Astrology & Your Child: A Handbook for Parents - Softcover

Star, Gloria

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1567186491 ISBN 13: 9781567186499

Publisher: Llewellyn Publications, 2000

Synopsis

Every child is an individual. But since it is your job to aid in their development, how can you know where they need extra help and where they need to be challenged? Astrology & Your Child (a revised edition of Optimum Child) by Gloria Star gives you the information you need to understand your child and guide him or her to reach full potential.

Star has been an astrologer for over twenty years, but you don't have to be an expert to use this book. Her years of experience allow her to present an understandable introduction to astrology. Then you will learn how to use this information to help your child grow, develop, and become a secure, self-empowered adult.

With astrology you will learn your child's strengths and weaknesses. This information, available to you from the moment of birth, will let you finally understand why your child behaves as he or she does. Then you can determine in which areas your child will need support and in which areas he or she will need to be challenged. If you need help in deciding what to do, Star makes many suggestions that can help you.

So just how specific can this book get? Very.

What types of food will a child like? Venus will tell you. Is your child depressed or lacking in emotional expressiveness? A moon in Aquarius can give you a clue. If your child has the moon in trine aspect to Pluto, the child is likely to be emotionally resilient. If Venus aspects Uranus, your child may need unconditional acceptance.

This book is the key to helping your child grow and mature in a healthy way. It will also help you better understand how you related with your parents and let you overcome old angers. It's a must for everyone.

About this title

About the Author

An internationally renowned astrologer, author and teacher, Gloria  has been a professional astrologer for over two decades. She has written written the Sun Sign Book for Llewellyn since 1990, and has been a contributing author of the Moon Sign Book since 1995.  Her most recent work, Astrology: Woman to Woman,  was released by Llewellyn in April 1999.   She is the author of Optimum Child: Developing Your Child's Fullest Potential through Astrology, now translated into four languages.  She also edited and co-authored the book Astrology for Women: Roles and Relationships (Llewellyn 1997).  Her astrological computer software, Woman to Woman, was released by Matrix Software in 1997.  Ms. Star has contributed to two anthologies --  Houses: Power Places in the Horoscope (Llewellyn 1990),  and How to Manage the Astrology of Crisis (Llewellyn 1993).
Listed in Who's Who of American Women, Who's Who in the East, Gloria is active within the astrological community, where she has been honored as a nominee for the prestigious Regulus Award.  She has served on the faculty of the United Astrology Congress (UAC) since its inception in 1986, and has lectured for groups and conferences throughout the U.S.A. and abroad.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

