GraceWatcher's Studies in Astrology

Instead, I use astrology to help me understand my life and the people, who are important in my life. I have discovered an enormous amount of information about my friends, love- ones , mother, father, sister and brother through astrology. This helped me to better cope with them and to better understand others who are different than myself and who think differently than I do. Knowledge is the essence that can erase all fear, hate, and unhappiness. Once the unknown is understood.The sky is our limit. I hope you will all use my charts as a tool to become whole and tolerant towards our world , our people and our animals. My wish, to you is for you to become more spiritual and enlightened. It is said " The Teacher comes when the student is ready; Astrology teaches. I just hope that you, the student is ready to learn it's lesson. The world is a beautiful place once it is understood.

Introduction to Astrology
Information is compiled by GraceWatcher@aol.com

Astrology is an ancient language of symbols. The symbols correlate to life in all its aspects. Astrology is wonderful tool for both self-discovery and for understanding the cycles of change - the essence of life. Astrology is defined as an art, as a science as well as an intuitive art. Lots of articles have been written from all sides of the fence. In astrology many of the traditional rules have been lost, and many more have been added during 20th century. Some textbooks in astrology are opinions based on experience and the use of astrology others are based on serious research and old texts, however, at this point in time none from either category are accepted by all astrologers. The one and only concept astrologers, as a group, agree upon is that Jupiter is the biggest planet.

I am writing this in hopes of providing a basic primer on astrological concepts and on how to study astrology, and where to start.

Defining Astrology

Astrology is a symbolic language, and much in the same manner we learn a foreign language we can learn astrology. Translators and interpreters take words and sentences and write or say them in another language. Astrologers do the same with symbols. Astrologers themselves argue about what astrology is, some call it an intuitive art and some call it a science, the truth lies somewhere in between. However, the symbols become words when the astrological chart is interpreted, hence I choose to refer to it as a symbolic language.

Webster's Dictionary gives the meaning of the word astrology being astron = star, and logia = to speak. Both astrology and astronomy are based on observation, up until the 16th century there was no distinction. The word astronomy has the same prefix and the latter part of the word is nomos, which means to arrange. The definition for astronomy is the science of heavenly bodies - fixed stars, planets, satellites and comets - their nature, distribution, magnitudes, motions, distances, periods of revolution, eclipses, etc. Astrology is defined as the divination of the supposed influences of the stars and planets on human affairs and terrestrial events by their position and aspects.

Apart from definitions based on dictionaries, astrology is basically a language like any other. It is a language of symbols, which dates back to 8000 BCE when the Assyrians, Babylonians, Egyptians and Mayans had astrologers who observed the heavens in view of fate, events and destiny. The chart that astrologers cast is called a horoscope. Horos means time, and scopos means an observer. Astrologers recorded their observations on time, events and cycles, and passed the information on. So literally an astrologer speaks about the stars based on the observation of time. Astrology is not a belief system, it is not a religion nor is it witchcraft or clairvoyance.

The first actual textbook on astrology was written less than two millenniums ago by a mathematician called Ptolemaios. He practiced in Egypt during 150 AD to 180 AD. The first ephemeris was printed by the Greeks. An ephemeris is an almanac, similar to the Nautical Almanac sailors use to plot their position at sea. One of the most recognized astronomical calendars is the Stonehenge which is estimated to date back to 1600 BC - 1400 BC. Ancient astronomer priests recorded their observations on lunar cycles, the solstices and fixed stars by carving markings onto the stone. Scientists today find the calendar accurate today. Computers accurately generate Modern ephemeredes. An ephemeris is the main tool for an astrologer, as it gives the astronomical positions of the celestial bodies at noon or midnight every day.

Ancient astrology knew the Sun, the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. In those times it was mostly used for predicting events for the benefit of the ruling classes, the ordinary person lived a relatively short life of toil.

The three Wise Men to visit Baby Jesus bearing gifts were astrologers; the founding fathers of the United States were well versed in astrology, namely Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. Sir Francis Bacon and Carl Jung both spent time in astrological study. President Reagan used astrology, according to rumors he had 12 astrologers on his pay roll.

But what is it that astrologers do?

Firstly a horoscope has to be calculated using an ephemeris and tables of houses. The information the astrologer needs is the date, time and location of birth. Most astrologers use either a computer or a computer service to perform the time consuming calculations. The horoscope is a circle divided into 12 segments called houses, the planets Sun through Saturn as well as the more recently discovered outer planets Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto each have their position at a particular degree on the circle. The 360° circle is divided into 30° segments according to the 12 constellations (sidereal or star-based) or signs used in astrology; Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces. Constellations are a sidereal (star based) perspective and the zodiacal signs are based on tropical astrology.

