• Explains key astrological terms and concepts in an uncomplicated and easy-to-understand way, from the 4 Elements to the 12 Zodiac Signs to the Houses

• Shows how to read a birth chart step-by-step with the methods of psychological astrology, allowing you to quickly identify personality traits

• Includes sample charts and interpretations to help you get started

Learning to read a birth chart—to see and understand the patterns and interactions of the planets at the moment we were born—can be daunting, especially when following traditional systems for learning astrology.

Presenting a simple way to learn astrology, professional astrologer and astropsychologist Alison Chester-Lambert breaks down the complexities of a birth chart into easy-to-understand, bite-sized pieces, revealing how to quickly decode a person’s strengths, weaknesses, challenges, and opportunities with ­psychological astrology. Starting with the Zodiac Signs, Alison explains how each Sign is either Masculine or Feminine and how simply looking at the Masculine–Feminine balance of Signs in a chart can reveal a lot about a person. She looks at the four Elements of Fire, Earth, Air, and Water in astrology and how each Element rules over specific Zodiac Signs. Sharing personality-trait keywords for each Element, she shows how looking at the Elements present in a birth chart can help you understand the motivation behind a person’s actions and choices. Alison explains how to interpret the Ascendant, or Rising Sign, in a birth chart as well as the meaning of each House and which Element they are ruled by. She also provides several sample charts and interpretations to get you started.

Sharing an approachable way to learn astrology and begin reading charts right away, Alison shows how psychological astrology not only reveals the spiritual structure of the Cosmos but also can help each of us truly understand all behavior in depth.

Alison Chester-Lambert, MA, is a certified astrologer and life coach. She studied with the Faculty of Astrological Studies and the Centre for Psychological Astrology in London, followed by a master’s degree in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology. The former resident astrologer for a daily BBC news show, she is the founder of the Midlands School of Astrology. Alison is the author of the Astrology Reading Cards and Greek Mythology Reading Cards and lives in Leicestershire, United Kingdom.

Preface: Ever Tried to Learn Astrology?

A Note on Astrological Terms

1 It All Starts with Oneness

The Division into Two, Polarity or Duality
The Psychology of Masculine and Feminine Behaviour
The Zodiac Signs of the Zodiac Belt
The Difference between Sun Signs and Zodiac Signs
The Birth Chart or Horoscope

2 The Four Elements of Fire, Earth, Air, and Water

The Element of Fire
Aries
Leo
Sagittarius
The Element of Earth
Taurus
Virgo
Capricorn
The Element of Air
Gemini
Libra
Aquarius
The Element of Water
Cancer
Scorpio
Pisces
Being in Your Element

3 Sorting the Zodiac Signs into Different Groups

The Quadruplicities or Modalities
The Triplicity, or Signs in the Same Element
Opposite Signs, Two in a Group

4 The Houses of the Horoscope

How the Birth Chart Is Constructed
How the Zodiac Signs Spin round the Houses
The Meaning of the Masculine Fire Houses
The Meaning of the Feminine Earth Houses
The Meaning of the Masculine Air Houses
The Meaning of the Feminine Water Houses
The Twelve Houses Divided into Groups

5 The Importance of the Cross

6 Let’s Do Some Astrology! A Sample Reading

Now You Can Read Your Own Birth Chart

Construct a Birth Chart with Astro.com

The Astrology Reading Cards

Bibliography

Index

About the Author