Astrology Using the Wisdom of the Stars in Your Everyday Life

For many centuries, astrology held an honored position as a source of wisdom, self-knowledge, and connection to a magical world beyond or behind the mundane and material sphere of life. Astrology was first formed in ancient societies in which humankind viewed itself as intrinsic to the living whole—not detached observers, but participants in the drama of the skies. Over the centuries, it has been part of the great flow of thought that constitutes the Western esoteric or mystery tradition, alongside alchemy, Kabbalah, and magic. It is the product of a philosophy that places us inside an ensouled cosmos in which everything is interconnected and everything has meaning. As such, it stands in contrast to the contemporary view that we are isolated within the universe and that life is a biological accident, with no inherent meaning or purpose. The birth chart is thus both your individual map, showing personal character and calling, as well as reflecting something bigger—your unique place in the ever-turning wheel. Esoteric simply means “inner” or “hidden,” so astrology is, essentially, an inward art that places the focus on interior experience and the exploration of the hidden patterns that underlie each human life, and indeed life itself. From this place of self-knowledge, we can begin to understand better the world around us—our relationships with other people and the experiences we encounter. The personal horoscope encompasses every conceivable area of life, from birth to death and all stages in between. It reveals your motivations and needs—what drives you to do what you do, go where you go, and seek what you seek. It describes both the literal and the psychological and gathers up past, present, and future into one integrated model. In short, we might say that your chart is a map of your soul’s intent and how you manifest this in the world through being the person that you are. At the same time, astrology is also a very practical form of knowledge. It opens up psychological awareness, shows you the talents and skills at your disposal, and shows how you might become the best version of yourself. But it also allows you to devise helpful strategies and ways forward in times of crisis, difficulty, and doubt. In this book, you will find all these layers—a guide to the richness and depth of your own inner world, as well as a practical guide to life.