How to Write a Horoscope

Writing Inspired Horoscopes

Build your horoscopes through research and attention to the position of the sun, moon and stars. Astrology, or the study of space in relation to human affairs, has been around since before the ancient Greeks. Since then, different cultures have developed different methods of interpreting the night sky, and there are many different guidelines out there for burgeoning horoscope writers. The deeper your knowledge of these systems, the better your horoscopes will be. However, if you are just starting out, you should learn the most common system, known as the Solar House System. Serious astrologers need to know birth times and locations to write personalized horoscopes. However, for general horoscopes like those seen in the paper, the Solar House System is a careful approximation. Houses are typically known as your "sign," such as Libra, Taurus, Aries, etc. If you are unsure about each sign, or need a refresher, click here to view the overviews below. For the next several steps, you can watch an original Aries horoscope for April 18th, 2015, as it is written.

Start each horoscope with the major tone of each house. For example, if you're writing about Virgos, you might start by writing about their work schedule or life at work, since they are the House of Work and Ritual. If you're talking about Tauruses, your might touch on finances. These are often your guiding principles, and they are a good way to start writing or to think about the general tenor of each house. For a Capricorn, you might begin with something like "Your career is about to..." then use the rest of the planets to determine trends. Aries, April 18: Optimism and boundless energy fill your interactions today.

Look to each sign's second and third houses for a deeper understanding of horoscopes. One of the biggest misconceptions in astrology is that every person only has one sign. In reality, your birthday only points to your first house. For example, if you're born October 5th, your first house (and most important sign) is Libra. However, if you continue along the zodiac, the next two houses are your second and third houses, here Scorpio and Sagittarius. You'll notice, reading over the descriptions of each group, that there is some overlap in features between similar months. This can help point to important trends in each group's life. For example, while a Pisces is generally selfless and creative, they are also closely tied to the occasional impulsiveness and burst of inspiration found in Aries. Serious astrologists note that you have a little bit of every "sign" in you, based on the alignment of planets and stars at your birth. Some are just more prominent than others. Again, this is why many writers need your exact birthday and birthplace to properly determine your houses. Aries, April 18th: Optimism and boundless energy fill your interactions today. You're feeling flirty and conversational, but ultimately you're just having fun, not looking for anything serious.

Watch the movement of planets and stars to anticipate big changes in life. The proclamations that "you'll experience a drastic change in ______" are not just pulled out of thin air. They come from the interceptions of certain planets through the night sky. Pay attention to major astrological events to help determine when changes might happen. To do so, look at astrological event calendars, found with a quick internet search. To determine what the change might be, check out which planet aligns with which house. For example: On January 5th, 2015, the Moon entered Libra. The moon, which governs the Cancers, is generally associated with identity, emotion, and one's roots, potentially leading to a "rediscovery of a long-lost friend or lover" for Libras. Certain events will make greater impacts depending on their relevance to the signs. For example, the moon entering or leaving Cancer's path will make a much bigger impact than entering Libra's. Mar's movement will affect Aries and Scorpio. Aries, April 18th: Optimism and boundless energy fill your interactions today. You're feeling flirty and conversational, but ultimately you're just having fun, not looking for anything serious. The advent of the new moon in Aries means you've got a chance to plant new seeds for the future.

Purchase a set of astrological charts for detailed, day-to-day horoscope. These charts are meticulously constructed to show each planet in relation to each sign, illuminating how they move and when they come in and out of contact. They are often color-coded to help you determine the most pressing issues and changes. They are invaluable tools for anyone looking to write frequent horoscopes. For example, to cap off the Aries horoscope, you might notice that Mercury, the planet of communication, is currently in Aries on April 18th: Aries, April 18th: Optimism and boundless energy fill your interactions today. You're feeling flirty and conversational, but ultimately you're just having fun, not looking for anything serious. The advent of the new moon in Aries means you've got a chance to plant new seeds for the future. Keep your mind, heart, and ears open for possible opportunities."