The third major element comprises of aspects, which measure geometrical distance between two planets. The wheel is 360°, and aspects are divisions of it. Each aspect has its own unique quality. There are two basic kind of aspects; the harmonious, producing ease for the use of the energies, and friction aspects, which produce growth, action and change in an individual.

Most of us are aware of the horoscope columns in newspapers and magazines based on the position of the Sun on the day of their birth. This kind of astrology divides people into twelve categories. At best this can only be 30% accurate according to most astrologers. Planets represent outlets for energy, and each one of us has the Sun, the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto uniquely located in our own birth chart. The 12 houses describing areas of life are equally unique. The zodiacal signs, named after constellations, define a kind of energy; the birth charts of twins vary enough to make a difference, small but yet significant. There are several other components that are delineated to give a full view of the person. The picture of the heavens at the time of birth weaves a very intricate picture of a person; it is like a finger print - unique to the individual. Sun sign astrology is like peeping through a tiny keyhole, you cannot see the full vivid picture the chart paints.

Once the planetary positions, house divisions and aspects are drawn onto a chart wheel the astrological analysis can begin. An astrologer is a lot like a translator, if she or he only knows the meaning of the planets it is like knowing the words but not being able to make coherent sentences. It takes more than basic knowledge of a foreign language to be able to write the same text in another language, it takes a feel for the language. As a professional translator I know that the work requires more than just the knowledge of words and grammar. The very same principle applies to astrology.

Life is much more complex today than a hundred years ago, we cope with countless issues that people in medieval times didn't have. Divorce, competitive careers, increased educational demands, substance abuse, alcoholism, household chores combined with a full-time career, stress, mid-life crises... Not so long ago people didn't live long enough to have a mid-life crisis. We don't accept things as par for the course any more, we know about childhood traumas, dysfunctional families, co-dependency, increased suicide rates... But what if there was a tool that could help explain to you why you feel this way, why you have such low self-esteem, or simply why do you feel as if you just treading water instead of getting on with life. What if someone could point out that there really is light at the end of the tunnel. Or perhaps you are uncertain of your capabilities and talents as a creative person, which is when learning more about yourself might help you acknowledge and realize those dreams.

A horoscope is like a road map or a blue print we created for ourselves to guide us through this life. It gives us the paths and roads we can follow. We may choose to use it or discard it, none-the-less it does describe everything about us - our inherent strengths and weaknesses, our skills and talents, our insecurities, our views of our parents, children, as well as people in general. Astrology is a symbolical language, which reveals our personality, appearance, emotions, feelings, and events in our lives. But as with any blueprint the plans may be altered and changed according to our free will. The philosophical debate about what free will really is I leave to the philosophers.

As astrology is based on symbols, which reflect on mythology as well as thousands of years of knowledge, the meaning of the many energies and the way they relate to our lives can be "translated" in several differing ways. There is no such thing as a complete delineation of a natal horoscope, as it is conceivable that it would result in an Opus - because all that we are and all that we do is contained within our own blue print.

For instance, if three people read the same book or view an object of art, they will all describe and respond to it differently. The same is true of three astrologers reading a chart, the basics will be the same, but the nuances in the delineation can change the analysis dramatically. I view astrology as tool for self-discovery. Its ultimate gift is to enable us to learn to know and love ourselves. Once we are in tune with the planetary forces in ourselves, we are in harmony with the world. Being fully aware of our own potential allows us to accomplish 'our mission in life'. Much along the lines of NBC's campaign "The more you know..."

Modern astrology is geared toward personal growth, learning about our potential, learning to know ourselves, finding out more about our emotional and psychological make-up. I used to think astrology was hog-wash, and certainly the columns I read in hopes of finding something nice written about me, one of the 333,333,333 Scorpio Suns inhabiting our planet, made me classify it as fairy tales. Now that I have found my complete chart, and learned to translate the symbols into words reasonably well, I use astrology because I have determined for myself how well it works. Just like each individual is complex and unique so is the science-art of astrology. For the complete study of this subject a lifetime seems inadequate, but the rewards are immeasurable

A Brief History

Astrology is the study of the symbolic meaning of the planetary bodies that make up our solar system, and of the relationships that those bodies make to one another. In its earliest phase, which according to some occurred around 5000 bce and some claim much earlier in an ancient civilization which has since disappeared, astrologers were astronomers who studied the movement of the planets against the backdrop of the constellations.

Astrology's second phase, during the first millenia bce, formalized the division of the zodiac into twelve 30 degree signs as we now know it. Some sources say that it was during the Greek civilization, with its emphasis on the individual, that astrologers began casting horoscopes and studying the effect of the planets on individuals, which was the beginning of psychological astrology. Hippocrates, in the 5th century bce, outlined correspondences between the four elements as found in astrology with four different temperaments, the roots of 20th century Jungian psychology. In the 4th century bce, Plato is said to have described the influence of the heavenly bodies this way: each planet has its own musical chord, contributing to the heavenly harmony of the music of the spheres. Modern astrology found its root in the work of Ptolemy in Alexandria, Egypt during the the 3rd century ad.

