The Sun Transits Leo

There are many house systems in astrology - and each is good at different things. Whole Sign (the OG house system) uses equal house sizes - and gives each a single zodiac sign. Placidus (a "modern" house system from the 1600's) defines house size based on time - giving them different sizes, and potentially multiple zodiac signs. In some ways, Whole Sign is simpler because it lacks interceptions (i.e. signs that are sandwiched in between two other signs, all in a single house), and gives each life area a single guiding theme. But this can also make it a very powerful system when exploring the deepest yearnings of a soul in this lifetime - the core needs & experiences we're here eto have. Placidus, in contrast, has more complex, layered interpretations. In the view of evolutionary astrologers, having multiple signs in a single house can show us how a life area "evolves" over time. This can be useful as we move through life, and step into new versions of who we are (especially with regard to themes like money, or love, or career). The beauty is: you can use Whole Sign & Placidus together. In fact, the Star Path team believes this is the best way to explore personal growth - because switching systems takes us out of a "story", or echo chamber, and invites us to look at ourselves from multiple perspectives. You might find that Whole Sign resonates most with you during one season of life, and Placidus feels "right" 10 years later. Or, you might prefer planning with Placidus, but personal growth with Whole Sign. Our recommendation: explore both. See what lands, leave what doesn't. And remember...astrology is just a tool for evolution (you're still in charge).

You can use astrocartography to plan trips, start new chapters in life, or create experiences that activate different parts of who you are (or who you could be). Because astrocartography is essentially your birth chart layered onto the globe, the energy of planets intersects with places - so you can use it to find places that'll amplify your career, your love life, or even your health and healing. Some popular applications of astrocartography include choosing places to visit or live - especially ones that align with goals you're pursuing, experiences you want to have, or even big transits.

Step one of an astrology journey is to understand yourself. Truly, understanding how different placements, aspects, and transits show up in your own life will give you the most embodied knowledge of how astrology "works". Once you get it for yourself, it's easier to apply it for others (which you can do by chatting with Star Path about people you add to Your Circle). That being said, we also offer Astrology 101 classes as part of our Pro+ plan - so if you want to start a formal learning process, that's a great place to begin. 

Star Path lets you use either a Whole Sign or Placidus house system - and you should pick the one that resonates most with your life experience. Here are some details to help you choose: Whole Sign is the oldest house system (used by the ancient Greeks). It treats all life areas equally, and gives each a single zodiac sign. For that reason, some people find that it captures the soul's journey in a deeper, more archetypal way. That's why it's our personal favorite at Star Path. Placidus is a "modern" house system (invented in the 1600's). It uses different-sized, time-based houses that contain 1, 2 or more signs. Some people find it to be more accurate, especially for "mundane" matters like planning, because individual charts have more variance (and the interpretation has more layers). The truth is, there's no right or wrong house system when it comes to astrology; there's only the system that feels most true for you. Start with one, explore another, and with time, you might even use both for different aspects of life. In our experience, Whole Sign can be more beginner-friendly, so it's a great starting point if you're new too astrology. But why not try them all?