The past few years I’ve been combining energy healing and astrology - the idea is to work with the natal chart as a roadmap for personal growth. Energy healing is covered in my book, Chakra Healing Magick; I've been sharing the basics of natal astrology on Instagram - here is a summary. Please share with friends! ❤️
The goal is for everyone to learn how to read their astrology chart. You will find my intro posts below. Keep reading for my approach to healing with astrology, the basics of natal charts, and how to read yours. This page covers the following:
- The Elements 🔥💦🌴💨
- The Personal Planets
- Integrating Your Shadow (Healing)
- AstroPizza: How to Read a Natal Chart
Part 1: What Element is Your Sun Sign?
The SUN represents your essence and what makes your soul come alive. It is linked to your month of birth. When people say I’m a Virgo or a Libra, they're usually thinking of their Sun.
In the next few months we will discover that it’s not static, the natal chart unfolds and develops as we grow. But your natal Sun will always be the core that makes your light shine in the world. We light this candle easily if we take a step back to think about the core Element.
Each of the Zodiac signs can be classified as Earth, Air, Water or Fire, with an angel to help us integrate its energy.
Meditating with the archangel of your Element will help you activate and integrate your Sun: Join me on Youtube for meditations with the Elements. But first, have a look at the pictures below. Is your Sun in Fire, Earth, Air or Water???
You’ll need two books and your birth chart to go deep with this:
📚 1) Chakra Healing & Magick, by Regina Chouza (yours truly). The energy healing tools in this book will help you heal sticking points that come up in your chart. My book does NOT cover astrology, but it does look at the Elements in the Aura.📚 2) Your choice of natal astrology book; these are my recommendations for beginners. Both are fab but there are many more: Parkers’ Astrology, The Inner Sky...
- The Astrology Bible by Judy Hall. This is my top choice because of the chapter on Aspects; it goes well with energy healing.
- Carole Taylor’s Astrology: Using the Wisdom of the Stars in your Daily Life. This one makes it easier to interpret the signs and planets in the Houses, and to answer questions about career, love etc.
4) Q&A: Instagram.com/reginachouza
3) Mercury is the planet of mind and communication. It influences how we think, how we assimilate info and how we express ourselves. Water is intuitive, Earth is to the point, Fire is passionate, inspired or creative.
4-5) Venus is the planet of Love but also the planet of desire. It tells us what you want and value in life. It pairs up thematically with Mars, the planet of action and competition. It plays a big role in boundary setting and achievement.
If Venus tells us what people value or want, Mars is how they go about getting it. For example, do they ask nicely, take it boldly or are they careful at every step 🌻
6). The Ascendant is the Zodiac sign that was on the Eastern horizon when we were born, welcoming us to the world (AC on the chart). It’s how we interact with others - our user interface or surface personality.
The personality is influenced by the entire chart, with these Planets most notable. Charts vary because the Planets circle through the Zodiac at different speeds. A child born on August 5th will have fiery Leo energy (Sun + Mercury) as well as the grounded nature of the Earth sign Virgo (Mars & Venus) with an intuitive Cancer Moon bringing in Water 🌊
Have a look at your Birth Chart.
The 12 Houses are always in the same place but the Zodiac rotates twice daily.
Part 2: The Personal Planets
There are 10 planets and luminaries in a birth chart, but the five “Personal Planets” influence the personality in the most obvious way: the Sun, the Moon, Mercury, Venus and Mars. Each of these shapes a specific aspect of the personality. Keep reading for an introduction - you'll find full descriptions in the astrology books on the recommended reading list!
1) The Sun is your Essence, how and where we shine brightest. It’s also represents the soul’s path. We can dial up the brightness of our Sun by channeling its Element as discussed last week!
2) The Moon speaks to our inner world and what makes us feel secure. It relates to Mothering. How easily do you connect with your intuition, emotions and your nurturing side? The Moon isn’t easily observed by others; it accounts for our varying needs.
2) The Moon speaks to our inner world and what makes us feel secure. It relates to Mothering. How easily do you connect with your intuition, emotions and your nurturing side? The Moon isn’t easily observed by others; it accounts for our varying needs.
For example, the Moon in Earth seeks physical security; in Water, it seeks emotional connections; in Fire we need to move, create and ‘do’ to feel secure. Thinking or talking things through makes Air (Moons) feel better.
