Why would anyone want to study a system which main stream science has declared nonsense?
The answer to this is that main stream science is not set up to study a system such as astrology, in fact they are incapable of analysing its validity given their current paradigm instruments and tools. Astrology is outside of sciences orbit of operation so should really not be making any comments on it. Therefore for the foreseeable future we can disregard what mainstream science has to say on the matter.
Why would anyone want to study a system that is so complex, hard and at times other-worldly?
The answer to this is that people have a distorted image of the amount of learning and the stuff they have to remember. While this is understandable given the amount of material produced, thousands of books, hundreds of courses and scores of different techniques. However, it need not be so difficult. The secret is to learn the very basics and then allow your brain to extrapolate the rest. This is not some esoteric meditative technique or a psychic gift given to just a few, it is quite simply the way the brain works. It naturally makes connections, joins the dots and automatically completes the picture.
You will meet many doubters when the subject of astrology is broached, you may well be a doubter yourself. You may wish to stay objective and not venture into what can only be subjective. Well, that is a good start but be warned, nothing is totally objective, we interpret the objective world in our own very subjective way, we cannot do otherwise, it is a feature of the human brain. A mantra of mine has always been ‘give it a go and then you will know.’ Keep an open mind and an open heart and you will not go wrong.
For me I truly believe that the world would be a much better place if everyone knew a bit of astrology, this is my passion this is my driving force, this is the connection to my soul and my mission in life.
For you. The oft used adage of Man know thyself is of course useful here but perhaps should be Man understand yourself. You may think that you know yourself, why wouldn't you, it is a subject close to your heart. Astrology will take you one step further and help you understand yourself, why do you behave and think the way you do? What is it that drives you, moves you? Helps you come to terms with that parts of yourself that you do not readily admit to or even like about yourself.
It will help you understand others also, your friends and family and perhaps more importantly the people you do not like. What is it in them that pushes buttons in you? You will be able to get a better understanding of the world around, the strife and the joy.
Astrology will create in you a sense of wonder and enchantment with the cosmos and deeper spiritual dimensions which can change you in very profound ways. You can think of astrology as a gateway to other subjects such as the Tarot and developing your psychic awareness. Astrology covers every aspect of life, career, relationships, hobbies, money and values. This and much more await you when you step into the wonderful world of astrology.
If your life is ticking away nicely, you are happy and content. Then congratulations you have a built in astrologer and there is no need to go anywhere near astrology But has there ever been a time in your life when everything seemed to be going wrong, when you were thwarted at every turn. I bet this was a time when you were most probably trying to go against the tides of life. The tides of life is another term for astrology.
For just as there is a time to reap and a time to sow, there is a time for moving forward and a time to consolidate what we have, there is a time to act and a time to wait, a time to give and a time to receive.
Scientifically of course it can never be proven, not by current criteria, because we can never isolate these cycles one from another so there can never be a repetition. The yearly Solar cycle which gives us our "Sun Sign's" is continually modified by all the other cycles. The question then has to be asked. If it is so complex then why bother?
Well undoubtedly this is a valid question and in fact we can manage extremely well with out it, as proven by the many successful and happy people in this world who have never given Astrology a second thought. However, when I have looked at the charts for these people you would think that they had not made a move with out consulting Astrology because there lives are pristine copies of their charts, I guess that some people have an inner Astrologer who can read the cycles of life, unconsciously sensing the tides, going with the flow not the crowd. I do not believe that it is because they have a particularly favourable chart it is simply that they unconsciously work with it.
On the subject of proof, while it maybe many years before main stream science accepts it, you can and will prove it to yourself. You will be able to see your self in your birth chart. So obviously, you too can be all you are destined to be by simply working with what you already possess, that is working with, not against. Sadly, so many times, it seems that our lives have been arranged for us, not by astrology but by parents and peers and our own fears. We have studied subjects, we were expected to, taken up careers, we were expected to, even entered relationships we were expected to. Not always obvious, most times subtly, usually in denial, but just how much control do you feel you have had over your life.
Astrology then can give you that control. It will help you to see your life with out the tints of social and domestic influences. It will demonstrate, that you have real choices, that you can make. It will light a lamp on the gloom of self-defeat, highlighting your true strengths and natural talents. Far from being deterministic, as some have labelled it, Astrology brings you more choice, more freedom. It will light the road ahead so you will no longer be rummaging about in the dark.
As has been stated Astrology is the study of cycles, the good news is that these cycles are predictable. This gives us the great boon of being able to plan out our lives so much more efficiently. Such is the bounty of Astrology, the oldest science yet most inexact science. It is not for those who expect everything on a plate though, because Astrology demands personal responsibility. but it does put you back in the driving seat of your life and provides a map of the area.
It is a map but not the person, think free will, but also, different influence can be played out differently. One astrology student I know told me that because he had a difficult transit of Saturn coming up he was not going to go out until it was over. That Saturn transit was all about limitations well he went straight in and limited himself, sad. Again, an astrologer friend was really excited about an upcoming Pluto transit. Pluto transits can be quite destructive but she new it would always replace what it destroyed with something new and more appropriate. So there are good ways to deal with transits and bad ways.
