Astrology is the study and interpretation of
the motions of the planets as viewed from earth against a belt of
stars known as the zodiac. Since time immemorial, astrology has
been used to try to predict and explain events that occur on earth.
Most people know of astrology through the sun
or star sign
columns in newspapers or magazines. The question is often raised as
to how people born in a certain month are all affected by the same
events. The Sun is only a minor part of the story and media
astrologers are constrained by both space and time as to what they
can write in the press.
It is not known how
astrology arose or how it spread. Throughout recorded time it was
generally accepted that the planets acted as indications of the
thoughts and will of God(s) and it was up to mankind to decide on
his course of action and whether by his actions he pleased or
displeased his God(s).
A system was
postulated using the seven moving stars or planets as they shifted
their position in relation to the earth and to one another against
the fixed backdrop of the stars that made up the 12 constellations
of the Tropical Zodiac. The nature of the influence exerted by the
planets depends on their geometric aspect to one another and to the
earth. The astronomer would draw a map of the heavens and assess
the implications of the planetary aspects. With the requisite
astronomical knowledge he could plot the course of the planets far
in advance and thereby predict the likely effects the heavens would
exert some time in the future.
Whilst providing
answers, astrology is not a “cure all”. Everyone has free will
according to their individual circumstances and it is down to the
individual to make the most of what they have. As Shakespeare said,
“The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves.”
The Mechanics
of Astrology: There are twelve signs of the Zodiac. Each
sign is ruled by one of seven traditional planets. In the chart,
there are twelve segments or sections referred to as ‘Houses.’ Each
“house”, rules an area of life, and is “coloured” by the zodiacal
sign it contains and the planet that “rules” that sign. By combining
the symbolism of the signs, the planets and the houses astrologers
can assess and ‘interpret’ the chart.
The Houses:
The chart is divided into twelve segments or sections. Each section
is called a house and they are numbered anticlockwise from 1 –12.
An easy way to visualise the layout of a chart is the Sun rises in
the East and reaches its highest point at the top of the chart which
is South, the setting point is the West and midnight is in the
North. Each house is taken to represent different aspects of life.
There are various methods for arriving at the house positions. All
systems agree that the starting point of the First house is known as
the Ascendant or Rising Sign. Unless one is born at Dawn or within
an hour or so, it is quite likely that this sign will be different
to your ‘sun sign.’ The Rising sign or Ascendant, colours the
way people view us. It can be perceived as the front door to our
home. Some have red doors, you can’t miss them, others have golden
doors, they shine brightly, others may have muted colours, you may
miss them and still others can be rainbow coloured.
The Planets:
Up until the 1700’s, astrologers used the seven
planets that could be seen traversing the sky with the naked eye.
From these seven planets we gained the names of the days of the
week, Sunday was the day of the Sun, Monday, the day of the Moon,
Tuesday was given to Mars, Wednesday to Mercury, Thursday belonged
to Jupiter, Friday was Venus’s day and Saturday was Saturn’s day.
With the discovery of the so-called ‘outer planets’ namely Uranus,
Neptune and Pluto, astrologers ascribed ‘modern’ developments to
their control. Uranus has dominion over Electricity and Uranium and
everything connected with these elements. Neptune is associated with
films, gas and things that are not quite what they seem using modern techniques. Pluto is associated
with Plutonium and oil. However, for ease of delineation, classical
astrology uses the traditional seven naked eye planets, namely the
Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn.
These seven planets have traditional meanings, which are modified,
according to the house of the chart in which they fall. Each
planet will also signify people, places, directions, animals and
herbs. For instance, if we look at a few of the meanings ascribed to
the Sun; the Sun stands for the light of life. It is the flame
within. The symbol of the Sun also represents Kings, Emperors, and
Noblemen. Of metals it is Gold, of herbs and flowers it signifies
those of a yellow or gold colour. Of animals, the Lion.
The planet Saturn on the
other hand, represents old people, as well as those in authority,
such as policemen or judges. In general Saturn represents old age
and bones. Its metal is Lead and it is a fact that old people
contain more lead in their bones than young or middle aged. It has
a dark colour and represents mountainous regions.
As mentioned earlier, all the planets are coloured by the zodiacal
sign and house of the chart in which they are placed and which they
rule. For example, having your ninth house ruled by a planet in the
first, links issues of the ninth (travel, education, religious,
philosophical or spiritual ideas are ninth house matters), and the
first (first house shows those issues which are most important for
your happiness). This would indicate that travel relating to
educational or religious matters would be important to you.
