About Astrology
The serious study of astrology is enormously complex.
I am often asked 3 questions: What is astrology? How does it work? Why does it work?
To answer the first part of that question you need to understand what a horoscope or chart is. The chart is calculated for the exact position of the Sun, Moon (luminaries) and Planets on the date, time and place you are born. It is a two-dimensional representation of the three-dimensional sky and astrologers interpret this information in terms of human behaviour, activities and events.
Planets and stars do not control events on earth!
Even though it is a common thought amongst non-astrologers. Studying the heavens started a long time ago. The ancients observed that events on earth coincided with planetary movements and cycles and over time they began to use this knowledge to accurately forecast and project future events. For example, they observed that when the red planet, Mars, was prominent in the sky it seemed to coincide with war, violence and aggression. Alternatively, when Venus was prominent, people got friendly and social. They fell in love. Gradually these associations become the basis of astrological interpretation and in the passage of time, this understanding has been lost. and although we have lost this precision in our language, it is still very important information.
Astrologers can produce horoscopes for almost anything however we generally categorise astrological practice into several core areas they are: Natal Astrology (modern or psychological ), Synastry (relationships ), Electional (event ) and Horary (traditional astrological divination).
Natal Astrology
(modern psychological astrology)
Astrologers interpret the horoscope symbols and the relationships they have to each other in terms of human behaviour. In essence, the natal horoscope suggests how you are hard-wired, your strengths, your weaknesses (yes, I did say weaknesses!). We also use the horoscope as a basis for understating how you are evolving and using your potential.
Synastry
(relationship astrology)
Relationships deserve a special mention as they seem to be either a great source of joy, pain or frustration. Synastry describes the unique ties that exist between people and identifies both their strengths and weaknesses. With relationship charts, in particular, we look at attraction and the potential for longevity and there are some 26 points of comparison!
Mundane Astrology
(countries, politics and business)
According to Michael Baigent in Mundane Astrology (1984), the first astrology was, on an official level at least, exclusively mundane astrology. It was concerned with only the welfare of the King and State. Countries have their own horoscopes and it is fascinating how the politics at the time and leadership can be reflected in the horoscope. World events and social change will often correlate with particular planetary cycles.
Horary Astrology
(traditional astrological divination)
Horary is probably the oldest and most complex method of astrology and it deals with finding an answer or outcome to a specific question. Horary astrology follows very strict rules (Considerations before Judgement) around interpretation using traditional rulerships. One of the most important considerations in horary is that the person asking the question must have a valid and sincere need to know the answer!
There are very may more types, techniques and methods used in an Astrology practice and this list represents some of the ones I use and my clients want. It seems that every culture has look to the sky for wisdom, so in your part of the world you astrologers may have different options to work with.