The Benefits of an Astrology Reading

Measuring the cycles

Units of measure have been invented to accommodate our need to create order out of the apparent chaos of the universe. Physical measurements such as a hand-span or a foot were, one may assume, the first forms of measuring space. Some prehistoric bone markings have been interpreted as records of lunar cycles, although their purpose remains debated. Nicholas Campion explores these possible connections in The Dawn of Astrology. They offer one possible glimpse of humanity’s early attention to the cycles of the sky. In its essence, this is what astrology is: the measure of the cycles of time, and what can be inferred from them.

The art of measuring the seasons became a way of marking them with appropriate ceremonies to beseech the unnamed forces of the fates for boons. In this sense astrology has a vast historic sweep. Again, this is covered very well in Nicholas Campion’s book The Dawn of Astrology which is well worth reading for anyone seeking the historic nature of the art of astrology and why it endures.

From the seasons to an individual life

Astrology changed as humans shifted from tribal consciousness to individual consciousness in their perspective and needs. It adapted to become concerned with what an individual’s experience of time would be over their life. Then it became how they could have some say in how their experience of time would unfold. This led to the manifestation of the natal chart, which helps define and predict an individual’s life. Along with that came electional astrology, which helps to determine when to initiate an event to have the desired outcome. Other forms of astrology that the individual may rely upon also arose, including horary astrology. Horary seeks to divine the truth of a question from a chart cast for the moment. This form of astrology may be used for understanding the timing of things, but also for finding actual physical objects within space.

Astrology as a mirror of the psyche

Now there is a second major theme to astrology that has developed in the last hundred years: as a tool of reflection upon an individual’s psyche. This theme has developed in large part out of modern psychology’s theory that there is mind, and by knowing the mind one can reduce one’s experience of suffering and come to wisdom. While there have been elements of this theme throughout the history of astrology, it is really in the last century that its emphasis has come to take an extraordinary precedence in astrology, to such a degree that there exist arguments between the schools of psychological and traditional astrology as to which is more valid and true to the art.

The reality is that astrology operates as a mirror of reflection upon the mind of the human who is inquiring, so the reality is not defined, or set as one concrete truth of “astrology is this, or that”. This allows for the ever-present magic of astrology to exist in an unbroken stream over the course of humanity. It also, unfortunately, ensures that there will always be ego-based arguments over what is true astrology and what is its value.

The value of earnest inquiry

In my practice, the usefulness of astrology becomes apparent through the conversation between the chart and the life being lived. Earnest study and inquiry have deepened my confidence in how practical and dramatically accurate its themes can be for the experience of human life. A reading offers you a place to explore that for yourself.