Looking at your birth chart can be an empowering experience. What do you have to offer to the world? How do your life lessons add value to your character?
Even so, there begs the question… to what extent does this information serve you?
I believe astrology becomes unhealthy the second it’s used definitively. Like you are out of control over your own life. If you ever hear a horoscope that makes you feel like your decisions don’t hold weight in your life, it’s worth questioning.
So… why do we use astrology?
That’s up to you. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what the misconception of astrology is: that it isn’t up to you.
Well, I’m here to remind you that your life is always in your hands. Even when the planets predict external events, these hills and valleys are meant to recenter you in your purpose. Astrology is merely a tool to help you find that center within yourself.
The Inaccuracy of Sun Sign Horoscopes
Back in the late 1900s, sun sign astrology became popularized as a form of entertainment. How can we simplify the zodiac so that it can feel more applicable to the everyday person? Conversational?
Ultimately, this was a business-driven perspective… that completely altered astrology’s reputation. Sure, more people know about astrology, but at what cost? When these columns are published to keep the money coming in, is the focus really on accuracy? And life guidance?
Of course not. That’s why we have this drastic new age movement that wants to turn these misconceptions on their head.
In short, sun sign horoscopes were the easiest to include in newspaper and magazine columns. Everyone knows the month they were born, so figuring out your sun sign is pretty straightforward. It doesn’t require digging too far into anything.
The contradiction is…. ACCURATE astrology is always complex, considering all the moving parts. The sun is in Libra, but where is Venus? This person has a Leo sun sign in their 4th house, while another’s Leo sun is in their 10th house.
You don’t have to be well-versed in astrology to know that the human mind is a difficult thing to understand. So, why would something that is meant to represent human complexity -the birth chart- be simplified?
It’s counterproductive.
But this doesn’t erase the fact that sun sign astrology has been popularized for a significant amount of time. So, we have to pick up the pieces.
Horoscopes as Presented Options
In astrology’s history, horoscopes have always been based on your rising sign. This practice accounts for the entire birth chart, offering a more accurate and comprehensive perspective. It reminds the native that, ultimately, their decisions are up to them.
There will always be many moving parts in your life. No one concern will ever be a simple black-and-white decision.
So, I challenge you to look at your horoscope with an open mind. Don’t read for your sun sign, or even your moon sign. Your rising sign, or ascendant, will always offer you the most applicable guidance to work with.
Building on that idea, astrology will never tell you how to live your life. It can predict upcoming themes and concerns that may come up, but not how you’ll handle them.
In other words, astrology can’t predict how you will choose to react. It can guess based on the universal transits and birth placements, but never definitively.
That’s where your free will, life experience, and current circumstances come in.
Tips for Practically Using Your Horoscope
So, let’s recap where your free will comes in when you read your horoscope:
1) You know your circumstances, values, and goals more than a horoscope could ever tell you.
2) Always read for your rising sign/ascendant. Sun sign horoscopes only account for one factor of your birth chart, whereas your rising sign considers all planet transits and houses.
3) Seeds won’t grow if they aren’t watered. If your love life, career, or something else is predicted to flourish and isn’t, there could be some actions needing to be taken to foster that growth.
4) Looking at your birth chart will fine-tune your horoscope. There is a huge difference between having many planets activated in your chart versus none. The only way to know is to apply the universal horoscopes to your own chart.
5) A horoscope predicts upcoming themes in your life, not what you do with them.