Career decisions are much easier with Astrology, finding areas where you will shine and feel fulfilled. Instead of following in the family business, there may be a more rewarding path for you to take. Sometime we are forced to change career, sometimes we decide to change career, to follow an interest or to find something you find fulfilling and gives your live meaning. Astrology can help with this.
Relationships are a common area explored by astrologers. Who would make a good match, who would fulfil a need or lack in us and who could provide valuable life lessons. Having found a suitable partner how do we keep the relationship alive and working, astrology will help us understand the other persons needs and motivations thereby helping us solve many issues that crop up in any relationship. This applies to all types of relationships, parent/child, employer/employee and business partnerships. Personal relationships just always be guided by love. And as astrologers it is your role to aid a relationship not to end one or suggest one over the other. Remember, astrology is very powerful and with great power come great responsibility.
Astrology is the first science, astrology is a division of spiritual science, astrology is a sacred science. Astrology must be studied with the right attitude of mind. Astrology is not a party game, it is not to be used to expand ones Ego, it is not to be used to win victories or score points over others. The study of astrology is a dedication to the service of others and the fulfillment of their potential. Thereby leading to an inner harmony, which will contribute to a global harmony and unity.
This article is an attempt to demonstrate a different view of astrology, a living astrology, a practical, day by day astrology. That is not a live by astrology, not a do nothing till checked the stars astrology. Not an astrology that rules your life, it is an astrology to help you rule your life. It is not an astrology which deals in dire and fateful predictions. It is not an astrology which seals your destiny. It is an astrology to help you turn dire and fateful predictions in to incredible opportunities. It is an astrology to help you release your full potential, which is greater than you could have imagined. It is not an astrology of rules and restrictions, it is an astrology of choices. Not prediction but planning, not ruler but servant.
An unfortunate view of Astrology is that it is complicated and difficult to learn. The truth of the matter is that while Astrology has tremendous scope it is, as I shall demonstrate, incredibly easy to learn. Consider it like learning to walk, once you have learnt the basics there is no end to what you can do with it. It is this what you do with it that causes this misrepresentation of how complicated it is to learn. Once you have learnt to walk you do not have to learn how to walk down your avenue and then learn how to walk down the next street and so on because these are just applications of a basic skill. Try to consider Astrology in the same way, once you have the basic skill, how you apply it and where these applications take you, are very much limited only by your own imagination.
There are some more objections to Astrology that need to be cleared up before we can proceed, these being. “I have just heard that my sign has moved, apparently I am not an Aries, I am a Pisces”. Or “haven't you heard the stars have moved on and you are using the wrong signs”. Okay we cannot allow this to continue as I do not want any of you not feeling confident about the subject of astrology, it is fine to question and re-think things but we do not want to start on a misunderstanding that can be simple sorted out. What I am talking about here is Western Astrology and not Indian, Hindu or Vedic astrology. Simply put they use a different Zodiac than Western Astrology. They try to closely align with the star positions, we do not generally use the stars at all, actually they make a pretty poor job of aligning with the star positions, because the stars or constellations do not line up in neat 30 degree arcs. That being said I know that Indian astrologers are very well respected and do some very good work. Note also that while there zodiac may be different, the planets will still be in their same relative positions and the houses the occupy will be the same. However, we use a Zodiac derived from the seasons. So the first degree of Aries aligns with the first day of Spring.
Another objection is that the Planets are too far away to have any influence here on earth. The answer to this is simple but based on a Spiritual concept of the Universe. That of Consciousness. Consciousness is everywhere but awareness is somewhere. This is a subject that can take us a long way off course so for our purposes think of the Planets as conscious beings, or there is a Planetary Lord associated with each one. So they may be along way off in awareness but in essence they are everywhere, including in this room right now.
One more objection is that predictions are very often wrong. Well they are right about that but that is more an objection to astrologers than astrology as a science. There are other reasons why predictions are very often wrong but that can be covered later as it is related to not how astrology works but why astrology works.
From my own experience I remember the strange anomaly arrived at when first I started to study astrology at evening classes in a local catholic school, which banned the classes as not being suitable study to be carried out in a religious school. Which made no sense to me at the time because as I studied I came, for the first time to some kind of realisation of a supreme intelligence and the church told me I could not do it in their school.
To me spirituality and astrology go hand in hand. Firstly because it demonstrates the wondrous complexity and at the same time simplicity of nature and puts purpose and intelligence within in. Secondly because it allows me to explore and understand this purposeful, intelligent universe of ours.
It perhaps should be pointed out that a spiritual believe is not required for the study and practice of astrology. In my particular case astrology engendered a spirituality within me which was not recognised before but it need not be your experience. On the other hand I do not believe that religious preferences should be anything of a barrier to the study of astrology but there are some factions within most religious organisations these days who would rather forget their astrological past. Astrology grew as man’s ability to understand it grew so one must presume therefore that it will continue to grow as mankind continues to grow. But perhaps more importantly your astrology will grow with you.