Astrology 101: Navigating the Cosmic Web of Stars and Signs

Have you ever gazed up at the night sky and felt a profound sense of wonder, surrounded by its vastness and beauty? Have you found yourself pondering the significance of the planets? Do you have unexplainable connection to the moon that has left you curious about its influence? Welcome to the captivating realm of astrology, where ancient wisdom suggests that the stars and planets possess a profound significance beyond what meets the eye. This long held belief suggests that our life journeys are intertwined with the cosmos, dictated by the positions of celestial bodies during our entry into the world. Over centuries, humans have tirelessly sought to unravel the universe's mysteries, and while the cosmos still retains its mystery, our understanding has evolved, illuminating the universe just a little bit more.

What is astrology?

Astrology is the belief that stars, planets, zodiacs, and other factors influence our lives and natural events. It suggests that the universe has a influence on aspects like our personalities, relationships, and other significant occurrences. The core premise of astrology is that the alignment of celestial bodies at the instant of a person's birth can offer insights into their character, encompassing strengths, weaknesses, and life experiences. For some, astrology holds the status of a divinatory art.

The history of astrology and witchcraft

The history of astrology and its relationship with witchcraft is as diverse as it is intriguing. Much like other magical subjects, astrology boasts a multifaceted heritage rooted in various cultures. One of the earliest instances of astrology intertwined with witchcraft dates back to Mesopotamia. Here, the Babylonians pioneered an astrological system by scrutinizing the sky and interpreting omens. They believed that celestial entities served as conduits for divine messages, granting them insights into the future. Similarly, astrology thrived in other civilizations like Ancient Egypt, where the celestial configurations were thought to foretell the lives of Pharaohs and pivotal occurrences. Even Greek philosophers contemplated the universe's impact on human behaviour and events. The Middle Ages and the Renaissance ushered in an even greater prominence for astrology in Europe.

However, it's important to dispel the notion that astrology and witchcraft are interchangeable. While their practices do intersect in various ways, astrology isn't a universally accepted tenet of witchcraft across cultures and historical periods, and vice versa. The histories of both astrology and witchcraft are intricate and multifarious, and this nuance deserves acknowledgment. Yet, it's worth noting that many contemporary witches do incorporate astrology into their practices, finding resonance between cosmic patterns and their spiritual journey.

The zodiac encompasses a group of constellations that symbolize animals. Beginning with Aries, these constellations create a celestial "belt" encircling the Earth. As the sun navigates the sky, it journeys through each constellation annually, splitting the year into nearly twelve equal sections. Determining your zodiac sign is as easy as pinpointing your birth date. The zodiac comprises Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. Each sign possesses distinctive character traits, strengths, and weaknesses. Furthermore, every sign aligns with an element, exhibits either feminine or masculine qualities, is represented by a symbol, and is associated with a modality. Modalities denote how a sign expresses itself, each with its own set of strengths and weaknesses. Cardinal signs are initiators and leaders, though they can also be impulsive. Fixed signs are often composed but may display stubbornness. Mutable signs exhibit adaptability alongside occasional indecisiveness.

 Birth Charts

Birth charts, also known as natal charts, serve as personalized maps of the sky at the moment of an individual's birth, forming a unique cosmic makeup. These charts provide in-depth insights by detailing the positions of the sun, moon, planets, and other celestial bodies in relation to the twelve houses. Each house corresponds to distinct aspects of life and life's journey, while the placement of planets within these houses is believed to influence these areas. Calculating your birth chart is a matter of knowing your birth date and time. Within your birth chart, three essential signs stand out:

• Sun Signs: Representing your zodiac or star sign, the sun sign signifies your primary energy and general worldview.
• Moon Signs: Reflecting the zodiac sign occupied by the moon at birth, moon signs unveil your inner self, subconscious, and genuine needs, and attitudes.
• Rising Signs: Determined by the zodiac sign on the eastern horizon during your birth, rising signs symbolize the persona you project to the world and the image you wish to convey.

