Usefulness and Limitations of Astrology

The basic purpose of astrology is to give an individual a sense of the repeating cyclical nature of the universe, and to plan accordingly. As a clock, it is used to forecast events and crisis so that these can be handled more smoothly or avoided altogether. For positive situations, astrology can facilitate and magnify it's helpfulness.

If one knows that Saturn is about to transit the 4th house, then it is time to firm up domestic affairs, take care of structural problems in the home, introspect and get a sense of where you want to go in career that will result in a peak in about 14 years. It is time to lay the foundation. If the individual was planning to make add ons to the home, one might be advised to be conservative and that this might be a reaction to a feeling of being closed in rather than a real need to expand.

If Jupiter is well dignified in the 7th house of the birth chart, one would know that for a period of about a year that relationships will likely be very helpful and that it is time to develop contacts useful in business and negotiate contracts. It usually is a good year to get married. In lawsuits it could indicate a helpful lawyer, but if Jupiter becomes an affliction it would be better than usual to avoid lawsuits.

If Mercury is well placed in the 10th house natally it would be good to develop a career in communications or as a counselor. One could become a professor at a University. While Mars well dignified in the 10th house might indicate one who is a natural athlete and one who thrives on competition and adventure in career. Such a one is inclined to be own boss and often has difficulty with authority and parents.

In everyday life astrology can be useful to warn of accident prone days, such as a possible car wreck, of times when the body's defenses are down and are more succeptable to illness. It can be used to warn against signing contracts and to know the best times for negotiation. If selling, it is best to do so when the moon is waxing toward full and if buying when the moon is going toward new. This is overly simplistic, but to show all of the techniques and possible uses is impossible here. Astrology is a useful tool for young people who are unsure of what potentials they have or want to develop. For those who are older, astrology is effective hindsight, giving insight into past events and a higher spiritual awareness. It deepens wisdom in the most profound of ways. It is not just for timing events, but a way of finding the true meaning behind them.

What Astrology cannot do: 
Some clients think that if the heavens show problems that they can blame the stars and avoid taking responsibility. This is not so. Not only that, but some from the Karmic school of astrology say that we choose the time of our incarnation in order to further our soul's growth. Difficult experiences lead to strength of character if handled well. The heavens impel but do not compel. For this reason it is also impossible to say that any event will occur with certainty in a particular way. The chart for the O.J. Simpson case judged by his birthdate or the murders of Ron and Nicole cannot ever point the finger of blame. For example, it is interesting to note that O.J.'s lot of accusation falls very close to his natal moon in the 8th house. In other words he was accused of murdering his wife. That it happened is interesting but does not mean that he did it; not even if all of the bad aspects in the world were present. It could also mean that he might be accused of hiding his true emotions. There are various ways in which chart factors can work themselves out within a range of possibility. There is a limited degree of free will, but not an absolute degree.

It is a very difficult matter predicting death. For one thing, there are many windows of opportunity for death some more potent than others and only one will be chosen and not necessarily the most powerful indication at that. However in hindsight you will almost always see strong indications of danger in a death chart. For this reason predictions of death should be exceedingly rare. The astrologer has to be careful not to cross ethical lines.

If asked a question such as is my husband cheating on me? The chart might strongly indicate that he would be inclined to and that there are stresses in the relationship, but it could not be shown for certain that in fact he did, however likely that it is. Astrology is mostly based on probability, especially in Horary Astrology where factors pro and con are weighed to judge the outcome. Probability is not 100%.

An excellent example of how prophesy works is this: Jesus said that when you see the Sun grow dark, the Moon not give her light and the stars falling from the sky then you shall know that the return of the Son of Man is imminent. Yet he also said that no one knows that time except the Father. A contradiction appears to be in place but it is not so. The Sun grows dark and the Moon does not give her light in a solar eclipse. The falling stars could be the Perseid Meteor shower that happens every year on Aug. 11th. It just so happens that there is a solar eclipse on Aug. 11th 1999 but this does not mean the end of the world necessarily. A number of times before this has happened but no ill effect. Having said this, keep in mind that without astrology we would not have a meaningful calendar and chaos would fill our lives because the patterns that we rely on would not be followed.

Another example of how birthcharts can assume different manifestations is in the case of twins born around the same time. If only 4 minutes apart there will be a difference of 1 degree on the ascendant on average. These twins live similar but different lives as neither can occupy the same shoes at the same time. They both can't marry the same person, nor can they have the same job. Suppose that both have the lord of the 7th house placed in the 9th house. One gets married to a diplomat who travels alot and the other marries an airline pilot. Both are frequently away from home. The astrologer can say with reasonable certainty that this placement could result in attracting partners who travel alot or are from a foreign country, are professors, or publishers, etc... The purpose behind this placement is usually for the soul to grow through the partner and to expand in understanding of others. The ways of accomplishing this are many. The astrologer would be going too far though in saying that this placement meant that he had to be a diplomat.