years. Joanne is well known and respected for her ability to present astrology in a simple, clear, ethical way, making the most complex astrology easy to understand for the beginner.

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What Is Astrology? (A Simple Explanation for Beginners)

Astrology is a system of beliefs that studies the motions and locations of planets and other celestial bodies, as well as their symbolic and sometimes speculated corresponding relationships to human life and the Earth. Astrology does not claim to control our energies or our free will; in many cases, it’s seen as a tool to help cultivate self-awareness, reflection, and meaning from life patterns.

Astrologers focus on the observation and analysis of the pattern of movement of the planets, the Sun, and the Moon, as seen in the sky over different times and positions. They focus on the time of birth and how the movement of the planets may be representative of certain personality types, emotional patterns, strengths, and potential challenges.

Astrology is a much broader system than your daily horoscope; it also includes:

• Zodiac Signs
• Planets
• Houses
• Natal (birth) charts
• Planetary aspects and relationships

All of these make up a complex symbolic map that can be interpreted to see how certain energies may show up in one's life.

Astrology vs Astronomy: What’s the Difference?

Astrology and astronomy are two very different practices, but they have one important thing in common: Both astrology and astronomy involve the study of celestial bodies.

Astronomy is the scientific study of planets, stars, galaxies, and other objects in the universe, as well as the laws of physics that govern the cosmos.

Astronomers observe, measure, and use mathematics to explore how the universe formed, how it works, and how the bodies within it behave.

Astrology is a symbolic and interpretive system that attempts to understand how the movements and cycles of the planets may correspond with certain personality traits, emotional patterns, and life themes.

Astrologers use a metaphorical language to describe and interpret these relationships rather than using physical measurements.

In Summary:

• Astronomy is a scientific discipline that seeks to understand the physical universe.
• Astrology is a symbolic and interpretive system that explores the possible meaning of celestial patterns in human life.

✔️ Astronomy is a science; astrology is not. The two are separate disciplines and can both be valuable and meaningful in their own ways.

The Zodiac Explained: The 12 Signs

You’ve likely heard of your star signs, or perhaps the zodiac signs. Learning about the zodiac is probably the first place that beginners start to explore when they have a passion for astrology. The zodiac is made up of 12 star signs, and most people will know their zodiac sign as each sign covers a specific period and set of personality traits.

In addition, each zodiac sign also corresponds to different personality traits, motivations, and tendencies. The zodiac itself is a moving circle that travels around throughout the year. The signs of the zodiac can also be grouped in other ways based on their planetary, elemental, and modal groups.

The 12 Zodiac Signs

• ♈ Aries (March 21 – April 19) – bold, energetic, action-driven.
• ♉ Taurus (April 20 – May 20) – grounded, stable, comfort-loving.
• ♊ Gemini (May 21 – June 20) – inquisitive, talkative, flexible.
• ♋ Cancer (June 21 – July 22) – caring, intuitive, emotionally aware.
• ♌ Leo (July 23 – August 22) – self-confident, expressive, creative.
• ♍ Virgo (August 23 – September 22) – analytical, practical, detail-conscious.
• ♎ Libra (September 23 – October 22) – diplomatic, fair, relationship-focused.
• ♏ Scorpio (October 23 – November 21) – intense, transformational, emotionally powerful.
• ♐ Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21) – adventurous, optimistic, truth-seeking.
• ♑ Capricorn (December 22 – January 19) – hardworking, responsible, achievement-focused.
• ♒ Aquarius (January 20 – February 18) – innovative, independent, progressive.
• ♓ Pisces (February 19 – March 20) – compassionate, imaginative, empathetic.

Remember, the zodiac is just one facet of astrology and a great starting point for astrology. But the astrology practice can be much more accurate and personal when the positions of the planets are considered in conjunction with a person’s birth chart.

Elements and Modalities: The Energy of the Signs

In astrology, there are 3 modalities and 4 elements. Each of the 12 zodiac signs falls into one of these.

Elements and Modalities show how energy behaves and how people function in life.

