New Blog: On Learning Astrology

Why do people want to learn astrology?  What draws them to it—curiosity?  A desire for self-knowledge?  A quest for meaning?  A set of parlour-tricks?

I suppose there are as many answers to that question as there are astrologers.  But learning a bit about astrology doesn’t make one an astrologer, either.  We are an odd, obsessive breed, generally speaking; and, as astrology is ruled by Uranus, it is impossible to generalize!  But for the lay-person, who thinks he or she might like to learn something about this ancient divinatory art, here are a few thoughts on how you go about it:

Find a course. Most astrologers teach, partly because it is a passion with us and partly because making a living with astrology is a piecemeal business.  We consult; we “do” fairs and parties and shows; we give talks and write articles; and we teach.  There are some famous and reputable schools, such as the venerable Faculty of Astrological Studies in London and a host of North American counterparts; there are courses at community colleges and esoteric bookstores and cafés and living rooms, according to one’s taste and pocketbook.  And there are tutorial teachers (I am one) who teach according to the students’ needs and interests.  You miss the classroom interaction, but get the benefit of individual attention.

Consult as many astrologers as you can. This can be pricey, but you will learn a great deal about how to BE an astrologer—by noticing how a reading is given and what is or isn’t said; his or her philosophy; and what the astrologer is willing to recommend to you in terms of further study.  (Most astrologers are generous in this way, in my experience.)  Which brings me to the next point:

Read everything you can on the subject. I cannot stress this enough.  Even if you are studying with an astrologer or taking a prescribed course, read everything ELSE you can find; and read critically.  Sift.  Ask yourself questions about the value of what you are reading, the internal logic of what the author is saying.  Read newspaper horoscopes regularly—you will notice that they will be accurate one day in three, because they are based on the Moon’s transits and (occasionally) its interaction with slower-moving planets; and the Moon takes 2.5 days to move through a sign.  (Sooner or later it will aspect your Sun degree.)  Buy an astrological calendar and pay attention to those Moon-sign changes: you will find they reflect your moods and predilections, too.

Teach yourself. This is a harder (but ultimately more rewarding) path, because it involves critical thinking.  Having done any or all of the above-mentioned things, try interpreting a natal chart yourself.  START with your own chart—you are the person you know best, theoretically—and test out what you are reading.  Does what you read make sense to you, in terms of what you know?  Consult several sources—try different house systems and methods—which one works for you?  Whose style or explanations fire your imagination or add to your understanding?  Now try reading the charts of people you know well.  Widening the circle from knowledge (what you know) to information (someone else’s knowledge), look for celebrity charts and study them.  Notice patterns.  Keep asking yourself questions.

Astrology is based on asking those questions—making observations and correlations and connections.  It IS ultimately a life-long search for meaning, an attempt to make sense of our experience of the world and of each other.  Every question begets another; no answer is final.  We are explorers and we are passionate about our quest.   Which is why we began learning astrology in the first place.