Improving Your Writing

Allow yourself to write freely and poetically when composing horoscopes. Astrology is a millennia-deep branch of study that would take a lifetime to master. Many astrologists, such as sidereal astrologists, don't even believe in the same zodiac structure. To complicate matters more, horoscopes must reach a wide audience, and lose the subtly and precision required for personalized horoscopes. As such, horoscope writing has evolved into an art form of sorts, considered by many the literature or poetry of astrology. It is entertainment -- meaningful entertainment, for sure -- but entertainment nonetheless. Daily horoscopes are supposed to be conversational. The reader comes to the horoscope looking for direction or guidance, picking out of the horoscope the things that matter in their lives. They usually forget or leave the rest. In order to get a "true" reading, you need a personalized horoscope. Because this is impossible to write for a large audience, you must entertain and capture the imaginations of a broader group of people. Enjoy yourself while writing, and make sure your readers enjoy reading. There is no need for a dry, conversational tone.

Look at the major astrological events of the week or month to start writing horoscopes. It is very difficult for beginners to read, understand, and write horoscopes daily for all twelve solar houses. Focus instead on larger trends. Learn the basics of astrology and apply it to your writing for more accurate, useful, and precise horoscopes. Check out astrology blogs for your day or week, concentrating specifically on the time of the year, the movement of planets (specifically Mars and Venus), and the position of the moon. Use phrases like: "The advent of a New Moon means opportunity is coming to..." "The retrograde (disappearance) of Jupiter in your sign signals a bout of bad luck..." "The slow entrance of Uranus could indicate a long-overdue change in your life."

Think about people you know in each sign. This is getting easier and easier with social media sites like Facebook, which allow you to look up people's birthdays with ease. Ask yourself if your reading matches several of personalities of people born under the same sign. If they do, chances are you're doing something right.

Avoid generalizations or very broad proclamations. This is hard when you're writing for a big audience. However, it gets easier the more your pay attention to the movement of planets and stars. While there needs to be some generalization when writing, try to look for specifics. For example, instead of saying, "you'll experience an increase in communications," try to find the root cause. The influx of Mercury into your sign will increase communications, for example, but the question is how. Is it in your career (Mercury moving into Capricorn) or your love life (Mercury moving into Libra)? "The entrance of Mercury into Libra may indicate some new spice in your love life and close relationships." "You'll receive some good news concerning your finances." "The movement of Jupiter may mean an end to your streak of bad luck this week."

Avoid making grand proclamations every day. A big reason that people don't trust horoscopes is that they promise grand, enormous changes every other week. The careful astronomer realizes that these changes are as rare in our lives as they are among the stars. Focus instead on the subtle changes in life. Save the big, soul-changing moments for times when they seem imminent due to the planetary movement. Making grand proclamations every day makes them harder to stomach, and takes away their meaning. Since you're working in generalities, without exact birthdays or times, it is almost impossible to predict enormous and earth-shattering changes. Pepper your column with "maybes" "possibles" and "could" so that readers don't feel promised anything.

Read horoscopes for inspiration. Like any other art form, you need to study horoscopes in order to write them well. From the beginner-level horoscopes in your local paper to the experimental and wildly popular writings of "Free-Will Astrology," there is a lot you can learn from others. Astrology is not a perfect science. Generations of writers have been interpreting the stars for their fellow man since ancient times. Keep your mind open to new forms, writers, and astrological signs and you'll be a horoscope writer in no time. How do they speak broadly (to a lot of people), but still stay relatively specific? What movements and planets come up in multiple signs each day? Which signs have commonalities. How do the horoscopes change from daily to monthly to yearly.

Knowing the Signs

Know the basics of each solar house. More likely than not, you are already familiar with the basics of the solar houses, or astrological signs. Depending on when you were born, you fall under a different sign. This is based on the where the sun rises on the day you were born, creating your ascendant house. You can look up more complex breakdowns of each house, but you need to have the basics down before you start writing horoscopes. The following descriptions are good starting points, but you'll need to consult 3-4 other sources of house information to get a deeper understanding of the houses. While these houses form the basis of horoscopes, they are not the only determining factor. The movement of planets like Venus and Mars, lunar cycles, and birthplace all have an effect. True astrologers must keep researching and studying celestial bodies other than the sun to be successful.

