What is Astrology?
Astrology is an ancient divination practice which interprets the influence of celestial bodies such as the Moon, Sun and planets on human events and personality traits on Earth. Astrologers hold that each planet and star – either individually or combined into constellations – has an influence over our lives and should therefore be considered.
How it works
Astrology can be considered scientific in that it uses precise positions of celestial bodies to generate horoscopes, but when practitioners claim planets or their configurations have any bearing on human affairs. Numerous scientific studies have disproved such claims; numerous twin studies for instance have not found any correlation between people’s zodiac signs and career choices or personalities.
Some astrologers believe that specific combinations and their effects can be explained through sympathetic magic, where similar-looking objects possess similar properties (for instance Mars is red so it rules blood and war). Others take a different view: that while stars govern only material things they leave humanity free to choose between good and evil.
Other astrologers believe that astrological patterns reflect an inner cosmos or divine plan, based on Pythagorean principles which suggest intervals between harmonic sound frequencies form simple numerical ratios.
Signs of the Zodiac
Astrologers utilize the 12 signs of the zodiac to track and interpret the path taken by the Sun across the ecliptic in a year. The term “zodiac” comes from Greek zoidiakos kyklos, meaning “circle of animals,” as each constellation along its course through which the Sun passes traditionally represents animals or mythological figures.
Fire signs (Aries, Leo and Sagittarius) tend to be bold and confident; they also tend to be creative and daring. Water signs (Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces) tend to be intuitive and in touch with their subconscious; they’re compassionate but may become overwhelmed with feelings at times. Air signs (Gemini, Libra and Aquarius) tend to be communicative and restless individuals with the ability to see all sides of any situation at the same time.
Astrologers classify signs into four elements, each with its own mode of expression or polarity. Signs within the same element tend to understand each other better, thus using comparative natal charts as a method for relationships.
Planets
Astrology shows us which planets hold significance for each individual by looking back to when and where they were when you were born. While Sun, Moon, stars or planets such as Saturn Venus Mars Jupiter Pluto don’t count as planets in terms of astrology; Saturn, Venus Mars Jupiter Pluto are. Their presence can provide valuable information regarding career opportunities, relationship challenges or wellness concerns in your life based on where they were in the sky when you were born.
Planets exert great influence over our personalities through the qualities they represent. Venus, for instance, represents love; this can include how we give and receive affection; fashion preferences; pleasure preferences; as well as our capacity to heal others.
Neptune, representing spirituality, spends approximately 14 years in each zodiac sign and can illuminate ways you seek out magic and illusion. Additionally, Neptune has long been known as a planet associated with delusion and fantasy, helping individuals take a rose-colored view on life.
Aspects
Astrological aspects refer to interactions between energies. When Venus and Mars join, for instance, their impact depends on which planets are involved; similarly when sun and moon meet at exactly the same degree and zodiac sign they form conjunction.
There are five primary aspects: conjunction, sextile, square, trine and opposition. Each aspect can either be soft or hard depending on how it impacts a chart.
Astrological relationships like sextiles are easy to work with because of the positive energy they exude; typically occurring between fire, air and earth signs; squares can sometimes create tension and diverging perspectives but may be used as sources of motivation if both planets involved possess positive traits. Furthermore, Astrology recognizes patterns of aspects with names like T-square and Grand Cross which include pairs that meet at right angles that combine more effectively than single aspects.