In the western world the study of astrology fell out of favor first during the DarkAges, when the early Christian leaders attempted to squelch any attempt by individuals to access the divine without Church intercession. Thanks to Arabian scholars, it resurfaced in the 9th century when Ptolemy's work was translated by scholars in Baghdad and made its way to Europe along with other scientific knowledge that had been suppressed by the early Church. In the 12th century Arab astronomical tables offered more sophisticated calculations for increased accuracy. and then the Age of Reason (1450-1750). In later times, as astronomical tools became more sophisticated, a split occurred between the science of astrology and the metaphysics of astrology, the use of astrology became more specific and more involved with the study of the planetary symbols as they relate to the individual.

The foundation of an astrological analysis of an individual is the horoscope or birthchart, the map of the sky at the time and place of the birth of the individual. The birthchart is similar to the ancient maps of the solar system, showing the placements of the planets and luminaries (the sun and moon) from the perspective of the individual; hence, astrology is considered to be "person-centered." The birthchart is then divided into twelve divisions, or "houses," each of which represents a sphere of existence and personal development.

Astrology has traditionally been a method of forecasting the future, and in fact there are many astrologers still practicing today who take a fatalistic approach to the birthchart (i.e., Saturn is square your Sun, you will die young). This approach assumes that we do not control our own destiny, but it is in fact mapped out for us and we are just motorists in a vehicle that is programmed for a certain destination. The more humanistic approach to astrology originated in the late 1960s and has continued to develop into a sophisticated psychological tool. This approach recognizes that although certain aspects of our physical being and personality are predestined, we are given the free will to make choices which will affect the outcomes of the crossroads of our life.

The symbolism of astrology includes "planets" (including the Sun and Moon), the "signs" of the Zodiac, and the houses in which these symbols are placed. The planets describe a function of the human personality, the sign that the planet is in describes the way in which that function is likely to be expressed, and the house placement shows the area of life that is likely to be impacted by the expression of the planet. The angles that the planets make to each other describe the way the various functions interact within our being, and illustrate where internal conflicts may be present, as well as indicating where our strengths and talents lie. This knowledge can lead to increased understanding of our inner motivations and help us to maximize our potential as unique human beings. I have found that the birthchart is a map to help navigate the best path to our destiny.

Astrology can also be used in other ways. "Synastry" is the use of astrology as a tool to better understand the intricacies of relationships. Two birthcharts can be compared to discover how the energies of the two individuals combine in relationship to each other, and to see where potential disharmony may lie and how it could best be averted. "Transits and progressions" are terms for the study of the angles made by current planetary placements to the birthchart ("transits") and the evolving birthchart as it changes over time "progressions" to determine the cycles and growth that the individual is likely to experience in a given period. In this way periods of crisis can be managed by determining the influences that are operating and how best to navigate the rough waters.

In selecting an astrologer, it is generally a good idea to spend a few minutes talking together. Good communication skills are essential for the practicing astrologer, and it is important that you feel comfortable with them. You may want to ask about their level of experience, although this is not necessarily as important as their skill level so long as it is commensurate with the fee that is charged. Most astrologers in our area charge between $60 and $150 for a reading. You will want to ask the astrologer what will be covered during your appointment time. If you are seeking information on a specific area, you will want to be sure that the astrologer has some understanding of that area. For example, if you are seeking advice on where to relocate, you will want to work with someone with knowledge on relocating charts. If a medical problem is the issue, you will want to see someone with experience in medical astrology.

Once the astrologer has been selected, they will need your birth data to calculate the birthchart. Most astrologers will want to calculate their own charts even though you may have already had it done, and thanks to computer programs this is now the easiest part of an astrological reading. Your birthdate is essential, and the time and place is extremely helpful as it sets up the rising sign, the placement of the Moon, and the structure of the twelve houses. If you do not have your birth certificate, you can write to the Records Office of the town where you were born. Many astrologers see clients in their homes or offices, but telephone appointments are usually also available or the astrologer can simply tape a reading and mail it to you if you live out of town.

Despite the skeptics that have hounded astrologers throughout the ages, astrology continues to be as popular as ever. I have never seen a skeptic who was not convinced after having their birthchart interpreted by a competent astrologer!! Whether you are looking for the right career, need help with relationship issues, or going through a rough time in your life, astrological counseling can provide the keys to help you to unlock the door to self-knowledge and ultimate freedom.