What is Astrology?

A friend recently asked me some of these questions: What is astrology? Do the planets and stars have effects on us? On our personalities?

The definition of astrology has been debated for centuries, and I'm not sure there's a black-and-white answer. My definition - the correlation between the movements of planets and the events on Earth. You can just as easily call it 'cultural astronomy'. I have my own idea of how it works, or rather how I like to explain it anyway. If you have figured out how astrology works, please let me know! I'd love to hear your thoughts.

I love to think about these things. Do the planets control our emotions like the moon controls the tides? I don't think that's exactly how it works. One of my favorite analogies is that it's like a calendar. The month showing on the calendar doesn't make it summertime. I don't believe the planets have the power to make us feel any type of way, but more so it's like describing the weather. If it's going to rain, maybe you should grab an umbrella; likewise, if Mercury is squaring Mars, maybe you should try to be a little extra cautious when driving to work.

There are so many ways that a transit may manifest its significations that there is no way to know indefinitely what will happen in the future, its not fortune telling.

But what we do know, through thousands of years of recorded human history, what types of events are likely to occur during certain transits. Going one step further, these transits will affect people differently based on how it's interacting with their individual charts.

What about our personalities? Are we destined to be stuck with the persona we're born with? Well sorta, I believe our charts show us our potential. We will grow into different parts of our charts because not every part is active at all times. Particular experiences will bring out different pieces of our personality.

I have said before that a birth chart, or natal chart, is a snapshot of the moment you were born, but the planets don't stop moving after that. This touches on more advanced techniques called Annual Profections (no, not 'Perfections' ) and Secondary Progressions; however, I'm going to leave it to the basics today!

Astrology is much more complex than some people would EVER be willing to

admit, but it's not anymore a crystal ball than the weather report is. I found a lot of comfort in studying my chart because I could see some of the challenges I was experiencing right there reflected in the stars. I just feel like it explained everything that was going on. It was crazy validating. Even more comforting to see that eventually that transit would separate, and there was a light at the end of the tunnel - this too shall pass - whatever, pick your cliche. I'd never been more at peace. It also helped me open my eyes to all the gifts I have in my chart as well, where my strengths lie and how to use them to my advantage. To me, this is the biggest value of studying natal astrology; discovering how you fit into the very grand scheme of the universe.

For more insight into your individual chart, please book a reading! You can email me directly at info@ashleighparkerastrology.com, or go to my website AshleighParkerAstrology.com and submit a request (:

Thanks for reading Astrological Insights with Ashleigh!