Not So FAQs What is astrology?
Once there was a way to get back homeward
Once there was a way to get back home
Astrology is many things to many people, and in practical terms it's difficult to offer one definition that applies to all the circumstances in which astrology is used. But we may say that, however it is done, or for whatever purpose, astrology is an exploration of the seasons, planets and stars in relation to human experiences, growth and feelings.
The practice of astrology involves integrating at least four factors: technical skill, intuition, sensitivity to feelings and the awareness of history or events unfolding, both personal and collective. Astrology depends upon the intellect as one source of its observations, but it clearly goes a step beyond. Practicing the work in a conscious way allows a structure within which the mind may take the next step, into seeing into, or beyond, what's actually there, from a material point of view. In other words, the moon may be in Taurus, but what does that mean in the specific situation in which the astrologer is reading the chart? It can mean anything and the astrologer's job is to figure out what.
Astrology, in the technical sense, depends up on a structure. It has an alphabet with 200 or more symbols, but typically, about 50 are used. These glyphs are usually displayed in wheels. The syntax is circular rather than linear, and the relationships between different points on the wheel are studied in a variety of ways. So, the placements count (moon in Taurus, Uranus in Aquarius) and the relationship between the two (square, or 90 degree angle). For whatever reason, this allows for tremendous economy. A chart with as many glyphs as are in this paragraph can contain as much information as a book.
This quality of efficiency works another way. As one learns astrology, the practice becomes a kind of framework within which is fit the exploration of spirituality, psychology, mysticism, certain aspects of science, mythology, history and mathematics. Some astrologers integrate Tarot, herbalism or the study of Magik. And then the actual subject matter that the astrologer is following -- anything from shipwrecks to the stock market, from human relationships to religious experiences -- is integrated into the overall practice. Astrology is quite literally a exploration of a microcosm, or miniature cosmos, and enables us to gain an understanding of the larger world, its people and its events, as well as our inner universe of feelings and experiences.
Astrology depends upon an understanding of what, at first, may seem like subtle energetic qualities. Something may be aggressive in a Marsy way (hot and passionate) or like Uranus (sudden and electrical). It may be attractive in a Venusian way (compelling and beautiful) or in a Neptunian way (seductive and dreamy). Studying these energies makes up the bulk of basic astrological learning.
Astrology also depends upon the study of cycles. We look at the cycle of an individual day, of a month, a year, and of many planetary cycles: two years for Mars, 29 years for Saturn, 50 years for Chiron, and so on. And we relate our lives to these cycles.
But none of these descriptions speak as well as a few examples of how astrology is used. I will give five to convey a sense of the diversity of both the methods and the themes.
1. Basic self-study of the natal chart. A person is interested in personal growth or self-understanding, and has heard that astrology is a way to explore these things. So, they order a natal chart and a few good books (such as Astrology: A Cosmic Science by Isabelle Hickey or To The Edge and Beyond by Melanie Reinhart). They then study the positions of the planets in their natal chart and look at the various commentaries that astrologers have made about those placements. The result is a sense of confirmation of character traits or inner experiences, or an opportunity to redefine who we are in the context of these discoveries.
2. Exploration of an issue with an astrologer. A person was adopted, and has never met their birth parents. They have a complex relationship with the adoptive parents, and have heard a few scant facts about the genetic parents, and have some data from the nonidentifying information. An astrologer works with the charts and the biographical history to help the client gain an understanding of what happened, who the birth parents might be, and what might be the best strategy to proceed under for locating them. Both sets of parents may be identified in the charts, along with deeper insights into the circumstances of the adoption than is otherwise available.
3. Exploration of a world event. A news event occurs, such as an airplane crash. The media and officials are saying one thing, but an exploration of the chart reveals deeper factors (see for example Things Fall Apart, about the Kursk disaster, or Mercury Also Rises about 9-Eleven). The astrologer may be working to satisfy their own curiosity, or in the process of more formal research for a book or article.
4. Analysis of an immediate question. A friend calls up an astrologer and describes a situation involving a merger of his company with another, and describes certain prospects for advancement. Based on no other chart than the time of the phone call, the astrologer is able to work with his friend to explore the different prospects, possibilities and potential pitfalls. This is called 'horary astrology'.
5. Study of long-term growth patterns. A client is at a major turning point in his or her life: a divorce, for example, and needs guidance taking their life to the next level. Working with an astrologer, the client is able to go over all previous major relationships and study the patterns, as well as look at the patterns of how parental relationships meet with circumstances around partners. The astrology is able to give insights into key times in the client's life, and the client is able to give insights to the astrologer into key times in the unfoldment of the chart (see entries on transits and progressions).
Astrology is more than a power tool. It is an entire workshop of resources that can be put to work for almost any purpose, be it practical or mysteriously mystical. But it's only as good, as useful, as effective or as compassionate as the person practicing it. ++
-- By Eric Francis