Many people wonder what astrology is and why it matters. But, for others, using astrology is a part of daily life and developing self-awareness.
In modern times, we see horoscopes as a way of making predictions about how our day will unfold and what to expect in the future. The good news is that this is true with astrology, but it is so much more than that. Astrology can give you insights into your life path, personality, and challenges you may face throughout your entire life span.
The roots of most astrology go back to Hellenistic times and Greek mythology. You can see these roots in how we name our planets and other cosmic bodies. However, many different types of astrology are used worldwide that don't rely on what is known as Western Astrology, but rather other knowledge sources.
The Meaning and Basics of Astrology
Astrology is divine guidance from the stars and celestial bodies. More to the point, astrology is the forecasting of events by the use and knowledge of the placement of the stars, planets, and other heavenly bodies at exact times. Each placement affects our lives and our personalities.
There are precisely 12 zodiac signs that basically align with a ruling planet or planets. Some signs have more than one, and some planets have more than one sign. There are even some cosmic bodies that aren't aligned with a specific zodiac sign, such as Chiron, Ceres, or meteor showers, for example.
Also, when it comes to retrogrades, Mercury isn't the only planet susceptible to it. What a retrograde means is that the planet appears to rotate in a counterclockwise direction, and as a result, everything that is typically normal for that planet is slowed down or altered in various ways.
Daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly horoscopes stem from the use of the tropical zodiac. The tropical zodiac focuses on the Sun as a starting point against the vernal equinox at the Northern hemisphere, and calculations are made from there.
The Primary Types of Astrology
Chinese Astrology
For Chinese Astrology, the focus is on yin and yang principles not found in Western or Vedic Astrology. These principles are part of Chinese philosophy regarding the elements. Over time these elements went from three to four elements and then to five. In this type of practice, the planets are seen as follows: Venus represents Metal, Jupiter represents Wood, Mercury represents Water, Mars represents Fire, and Saturn represents Earth.
Chinese Astrology also includes twelves signs, but takes a somewhat different approach to how these zodiac signs are organized. Each of the signs represents one year and rotates in a specific twelve-year cycle, which completes after 60 years or five rotations. The twelve signs are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
There is a fluidity within Chinese Astrology that doesn't exist in Western or Vedic. Chinese Astrology is constantly changing due to the incorporation of the five elements. Free will plays more predominantly here, and you have the power to alter possible outcomes, which is why some believe Chinese Astrology is often more accurate than others. It has complex concepts and has also been around longer than Western astrology.
Unlike Western Astrology, Chinese astrology helps calculate your path on Earth and the spiritual guides that are here to help you in your journey. This unique perspective makes Chinese Astrology perhaps more spiritual in nature than other types of astrology.
Vedic Astrology
Vedic Astrology, also known as the Hindu or Indian astrology (Jyotisha or Jyotishya), focuses more on your rising sign rather than your sun sign. This focus is more in tune with the ideology behind Vedic Astrology, which centers around our karma and our dharma rather than our personality.
This type of astrology gathers its data from the Sidereal zodiac rather than the tropical zodiac. It uses a fixed starting point in the background and focuses on the constellations. Some people believe Sidereal tends to be more accurate than tropical as the ecliptic paths are updated. Overall, Vedic Astrology intertwines more with actual astronomy than Western or Chinese astrology does.
The twelve signs according to Vedic astrology are: Mesha (April 13–May 14), Vrishaba (May 15–June 14), Mithuna (June 15–July 14), Karkata (July 15–August 14), Simha (August 15–September 15), Kanya (September 16–October 15), Tula (October 16–November 14), Vrishchika (November 15–December 14), Dhanus (December 15–January 13), Makara (January 14–February 11), Kumbha (February 12–March 12), Meena (March 13–April 12).
Unlike Western Astrology, water signs are ruled by Venus, fire signs are ruled by Mars, and earth signs are ruled by Mercury. Similar to Western Astrology, Vedic Astrology includes multiple branches of astrology as well as some unique branches such as Numerology, Female Astrology, and Phonetical Astrology.
Western Astrology
When it comes to what we seem to know of astrology, the most popularized and used form in the United States and other western countries is currently Western Astrology. Western Astrology is a combination of Babylonian and Hellenistic traditions.
Its focus is on the twelve signs of the tropical zodiac: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. This focal point is at the heart of our daily horoscopes and relationship compatibility.
Today when we think of astrology, we see horoscopes, and it's centering around sun sign astrology using the tropical zodiac, which is a specific type of Western Astrology. But, Western Astrology is much more than sun sign astrology and should be practiced and explored in all its different branches.
Common Branches of Western Astrology
Natal Astrology
When it comes to how we think of astrology, this is what we think of most. Natal Astrology uses a person's birth chart to determine personality, challenges, strengths and weaknesses, and overall life path. Many people use Natal astrology for personal growth and development in their daily lives.
Horary Astrology
In this branch, questions are focused on the horary chart to be answered and better understood through a yes or no construct, but can also give you more broad answers with timeframes. Within this practice, you receive precise information and tell you where blocks and obstacles are in your path. It is known by many psychic astrologers as a divination tool and may be used during psychic readings.
Medical Astrology
In Medical Astrology, each of the planets, houses, and zodiac signs are designated with specific ailments and diseases. Each sign and planet may center on different organs in positive and negative ways. For example, Scorpios may struggle with bladder and sinus issues, whereas Taurus may battle with throat and neck issues.
Relocation Astrology
With Relocation Astrology, the focus is how where you live (and even travel to for periods of time) can directly impact the themes of your life, your relationships, and your career aspirations. This unique branch of Western Astrology uses your birth chart against how certain celestial bodies move according to where you are located. The energies of specific planets can either work for or against you.
Relationship Astrology
This branch of Western Astrology is most evident in compatibility charts between zodiac signs. It is a specific form of Natal Astrology that uses the birth chart, sun signs, and personality to determine your most compatible (and least compatible) romantic partners. This practice uses a Synastry chart, two natal charts aligned to see where they align and diverge from each other. It can also tell you how well you will get along with your siblings, friends, parents, coworkers, and other relationships in your life.
Electional Astrology
Although the name may imply it has something to do with elections, it is a more accurate representation of the type of astrology that focuses on the events in our lives. If you are looking for more information on divine timing and guidance, this is the type of astrology branch that works best for you. It can tell you about things such as timing on getting married, receiving loans for business, job opportunities, etc.
Mundane Astrology
Mundane Astrology is becoming more and more popular these days as people become focused on the world around them and how it affects their lives. With mundane astrology, you can predict world events and look at cycles and patterns from previous events. When you hear astrologers speak of the Pluto return and its role in COVID-19 and the Spanish Flu pandemics, these are examples of Mundane Astrology.
Conclusion
While there are many different cultures practicing astrology, there are three primary ones that are used predominantly today by psychic astrologers. Astrology has evolved over time and has historical traditions observed by many that help determine our daily horoscopes. However, these three types are not the only types of astrology practiced today. Tibetan Astrology, Egyptian Astrology, African Astrology, Celtic Astrology, Orishas Astrology, and Native American Astrology are examples of various types of astrology being practiced with deep historical traditions.