👉🏻 We won’t always satisfy our Moon’s need for security, other planets may pull us in a different direction. For example, an Earthy Moon seeks stability, but coupled with a risk-taking Sun, a person will find themselves out of their comfort zone. Striking a balance is key.
3) Mercury is the planet of mind and communication. It influences how we think, how we assimilate info and how we express ourselves. Water is intuitive, Earth is to the point, Fire is passionate, inspired or creative.
4-5) Venus is the planet of Love but also the planet of desire. It tells us what you want and value in life. It pairs up thematically with Mars, the planet of action and competition. It plays a big role in boundary setting and achievement.
If Venus tells us what people value or want, Mars is how they go about getting it. For example, do they ask nicely, take it boldly or are they careful at every step 🌻
6). The Ascendant is the Zodiac sign that was on the Eastern horizon when we were born, welcoming us to the world (AC on the chart). It’s how we interact with others - our user interface or surface personality.
The personality is influenced by the entire chart, with these Planets most notable. Charts vary because the Planets circle through the Zodiac at different speeds. A child born on August 5th will have fiery Leo energy (Sun + Mercury) as well as the grounded nature of the Earth sign Virgo (Mars & Venus) with an intuitive Cancer Moon bringing in Water 🌊
I know, it's a lot! Take your time and when you are ready…
Read this post for a musical introduction to the Zodiac and tell us what you think it means for a kid who shines & speaks Leo, feels like a Cancer, and is driven by Virgo?
Part 3: Integrating the Shadow with Astrology
My approach to astrology has been shaped by energy healing on many levels. In 2015 I signed up for a planetary magick workshop in London. Our psychic astrology teacher, Demian Allan, had us meditate with the planets to download their energy. He also introduced the idea of Zodiac signs as opposites - polarities that play off each other. I’ve taken it further, linking the idea of opposite signs to energy healing.
In short, that was when I began seeing astrology as an interactive discipline, and when I started blending it with energy healing. We can connect with thr Zodiac to awaken our talents - especially by shining a light on your Shadow! Your power is in your shadow ✨
What is the Shadow??
We all have traits that we hide from others, and often, do our best to ignore them in ourselves. In healing circles this is referred to as the Shadow. It’s what we’ve learned to suppress, often projecting it onto others. What we dislike (or admire!) in others can be a reflection of the depths of our personality; the dynamic is illustrated by the Zodiac wheel.
If we think of the Zodiac as six coins with two faces each, we can see how opposites interact. For example, a person born under the sign of Scorpio will have Taurus as his opposite. One likes to tear down and rebuild, looking at all of the ugliness or disfunction that needs to be rooted out, while the other values stability, beauty, comfort and upholds traditions. How comfortable a Scorpio person is with Taurus energy will influence how they react to those qualities in life.
Most of us identify with one side of the coin more than another - feeling triggered by certain aspects when we encounter them. All of the Zodiac signs have healthy & unhealthy expressions, it’s important to channel them consciously. Opposites complement each other; Scorpio’s strategic upheavals pave the way for Taurus’s lasting comfort.
Most of us identify with one side of the coin more than another - feeling triggered by certain aspects when we encounter them. All of the Zodiac signs have healthy & unhealthy expressions, it’s important to channel them consciously. Opposites complement each other; Scorpio’s strategic upheavals pave the way for Taurus’s lasting comfort.
We need to flex both sides of the coin to access all of our personal power. Getting along with yourself improves relationships with others too 🔥
🌟 Journaling Prompt 🌟
This week’s astrology post aims to broaden our perspective so that we never see ourselves only as a particular Zodiac sign - realizing that we have the qualities of all 12 Zodiac signs in our psychology (and in different parts of the natal chart). Some are more prominent than others.
Have a look at your Birth Chart.
How do you feel about your Sun Sign & its opposite - or your Moon Sign and its opposite? For example, Pisces Suns, how does Virgo feel? Or ir your Sun/Moon is in Aquarius, you'd need Leo's also need drive to shine, otherwise your uniqueness won't have as much impact.
Do you enjoy spending time with people who display those qualities? Do you see them in yourself? What can you do to become more comfortable with your opposite signs?
Do you enjoy spending time with people who display those qualities? Do you see them in yourself? What can you do to become more comfortable with your opposite signs?
FYI - when it comes to the Ascendant, opposites attract!
Part 4: The Natal Chart (AstroPizza)
For now, I would suggest starting with summary table of Planets and Zodiac signs. When you're ready to dive into the natal chart wheel, let's talk pizza.