Elements (Type of Energy)

• Fire: Energetic, passionate, action-oriented.
• Earth: Practical, stable, grounded.
• Air: Mental, communicative, curious.
• Water: Emotional, intuitive, sensitive.
• Modalities (Energy Expression).
• Cardinal: likes to take the initiative.
• Fixed: likes stability and consistency.
• Mutable: adapts easily to change.

Why It’s Important:

Elements and Modalities can be useful for understanding why two people of the same zodiac sign can be different in how they act and think.

The Planets in Astrology and What They Represent

Planets in astrology are essentially archetypes of different parts of your personality and motivation. When a planet is rising, transiting or in certain aspects to another, it is an indicator that the energy is ‘activated’ or ‘on’. Where each planet falls in your birth chart indicates to you, the part of your life it can be seen at play.

Planet Archetypes

• Sun – Self-expression and the essence of who you are.
• Moon – Your feelings, emotional needs, and reactions.
• Mercury – Thought processes, communication style, and learning.
• Venus – The way you love, what you value and your pleasures.
• Mars – The drive, action, and assertive energy within you.
• Jupiter – Expansion, growth, optimism, and opportunity.
• Saturn – Discipline, responsibility, life lessons, and boundaries.
• Uranus – Rebellion, change, uniqueness, and independence.
• Neptune – Fantasy, dreams, imagination, and intuition.
• Pluto – Transformation, power, and major inner change.

Meaning of Planet Positions

Planet positions in your birth chart explain how and where different energies are seen in your life. Each planetary position is a different aspect of your personality. An astrologer can tell you where the planet positions will affect your life, which may be around your relationships, work, emotions, personal development, and so on.

What Is a Natal Chart? (Your Personal Astrology Map)

A natal chart (or astrological chart) is a map of the sky at the time and place you were born. The chart shows where the planets were positioned in the sky at that precise moment. The natal chart is the foundation for astrology. It shows an overall picture of your personal astrology and goes much deeper than your Sun sign alone. Many people become interested in their natal chart to better understand themselves.

A natal chart consists of :

• Planet positions.
• Zodiac signs.
• Astrological houses.

Your natal chart is much more complex than your Sun sign. It provides a deep insight into your emotional needs, communication style, motivation, strengths, and repeating patterns throughout your life. Many people use it as a tool to understand recurring life patterns and how they have influenced their life choices.

3 Main Parts of a Natal Chart

There are many details within a natal chart, but there are three main ones beginners can work with:

• Sun sign – represents your core identity, purpose, and sense of self.
• Moon sign – reflects your emotions, instincts, and inner needs.
• Rising sign (Ascendant) – describes how others see you and your approach to life.

The three parts of the natal chart provide a much clearer and more personal picture of you than just a Sun sign alone. Exploring your natal chart can help you understand your personality, life patterns, and life path in a simple and meaningful way.

What’s the Difference Between a Sun Sign, Moon Sign, and Rising Sign?

If you are just starting to explore the differences between your Sun, Moon, and Rising Sign, then it’s wise to remember that you are far more complex than your Sun sign.

Think of your astrology like layers of who you are:

• Your Sun sign is who you are at your core. It represents your identity, personality, and life motivations.
• Your Moon sign is how you feel on the inside. This sign speaks to your emotions, instincts, and your unmet needs (in ways others often won’t see).
• Your Rising sign (Ascendant) is how you naturally show up to the world. It describes your first impressions and how you approach new things.

Why the Sun Sign Isn’t Enough to Understand You

Many people read their Sun sign and feel it doesn’t fully describe them.

It’s because your Sun, Moon, and Rising signs work together to influence your personality, and often, you may:

• Feel differently from how you present yourself.
• React in emotional ways that others don’t expect.

When you look at all three together, astrology descriptions begin to really resonate rather than feel generic.

The Astrological Houses: Mapping Life’s Areas

If zodiac signs tell us what kind of energy we are, the astrological houses show us where that energy is in our lives.

Your birth chart is divided into 12 houses, and each one connects to a different area of everyday life. That is what is meant when people say astrology “maps where life happens.”