1
Rudimentary Principles of Astrology and the Houses
The fundamental principles of astrology are really quite simple, yet I have always been amazed at the number of students who overlook these basic concepts in their eagerness to grasp the more complex issues. The possibility that astrology can offer a glimpse into the future entices most students to try to speed through the basics  to get to the juiciness of predicting. But unfortunately, without the basics, all is lost! When the student becomes sufficiently confused, he will either humbly decide to return to the basics or abandon the study of astrology altogether. Astrology is a complex language, and if explored with care and the intention of creating a solid foundation, it is a language which describes life at its fullest.
If you are well-versed in the basics of astrology, you may consider the following material a review. If you are just beginning to study this cosmic science, these fundamental principles will be the foundation of your understanding. These concepts represent the framework, and, as you study astrology over time, you’ll add to that framework until you have a fully formed understanding.
An Accurate Birth Chart
In order to make the best use of the information in this book, you must have a child’s natal horoscope. The astrological birth chart, or natal horoscope, is calculated using the precise time (hour and minute), date, and place of birth. Although we will not cover the mathematics involved in calculating the chart, I strongly suggest that you have an accurately calculated birth chart. If you are interested in learning the math, you will find references for further reading in the bibliography at the end of this book. Any professional astrologer can provide you with a chart, or, if you have a computer and computation software, you can chart the horoscope yourself. In most towns, libraries have programs on their computers that calculate charts, and access to this information is also available via the Internet. Metaphysical bookstores frequently offer chart calculation services, or you may choose to have your chart calculated through a mail-order computer service. For having purchased Astrology & Your Child, please see the back of this book to obtain a natal chart at no cost from Llewellyn Worldwide.
Correct birth times are necessary. Since they are not always paying attention to the clock during delivery, mothers may not be reliable sources for this information. (Being an astrologer, on the other hand, I was watching the clock very closely during the birthing of my children!) Generally, a birth certificate will indicate the time of birth. When requesting a birth certificate from vital records bureaus, be sure to ask for the long form birth certificate, since many states offer a shorter version of the birth certificate which does not include the time of birth. If a birth certificate cannot be found, hospital records are often available.
Orientation to the Chart Wheel
The chart itself is a circle with a variety of symbols placed within and around it. In Western astrology, we draw the map of the chart on a circular wheel. The wheel itself is symbolic, because the circle is a perfect structure with no beginning and no end. The circle is an ancient symbol, and is often associated with the concept of the human spirit. The chart itself represents the whole person.
Illustration 1 shows an empty astrological chart. This chart is divided into twelve segments called houses, which are numbered counterclockwise from one to twelve. The houses are indicators of the different facets of the individual―the environments, persons, activities, and experiences in our lives.
Mentally divide the chart in Illustration 1 into upper and lower halves. The axis dividing the two halves represents the horizon. On the left you will see the cusp, or dividing line, of the 1st House. This house cusp is called the Ascendant (ASC). Directly opposite the Ascendant is the cusp of the 7th House, which is called the Descendant (DSC). At the top of the chart you will find the cusp of the 10th House. This cusp is called the Midheaven, and is often abbreviated MC for the Latin phrase Medium Coeli. Opposing the Midheaven is the IC (Imum Coeli). These four house cusps are referred to as the angles in the astrological chart, and are sensitive points. They also denote the four points of the compass―the MC is South, the IC is North, the ASC is East, and the DSC is West. The directions are reversed from our usual view of a map because this is a map of our place in the heavens, not on the Earth.
The symbols for the planets, the Sun, and the Moon are placed within the houses. (The planets are discussed in chapter 3.) These represent the energies we experience and express in our lives. Energy is an extremely important concept in the study of astrology. We are each energy under the direction of consciousness. Each planetary energy symbolizes different aspects of the Self and offers us insights into our personal identity. The planets are placed within the houses according to their positions in the heavens at the time of our birth. Houses which contain planets indicate areas in our lives which will receive more of our attention and energy.
The twelve signs of the zodiac symbolize particular characteristics, qualities, and traits. Planets appear in different signs; therefore, a planet will energize the qualities of the sign in which it is placed. (The signs are fully described in chapter 2.) Much attention has been given to the signs, especially in “Sun Sign” newspaper and magazine columns. Although this widespread practice has brought the idea of astrology to many people, Sun Sign astrology is a very simplistic approach to a complex subject. There is accuracy in Sun Sign astrology, but it is limited. I have written Sun Sign material for many years, and there is definitely real astrology involved in this work. Because most people can relate to their Sun signs, this does provide a illumined doorway into the potentials of astrology. But when you study the complete horoscope of an individual, you’re studying the Sun’s sign along with other factors in the chart.  The Sun only describes the ego self―why stop there?
You will also note the symbols for the signs at the cusps of each house. These signs amplify the meaning of the house by giving particular characteristics to that area signified by the house. For example, Aries on the cusp of the 2nd House would give Aries qualities to the energy present in the 2nd House.
Basically, the planets indicate what the energy is, the signs show how the energy manifests itself, and the houses identify where the energy is expressed in an individual’s life. My favorite metaphor is to think of the Sun, Moon, and planets as the actors in your personal drama and consider the signs to represent the roles the actors are playing, the costumes they wear, and the props they’re carrying about. The houses represent the setting and scene of the drama. Astrologers also study the interaction of the factors in the chart using geometric relationships called aspects. Aspect patterns, which identify themes in the birth chart, are also important and help to fine-tune certain issues and personality characteristics.
I suggest that students learn astrology using both intellect and intuition, since both are required to fully delineate a chart. The intellectual part requires a certain amount of memory work, such as learning the basic meanings of the houses, planets, and signs. To activate your intuitive understanding, try meditating on the astrological symbols (see Table 1). A good way to begin is by drawing one symbol on a piece of paper. Study the symbol; impress it in your mind. Then allow yourself to relax. Close your eyes and recall the symbol in your mind’s eye. Focus only on this symbol, and surrender to your feeling for that symbol. Certain thoughts may come into your mind. You may also notice particular colors or special energies. After your meditation, make some notes about your experience with the symbol. A notebook may well become one of your most valuable keys toward experiencing astrology.
The Houses
The twelve houses in the astrological chart symbolize the multiple facets of the individual and her life. They represent the various environments, both internal and external, in which the personality develops and expresses itself. In the natural zodiac each of the twelve houses contains its complementary planetary and sign correspondences.
The Perspective of the Houses in Childhood
Since a child’s perspective can differ dramatically from an adult’s, the houses take on different meanings during childhood. Illustration 2 shows the viewpoint of the houses during childhood. Included are the elements, signs, and planets associated with each house in the natural progression of the zodiac. These correspondences are key factors to help you understand how houses, planets, and signs are related to one another.
The houses that contain planets have greater impact since more energy is directed into those areas. If a house does not contain a planet, we interpret the meaning of the house using the sign on the house cusp. We can further extend this to the planet which is associated with the sign on the cusp in the natural zodiac. For example, if the 5th House contains no planets, this does not mean that the child is lacking in creative self-expression. We would look to the sign on the cusp to understand the child’s approach to expressing her creative self. Looking further, the planet which corresponds to that sign and where it is placed will give us clues to the type of energy the child will direct into this area.
1st House and the Ascendant: How I Look, My Body, My Personality
In childhood, the Ascendant and the 1st House signify the physical appearance of the child and how other people view him. This is basically the same meaning we find when interpreting an adult’s chart. This is not surprising, since for most of us our self-image is shaped by what other people tell us about ourselves. It is important to include the underlying reasons people see certain things about an individual: the ASC represents the attitudes which shape the way a person presents himself to the world. It is this attitude that shines through and is interpreted in this part of the chart. When we consider the significance of this area in childhood development, we can understand why environmental conditioning plays such an important part in the development of a child’s personality self. The people strongly associated with the 1st House in a child’s life are the grandparents, and the child’s relationship to the grandparents is illustrated by any planets within the 1st House and the sign on the cusp of the 1st House. But basically the Ascendant’s sign (rising sign) illustrates how others will perceive a child’s physical appearance and basic personality traits.