After the positions of the planets have been plotted and placed in
their signs and houses on the chart, the astrologer looks at the
relationships between the planets according to their geometric aspects.
Aspects: There
are 3600 in a chart wheel. Depending how many degrees the
planets are apart from one another, gives their aspect.
Planets that are 1800 apart are in opposition. They are
pulling against one another. There is some stress and striving
involved. Planets that are 900 apart are said to be in
square. Once again this is an aspect indicating work and stress.
Planets with 1200 between them are known as in ‘trine.’
This is an easy aspect and indicates harmony, however, it can be too
easy and golden opportunities could pass you by! The other easy
aspect is the sextile and this is when planets are 600
apart. We all need a certain amount of stress in order to help us
achieve our goals. There is one other aspect and that is known as
the conjunction. This is when two planets share the same degree of
the natal wheel. Every month, the Moon conjoins the Sun and so
produces the New Moon. Approximately 14 days later, she opposes the
Sun at 1800 and this aspect produces the Full Moon. When
two or more planets come together, they join forces and marry their
strengths as one.
Other factors are taken into account such as ‘Fixed Stars’ and
positions of planets near to the Ecliptic. The Ecliptic is the line
traced by the Sun as it moves across the heavens. When the Sun and
Moon are within so many degrees of this path, they will ‘Eclipse’
one another.
When all these parts are
taken together and assessed, we come to the interpretation of the
chart. These interpretations relate to the type of chart under
investigation and because interpreting a chart is an ‘Art’,
readings will differ between astrologers. The scientific basis of
astrology lies only in the astronomical positions of the planets in
relation to the Earth and to one another. Therefore, as in all
things, commonsense should prevail over everything!
There is one further consideration to be taken into account: -
In Classical astrology,
the temperament of the individual was the main factor. The
astrological temperament indicates how one approaches life,
one’s relationships and even the sort of illness one could be
susceptible to. Classical Astrology, unlike Modern Astrology, does
not approach an astrological chart from a psychological point of
view. The style is more predictive and down to earth.
Natal or sun sign
astrology is just one branch of this ancient subject. Each person
is shaped by his or her ancestral heritage and this always has to be
taken into account. Fate is not preordained. We all have
free will and it is up to each person how he or she can maximise
the promise/potential described in their chart.
Forecasting:
Methods of projecting the
horoscope into the future may include:
Following the current motion
of the planets through the zodiac called transits, and
relating them to factors in the natal chart. Or, using some
mathematical formula to symbolically project the chart into the
future called progressions or directions. Extra charts
may be cast for the moment of the cyclical return of the sun or a
planet to the same position as at birth, known as return
charts. Other charts may be cast for the moment of new and full
moons or the moment of equinoxes and solstices or the conjunctions
and other phases of planetary cycles.
Astrology can be
viewed as a tool for navigation. It can help a person discover and
appreciate their creative potential and use it for self-growth. It
can also pinpoint times of likely change and help deal with them
most effectively.
Traditional Astrology.
This branch of astrology covers all the many fields
of astrology whether it is Mundane astrology (relating to
world events), Medical astrology, Vocational astrology
and so forth. Traditional astrology has its own set of rules and
uses only the traditional seven planets in delination. When applied
to natal astrology, it is much more succinct and assesses the temperment
of the individual, as opposed to the character. By
using the temperment structures (which have been in use since
Galenic times), diets, interests and even tendencies to certain
diseases can be assessed. It is also useful when considering how an
individual may relate and react to events in their life. This system
of temperments is apparently used by some Steiner
institutions when working out the best educational program for each
individual child.
You can use astrology to answer certain questions. This is known as
Horary astrology. (click on Horary and Electional).
You can work out the most auspicious time on which to embark on a
project – Electional astrology. You can look at
the correspondences between two or more people, or entities, this is
known as Synastry. There is also Astrometeorology (predicting the weather),
not to mention Hindu Astrology or Chinese astrology. There is a
branch of astrology to cover most events in life and the world!
Astrology cannot show whether the chart is
for a male or female. Neither does it show if it is a chart for a
moment of birth of a human being, an ape, a plant, or an idea!
Astrology cannot promise what is not shown in the chart. Ultimately
one's life and fate rests in ones hands. It is up to each individual
what they choose to make of their lives and the opportunities that
present themselves. Astrology cannot solve
problems. Only the individual can do this
or, change their attitude to the problem, so that it becomes a means
of growing, or developing acceptance of life itself.