The 12 Astrological Houses Explained Simply

• Self and identity – Self-image, how you view yourself.
• Money and values – Values, earning potential, and financial security.
• Communication – Thinking, learning, speaking.
• Home and family – Roots, family, environment, belonging.
• Creativity and joy – Fun, romance, play, self-expression.
• Daily life and health – Work routines, exercise, and wellbeing.
• Relationships – Partnerships, close connections, love.
• Change and growth – Deep emotions, loss, endings, renewal.
• Beliefs and exploration – Learning, travel, ideas, self-discovery.
• Career and purpose – Career, goals, public presence.
• Friends and community – Social circles, acquaintances, wishes.
• Inner world – Intuition, dreams, deeper self-reflection.

How Houses Work With Planets

Planets that fall in different houses show where you may feel life most strongly - like careers, relationships, or spiritual growth.

Astrology is here to help you understand yourself in a kinder way. Help you understand why you feel the way you do, why you get triggered by certain things. Why do you do certain patterns repeatedly? Where are your strengths and growth points?

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Horoscopes Explained: How They Work and What to Expect

Horoscopes are often used for just light entertainment in daily newspapers. A real horoscope reading by an experienced reader is based on the movement of planets through the 12 zodiac signs. A horoscope reading will reveal potential planetary influences, moods, and emotions that are active in the moment or over a short time frame in the future. Horoscopes don’t attempt to predict specific events.

Aspects of Astrology That Most Horoscopes Use:

The most common elements in most horoscopes include:

• Sun signs (based on date of birth).
• Planetary transits currently in motion.
• Short-term themes or energies relating to emotions or life, such as focus, communication, or relationships.

Because horoscopes are often used as light entertainment for a general audience, they cannot consider each reader’s unique birth chart and will often be based on your star sign traits.

Why People Often Confuse Horoscopes and Astrology Readings

There’s a reason many people talk about horoscopes and astrology readings as if they were the same thing.

True, there’s some overlap in the methods used to interpret a birth chart. But they’re fundamentally different, with horoscopes tending to be more general than specific.

It’s perfectly normal to get the two mixed up, though, especially if you’re just beginning to learn. After all, horoscopes are the face of astrology. They’re the most publicly shared and discussed parts of the practice.

The big difference:

• Horoscope = general guidance for many people.
• Astrology reading = personalised insight for you.

Horoscopes can be useful for some people. The general guidance they provide can give you food for thought and a place to start. But for real insight into your life, you need an astrology reading.

Why Horoscope Readings Are So Popular

People love horoscope readings as a regular part of their lives because they’re easy to read and easily accessible. In fact, they don’t take up much time at all, which is why some people turn to horoscopes when they want a moment of pause to reflect and meditate.

Five Reasons Why People Read Their Horoscopes:

• Quick read for your star sign.
• Read online, on the app, or on social media.
• Relatable and comforting.
• Easy and reflective.
• Helps check in with yourself without a technical background.

Horoscopes are a starting point for many people who want to pause and reflect on the day, week, or month without getting into a more in-depth study of astrology. This daily, weekly, or monthly reflection offers them perspective and reassurance, even if they’re not going to go on to read more about astrology.

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Astrology for Beginners: How to Get Started (Step by Step)

If you’re new to astrology, it’s wise to remember that astrology is a vast topic and you could easily become overwhelmed. It’s best to take one small area that interests you and carry on from there. There is a wealth of books, online astrologers, and local events where you can share your newfound knowledge with those who have the same passion.

Beginner-Friendly Steps

• Step 1: Know Your Birth Information

Date of birth, location of birth, and (rough) time of birth. (If you don’t have the time of birth, that’s OK. A rough time of birth still yields an accurate chart, and you can always update it later!)

• Step 2: Find or Create Your Natal or Astrological Chart Online

Use an online chart generator from a reputable astrology website. A chart is like a snapshot of the sky at the moment of your birth. It’s a visual map of the positions of the Sun, Moon, and planets at the time of your birth, and it’s an essential tool for learning astrology.

• Step 3: Learn the “Big Three” First

The easiest way to learn your birth chart is to start with your “Big Three”:

• Sun sign (core identity)
• Moon sign (emotions)
• Rising sign / Ascendant (first impression + life approach)

These three factors offer a much more personalised portrait than a Sun sign alone.

