Astrologer Liz Greene brilliantly said, “Reading horoscope pages in newspapers and saying you know about astrology is like listening to the Spice Girls and saying you know about music.” This quote perfectly highlights the common misunderstanding of modern astrology.
Those who study astrology often face ridicule from scientists and religious figures eager to dismiss what they don’t understand. It’s tough to explore astrology without being heckled by those closest to you, who often haven’t a clue what the astrological conversation is even about. It reminds me of those who loudly declare they aren’t religious, oblivious to the inherent spiritual aspect of being human. We are all religious whether we like it or not. That desire for better weather tomorrow? That’s faith in something beyond ourselves. That’s religious. Astrologers constantly endure the confident, uninformed opinions of what I call the “50% brigade.”
This group, armed with “scientific facts,” often misses that human reality isn’t solely based on facts. We operate with a deep unconscious narrative. Our inner lives shape us far more than mere data. Yet, the 50% brigade clings to their “rightness” until science inevitably updates itself, proving them wrong. Their convenient excuse? “Science always updates itself,” conveniently forgetting their previous aggressive declaration of rightness!.
If you look around your room you will notice that you are surrounded by rectangles, circles and a few triangles. They dominate our surroundings. This reflects our human tendency towards simple, understandable patterns. It shows how we think. Nature, however, is the opposite: complex, unique, and ever-changing. We, being part of nature, are also complex. Trying to understand this natural complexity with our “rectangular thinking” is futile. You can’t solve the intricacies of your own nature with such basic frameworks. You need another lens that is equipped to reveal other aspects of reality. The great psychologist Carl Jung knew this. Among his many unique talents he was also a keen astrologer.
The great poet Rumi likened our understanding of life’s vastness to the ocean, saying we are merely the diver’s clothes on the beach, barely catching a “waft of salt breeze.” Considering the immensity of our galaxy, one of trillions, this feels profoundly true.
So, astrologers, alchemists, tarot readers, psychics – anyone exploring reality beyond the conventional – face ridicule for their efforts. Yet, despite this, astrology thrives, undeterred by the 50% brigade, continuing to find meaning in astrological data. We don’t believe in astrology; we study it. Entering this nuanced arena renders simplistic “rectangular thinking” useless. Here, you must observe subtleties, listen to the unseen, and feel the intangible.
As a long-time student of various profound disciplines, astrology has gifted me the deepest insights. Its ability to illuminate the complexities of the human psyche continues to astound me. All you have to do is step one foot in the astrological arena and you’ll see why so many people throughout the ages have been mesmerized by it’s depths. And it’s not going away any time soon.
Finally, remember this: “And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who couldn’t hear the music.” Welcome to the wonderful world of astrology. You’ll never be the same again.