| Astrology, in one form or another, has existed since | | | | Astrology and Horoscopes |
| history has been recorded. Certainly, as soon as we | | | | Natal Astrology is the study of an individual’s |
| developed the intellectual ability to be aware of | | | | horoscope, or sky chart, at the time of one’s birth. It |
| ourselves as “human”, bigger questions arose. | | | | makes a logical first step in understanding the effects |
| How did we get here? What happens when we die? | | | | of Astrology in one’s life. The horoscope is very |
| How should we live our lives? What is the force | | | | literally a map of the sky, which moves according to |
| behind our existence? Looking at the stars only can | | | | the rotation of the earth and planets, so defining the |
| confirm the enormity of the world beyond the | | | | actual time and place of the birth is essential to |
| boundaries of earth. | | | | creating an accurate chart. |
| Perhaps the Ancient Babylonians created some of the | | | | In addition to the zodiac constellations and planets, an |
| first organized “rules” of Astrology. Other | | | | astrological chart will reflect the position of the |
| cultures: Chinese, Indian, Egyptian, Mayan, or Ancient | | | | horizontal and vertical axis, and the divisions of the |
| Greece, either built upon the constructs of the | | | | astral houses, and the aspects of the planets. Each |
| Babylonians, or independently created their own | | | | sign carries characteristics of masculinity or femininity, |
| interpretations. In fact, the study of Astrology is present | | | | the elements: earth, air, fire, and water, and whether it |
| throughout history in nearly every civilization. The core | | | | is cardinal, fixed or mutable. Each descriptor contributes |
| belief of all of these systems is that the stars and | | | | to the creation of a person’s distinctive profile. |
| planets project certain energies. The positions of the | | | | There are even more components to a fully plotted |
| stars and planets, relative to earth and to each other, | | | | natal chart, and actually plotting the elements correctly |
| create patterns that can influence the nature of our | | | | is only the first step. Once the chart is completed, the |
| character, and also reveal the path of our future | | | | process of interpreting the influences of the stars can |
| behaviors. | | | | begin. |
| The basic energies of the stars and planets are | | | | The complexities of the horoscope are compelling and |
| defined through the organization of their positions into | | | | fascinating. Certainly, each chart will be as individual as |
| constellations. While the systems that Mayan, Chinese, | | | | the person it belongs to. The subtleties of the |
| Indian (Vedic) or Western cultures have created may | | | | interpretations will be revealed by a skilled astrologer |
| differ dramatically in the interpretation of the | | | | who is familiar with the full range of possibilities. |
| constellations, it is interesting to note that the underlying | | | | While the stars cannot replace the power of our free |
| premise is consistent across these systems, that is: | | | | will, becoming familiar with the deepest components |
| the stars both form us and guide us. | | | | that forge our personalities can lead to a more |
| In Western Astrological tradition, the horoscope is the | | | | complete understanding of one's personality, needs |
| tool used to create an actual map of the position of | | | | and emotional tendencies, provide a context for one's |
| stars and planets, which identifies the influences and | | | | behaviors, and inform one's decisions. |
| energies that are in effect. This tradition follows the | | | | In understanding our stars, we can understand |
| classical zodiac, incorporating the mythology of Ancient | | | | ourselves. |
| Greece. | | | | |