Within many scholarly spheres, astrology is thought of as pop psychology. How can the day you were born determine your personality? Well I am here to clarify that astrology is actually much more complex than that and may have more psychological applications than you would think. One of the fundamental tenets of both astrology and psychology is connection. Psychology considers the connections between the self and others, self and community, self and systems, etc. and the implications of all those connections on someone’s mental health. Astrology is based on the belief that everything in the cosmos is connected and then traces those connections. It is important to remember that astrology is a practice; it requires active interpretation and interaction between many variables.
So let’s start with the basics. One post cannot possibly detail all the intricacies of how astrology works, but after reading this you will understand some of the most commonly used terminology and concepts to get your relationship with the cosmos started. First, each planet has its own specific focus. Where each planet falls in a chart and in relation to other planets will affect different parts of someone’s life. Below is a summary of what each planet rules:
Sun: life self, ego, basic personality, and vitality
Moon: emotions, inner world, and soul
Mercury: mind and communication
Venus: action, determination, passion
Jupiter: expansion, luck, and hope
Saturn: structure, responsibility, and lessons
Uranus: revolution, individuality, and change
Neptune: imagination, magic, and spirituality
Pluto: rebirth, transformation
Next are the zodiac symbols. Each zodiac sign falls within one of the four elements of fire, water, air and earth. Fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) are known for their courage, passion, power, and authenticity. Water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) for their caring and understanding nature, depth of emotionality, focus on healing, and calming nature. Air signs (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) for their creativity, welcoming and charming qualities, and interest in discovery. And finally earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) for their groundedness, practicality, intentionality, presence, loyalty, and reliability. Another major component of astrology is houses. No, not Hufflepuff and Slytherin; the astrological houses represent different spheres of life.
The last basic component of astrology I will explain is aspects. The three aforementioned concepts of planets, signs, and houses all combine to understand how aspects work. When looking at a chart, each planet falls into one of the zodiac signs and one of the houses. Aspects are degrees of separation between planets or between a planet and an important point. Planets have a dynamic relationship, so the degrees in which they are separated have meaning (both negative and positive). A major aspect exists when planets are exactly 0, 60, 90, 120, or 180 degrees apart and minor with all other degrees of separation. The meaning of these aspects are going to change depending on the planet, sign, and house but the major aspects are the most important to pay attention to.
When most people think of astrology, their immediate first thought is a birth chart, also referred to as natal astrology. This is the chart of the planets, signs, and houses at the exact time, date, and place someone is born. Every person has a birth chart, but so do nations, organizations, governments, etc. and many astrologists focus on understanding these types of charts rather than individuals to inform things like political decisions.
The practice of astrology looks at the universe through a geocentric lens, meaning that the earth is the at the center. With this in mind, the houses and zodiac signs form rings around the earth. The connections, interpretations, and predictions made by astrologists are based on the placement of the planets in the sphere surrounding the earth along with their placement along the zodiac and house rings.
All of this can get really complicated really quickly, but the bare bones the majority of people are aware of in natal astrology are what have been nicknamed the “big three”: the sun, rising, and moon signs. The sun and moon are described above, but the rising (or ascendant) represents the image someone projects onto the world, or the mask they put on for others. This may be why someone’s sun sign might be difficult to tell initially.
So, why might psychologists care about astrology and what role does it play with mental health? It is a practice, belief system, and way to view the world, and understanding life and the universe from this specific perspective can inform so much about the way someone interacts with the world. There are cultural and spiritual applications of astrology depending on someone’s background and how deeply they feel connected to the cosmos Having a way to explain phenomena can provide a sense of control and stability, which for many people informs their coping. Astrology is also a lens many people use to make decisions and participate in self-reflection. More generally, astrology can build empathy with others by expanding your understanding of the world and inviting you to see it from another perspective. At its core, astrology reminds us that we are a part of something larger than ourselves and heightens awareness of individual and communal meaning and purpose.
-Allison Vermiglio