Understand the adventurous Aries. The first sign of the zodiac, Aries tend to have a lot of energy. They are a bit wild, adventurous, and confident. While this energy makes them dynamic and exciting companions, it can also make them selfish, foolhardy, and quick-tempered. House of the Self, Appearance & Ego Drive. Ruled by Mars. Aries are born between March 21 and April 20.

Understand the warm and persistent Taurus. Taurus are reliable, patient, and generous companions. Generally more sedentary and relaxed than Aries, the fixed Taurus's can also become inflexible and even greedy. While they make great lovers and companions, that love can boil over into jealousy and possessiveness as well. House of Personal Values and Finances. Ruled by Venus. Taurus are born between Apr 21 and May 21.

Understand the intelligent Gemini. Quick on their feet and very adaptable, Geminis are witty and cunning conversationalists. Intelligent almost to a fault, Geminis are at risk for becoming deceitful and shallow. They can appear nervous or tense in the worst of times, but lively and youthful in the best. House of Communication & Local Culture. Ruled by Mercury. Geminis are born between May 22 and June 21.

Understand the emotional Cancer. The loving, deeply emotional Cancers are full of imagination. They are protective of the ones they love and very feeling. This can be misinterpreted as clinging, moody, and overemotional, and Cancers may be touchy and easily hurt. House of Identity & Roots. Ruled by the Moon Cancers are born between June 22 and July 22.

Understand the generous Leo. Leos are warm and generous, much like Tauruses (who fall under a similar solar interval), yet they are often more enthusiastic and broad-minded. That enthusiasm, however, often makes them bossy and even patronizing. House of Children, Creativity & Gambling. Ruled by the Sun. Leos are born between July 23 and August 21.

Understand the shy, intelligent Virgo. Virgos tend to be shy and introverted. They are intelligent, reasonable, and analytical, and have a reputation for reliability and faithfulness. However, that same analytical spirit can also be harsh and overcritical. They are perfectionists, for better and for worse. House of Work & Ritual. Ruled by Mercury. Virgos are born between August 22 and September 23.

Understand the sociable Libra. Idealistic, urban, and charming, Libras are generally "people persons." They are easygoing and diplomatic, and often very romantic. However, they are easily swayed, often flirtatious, and occasionally self-indulgent. House of Partnerships. Ruled by Venus. Libras are born between September 24 and October 23.

Understand the passionate Scorpios. Scorpios are fiery, passionate, and determined—they are very willful about power. Largely emotional, they are big, exciting personalities that often seem magnetic. They can be quick to cruelty, however, and secretive or controlling when blinded by ambition. They also tend to be one of the most jealous sign of the zodiac. House of Sex, Death & Other People's Money. Ruled by Mars & Pluto. Scorpios are born between October 24 and November 22.

Understand the good-humored Sagittarius. Full of good humor, kindness, and love, the Sagittarius is an honest and even philosophical friend. Their open nature and boundless optimism can make them restless and overly trusting, even irresponsible in some scenarios. They would rather be out living life taking things as they come, always with optimism. House of Adventure, Travel & Learning. Ruled by Jupiter. Sagittarius are born between November 23 and December 22.

Understand the practical Capricorn. The pragmatic, detail-oriented Capricorn is a planner. They are ambitious and careful, but not without humor. While they can be pessimistic and calculating, this is usually in search of a personal goal or dream. However, failure to reach those goals can lead to fatalism and a depressing worldview. House of Career & Public Persona. Ruled by Saturn. Capricorns are born between December 23 and January 20.

Understand the humanitarian Aquarius. Friendly, honest, and loyal, Aquarius are inventive and lively friends. Generally independent, they still love good conversation and their fellow man. That said, they often have entrenched viewpoints, and can seem detached or indifferent towards others. House of Gatherings & Crowds. Ruled by Saturn & Uranus. Aquarius are born between January 21 and February 19.

Understand the imaginative Pisces. Pisces are often lost in their own minds. Sensitive and kind, they have wild imaginations and are often selfless, non-materialistic men and women. They are generally easily-led and tend to be overly idealistic, and can be vague or spacey at times. House of Mystery and Intuition. Ruled by Jupiter & Neptune. Pisces are born between February 20 and March 20.