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| How to Use Astrology |
Probably the most important thing a seeker needs to understand before picking up astrological knowledge is how to utilize the information gained. Like any tool,
the wielder needs to be trained in its application before running out and swinging it around lest someone or something gets hurt. If you get nothing else from the
entire website, I hope you understand this.
Astrology is a symbolic language and like all symbols, each individual element can have multiple meanings. Think about an open hand for a moment; an simple, outstretched palm.
This gesture can have many meanings based on the context in which it is delivered. A man in tattered clothing on the street opens his palm in hopes of a handout of food or money.
A policeman holds out his hand to stop or redirect traffic, whereas an old friend holds up the same hand to wave hello after a long absence. In anger, an open hand slaps the face
to insult or injure where in prayer, the open hand invites community and the presence of God. If an alien from another planet were to ask you what an open-hand gesture means, you
could say any or all of these and despite being different, they are all correct. It is the same with astrology. Planets, signs and aspects are all symbols and, being symbols, they have
multiple - sometimes even contradictory - meanings, that are all correct in the proper context.
So what do these symbols represent? Just as the Sun measures days, the Moon measures months and the movement of the constellation notes the passing of seasons of our planet astronomically,
so do the planets represent seasons or cycles of life astrologically. When two planets come together in an aspect, they represent important and meaningful events. However, because they are
symbols, they do not necessarily mark specific, "fated" events, but rather the simple occurence of "an" important event according to the planets in question and the circumstance of the person
experiencing the event. As an analogy, when the trees lose their leaves, you know winter is coming and no one can stop it. However, you CAN put chains on your tires and salt the
roads to prevent accidents. You can also get a coat and gloves so when the snow comes, you're ready to make snow angels and have snowball fights. In the same way, you can't stop Pluto from
entering your 7th house (marriage and similar close partnerships), and so you know a season of foundation-shaking is coming in your marriage but it doesn't mean you're doomed to a divorce.
Attacking your marriage problems at their root so as to change the relationship dynamic is one positive way to act on that information. Moving so that one partner can take a new and more fulfilling
and demanding job is another. Astrological trends can manifest in many valid ways. Just as God gives us the free will to choose between right and wrong, to follow our desires and create our own lives,
astrology should open up opportunity, not limit choice. You can decide which manifestations of an aspect you support and which you oppose.
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| What to Look For In an Astrological Reading |
Astrology is practiced by many different people across the world in ways that are as unique as the practitioners themselves.
With such a myriad of choices, you may ask yourself, "What should I be expecting in a reading - either for myself or in a daily column?
How do I know I received quality work?" As someone who approached the astrological world with little to no personal guidance,
these are qualities of astrological work that I (and I believe most any reputable practiotioner) would agree are necessary for a valuable and
meaningful experience.
Open-Endedness. As I discussed in the section above, really get a good grasp of this concept. Despite all the hype
many astrologers will give you about their accuracy, you want a reading that is slightly vague. There are good reasons for this:
- We use a limited number of planets and points - about 16 or so 'normally' - to describe EVERY area of your life. There are also 12
Houses and 12 Signs, but to describe an entire person or life using this few building blocks is daunting no matter what. Thus each
planet (and house and sign) does multiple-duty. Venus, for example, is an indicator of love, art, money, and personal values among
some other minor ideas. An astrologer who only reads Venus to be one of these things, say 'love', is missing a big chunk of the basics.
- The future hasn't happened yet - it's still yours to shape. If your astrologer is giving you specific "unavoidable events," or "unchangeable personality traits" be wary. Reputable astrologers should always
try to point out the different ways things can occur and what you can do about it. If he or she is dead set on warning you about such a specific thing,
make sure they have several trends (aspects, transits, whatever) that all agree, not just one random indicator on its own. Our greatest accuracy -
and your greatest benefit - lies not in picking out all the little fiddly details, but finding the ones that are important and relevant.
Respect. This should be obvious, but is worth mentioning anyway. You wouldn't let your auto mechanic talk down to you or bully you around.
If your doctor is narrow-minded or incompetent, you get a second opinion. There's no difference here. Your consultant must respect your experience,
opinions and decisions whether or not (s)he agrees with you.
Optimism. Your consultation should strive to find the best choices and outcomes in any situation.
Guarantee. This is one point where I actually disagree with a great deal of the astrological community. It is my opinion that an astrologer
ought to give some sort of guarantee with his or her work. Many do not. This can be tricky due to the sheer length of time often covered by a reading
(if it's not a natal chart consulation) and the nature of the field. However, a 72 to 96-hour window for a full refund is perfectly reasonable and
something like a lemon law. Besides, an astrologer that does the job well has nothing to fear - satisfied clients are more than happy to pay for their product.
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| Ryven's Short Philosophy of Astrology |
1. Astrology is first and foremost a gift from God, a method used to further reveal Himself and His desires for Creation. God stands above the workings
of astrology as their Master and Creator.
2. Physically, astrology is the study of probabilities and tendencies as tracked by the motion of cosmic bodies. Just as a clock does not forward time,
the cosmic bodies do not cause the synchronicities that can be found by their interpretation. Thus, astrology does not dictate free will, free will dictates
astrology! God, who is outside of time, understands each of us (as well as all of nature) so well and created a mechanism that details the workings and
inclinations of each being as He creates us in a system of expertly complicated and stupendously awesome cycles. The composite, then, is an indicator of
how all things affect each other simultaneously! Stressful aspects are where free wills conflict; easy aspects are where they flow together.
3. Astrology is not a record of fate, but a measure of cycles or seasons of life. The practitioner has free will at all times to comply with, rebel against or ignore these cycles.
4. Astrology is not a substitute for prayer, meditation, worship, or other professional counseling, such as physicians or psychologists. It is however, an excellent
complement and starting point. Continue to do these things normally.
5. Astrology has no inherent moral code; like art or science, it is concerned with what is or could be, not what should be. The client or practitioner must apply their
own discretion and beliefs to the information provided.
6. Learning the astrological language provides additional insight into the way the universe works, but the practitioner should approach humbly and with reverence for the
omniscient Creator, always remembering that while we are on this Earth, we have limited knowledge of all things.
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