First things first: What is astrology, exactly?
Simply put, astrology is the study of how planetary activity reflects and foreshadows earthly events.
Cultures around the world have studied the relationship between the air and life on Earth. The astrological tradition we practice today dates back to the techniques developed in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt, before the Common Era (also known as BCE), when the two civilizations began to cross-pollinate. Both regions had innovated unique approaches to observing the night sky, and these approaches merged during the Hellenistic period (that is, the first few centuries either side of the Common Era), creating a coherent new system. This age-old practice, which still forms the basis of modern astrology, involves four main components:
- The planets
- The constellations
- The houses
- The relationship between planets (also called “aspects”)
Every astrological chart is made up of these building blocks. It consists of a wheel divided into 12 zodiac signsthat match 12 houses (or areas of life). These signs and houses are populated with planets, all of which relate to each other. Over the millennia that astrology has existed, skygazers have worked with the components of these astrological charts to understand countless aspects of our lives – from people’s personalities to politics. That said, there are many different types of astrology. Like the branches that blow from the trunk of the tree, these areas of study share the same foundation, but they are all different. The main branches are:
- Natal astrology to focus on your birth chart – the snapshot of heaven at the moment of your birth – revealing your gifts, challenges, inclinations and purpose.
- Mundane astrology analyzes the cycles and patterns in the sky and compares them to historical, social and political events on Earth.
- Horary astrology casts a card to answer a pressing question (similar to tarot reading – but with the planets).
- Electional astrology helps people ‘pick’ (or choose) an auspicious date for an important event, such as a wedding or business launch.
- Relationship astrology brings two or more birth charts together to assess how their placements interact, and how the individuals involved will come into contact with each other as a result.
Now that we’ve established this What astrology is, let’s turn to How it provides insight into our missions in life, our relationships and the timing of major events.
How does astrology work?
As long as there have been astrologers, there have been people debating how astrology works. Unsurprisingly, there is no definitive answer, but that’s part of the magic.
Rooted in the principles of geometry and astronomy, astrology is built on both a complex logic and a premise of magical thinking – which is no reason to dismiss it. The belief in what we now define as supernatural, such as the connection between planets and events on Earth, predates human record keeping. It was not until the rise of the Church in the first millennium that it left a bad taste in people’s mouths – when magic, astrology, alchemy and related crafts were considered heretical and sinful. Later, during the Age of Reason, between the 17th and 19th centuries, these studies shifted from profane to largely laughable, as many thinkers during this period based science on observable, material experiences alone. Anything more intangible than what we could see, touch, or demonstrate disappeared with the laboratory bathwater. Yet some astrologers have attempted to substantiate their craft through science, exploring the rationale surrounding the ‘rays’ emitted by planets (in the case of Porphyry in the late 3rd century CE) and, more recently, how the planets’ gravity could influence Earth’s forces. activity. Again, there has always been debate about it How And Why astrology works, but some traditional astrology theories are simpler and more elegant. They center around the ancient hermetic principle: As above, so below. As inside, so outside. This means that we don’t know exactly why, but the movement of celestial bodies (“above”) reflects life on Earth (“below”).
For example, centuries of astrological observation have associated the planet Mars with heat, inflammation, conflict, sharpness, separation, competition and anger. That’s partly because of Mars’ color in the sky – glowing red, especially around the time of its retrograde – and partly because generations of astrologers have noticed what happens during a Mars transit. Due to this planet’s association with heat, sharpness, etc., it is said to preside over prickly plants, dismemberment, sparring matches, hot sauce, scalpels and chef’s knives – the manifestation of those Mars-like qualities on Earth. Don’t march cause these things exist, but it shares a similarity with them. Likewise, astrological transits (or planetary movements) do not generate world events, and the planets and points in our birth chart do not create our personality or life purpose. They merely possess a correspondence to these things – like a map or a key – that helps us understand our own life experiences as they unfold.
While skeptics suggest that horoscopes only ring true because of confirmation bias – which is what astrologers do can be liable from time to time – that is no reason to reject it out of hand. The overlap between astrology and life on Earth is eerily connected and goes far beyond wishful thinking, even if we can’t explain it. And the benefits of astrology are great: this study helps us understand life’s trials and triumphs. It supports us in finding meaning and connecting with a sense of deeper purpose. Therefore, it is important to follow the sky yourself, collect your own data and develop your own opinion. At its core, astrology is a way for us to explore our experiences and give them context. It is a tool to achieve self-reflection and regain freedom of choice in our lives. It’s not about the planets making decisions for us, or telling us which paths to choose; it’s about honoring our masses, as exemplified by the many facets of our birth chart. Astrology does not limit the stories it offers us. On the contrary, there are endless depths to explore. We are not subject to the whims of these distant planets, but if we pay close attention, we can see how they reflect back to us the complex stories of our lives.
But don’t just take our word for it, check it out yourself. Dive down your own research rabbit holes and learn what others have to say. Then sit down with your own thoughts and observations. It is the only way to form your own relationship with astrology. But of course we are here to provide guidance and information along the way. To get started, download it CHANI app.
Looking for more information? Read your daily horoscope:
Ram | Taurus | Twin | Cancer | Lion | Virgin | Scale
Scorpion | Archer | Ibex | Aquarius | Fishing
Then download the CHANI app iOS or Android for additional horoscopes, meditations, affirmations, readings for the current moon phase and sign, and more.
