What do the houses, signs and planets mean?

The Houses are like stage sets representing the places and situations where action occurs. The order of the 12 houses are:

1. Psychological motivation, well-being

2. Possessions, feelings

3. Siblings, transport, environment, early education

4. Home, domestic life, parents, (esp. mother)

5. Creativity, pleasure, children, love affairs, risk-taking, father

6. Health, diet, exercise, hobbies, routine work

7. Partnerships, relationships

8. Sex, inheritance, investments

9. Higher education, long-distance travel, ideals, dreams, challenge

10. Aspirations and ambitions

11. Social life, objectives, social conscience, friends

12. Seclusion, escapism, faith, institutions

The Signs set the mood representing needs and attitudes. There are twelve signs based upon constellations:

1. Aries, March 21-April 21, the ram: forceful, energetic, direct, courageous, seeks adventure and challenge.

2. Taurus, April 22-May 20, the bull: practical, often skeptical and stubborn, loves serenity and inner peace.

3. Gemini, May 21-June 21, the twins: inquisitive, witty, perceptive, adaptable and seeks out information.

4. Cancer, June 22-July 22, the crab: introspective, emotional, protective and wants inner and outer security.

5. Leo, July 23-Aug 23, the lion: proud, gregarious, dramatic, dignified and desires self expression.

6. Virgo, Aug 24-Sep 22, the virgin: analytical, critical, modest, helpful and works toward perfection.

7. Libra, Sep 23-Oct 22, scales of balance: affectionate, tolerant, often indecisive, appreciates beauty, seeks balance, relationship and calmness.

8. Scorpio, Oct 23-Nov 22, scorpion: penetrating, suspicious, introspective, desires to transform and remove outer masks.

9. Sagittarius, Nov 23-Dec 21, the archer: jovial, open minded, loves freedom, seeks meaning and new experience.

10. Capricorn, Dec 22-Jan 20, the goat: industrious, practical, disciplined, works for solitude and personal integrity.

11. Aquarius, Jan 21-Feb 19, the waterbearer: progressive, erratic, revolutionary, idealistic, humanitarian, inventive and desires individuality.

12. Pisces, Feb 20-Mar 20, the fish: imaginative, other-worldly, impressionable and seeks transcendence of self.

The Planets are the actors of the chart:

The Sun: spirit, ego, image of self and sense of aliveness.

The Moon: emotional nature, moods, feelings and caring tendencies.

Mercury: thoughts, intellect and communicative activity.

Venus: creativity, affection, calmness and relationship needs.

Mars: will, energy, activity, aggressive and assertive tendencies.

Jupiter: enthusiastic, faithful, wise, expansive and spontaneous nature.

Saturn: part of mind that is disciplined, respectful and solitary.