All about astrology ✨
Learning about yourself through the zodiac
As a Capricorn, I hold skepticism almost all the time. Somewhat ironically, as a Capricorn, I even hold skepticism about astrology itself. Growing up in evangelical churches, skepticism was always “bad” - a sign of lack of faith. What I’ve loved about exploring spirituality outside of church pews has been the space and permission to have doubt. Without doubt, there is no nuance - we dive headfirst into a belief system and are more susceptible to lose ourselves, to externalize our own authority.
Astrology for me has been an important lens to understand myself more. It gave me a language to describe who I was and my predilections.
I’m a Capricorn but I always behaved more like a Sagittarius - which makes sense, I have prominent Sagittarius placements and my birthdate means I’m influenced by Sagitarittarian traits, as well as Capricorn. When I was able to understand my Sagittarian need for change but my Capricorn need for stability, I was able to more accurately meet my needs. I was able to meet the root of the need, instead of judging myself for not being a certain way.
What I love about astrology is we don't expect you to be a different way. If you're an earth sign, I don't expect you to not work - a lot. But we can look at boundaries. If you're a water sign, I won't expect you to not give so much to others - but we can give to yourself too.
Not sponsored but my favourite astrology app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/timepassages/id488946918
I also love how scientific astrology is. Don’t laugh - astrology has been around for centuries. Our ancestors have navigated seas, land and ice by looking up at the stars. They’ve accurately charted for centuries using astrology. Astrology is not separate from astronomy. They intersect.
The Zodiacal belt was first identified as a pattern in the sky by Babylonian astronomy during the first half of the 1st millennium BC. They sectioned the sky into 12 quadrants, each assigned a name, figure, traits and meaning. Each zodiac is identified by its constellation, which corresponds to its figure, and is ruled by a specific planet. Each zodiac is either mutable (change is often), cardinal (resistant but when I decide it's big), or fixed (resistant to change) and associated with an element - fire, air, water, earth.
The ruling planets' gravitational pull has an impact on our body's & personality - just like the moon affects the tides & the full moon impacts social services. So when we're talking about "signs" we're talking about the gravitational impact. And of course we’re impacted by the gravitational pull - how could we not be! If the entire ocean tides are pulled by the moon (one of the smallest celestial bodies in our galaxy, then how could we not be impacted by the likes of Saturn, who is 95 times bigger than our moon?)
Astrology is a lens for us to understand ourselves more - just like the Meyers Briggs and other lenses we use. It isn't meant to be prescriptive but can be RELIEVING to understand to then accept yourself. My only caveat for astrology is that thou shalt not become rigid with it. Use it as a lens of understanding but don’t subject yourself to it.
For example, Saturn’s return (BIG life changes) doesn’t start until 29 but I got divorced at 26. Had I waited until the “aligned” time, I would have missed important time rediscovering myself. Astrology should INFORM our life and decisions but not dictate our life and decisions - actually nothing should. You should. So yes - don’t travel during Mercury retrograde. Your suitcase will get wrecked. Your flight will get delayed. But also you can communicate with the planet, offer sacrifice, create ceremony and create connection. It isn’t avoid being afraid of the planets or the stars, but creating space for a lens of understanding.
When getting to know astrology, avoid rigidity. Stay open. Notice patterns. Be present. Notice the intersections of astrology, tarot, chakras, personality traits, introversion, extraversion, love languages, human design - they’re all here.
I’m curious - what’s your sun sign? Does it resonate with you?
