Since the beginning of time, we've been trying to figure out our place in the cosmos. We've tossed bones, gazed into flames, watched the birds, and looked to the heavens for answers. What are we doing here? Who are we? What's it all about, Alfie? More importantly, are our fates predetermined . . . or not?
Enter astrology.
Astrology is the study of the stars. It's a neat system believed to have been developed in Egypt many moons ago (pun intended) and passed on to the Babylonians, who are credited with fine-tuning the system into a practical and highly useful tool. The Babylonians used astrology to predict weather patterns, attend to seasonal tasks, and divine the future. Because they had the most advanced mathematical methods, they became quite adept at pinpointing planetary positions and transits. The zodiac was “born” around 500 BCE.
From there, it became intermingled with Egyptian and Greek beliefs before finally making its way to the Western world, where it continued to morph into what we know as astrology today.
Astrology became a respected science, utilized by kings and generals (President Ronald Reagan was a fan!), and finally, the rest of us ordinary folk.
Astrology is a system that studies the effects that the planets and stars have on humans. Astrologers examine the correlation between the positions of the heavenly bodies and their relationship to events on earth. By studying the patterns and positions of the planets at the time of a person's birth, astrologers believe we can get an idea of that person's character and potential.
Not only can astrology give insights into your personality and possibilities for achievement (or trouble), but it can also help with timing events, exploring compatibility with your boo, and making conscious choices.
Astrology is not some foolproof system that will mark out every detail of your life with crystal-clear coordinates. Even though astrology can be a remarkably accurate tool, there are many ways of looking at a chart, which means interpretation could be different from astrologer to astrologer. And even the most gifted astrologer can't possibly see everything. To expect otherwise is unrealistic. No one has that power.
Astrology gives a general idea of the energy that is operating, but there is always room for interpretation . . . and error. So just because your astrology chart says that new beau will be an ardent lover who will make you tingle from the top of your crown chakra all the way down to the soles of your feet, don't assume he'll be that way with you.
Astrology is not a guarantee (“My chart shows I'll be rich!”). A challenging chart doesn't mean you're bound to be a drunken lout living under a bridge, nor does one with all the excellent aspects and planetary positions indicate you're destined for a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Because life doesn't work unless you work too.
This means there is no such thing as a good chart or a bad one. Astrology only shows the potential. Whether you take advantage of your strengths or work through your difficult jazz is up to you.
Astrology is a tool for empowerment for those who are willing to look at themselves critically and do the work. When you use astrology in that way, your life becomes magical.
You've probably met plenty of people who roll their eyes when it comes to astrology.
Astrology? C'mon. I'm supposed to believe that {gestures vaguely to the sky} the “planets” and “moons” and “stars” {sarcastic quotation marks} influence my life? Get real. That's crazy.
But actually, it's not “crazy.” Think about it. The moon, sun, stars, and planets impact our lives in many ways. This has been studied and confirmed by scientists at top universities!
If you encounter a skeptic, here are three examples you can share with them.
The moon's gravitational pull causes the ocean to have high tide and low tide. Think about that. The moon is so powerful that it's literally pulling the ocean back and forth.
If the moon is so powerful that it influences the entire ocean, is it really so “crazy” to think the moon might be influencing us tiny wee little humans, too? After all, our little human bodies are filled with water, sodium, and various minerals, just like the ocean. Surely, we're being influenced in some way!
Researchers from Columbia University confirm that gravitational tugs from Jupiter and Venus impact our climate here on Earth.
As reported in USA Today: “Scientists can now link changes in the climate, environment, dinosaurs, mammals and fossils around the world to this 405,000-year cycle in a very precise way,” says Dennis Kent, a paleomagnetism expert at Columbia. Boom. Proof that other planets influence life here on Earth. (See https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/05/07/climate-changes-orbits-jupiter-and-venus-affect-earths-climate/587280002/.)
Different seasons—spring, summer, autumn, winter—are caused by the tilt of the Earth's rotational axis relative to the Sun.
In wintertime, when it's dark, many people struggle with S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and experience apathy, exhaustion, anxiety, and depression.
That's one very clear way that a celestial body in the sky (in this case, the Sun) can influence how human beings feel and behave.
You can share those three examples with a skeptical friend. Hopefully, they'll begin to see that's not really “silly” or “crazy” to think that the moon, sun, stars, and planets influence our lives. Because . . . we know that they do!
When you study astrology, you're studying the subtle and emotional ways that the moon, sun, stars, and planets impact us—impact how we feel, how we behave, and the challenges and opportunities that arise at different moments.
Look, your ol' friend might still be totally skeptical, and that's okay! We're all entitled to our own beliefs, and you don't have to persuade or convince anyone to see the world the way you do.
However, when your skeptical friend's computer crashes during the next Mercury Retrograde and they lose the 80,000-word PhD thesis that they've been working on for three years, you can just gently shrug and say, “Well, I did warn you. . . .”
Some schools of thought believe everything is predetermined. Others think that we create the future. There's actually a grain of truth in both camps.
Here are my thoughts on the matter.
Some things are fated. For example, a child born with the ability to paint like Picasso at the age of four is a prodigy. This isn't a learned behavior; it's an innate skill that cannot be explained. The talent is there, and by leaning into it, the child has the potential for great success.
Our free will determines the outcome. Let's say that same child prodigy develops his talent for a time to great acclaim but one day decides that he wants to be a plumber. He abandons his painting and enrolls in a trade school. His path, which seemed to be fated, has now shifted because he made a different choice.
Although we have free will, we assume we don't. Or we don't utilize it. This is why fortune-telling and predictive astrology seem to work. You'll get a reading, suppose that's the way the oatmeal cookie disintegrates, and then sit around, waiting for that tall, handsome stranger to arrive bearing gifts or for disaster to strike. This mindset treats life like some sort of waiting-for-things-to-happen, which is about as passive as it gets.
A better approach is to be proactive. This means: understand your chart and what may lie ahead, but then make smart decisions with that information. (Personal responsibility feels so good!) If you treat astrology like you're the boss, it will work for you.
To illustrate my point, I have a crummy chart by most standards. With a Scorpio Moon and a whole mess of Mutable planets in a tough T-square, it's no wonder astrologers wince when they take a gander at my chart. By all means, I should be screwed according to the heavens! But it hasn't worked out that way. Sure, I've had my share of drama here and there, but for the most part, I am happily married, have great kids, and have a successful career. My life rocks!
Why? I knew where I was lucky and where I needed to work. And then I took responsibility and made conscious choices along the way that allowed me to create a life I love. I use astrology as a guide, not as a bible. It's my secret sauce!
Another example: not that long ago, I had Saturn running through my second house of money. An astrologer buddy said, “Oh, looks like you're going to be broke.”
I laughed and said, “That's not how I roll.” I knew that Saturn can be a badass, but if you approach it with mindfulness and an eye for structure, you can work together like a dream team. With this in mind, I created a new budget and a big goal: pay off my mortgage fifteen years early.
Once I got this plan in place, I hunkered down like a banker during the Great Depression. I counted every penny, clipped coupons, looked for deals, and paid extra on the house. By the time the transit came to a close, I was only a year away from that big goal. Oh, and I was debt-free too.
That's how to max out the cosmos.
Once you move through this book, you'll be operating like that. Conscious. Responsible. Positioned for success. Sound good? Let's make the magic happen!
How do you feel about free will versus fate? When have you felt as if life was leading you? Can you recall a time when your decisions completely changed your life?