The twelve signs (the zodiac) mark the yearly path of the earth around the sun.

 There are four elements: fire, earth, air and water, and three modes: cardinal, fixed and mutable. Each sign has its specific element and mode.

 The signs have gender, being either masculine or feminine, alternating with each other.

 The twelve houses divide up the daily rotation of the earth around its axis.

 Analogous to the signs the houses have three distinctive modes: angular, succedent and cadent.

 The Ascendent is the sign ‘rising’ over the eastern horizon at birth. It demarcates the first house, the following houses are counted counterclockwise.

 Each of the seven planets has their own force and agenda. They will acquire their characteristic trait from their respective position in sign and house, and from the aspect they cast to each other.