Astrology

Astrology

Most people have a basic idea of astrology but are less informed about what it can do. It would be easy to get information-heavy, so I’ll stick to the primary basics of what it offers.

A natal chart is a snapshot of the position of the planets at the moment of your birth. A natal chart is an essential tool when using astrology for self-development because it provides the blueprint of your character. The planets each show something different about your character and personality.

Using astrology, we can look at how the planets interact with one another by using something called an aspect. The aspects determine whether there is a conflict or ease between any two points in the birth chart.

Synastry is the method of comparing two individual natal charts to see where there is difficulty or ease between two people. Synastry is the primary method used for the analysis of relationships.

The composite chart is a popular technique for looking at a relationship between two people. The calculation involves finding the mid-point between each person's planets. The composite chart shows the relationship as an identity separate from the individuals involved. A lesser-used but effective technique is known as the Davison chart. The calculation uses the midpoint in time between the two births. The Davison shows how the relationship plays out in real life.

Progressed charts are a predictive method that shows how a person grows during their lifetime. It calculates this by progressing the chart a day for a year. It does not take priority over a natal chart but is said to show where internal changes are taking place.

Another popular predictive method is called the solar return. A solar return occurs on your birthday or the day on either side. This is because the Sun takes a year to complete the zodiac cycle. A calculation is made for the time the Sun returns to the exact degree it was positioned at your time of birth. It is said to show the dominant themes for the year ahead. Return charts can be calculated for any planet. Lunar returns are said to show the emotional focus for the lunar month ahead. Mercury shows the themes around communication, intellectual pursuits, and

Venus returns deal not only with relationships

Mars returns deal with energy.

A Jupiter return happens every 12 years and is not used all that often in predictive astrology.

The Saturn return is a big one and only occurs every 29 years.

The Blog

I'm proficient in transits and predictive techniques, although my preferred lens is that which lends itself to using astrology as a tool for self-development. I've been studying astrology since the early 1990s, and from 2000 onwards, I began to look closely at psychological astrology. I was particularly enthralled with how Liz Greene used archetypes from Greek myth to help explain the function of the planets. I’m generally less concerned about what could happen externally in the form of an event and instead prefer to focus on the inner life. New posts will likely focus on asteroids and their mythology because I like how they can reveal hidden characteristics or life patterns. Exploring dynamics is something I enjoy, whether internal or between people. Astrology as a tool offers a chance to look at life from a distance despite being able to get up close and personal.