Where should a novice look first when opening an astrolabe?

There is a lot of information in the astrolabe. It is easiest for a novice to look at all the planets, asteroids, fixed stars, and phase tables at the beginning. In the end, every sentence seems to be correct, but there is no main line. The first step in reading the market is not to explain everything, but to determine the weight.

First look at the configuration that can best support the entire disk, and then put in the details. Only when the main line is clear can the details have their place.

The Sun looks at self-development, the Moon looks at security, and the Ascendant looks at access to the world. The Lord of the Ascendant shows where the door of the Ascendant brings the power of life.

Record their signs, houses, and close aspects. In particular, we need to look at which house the ruler of the life falls in, because it often indicates the area in which the main force of life is invested.

The four axes are ascending, descending, nadir, and zenith. Planets closer to the four axes are usually more visible and easier to manifest in reality.

If there are planets conjunct the Ascendant, Descendant, Zenith or Nadir, they should be read first. The angular palace configuration will allow a certain theme to enter the stage of life instead of just staying in the inner feelings.

Personal planets include the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Mars. They are closest to everyday personality: how to think, how to like, how to act, how to react.

When looking at personal planets, look at the sign, house and aspect at the same time. Don’t just memorize “a certain constellation of Venus” and “a certain constellation of Mars”, that’s just one layer.

Give priority to close aspects within three degrees, especially aspects involving the Sun, Moon, Ascendant, Life Lord, and personal planets. Tight phases are more powerful and easier to form repeating patterns than wide phases.

The phase table is long, but not every entry is worthy of inclusion in the main conclusion. Look first at the tight, core, repetitive aspects.

If multiple configurations point to the same topic, this topic may become the mainline. For example, if there are planets in the 10th house, the zenith is triggered, the lord of the 10th house is strong, or the Sun or Saturn is involved, then the career structure is worth focusing on.

If a topic appears only once, it should be used as a reference first; if it appears in multiple layers such as houses, planets, aspects, and house rulers, it will be elevated to a core judgment.

Asteroids, fixed stars, Arabian Points, Chiron, modulating disks, and zodiac releases can all be valuable, but they are suitable for addition after the main structure is clear. Don't cover the entire plate with one small dot.

The more novice disk readers want to read it all at once, the easier it is for them to lose focus. Start with a small amount, then add layer by layer.