• Step 4: Master the Basics Before Advanced Topics

Learn about the zodiac signs' meanings, the position of planets, and houses before tackling aspects, retrogrades, stelliums, and other advanced chart concepts.

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Benefits of Understanding Astrology

For many people, Astrology is a place for discovery that they use from the start of their spiritual, self-study journey. It’s easy to get into, and there are so many resources available. Astrology is especially helpful when it comes to helping you become more aware of yourself, your reactivity, and life themes.

And like anything else that is helpful, Astrology works best when practised with care, in moderation, and with a realistic mindset.

Benefits of Astrology

Astrology can help you with:

• Self-awareness.
• Emotional insight.
• Reflection on relationships and life themes.
• Connection to inner life.

For many people, astrology provides more perspective than answers, allowing space for pause, reflection, and wiser choices.

Limits to remember:

• Astrology also has boundaries.
• Astrology does not negate free will.
• Your choices always have more power than a chart or prediction.
• Astrology is guidance, not certainty.
• Astrology reveals tendencies and themes, not set outcomes.
• Different interpretations are possible.
• Astrology is symbolic, and different readers or methods may offer varying insights.
• Personal responsibility is still a factor.
• Astrology should support decision-making, not replace it.

Ethical Use of Astrology

Used ethically, astrology is a tool for awareness, reflection, compatibility, and personal growth, not fear, dependence, or pressure. The best approach is to engage with it for understanding, not as a rulebook for life.

Why Astrology Is Still Relevant Today

We use astrology to pause, reflect, and find meaning in a world that can often feel chaotic and tumultuous.

Astrology won’t necessarily give you ‘certainties’ about what to do and how to live your life. It can, however, give you a framework to learn a language to make sense of what we feel, what’s happening with the people around us, and to recognise and track repeating patterns.

Astrology has never been more accessible than in this technological age, with apps and online tools to help people view and understand their own charts and daily horoscopes, and for many, these are a great way to build self-awareness, compassion, and insight into the workings of our own lives and personalities.

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Beginner FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Astrology

In a Nutshell, What Is Astrology?

Astrology is a symbolic language that looks at the position of the planets and stars at a given time, such as the moment of one’s birth, to provide insight into a person’s personality, emotional tendencies, and life themes.

Astrology is used more as a tool for self-understanding and self-reflection rather than as a system for predicting fixed outcomes.

What Do I Need to Get an Accurate Astrology Reading?

To get an accurate astrology reading, one must generate the whole natal (birth) chart. For that, one needs a few more details regarding the time of birth.

Date of birth – It is necessary to know the zodiac sign and planetary positions.

Place of birth – The right location and time zone for the birth chart.

Approximate time of birth - It is used to determine the Rising sign and astrological houses.

The more accurate the time of birth, the better the reading will be. Even an approximate time (roughly to the hour or two) for a basic astrology reading can be enough.

What’s the Difference Between a Sun Sign, Moon Sign, and Rising Sign?

• Sun sign – represents your identity, your personality, and your sense of self.

• Moon sign – represents your emotional nature, your instincts, and your inner needs.

• Rising sign (Ascendant) – describes your physical appearance to others, your approach to life and new things, and the impressions others have of you.

Sun, Moon, and Rising signs, taken together, can provide a more in-depth picture than just a Sun sign alone.

Are Daily Horoscopes Accurate?

Daily horoscopes are interpretations of astrology that are written for general audiences.

These are often based on a broad, simplified, and generalised approach to astrology and are usually only focused on a single birth detail, the individual’s Sun sign.

Daily horoscopes can often be helpful, but they aren’t as specific, personalised, or in-depth as an astrology reading based on a natal (birth) chart. Daily horoscopes are like a starting point rather than an entire astrology reading.

Are Retrogrades Real, and Why Are People Talking About Them?

Retrogrades are a period when a planet appears to be moving backwards in its orbit, as seen from Earth. Retrogrades are a natural part of the planetary cycle and aren’t something that should be avoided.

Astrologers often use retrogrades to refer to a time of reflection, reassessment, or taking a step back rather than moving forward with a project or a relationship.

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