What Is Astrology

by Caroline DeClair

The 21st century has started. It seems as if technology and science dominate our world. And even though, or maybe because of this, there is an incredible boom concerning astrology, although some consider it to be a pretentious science. On the internet we find thousand of sites dealing with just about every aspect of astrology. Literally, astrology means the teaching of the stars, and is considered to be the forerunner of Astronomy.

Today astrology is mostly defined as how human personality and behavior can be inferred from the position of the sun, moon and planets etc. Astrologers generally believe that a person is born at a time when his/her soul is in harmony with the astrological energies present at the time in the solar system. Because of this divine correspondence the science/art of astrology has been researched and practiced for thousands of years in many different cultures. As an example let me use a quote from the old testament of the bible:

" And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years. " Genesis 1:14

Astrology is based strongly on probabilities. Generations of astrologers have studied the planetary cycles, drawn conclusions from repetitive occurrences and used this knowledge for their interpretations.

At this point it is important to mention the ever popular horoscopes found in magazines, newspapers etc. They usually strongly generalize predictions, and are based only upon the sign of the zodiac that the sun was in when a person was born. Even though the sun is important in the birth chart, it is only one of many indicators of personality. The so called sun-sign astrology serves mostly entertainment purposes only, because of course there are not only twelve different types of people in the wide world.

Therefore, anybody that wants to seriously deal with the subject of astrology will have to start with the individual natal birth chart based on the date of birth, the place of birth and the birth time.

So what is astrology? First off - Astrology is not so much a form of fortune telling, but rather a tool to self-discovery.

Personally, I believe that astrology is given to us as a map by God - the Creator, the Great Spirit or whatever other name mankind uses - to help us along in this life. A map that shows us where we came from, a map that shows us challenges, talents and possibilities, a map that allows us to define our destination. We can decide with our free will what to make of it.

Caroline DeClair works as a freelance author and astropsychological counselor. She is married and travels back and forth between Europe and the United States.

Email: caroline.declair@angelfire.com

Article reprinted by permission from author.

For more astrology information, see:

Astrology Charts, Readings plus Free Daily Horoscopes
Birth Charts - Custom Astrology Birth Charts and Readings
Horoscope Compatibility - Discover How Compatible You and Your Partner Are
Astrology - Basic Astrology Information
Astrology, Planets in Signs, Key words, Characteristics
Astrology Articles
Ancient Divination and Astrology
Activities With Astrology 

To Get Your Own Personal  Astrology Reports, See:
Horocope Compatibility - Discover How Compatible You and Your Partner Are
Astrology Birth Chart Reports - Custom Birth Charts and Readings
Astrology for Children - Great Child/Teen Astrology Reading Guide for Parents
Daily Horoscopes
Tarot Reading - Free or In-Depth Tarot Reading