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. 

***********

~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.

***********

~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 :)

Mars Going Retrograde

“God, grant us the…

Serenity to accept things we cannot change,

Courage to change the things we can, and the

Wisdom to know the difference”

~Vedran Vuk

———

In effect: 23 January 2012 - 14 April 2012

So Mars is going retrograde again - the first time since December 2009, I think. The Mars retrograde affected me greatly, so I’m going to give you the following advice based on what I experienced and what I know.

Mars retrograde makes you begin to reevaluate several constructs in your life - sexuality, masculinity, aggression, energy, any way that you’ve basically put yourself in the world and putting yourself out there. It’s how you have been asserting yourself, how you’ve been setting yourself out, making strides, doing what you have to do.

So basically, when Mars goes backwards, so does the focus of the energy of the planet. It goes from putting your assertion out there to making you question how you structure yourself. Do you assert yourself in the manner that you mean? Do you use your strength to further your personal goals or do you let it go to waste? Do you stick up for yourself, stand up for the underdog, and voice concerns as soon as they trouble you?

Mars retrograde makes you question the balance between passiveness and assertion. When it goes backwards, you’ll suddenly begin to notice the patterns in which you react to events. Or rather, are you reactive or proactive?

If you’re more passive, you’ll begin to question whether this way of working is truly right for you. Do you act in a way that denies you a lot of opportunity in order to preserve your comfort zone? Mars going retrograde makes you feel that you’re perhaps too stagnant, and that you can do more to further your success. You wonder the defining line between what you can do to change your future and what you can’t change. Whether what you’ve been doing has been enough for you to progress into the future and achieve what you want or whether you can’t do any more to make it come any faster.

If you’re more proactive - perhaps you’re wondering how hard you’ve been coming on. Have you been overextending yourself and trying too hard? Making advances and trying to control circumstances that aren’t yours to control? Are things degenerating and you’re trying to hold it all together by yourself? Mars retrograde makes you wonder how much you’re really able to do by yourself, whether your efforts will make something in the end or you’re just coming on too strong, too fast.

This is the Universe’s time for replotting your strategies, your dynamic energies. It’s about you refocusing your purpose and defining your path. It’s about finding what’s the healthy way for you to be progressing and to figure out at what point you’re supposed to continue and what point to let the Universe take care of it. It’s about finding the perfect medium between passivity and reaction. 

This is a perfect time to construct your plan, make it work, see how it reacts to various changes and situations (whether personal attitude wise, business wise, or otherwise) and then getting ready to skyrocket ahead. 

Sexuality and sexual identity may be an issue too - are you getting the sexual attention you need? Are your desires being met by a desired partner, and if not, what are you going to do to bring that out? This is a good time to address those needs, to think seriously about them and address the problems if there are any. This is about restructuring the constructs of primal energies - Sex and aggression. Figure out whether you need to assert yourself more and how to release those energies.

This is a great time to exercise, release any built up energies or anger, and figure out a way to express the passion in your heart. Making risks isn’t a wise move in the next few months - but instead trial and error, experimenting with new expressions of Mars energy - whether sexually, assertively, or physically. Try new things in how you approach your primal side, in the bedroom, or in the gym. It’s a time for seeing if how you’ve been releasing your passion is working for you.

Send me a question in my ask box if you have any more questions :)