The Astrological Onion

Greetings:

There is a term I often use when talking about astrology called the “Astrological Onion.” For those who have spent any time exploring astrology this term will be self-evident. An astrology chart has layer upon layer of information that the trained astrologer can use.

You would be hard-pressed to find someone who is not aware of what Sun Sign they were born under, yet most people have no idea what-so-ever what Sign their Moon was in when they were born. In the real art of astrology all the planets are used, not just Sun. The Sun Sign is but the barest tip of astrology, that thin flaky outer layer of the Astrological Onion.

The next layer to consider would have to be the Houses. When an astrologer creates a chart, they are creating a picture of the heavens as seen from a particular point on the surface of the Earth for a given point in time. The Houses represent what part of the sky a planet is in from that place at that time. A planet in the First House is just below the eastern horizon. A planet in the Tenth House is just approaching the middle of the sky above us. Just as an astrologer finds meaning in what part of the heavens a planet is in, an astrologer finds meaning is what part of the sky a planet is placed.

The Sign give us the character of a planet, the House provide a context for that character. Let me give you and example.

The Sun in Leo is said to bestow a measure of vanity on an individual. Now vanity can be used to describe a great deal of human behavior. The Houses can give you much more detail into how that vanity is likely to be expressed. A Leo Sun in the 1st House can indicate someone who’s vanity reveals itself in personal appearance. They may feel the need to "Look Good". A Leo Sun in the 2nd house might express itself in a need for wealth and possessions. Someone with a Leo Sun in the 4th House might feel the need for the biggest house of the block, or the best looking lawn. At the least they are likely to feel the need for their home to be a showplace. A person with a 7th House Leo Sun, might feel the need for a beautiful wife or handsome husband. Inwardly the may view their partner as a trophy of status symbol. With a 10th house Leo Sun, vanity might indicate the need for an important or prestigious job.

Aspects provide the next most important layer to the Astrological Onion. When two or more planets form particular angles from us in the heavens, these angles are called Aspects. Some Aspects such as Sextiles (60 degrees) and Trines (120 degree) are said to be harmonious. Other Aspects such as Squares (90 degrees) and Oppositions (180) degrees) are considered disharmonious. The Conjunction (0 degrees) is considered neutral. There are also a number of minor Aspects.

Aspects energize a planet in a chart. The more aspects a planet has, the more significant that planet is. Let me give an example here. In some charts there will be no Aspects to the Sun but the Moon will have 4 or 5 or more Aspects to it. In such a case the influence of the Moon will be much stronger than the Sun in that chart. There are some charts where the planets form lots of Aspects. People with such charts tend to have much more complex natures that those who have a chart with few Aspects. A planet with no Aspects will have much less impact that a plants with a heavy load of Aspects.

Signs, Houses and Aspects are the most important layers of the Astrological Onion, but by no means the only layer. Other layers can be found in the lay of the planets in a chart and the patterns they form. There are groupings of Signs into Elements and Qualities that provide other layers, as well as a host of more arcane attributes where meaning can be found in a chart.

Each layer provides a pattern of meaning an astrologer can use to give a reading with. This also provides the reason why two different astrologers can give completely different reading and both still be correct. Different astrologers tend to focus on different layers of a chart building their reading from distinct perspective.

The Astrological Onion is not limited to the birth or Natal chart either. There are many different kinds of astrological charts in the experienced astrologers tool box. There is Relationship astrology which uses techniques like Synastry and Composite charts. There are the prognosticative techniques such as Transits, Progressions, Returns and more. There are techniques like Electional astrology where an astrologer looks for the best time to begin and enterprise such as a marriage or business. There Mundane astrology that focuses on institutions like governments or corporations. There are dozens of different specialty astrological arts.

After decade as a student of astrology I am still finding new layers to the Astrological Onion. Astrology never fails to excite and intrigue me. It offers me endless new avenues to explore and
mysteries to investigate. Peel back one layer and there is another and another. While some might consider me a master of the art of astrology I will also see myself as a student because I know there is so much more to learn.

Ben