Can Astrology Predict the Future? - 6/8/06

Dear Lipstick Mystic,

I've been looking into something that you have been doing for many years now...horoscopes. By reading your site it seems as if you like what you do, and you're just straight up about everything. But I have some questions about astrology.

Horoscopes to some people are no big deal, but to others it's a part of their daily lives. The main question here is can you find the future just by looking into the moon, sun, stars and planets? Could one horoscope happen to so many people? Is it even possible? If you could please answer my questions that would be great. Can you tell me any other sources?

--A.

Hi A,

I think you might enjoy two excellent astrology sites -- http://www.stariq.com and http://www.astrologycom.com.  They have constant updates with all kinds of wonderful articles about real astrology.

The problem with writing newspaper astrology features is that you have to be very general about extremely broad trends affecting large numbers of people. So of course, they won't be accurate for everyone. The format of a newspaper horoscope doesn't allow for detailed analysis.

There are two main things to know about astrology. First, an astrologer can calculate your natal (birth) chart, which is a static chart showing where all the planets were positioned at your birth. This is a very unique thing and two Geminis, for instance, will show extremely different configurations in their charts. A natal chart can reveal amazingly detailed things about your personality, your "shadow side" as well as your more positive side, and can show you what you need to work on to become a more balanced and successful person.

The second important thing in astrology is what is called the progressed chart. This is when the astrologer compares the positions of the planets as they appear in your birth chart to where the planets actually are RIGHT NOW.  Different planets move at different speeds. Mercury changes positions every three weeks, the moon changes every two and a half days or so, and planets that are further out like Jupiter change signs about once a year. So there are all of these complex shifts and transitions going on. 

The planets DO exert a strong magnetic pull on our bodies, probably because our bodies are 2/3rds water. And we know that the moon is responsible for creating the ocean's tides on earth. So it stands to reason that there would be some strong (and also more subtle effects) going on as our physical bodies respond to the planets' electromagnetic pull.

The cool thing about astrology is that it is a very old science going back over 5000 years, and the founders were absolutely brilliant at tracking different emotional trends, situations in people's lives, and situations happening on a more global level (affecting entire countries) and how the planets correspond to these events.  So, to a certain extent, because these trends DO repeat, a gifted astrologer can "predict the future" based on analyzing these trends that keep returning.

However, most good astrologers look at the planets as more of a "cosmic weather report," indicating trends that you should be aware of, yet reminding you that you are a spiritually sovereign being who is in charge of your own destiny. The planets show different emotional or personal "minefields" that you might be navigating through, but it's up to you how you handle them. 

If a weather man tells you it's going to rain tomorrow, then you'd probably take your umbrella to work, right?  Because you'd be preparing for a natural phenomena that is likely to happen.

By having your yearly progressed chart done by a gifted astrologer, you can learn a great deal about "peak" times and times when you might experience lower energy or emotional challenges throughout the year. Then you can to some extent plan your year by taking these trends into account.

So I hope I have done your question justice here, as obviously, it's a complex subject!  I think it's best to look at the cute little horoscopes (some of which I write for magazines and newspapers!) as light entertainment, but if you REALLY want to learn about astrology schedule a session with someone and have both your natal chart and your yearly progressed chart done. (They are two different yet equally important things.)  You will find many wonderful astrologers listed at StarIQ who will do readings over the phone or send you a tape of their analysis. 

Thanks for sending in a good question - I may post this in my Mystic Mail, because I think a lot of people have the same questions you do!