We can think of a natal astrology chart as a pizza with 12 slices. Each slice (HOUSE) represents a part of your life. The type of cheese (ZODIAC Sign) on each slice tells us how that part of your life will taste to you, based on your time of birth. Lastly, the number of jalapeños (PLANETS) in each slice indicates how intense a part of your life will be. If a slice has no jalapeños it still has flavor, but we might be drawn to spicier slices. Too many jalapeños and we may stay away from that slice altogether 🔥 To state the obvious, jalapeños and not pepperoni because of the fire/overwhelm.
The 12 Houses are always in the same place but the Zodiac rotates twice daily.
The Houses with at least 2-3 planets are likely to be more time consuming; the ones that have no planets might be easier for us to integrate and experience. The astrology chart will indicate the lifestyle choices that will make us feel happy, empowered and free - as well as where we can play to our strengths. It also points out limiting patterns...
In the AstroPizza metaphor, the cheese flavors (Zodiac signs) on a slice of pizza (House) are the ones we crave in that part of our lives. To give an example, the Zodiac sign of Sagittarius is about spirituality, filosophy, adventure, outdoors activities, foreign languages and travel to other countries or continents. If a person has Sag in their 2nd house of money, they may earn their living through international business contracts.
If instead Sagittarius colors their House of marriage, they might be drawn to sharing their life with someone who loves to hike or travel. And if Sagitarius falls in the 6th House of their birth chart, which describes their ideal work environment, they might enjoy working in a spiritual or religious enviroment - or possibly an office that involves travel and interaction with foreigners.
The placement of the Zodiac Signs (Cheese) in the Houses (Slices) depends on your time of birth; it's what makes the astrology chart relevant to you as an individual.
Below is a summary of House Meanings.
The Houses begin on the left side (9 o'clock) and go counterclockwise.
- 1st House: Your personal identity, who you are in the world..
- 2nd House: The material world, riches, belongings, values.
- 3rd House: Community, communications, siblings, K-12.
- 4th House: Family life, the home, childhood, your foundation.
- 5th House: How we express our creativity: art, music & love affairs.
- 6th House: Vocations, teamwork, routines, service to others (or not).
- 7th House: Marriage, romantic relationships, partnership, open enemies.
- 8th House: Shared resources, taxes, intimacy, monetary gain, legacies.
- 9th House: What is the meaning of life? Higher education, philosophy.
- 10th House: Social and career status, ambition, ripple effect on world.
- 11th House: Do we identify with all of humanity? Oneness.
- 12th House: The realm of past lives, karma & family secrets.
- 2nd House: The material world, riches, belongings, values.
- 3rd House: Community, communications, siblings, K-12.
- 4th House: Family life, the home, childhood, your foundation.
- 5th House: How we express our creativity: art, music & love affairs.
- 6th House: Vocations, teamwork, routines, service to others (or not).
- 7th House: Marriage, romantic relationships, partnership, open enemies.
- 8th House: Shared resources, taxes, intimacy, monetary gain, legacies.
- 9th House: What is the meaning of life? Higher education, philosophy.
- 10th House: Social and career status, ambition, ripple effect on world.
- 11th House: Do we identify with all of humanity? Oneness.
- 12th House: The realm of past lives, karma & family secrets.
It matters what Slice a specific planet is in - for example Sun in 1st House vs 9th. I may go into this in the future, but for now let's focus on the astrology chart's building blocks!
Summing Up (For Now)
Astrology can be complex; The first things I look at are 1) Personal Planets and their Zodiac signs, 2) the Zodiac signs on the cusp (division) of the Houses; we can do intuitive meditations with the Zodiac signs in a House to impulse that life sphere. The third building block are the Aspects, the blue and red lines that zig zag across the Astropizza. They tell us where alchemy can be found. More on that later!
My book, Chakra Healing & Magick, lays the groundwork for energy healing meditations: grounding, clearing your mind, and setting an Intention for each session. The angels are an integral part of the healing process, helping us activate our intuition and guiding our steps. I connect with the main archangels because they are each associated with an Element; so we can integrate Fire - Air - Water - Earth. Chakra Healing & Magick looks at the Elements in the Aura, using tarot as a guide to focus healing.
There is an archangel for astrology, but for now let's begin with Archangels Michael, Chamuel and Zadkiel as we activate our Inner Sun🌟
Join me on Instagram.com/reginachouza for more on healing and astrology.
Reiki hugs,
Regina
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