Why Use Astrology
Before doing a personal session for a first time client, I often give them a mini lecture on astrology as a means of introducing myself. I reason that not all doctors, accountants or astrologers are the same, and admittedly astrology has its fair share of “kooks and naysayers”. Consequently I like to address new clients with my intent and purpose as an astrologer, as I feel astrology needs to serve a practical purpose rather than act as a form of entertainment. This is not to suggest that astrology can’t be fun and amusing… it can be! But for someone to approach me for an astrological session I want them to get something they can actually use…not only in the year ahead, but also perhaps for many years to come.
Starting with the premise that astrology is a language, with symbols and planets forming the basic alphabet, it allows communication to occur on a variety of levels. Most people are looking for predictive astrology, and with this in mind astrology provides the life themes and time frames that lie ahead for a client. Typically the range of time considered for predictive purposes is about 18 months, and although we might have insights on issues, what I can’t state is the outcome of the planetary influences. To this end the concept of free will or divine will comes into play, and determines the outcome.
There are reasons that make sense when we consider them, but the idea of Free Will has been on ongoing debate in the astrological community for decades. The idea that we are “pre-destined” to live out our charts is NOT what I subscribe to, rather I think it is up to the individual (and God) to decide how to utilize the planetary energies. I once took a class where two charts were being considered, both having remarkable similarities. We were told one was a saint and the other a sinner, and in the end we “got it wrong”…highlighting this invaluable lesson: we choose to vibrate at a higher or lower frequency, and consequently this influences the experience we have. In other words, people grow at different rates, especially on a spiritual level. We have all encountered people who blame others for their life’s trials and tribulations, without ever assuming personal responsibility for their life. I refer to people of this category as being “stuck”, and not necessarily better or worse than me. However, until they embrace their life experience as one of their personal creation, then they are likely to float through life without any real depth or meaning.
People who encounter challenges often seek input from someone like me for confirmation of what they already know or suspect. If you are the common denominator to many life challenges, then perhaps you are the one that needs to change? Having insights, regardless of where they come from, can help us overcome defeating patterns and develop a new approach towards future opportunities. Knowledge is power, even if the source of information seems illogical…how could planets millions of miles away have any bearing or impact on us now?? This concept has baffled me ever since I became interested in astrology, and continues to baffle me to this day. Interestingly, one way of seeing astrology in motion is to observe the behavior of animals (if birth date in known) or by witnessing the behavior of people with cognitive issues. One example that comes to mind involves a family friend that has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. During the late stages of this disease sensible thought patterns are almost non-existent. However, true to form when Mars aspects their chart, or when a Full Moon approaches we know that they are far more likely to “act up” and be difficult. We also know that this too shall pass…and it does. Another example is my dog Shasta, born with a Taurus rising, and a Sun and Moon in Sagittarius. This dog relished his creature comforts like getting his head rubbed (Taurus rising) and would make enough noise until he got what he wanted (Sagittarius)…and talk about loud (also Sagittarius)!! He was also the most optimistic dog I have ever known, always sensing that a treat might be right around the corner (Sagittarius)…and in this way he made other people feel happier.
Astrology provides the insights, and we can choose to make something of them. One can be better prepared so as to avoid disappointment and frustration, or to strike when the time is right! It’s all about timing and making the most of the astrological timing so that we can get a better result. Granted, we may think we know what’s best for us and we may even have grandiose plans about our future. However, no matter how well prepared we are (or not), life events may still turn out differently than expected…and I propose that this could well be because of Divine Will. One such astrological event that fits this bill are Eclipses, whether Solar or Lunar, and the planet Uranus. Uranus is known to bring about unexpected and/or surprising events and Eclipses are said to be the hand of God…in what way depends on other factors in the chart. However in both cases (Eclipses and Uranus) I have seen events that I would not have expected; in other cases events that proved to be unimportant.
Which brings another point to mind: the outcome of an event does not depend on one single planet. I like to describe a reading or session like working with a recipe…each planet represents an ingredient and combined they produce an outcome that eventually resembles the recipe you set out to create. I am often asked the question “is that a good thing or bad?” and I always answer it’s a good thing. However I am not suggesting you necessarily will like the process, as some planets can be more challenging than others. In looking back over my life, I must admit to one particularly painful period of my life that I would rather not experience again. However, I also recognize two important truths: the first is that I got more from that bleak period than was taken away. Secondly, the circumstances that allowed me to get into that challenging period were the result of me needing to grow.
When I ponder the origination of astrology, I am left almost dumbstruck as the symbols behind astrology are confined to the night sky. In other words observation of the planets and signs can only be seen at night, and then through consistent observation over years of time can a trait be applied to human behavior or experience. For example, one can look at the planet Mars for about a six-week period while it orbits a sign and extract a possible meaning for humans. However, a planet like Saturn can take almost thirty years…creating a need for record keeping that spans decades of time. Another thought to consider are the consistent meanings between the planets and signs regardless of where you are in the world. In other words, astrology seems to be the first common language of man, and based on hieroglyphics and cave drawings we know that astrological symbolism has been around for at least 10,000 years. Recorded human history is almost 5000 years old; however humans have been around for a much longer period. This presents yet another interesting possibility…could astrology be the common language of the Universe? Would each galaxy beyond the Milky Way have it’s own constellations as the backbone of it’s astrological symbolism? Would it be impossible to think that astrology was “given” to us, or did man have the intelligence to figure it out all on his own? Whatever the answer, it clearly goes beyond our Earthly experience and could very well encompass life forms elsewhere. Aliens anyone?