Astrology from a Practical Point of View

I found this post on a blog I follow. I found it so interesting, I asked if I could use it on my own. She said yes, so here it is!
[Used and edited with permission from Rahel Sewell.]
[Original post]

Elements
Signs usually get along well with other signs of the same element. Looking at the chart, you will see that the lines connecting signs of like elements will form a triangle. Individuals born under signs of the same element will tend to see eye-to-eye with each other, and usually form strong bonds.

Fire: Power & Creativity

  Aries

  Leo

  Sagittarius

Earth: Stability & Resoluteness

  Taurus

  Virgo

  Capricorn

Air: Freedom & Intellect

  Gemini

  Libra

  Aquarius

Water: Change & Emotion

  Cancer

  Scorpio

  Pisces

Personality and Method

Each sign has a method of actions as well as a personality attached to it.

Aries- Powerful and assertive. Wants and accomplishes.

Taurus- Stable and stubborn. Grounds and protects.

Gemini- Dual, shifting, and imaginative. Blends and changes itself.

Cancer- Tenacious, organized, and critical. Feels and reacts.

Leo- Creative and egocentric. Creates and empowers.

Virgo- Observant and detail-orientated. Organizes and improves.

Libra- Balanced and diplomatic. Understands and harmonizes.

Scorpio- Sensitive and intense. Feels and expresses.

Sagittarius- Striving and seeking. Knows and Directs.

Capricorn- Ambitious and practical. Builds and asserts.

Aquarius- Logical and unconventional. Sees and progresses.

Pisces- Caring and emotional. Feels and aligns.

Teamwork

Each sign is fine on it's own. It can work by itself and generally manage things well. However, it helps if it has another sign to balance it out. Two minds are better then one.

For example, Leo is creative and can be self-absorbed. Leo also consolidates and then shapes energy, ideas, facts, etc. This is great, but it also needs some direction. Enter Sagittarius. (Note. Aries works quite well with Leo too. This is just an example.)

To see how signs relate to each other, think of sign compatibility less like 'Leo and Sagittarius are compatible' and more like 'Leo consolidates. Sagittarius directs. Leo needs Sagittarius to direct excess energy. Sagittarius needs Leo as a source of energy.'

When you think of it this way, astrological signs widen from romantic compatibilities to team-building and harmonizing.

As an example of signs that usually don't work, take Sagittarius and Cancer. Cancer feels and fixes. Sagittarius directs. Cancer may cling to and attempt to better Sagittarius. Sagittarius may walk away from Cancer or attempt to steer it. If the relationship is handled wisely, it may work out. For example, it might work if Cancer understands that Sagittarius needs free-reign and helps mend and heal when needed, and if Sagittarius understands that Cancer is just trying to help and  tries to include Cancer in it's life.

Now that we're breaking away from romantic compatibilities and moving on to teamwork, one can start to create teams or characters based off of various signs. Try to apply an astrological sign to each character. Then examine how they interact. Make some notes then refer to the charts and lists I provided. The results should prove interesting.

This method also works for character creation in books and such as well as games and real-life teams.

How to Cast a Circle

When I started practicing Wicca, I was unclear on how to cast Circles. I didn’t know if the rules were passed down through Covens, if they were purely intuitive, or even if they had casting rules. I started to wonder if everyone knew how to cast Circles and I was just lacking in spiritual knowledge. Finally, I came upon a small piece about  it in 'Living Wicca: A Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner.' I found out that I have been creating Circles all my life! (Although mine were usually portable.)

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This is how I create Circles.

Close your eyes, feel the energy of objects around you, and find a good place for your circle.
Glance around, visually establishing the borders of your Circle.
Use a Wand, Athame, your hand, or your mind to direct energy around you in a clockwise circle. Many people envision this circle on the ground, eye level, chest level etc. Just do what comes naturally to you. As your energy moves around you, picture it flowing out in vibrant color or light (mine is purple light) like ink from a pen, creating a protective circle around you. Allow your energy to orbit you like electrons around a nucleus, weaving trails of color around you and forming a strong, positive wall. This should help you focus your energy efficiently and protect you from most outside forces. To break the circle, imagine allowing a seam to open near the top of your circle. Push your way through it, allowing any remaining energies to ground and spread into the earth.


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After breaking a circle, you may feel a bit aimless. This is because you are used to having energy focused on something. If you just used this energy, it is quite natural to a little feel confused, aimless, disoriented, or even a bit tired.
Sit down. Drink something. Focus on a small physical or mental craft. I usually write poetry, draw, or carve wands. Don't worry. Focus will return.