Another pivotal feature within your birth chart is the twelve houses, each associated with aspects of human life and influenced by the signs:

• First House (Ascendant): This pivotal house signifies the sign that was ascending on the horizon during your birth. It holds significant influence over your character and demeanour.
• Second House: Reflecting your core values, material possessions, and financial state, this house governs how you earn and handle money.
• Third House: Covering relationships, family, intellect, communication, short trips, and community engagement, the third house guides your interpersonal interactions.
• Fourth House (IC): Focusing on home, family, emotions, and habits, this house particularly centres around maternal influences and forms the foundations of your life.
• Fifth House: Governing creativity, self-expression, leisure, attitudes toward authority, and peer relations, the fifth house reveals how you express yourself.
• Sixth House: Managing work, health, and daily routines, this house reflects your overall well-being and the importance of balance in your life.
• Seventh House (Descendant): Directing relationships, partnerships, unions, contracts, and business ventures, the seventh house shapes your approach to forming connections.
• Eighth House: Shedding light on intimacy, sexuality, transformations, death, and rebirth, this house embodies themes of profound change and evolution.
• Ninth House: Governing higher education, knowledge, philosophy, and spirituality, this house offers insights into your personal growth journey.
• Tenth House (Midheaven): Centring on your public image, career, political leanings, and responsibilities, the tenth house represents your standing in society.
• Eleventh House: Involving friendships, networking, originality, and eccentricity, this house outlines the roles you play in others' lives.
• Twelfth House: Delving into your inner self, spiritual development, and hidden aspects, the twelfth house embodies your unconscious and spiritual journey.

 In addition to house placements, the planets' positions in your birth chart represent cosmic energies shaping your character, desires, and needs. Planets occupy various zodiac signs at birth, further illuminating the elements shaping your personality:

• Sun: Reflects your true nature and essence.
• Moon: Represents your inner self and subconscious.
• Mercury: Governs communication and intelligence.
• Venus: Symbolizes feminine influences in your life.
• Mars: Dictates your desires, ambitions, and actions.
• Jupiter: Offers insights into your growth and development.
• Saturn: Indicates areas of life requiring attention.
• Uranus: Highlights where life changes manifest.
• Neptune: Reveals where your dreams become reality.
• Pluto: Signifies transformative experiences in your life.

However, it's not solely the presence of these planets in houses that shapes your birth chart—consideration must also be given to aspects. Aspects describe the angular relationships between planets on the birth chart, influencing how planetary energies interact:

• Conjunction: Planets within 10 degrees of each other, often harmonious.
• Sextile: Planets two signs (60 degrees) apart, harmonious.
• Square: Planets three signs (90 degrees) apart, often challenging.
• Trine: Planets four signs (120 degrees) apart, harmonious.
• Opposition: Planets six signs (180 degrees) apart, often challenging.

Harmonious aspects typically have beneficial effects, while inharmonious aspects may present difficulties. Conjunctions can vary in impact based on the planets involved and their energies.

Please keep in mind this is a very simplified version of what birth charts are and they are much more complex the this. Birth charts are intricate maps of an individual's cosmic composition at birth, encompassing sun, moon, and rising signs, as well as planetary placements in twelve distinct houses. These elements interact through aspects, creating a dynamic interplay that shapes personality traits, desires, relationships, and life's journey. Though it is complex, it is truly fascinating.

Astrology in modern culture

Even for those less interested in astrology's mechanics, its relevance in modern culture remains significant. Many believe that astrology can assess compatibility between individuals, predict harmonious matches, and reveal relationship dynamics. Horoscopes are everywhere, appearing on websites, magazine pages, and social media platforms, offering insights into weeks, months, or even years ahead. Astrology has seamlessly integrated into social media, with users sharing astrology related content, TikTok videos, and humorous memes about retrogrades. For countless individuals, astrology serves as a tool for self-care, personal growth, and wellness. From delving into birth charts to understanding their deeper needs, to planning activities like full moon ritual baths, astrology offers avenues for introspection and self-nurturing. Its evolution from a niche interest to a widely embraced phenomenon is undeniable.

However, not all embrace astrology. Sceptics, with concerns rooted in its lack of scientific validation, question astrology's principles. Critics point to potential biases like confirmation bias, paralleling the Barnum effect—where vague statements are interpreted as personally meaningful. Similar debates extend to other divinatory practices such as tarot readings. The divergence of opinions highlights astrology's complexity within contemporary discussions.

Regardless of where you stand on the astrology spectrum, one thing remains undeniable astrology is a phenomenon with far-reaching implications that transcend time and culture. Its ancient origins have evolved into a multifaceted belief system that resonates deeply with many. Engaging in debates, sparking conversations, and forging connections, astrology continues to captivate individuals from all walks of life. Whether you relish delving into the intricacies of your birth chart or simply enjoy reading your weekly horoscope, one fact is clear—in the vast expanse of the universe, countless wonders await our discovery. Embarking on explorations of astrology's realms, whether as an enthusiast or a curious observer, offers a thrilling journey of uncovering hidden truths and marvelling at the mysteries of existence.

I hope this blog post has been useful to you, and if you do have a further interest in astrology, even if you’re just looking for some cute stickers for your journals, you can find my range of astrology products here.

Have a lovely week!

Laura