Nope! This won't take long. Just because it's important - it doesn't necessarily mean that this will take forever to explain... I've found that planets located in the first couple of degrees of a zodiac sign and the last couple of degrees of a Zodiac sign are very important to take note of in a chart interpretation.

Granted, in astrology and among astrologers, there's a wee bit of differing opinion on this issue. Some folks still believe that the energy of a sign peaks in the middle degrees of the sign and then gradually wanes in the final degrees. This particular "born on the cusp" minority theory proposes that someone born late in the time period when the Sun is located in Gemini will have a blend of both Gemini and Cancer characteristics.

However, those of us who know better (cocky, ain't I - but then it's my web site), realize that the first and the last degree planets are often, in fact, VERY powerful representatives of the particular sign that they're located in.

• The First Degree planets display the sense of a brand new rush of energy as it enters the sign.
• The Last Degree planets display the sense of a final power surge before the energy changes to the next sign.

Astrologer Richard Idemon believed that these first and last degree placements were in what he called: "positions of potential instability." Idemon felt the first degree planets have an Aries (new, fresh) quality to them and the final degree planets have a Pisces (dissolution) quality. Both (first and last) energies have a "fragility" to them - but both are nevertheless powerful representatives of their particular Zodiac signs.

Exactly how will paying attention to this knowledge influence the overall interpretation of a chart? I don't know. It's one of those magical moments called: "Use Your Intuition." All I'm saying is that it's a good idea to pay extra attention to planets located in the first couple of degrees and the last couple of degrees of a Zodiac sign.