What Is Astrology, Really?

By Mary Jacobs Trumpfheller

Recently someone asked me, “What is Astrology--really?” This led me to rethink how I might share the deeper meaning of such an ancient art form.

Astrology is very complex and often misunderstood, and many people have judged this doctrine on the predictive aspect alone which is often found in publications, such as newspapers, pocket book editions, and online. While fun to read, they certainly do not give credence to what the science is really all about. It is far more than “fortune-telling,” even though some unprofessional practitioners themselves foster this negative view of astrology. Since we live in the world of relative and not the absolute, it is impossible to tell anyone their future unequivocally. It is the individual themselves that create their own reality through thought, choice, and action. What astrology can do is show all the possibilities and choices available, and also the weaknesses or habit patterns that exist within the framework of an inherent personality. It offers timing and technique to speed success and foster confidence. Astrology shows us the future with something like traffic signals, and where we might be headed if we choose to disobey the signs. Destiny may be predetermined, but life is about finding it, or not! We are the captains of our own ship, the power to go wherever we choose through free will, but astrology can show the best and wisest course to take to avoid turbulence.

Most dictionaries define astrology as “…the influence of the stars on human affairs…” What is not understood is that it is really based on energy and vibration. While mathematics and esoteric study are prerequisites, I am taking it one step further. In modern physics, matter and energy are equivalent, or convertible, according to Einstein’s theory. (Dualistic theory has them as opposites.) But astrology is based on matter and energy as being equivalent just as Einstein postulated. Since we are all matter/energy and the solar system is matter/energy, we thus are one and interconnected. We are influenced “energetically” at our birth by planetary vibration through astronomical positioning. And since the heavens change approximately every four minutes, we can then understand how each individual is like no other.

Astrology can be considered a science because it uses mathematics for divination. Yet, it is an art because it uses intuition and sensitivity for interpretation. It is called “esoteric” because it is one of the “ancient mysteries.” The foundation of astrological interpretation is the zodiac, which is derived from the Greek word meaning “circle.” It is an imaginary belt in the heavens extending for eight degrees on either side of the apparent path of the sun, including the paths of the moon and principal planets; and it is divided into twelve parts that are represented by a sign, each named for a constellation. These 12 parts then become “houses” of life experience. Then each plant in each sign is appointed to a “house.” While the natural zodiac is fixed and begins with the sign of Aries and ends with Pisces, time and place of birth changes the zodiac for each person. Thus, the planetary placements change also and this is called your “birth chart” or “natal chart.”

Natal Astrology is a basically a cosmic pattern which might even be called a soul-map, and remains fixed throughout a person’s life. It gives a lot of information about an individual, such as the drive, talents or career path, health, personality, relationships, financial status, etc. (And in this case, “etc.” is profound.) The birthchart establishes each individual’s grand life plan, and offers spiritual goals and objectives that underlie the ups and downs of daily experience. This is all possible through the geometric patterning called “aspects” which offer a myriad of information that qualified astrologers interpret. The natal chart, with its aspects, is then used as a blueprint for further divination called Transit and Progressed Astrology. These branches of interpretation use the movement of the planets in both real and symbolic time to offer daily and cyclical guidance. This is the more predictive branch of astrology, and gives meaning to events and experiences in life. It is here that one begins to see the depth and intricacies of this wonderful esoteric tool. And on this note, it is important to know that there are prepackaged reports and information online that requires a level of awareness and skepticism because they are fragmented parts of a whole. They are full of contradictions because they cannot take into consideration the individual birthchart paradigm. Some of these reports break the chart down into parts and then one portion, or one planet in a sign, is read within its own context, and so it goes as each planet is read in its sign respective to your birth. Yet, if they are read relative to the whole chart, each planet’s energy/message becomes considerably altered-- mitigated or augmented. So basically, these online reports end up being full of incongruities. While fun to read they should be taken at face value. A synthesized interpretation is far more reliable.

Astrology is a very abstruse metaphysical science that dates far back into antiquity, and while it did go through its own “dark ages” it is now experiencing a renaissance. Tarot, numerology, palmistry and other occult arts were all born out of astrology. These esoteric tools are gifts to be used with respect and intelligence. If toyed with or used for personal gain and grandiosity the result is felt within the law of cause and effect. Sincerity, integrity, spirituality and experience are the essential benchmarks of a true practitioner.

Perhaps by now, you have concluded that there is no succinct answer to what astrology really is, and you would be right. But it is far more than most people realize. It is a spiritual gold mine full of treasures waiting to be found. Astrology, once understood, becomes the mother of divination, an angel of Divine Guidance.

Mary Jacobs Trumpfheller, founder of Inner Pathways, has been a spiritual practitioner for 19 years both as an Astrologer and Intuitive. Her clientele reaches from Puerto Rico to England and throughout the U.S. and offers personalized birth interpretations of your birth chart. She can be contacted at (616) 846-1967 or maryjacobs@novagate.com.