Astrology is essentially another language. It is a system for interpreting symbols so that we can have an accurate map and guide for this life.
Astrology helps us to ascribe meaning to what we experience and gain knowledge about our essential natures and pre-dispositions. Magically it seems, by examining the planets, the zodiacal signs, houses and what they symbolise, we can interpret and hopefully understand the individual passions, flaws, strengths and gifts that we have been endowed with in this lifetime.
Fundamentally, an astrological chart is like a script that can tell us what is happening at that precise moment in time. When we take an individuals natal chart, it is the script that will direct the action for the lifetime. It describes:
- Who are the actors?
- In what area of your life is the action happening – the set or location?
- What are the actors wearing?
- How do they behave?
- What are the sub plots?
- Do we have a love story, comedy or tragedy?
Even though the script is set, it is not necessarily cast in stone – human beings still have free will and choice about how they will choose to use the script they are given.
So what are the bits?
The Natal Chart or Horoscope.
Th stage is set for this drama the moment we first take a breath, the moment of inspiration… to inspire, take in spirit, life is infused into the matter of our bodies. At this moment the pattern of the planets in the sky above is imprinted upon the psyche and the physical body. It is this pattern of the planets that astrologers are interested in, as it is their position and how they relate to each other that sets up the blessings or challenges in our life. This goes beyond a singular sun sign or moon sign, as rarely does a planet operate on its own.
The planets are the voices or actors on the stage, either playing out within us or coming at us from the external environment.
The signs are costumes and behaviours. Some are loud and showy and some are secretive. They are all different and even though there are just 12 zodiac signs, the permutations and variations in how that sign may express itself is infinite.
The houses tell us the area in life where the action happens, home, family, career, how we communicate, what we believe and so on.
Aspects between the planets are the way the voices interact, are they in harmony or is there friction?
Then we have transits, which tell us how the current movement of the planets in the sky is affecting the basic template of our natal chart.
And our progressed chart, which describes how are natal chart and inner psyche, continues to develop and evolve over time.
As you can see from this brief outline, astrology is a lot more complex than just a sun sign. And if you read your horoscope in the daily papers and think that astrology is a load of garbage and doesn’t work, it’s because you are only getting a tiny piece of a large and intricate puzzle that is very individual. Naturally you are going to get much better and more accurate results if you are receiving information based on your own natal chart.
So it is a good astrologers job to not only to be fluent in the technical aspects of this elaborate language but to also have the intuitive ability to put it all together creatively and holistically. While an astrologer may initially break down a horoscope into its individual bits, at the end of the day, it needs to be synthesised back into a workable whole, because a real person is not just bits, but rather a complex being with many drives and influences all acting together.
Considering the individual nature of human beings and the desire we all have to be heard and understood. The best way to have an astrological consultation is through an interactive, one on one approach. This allows for questions, feedback and the opportunity to explore problem areas as well as finding ways to optimise strengths.
