Why Astrology is Important for You

There are many facets of astrology which add up to it being interesting and important. Do you have the desire to learn how to understand yourself better, and to understand how aspects of the universe are significant to your own life, your relationships, your personality? Do you wish to know in advance what you can expect to happen in your life as well as how you have the ability to affect changes which are more desirable to you than to merely "go with the flow"? If so, gaining a deeper understanding of astrology can lead to all of these benefits, and more and you will likely decide that it is a very good thing indeed to know that your life, everything your life consists of, and your future, are not simply random happenings over which you have no control.

"Know yourself." Many religions teach this. Philosophers spoke of this and even popular books tell you that to know yourself is the number one, most fundamental factor in having a good, successful, happy life. Knowing who you are, why you are as you are, your motivations and your purposes is the first step in learning to develop your positive qualities. As well as learning to overcome and defeat those which are negative, or to channel them into forms which will be more constructive.

A main point in astrology is learning how all of these factors coincide with time when such developments and changes will affect you and your life in the most positive manner. There is a proper or best time for each and every action and learning about astrology will help you to better understand this sense of timing and put it to the best use. Whether you choose to begin your journey into astrology by means of the generalized horoscopes in your daily newspaper, or by consulting with a professional astrologer for a reading which is personalized solely for you. This is the best way to look at the subject that whatever the readings say for you, it is not a matter of future events which are carved in stone, but rather like a map which beckons you to navigate it with your own personal abilities.

Your own personal astrologer can greatly assist you in discovering your strengths and how to best use them to affect the course of your life. This is a part of this subject which too few people are aware that astrology is not about resigning yourself to a ready-made destiny or fate, but a deeper understanding of your own potential. What a wonderful feeling it will be to not only know what is ahead of you tomorrow, next month, and years from now, but to also come to understand that the actions you take and when you take them can play a large role in the eventual outcome!

Many people believe that astrology is about predicting the future. This is unfortunate, for such a simplistic view leaves out the most relevant factor about how each individual reacts and responds to each event in his or her life. To look at predictions for your future, and to become aware of your own ability to affect positive changes, is an amazing blessing and source of strength!

Secret Language of Birthdays

If you’re a non-believer in astrology, spend a little time with the Secret Language of Birthdays by Gary Goldschneider and Joost Eiffers. We guarantee it’ll make a believer out of you.

It’s a weighty tome, to be sure. Each birthday gets two full pages of on-target information as well as the usual celebrity birthdates, etc. Now this is a good book to have. Even better is one of the companion books, the Secret Language of Relationships.

Describing 1,176 possibilities, The Secret Language of Relationships sheds light on the classic questions--the hows and whys of chemistry in relationships. Is there a prime ingredient for love at first sight, a Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers of it all. An entertaining exploration of the very thing we cannot do without--each other--this wonderful volume explains why we feel the way we do about the people in our lives, and how--if necessary--to make it better.

You start with a matrix in the front with birth weeks across the top and side. You match your birthdate on one axis and find the birthdate of your new beloved. Every match-up by birth week gets its own astrological prognosis. We used this book after many, many first dates, none of whom really worked out.

Both of them are fun books to take to work occasionally or have at parties because they’re great icebreakers and a lot of fun to watch people’s reactions when they hear their own profiles.

Other books in the series by Goldschneider and Effers include the Secret Language of Destiny and the Astrology of Time. If you become more involved with astrology, you might want to invest in these books. They’re well worth it. You may even want to take a class or seminar in astrology, or join a newsgroup online. There are so many of them, just do a few searches and you’re sure to find many like-minded spirits.

Differing Views on Astrology

Astrology is practiced differently throughout the world. Some parts of the world utilize the study of all of the "stars" including the planets, the moon, and the sun. America has been leaning toward use of strictly sun signs over the last several decades as horoscopes have invaded virtually all print media. Other areas of the world, such as China, utilize only the moon cycles in their studies of astrology.

Astrology is also viewed differently throughout the world. Astrology can be a very controversial subject in America. You will find people that think astrology is completely fake, entertainment only, or absolutely real and reliable. You may even find people who think that astrology is the work of the devil. But in many other parts of the world, astrology is viewed quite differently.

In America, astrology is sometimes used to decide the best time for a wedding or other event. Astrology is sometimes used in daily life by some Americans, although many Americans only regard astrology as entertainment and religiously read their horoscope every week, just to see if it will be right or not. Other Americans disregard astrology all together, and give the art little or no thought whatsoever.

However, in China and India astrology is used on a daily basis to determine what activities should be pursued each day. Certain moon cycles are found to be best for certain types of activities or decisions in China and India. This is not unlike the way that farmers once used the cycles of the moon to determine the best time to plant or harvest. The concept is simply taken beyond the fields and into everyday life.

Astrology is also viewed differently based on religion. Astrology is a large part of religious life in the Eastern world. Paganism, a word that describes all "occult" religions such as Wicca, Druidism, and the Kabala oriented religion started by Alister Crowley, also embrace astrology as a part of religious life. These religions are found in America and throughout Western Europe.

These religions use astrology in every day decision making. They also use astrology to determine times of "power" or celebration. Many Wiccan and Druidic rites are based on various astrological phenomena, such as the phases of the moon. Kabalistic magicians, practitioners of Alister Crowley's Golden Dawn, also use astrology to determine the best time for rites and rituals.

However, some religions view astrology as evil, or the work of the devil. Both Judaism and some denominations of Christianity have this view of astrology. There are many scriptures in both the old and new testaments of the bible that warn against the study of the stars and divination.

On the other hand, some Christian groups either embrace astrology or fail to regard the study of the skies entirely in their teachings. There are also scriptures in the bible that refer to watching the stars and the skies for signs of the first and second comings of Jesus Christ. Due to these scriptures, some faiths tend to believe that astrology for the use of divination is against the will of God, while the actual study of the stars is actually a good thing.