Aries Rising―The Aries rising child exhibits great independence and is quite strong minded. This child is right at home being a kid―sometimes for decades! Grandma and Grandpa may be favorite playmates.
Taurus Rising―The Taurus rising child projects consistency and stubbornness. This child may enjoy natural surroundings and may have a special affinity for music. She may stay more to herself.
Gemini Rising―The Gemini rising child’s sense of mischief and curiosity are his key traits. There may be an impish quality about the personality, and distractions can be a problem in some situations.
Cancer Rising―The Cancer rising child’s protectiveness and sensitivity are expressed through her personality. This child may enjoy hanging around home, with Mom, or doing family things.
Leo Rising―The Leo rising child’s dramatic flair and personal pride are keys to his outward personality. This child needs a place to show off and shine, and may enjoy being the center of attention. It’s difficult to ignore a Leo rising child.
Virgo Rising―The Virgo rising child’s meticulous manner imparts a sense of perfection to the outer self. This child may have an extrasensitive body and may be overly concerned or worried when she does not feel well.
Libra Rising―The Libra rising child can show charm, grace, and consideration toward others and loves to feel beautiful. Boys and girls alike may have a strong idea of personal image, even at a young age, and will appreciate taking part in choosing wardrobe and colors. He can be too eager to please and may be insecure in competitive situations.
Scorpio Rising―The Scorpio rising child displays secretiveness and a sense of mystery. There may be a special curiosity about the way things work and a strong emotional sensitivity. This child can be more sensitive than you might realize, and encouraging her to express emotions honestly is very important. Grandparents may be the ones trusted with secrets.
Sagittarius Rising―The Sagittarius rising child’s enthusiasm and free spiritedness will shape the view others have of him. This child may seem to always be in a hurry (“are we there yet?”) and may love to travel. Grandparents instill a sense of adventure for this child.
Capricorn Rising―The Capricorn rising child may show a serious nature and wry humor. You may wonder how a child could laugh at adult things, but this child seems to understand the adult world. It’s not an act! Take care in offering this child responsibilities to be sure that he is actually ready emotionally to handle the responsibility.
Aquarius Rising―The Aquarius rising child may delight in being different. Whether it’s an unusual appearance or displays of eccentric behavior, she can be uncomfortable with conformity. Give this child a chance to include her special self-expression while encouraging a balance of responsibility as the child matures.
Pisces Rising―The Pisces rising child often exhibits shy behavior and may seem mystical. Music, drama, dance, and artistic expression are especially important. Provide an opportunity for this child to do things for others.

Rising sign qualities will be further altered by the planets found in the 1st House and aspects made by the planets to the Ascendant. I often find a strong correspondence between the rising sign of a child and the Sun, Moon, or ascending signs of the parents. This is especially noteworthy since it shows that the child is very likely to display many of the parents’ traits.
2nd House: My Stuff, Personal Resources
This house deals with how the child’s values are formed. Many of the child’s attitudes concerning material possessions can be determined by the sign on the cusp of the 2nd House, the planet which corresponds to that sign, and any planets found within the 2nd House. (See Table 3 in chapter 2 for planet and sign correspondences.)
The 2nd House also corresponds to the child’s developing sense of self-worth. It is a natural but dangerous tendency to tie one’s self-worth to the material world, especially in our society. What the child needs to learn when developing this aspect of the Self is appreciation for who and what he is. As parents, we can attune ourselves to the child’s special qualities and fortify them through recognition and praise. This will help the child develop a greater sense of self-appreciation. “My stuff” becomes “what I am inside” instead of “what toys I ...

Edition details

• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 1567186491
• ISBN 13: 9781567186499
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 312