What’s What in Astrology
This is basically an FAQ clearing up the common misconceptions or confusing aspects of astrology. It’s a clear explanation of what I do, the nature of information from astrological readings, and my views on pop culture astrology. Hope it’s helpful!
by JBK
~What are charts and readings, exactly?
A chart is basically a graph pinpointing the location of each planet and each of the 12 zodiac constellations in the sky and their location at birth. Astrologers get information about a person’s habits or personality by the geometric angles which planets make to each other on the chart. Here’s an example of what a chart looks like
The lines in the middle of the circle are based off of geometric angles - and depending on the angle, it indicates a personality trait based off of the correspondence of the two planets and their positions. Each person has a completely unique chart that reveals much information about the person’s personality, habits, and other traits. It can also reveal, through a process which places the current placement of planets in comparison to the placement of planets at birth - what are likely events to happen in your life, how to make the best of upcoming situations, and how to succeed in the future.
As an astrologer, when I give a reading I look at this chart and I look for transits of note and find out ways to help best prepare you for them. Each transit has a different way of preparing depending on each person, but the chart reveals a very large amount of information to me so I can help you get on the path to make the best of yourself. Readings also tell information about unconscious habits and patterns - so I can help illuminate things about you that you’re not consciously aware of and help you change your habits and bring good change in your life. I don’t try to manipulate the situation or play off your ignorance - I give you an objective view of what I see in a chart and what you can do about it.
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~Are astrological transits set in stone to happen?
(Transits are usually used to write horoscopes) Some are inevitable and unstoppable forces that you should embrace, but for the most part astrological transits have an uncertain outcome if you choose to view it that way. Every astrological transit has a likely outcome and also gives advice on how to ameliorate or make the most of each transit. For example, if there’s a possibility that you will be facing an anger problem due to a transit - there’s also advice on how to blow past that problem, for example, by doing a lot of painting and writing or going to the gym. Transits are representations of energy and time periods that has an elevated possibility of producing a certain event. So, either embracing the energy, releasing it, or making the best of it can change an event in certain ways. As an astrologer, I can see these energies in transits and give you advice on how to achieve good results, avoid bad ones, or to make the best of what is not changeable. Transits are about seeing the best opportunities to make the most out of a life event.
Sometimes, transits don’t happen unless you work to achieve them. People who are particularly lazy about their future need to be careful about this information. If I tell you you’re going to find your soul mate and get your dream job - that doesn’t mean it just gets handed to you. The condition is that for transits that present a lot of positive results, you can’t get lazy about it. You’ve still got to stride forward, keep a good attitude, and try to succeed. People who remain negative about their future and keep going on paths that are self destructive are less likely to get the most out of good transits. Think about it - how are you supposed to have the best time of your life if you’re continuing to view life for its negative qualities? Often times - making the most out of a transit or horoscope depends on your attitude.
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~What are pop culture horoscopes and sun signs really about?
The thing is that you’ve most likely gotten your impression of astrology from little horoscopes, depending on the day you were born. I’m going to turn a phrase for you and apply it for this situation.
Caveat Emptor
In Latin, it means “The buyer beware” and in this case, you’re the buyer of information. Horoscopes have gotten a bad reputation for being horribly simple and easily applicable to any situation, so it’s harder to necessarily prove that they’re completely wrong. Pop astrologers - those without much reputable training and/or limited writing space - write these short horoscopes that are confusingly broad.
Horoscopes, when thoroughly researched with astrological tools and written with an open mind, can be well thought out and accurate. The problem is that every person has a completely unique and personal astrological profile - what we call the natal chart. Horoscopes are written based off of broad assumptions of your astrological profile - which is found from the day you were born and your sun sign. The problem is that horoscopes are rarely completely accurate or applicable for you unless one is completely personalized for you - based on the time, date, and location of your birth.
(On a side note, there are sites that generate completely personal daily horoscopes based on your natal chart - try http://astro.com and enter your birth information. Send me an ask for more details)
So pop culture about what Tauruses, Pisces, Aries, or Libras are like are broad assumptions - it’s no surprise to hear someone say “I’m a Gemini but I’m nothing like a Gemini” or “Leo doesn’t sound like me at all.” That’s because like I said, each and every person has an individual astrological profile that goes way beyond just what day you were born. Ever wonder why you may be nothing like someone who was born on the same day as you? Even though you’re both the same sign on the same day, your astrological natal chart may be composed completely differently. So it’s an important point to make - astrology isn’t as shallow as simply being a Sagittarius or a Virgo. It’s so much more than that.
>I hope this answers a lot of your questions, concerns, or skepticisms about Astrology, horoscopes, and the Zodiac.
Send me an ask box question if you want any clarification, a sample question for a reading, or anything else :)
