Astrology
Topic Editor: Maria Vaiano

Growing Into Your Soul
By Maria Vaiano

I remember the first time I saw my own birth chart. I was amazed, curious, baffled and intimidated all at the same time. Here I was, staring at the unique blueprint of my soul, my personality - my greatest potential for this lifetime. It was a concept with more depth and breadth than I would have ever have considered for one strange looking wheel on a sheet of paper. How could this so called chart, full of ancient symbols, shed light on so many powerful concepts in one's life? Especially when, at first glance, it all looked so meaningless?

Holding your birth chart in your hands is something like having a locked treasure chest placed onto your lap. Inside, you are told, there are diamonds, pearls, and other priceless and beautiful gifts. The problem is, without a key, that treasure chest is only a box.

What I've discovered over the past couple of years as I've studied astrology, is that unlocking the treasures contained in your natal chart is easier than you think. The reason is simple; you already hold the key by virtue of the fact that the chart is yours. In fact, YOU are the key!

Where you might need help is in actually interpreting the ancient language of astrology and then understanding how to apply its concepts into your own life. This is where a professional astrology report might come into the picture. This can be the guide that instructs you how to go about using the key (yourself) to unlock all the beauty you have to behold.

Yes, it's true. Astrology can help you discover or confirm your specific strengths, talents and abilities. It can uncover your weak points, and with the guidance of your astrologer, you can learn how to properly address your personal "hot spots".

The Blueprint

The vast potential of your personality is contained in your birth chart. This is a powerful statement, but it is also quite an accurate one.

Inside this blueprint, you can read insights into your identity and self-concept. You can understand how you think, learn and communicate. It tells you about your childhood, parents and siblings - all of your family members actually. It talks about your home and family life, your children, lovers, friends and marriage. It explains what your needs are on an emotional and sexual level and how you most easily express these needs. It says much about how you love and want to be loved in return.

Your career, and better yet, your vocation or highest calling in life, can be found here as well. Haven't we all thought about our life's greatest mission and deepest purpose? Astrology can clarify this for you.

In addition, and probably most significant, is that this blueprint indicates our greatest life lessons and obstacles to growth. It pinpoints exactly where our karma is. If you choose to explore this part of your chart, it is particularly helpful to have a professional astrologer's guidance. When you dare to look into the deepest parts of yourself it is usually also when you will achieve the most dynamic soul growth.

Free Will or Destiny?

Astrology is not destiny. On the contrary, I believe it to be the most exquisite confirmation of free will. It is my belief that we choose the exact moment of our birth so that the planets above will imprint our bodies with specific patterns of energy that will help us manifest the very purpose of our incarnation. The universe wants us to succeed.

In the planetary trends there may be both potentials and pitfalls, but only you can decide how your story will ultimately be read. Understanding astrology empowers you to take your free will to its highest spiritual level - one where you can embrace your life without fear and doubt.
Astrology is the oldest science known to man and there is no accident why this is so. The gift of astrology, I believe, is mankind's greatest gift from the universe.

The exact pattern of the universe was truly unique at the moment of your birth and these patterns will never be repeated. You simply cannot be replicated and knowing this empowers us further. It confirms that you are born for a reason. The universe wants you to lead a fulfilled life and it will continue, throughout your life, to provide various patterns of energy to give you the opportunity to align your personality with your soul's true path.

Congratulations on beginning the journey to discover yourself! I wish you all the best in life and I invite you to continue this inspiring journey with me as I write more articles on astrology in the future. If there is a topic relating to astrology that you would like me to write an article about, please feel free to contact me using the SpiritDiscovery.com contact form located at this link.

Remember, your birth chart is not meant to glance over once or twice during your life. It is a tool you are meant to utilize to its maximum capacity. You will learn something new about yourself each time you seek answers from your birth chart. Life is full of endless discovery and possibility. I look forward to walking with each of you as you begin the journey towards growing into your soul.

Signs of the Zodiac, Houses, and Planetary Rulers

SIGNS OF THE ZODIAC				HOUSE	RULER
Glyph: Sign:		MODE	ELEMENT		Glyph: Planet
	Aries	Cardinal	FIRE	1		Mars
	Taurus	Fixed	EARTH	2		Venus
	Gemini	Mutable	AIR	3		Mercury
	Cancer	Cardinal	WATER	4		Moon
	Leo	Fixed	FIRE	5		Sun
	Virgo	Mutable	EARTH	6		Mercury
	Libra	Cardinal	AIR	7		Venus
	Scorpio	Fixed	WATER	8		Pluto
	Sagittarius	Mutable	FIRE	9		Jupiter
	Capricorn	Cardinal	EARTH	10		Saturn
	Aquarius	Fixed	AIR	11		Uranus
	Pisces	Mutable	WATER	12		Neptune