FAQ

What is astrology?

Astrology is the study of the correspondences between celestial objects and earthly affairs.

Is astrology a science?

In an earlier time in our history, astrology and astronomy were one and the same and mutually contributed to the development of the other. They are both concerned with the movement of celestial bodies, but astronomy investigates the facts of their movement while astrology is concerned with their meaning for earthly affairs. The scientific method is well-equipped to deal with questions that can be answered with precise measurement, and it can do this to astonishing degrees with nearly unimaginable benefits for people and society. However, its quantitative nature necessarily limits its scope of inquiry to certain kinds of information. Like so-called “soft sciences” like psychology or political science, astrology has some scientific elements and applications but deals in qualitative types of information which is less compatible with a rigorous application of the scientific method. Astrology then is not strictly scientific but it is still a valuable source of insight as it has been for cultures and generations spanning continents and centuries. Only the view that truth is exclusively scientific would diminish astrology’s value.

Why or how does astrology work?

Astrology’s mechanism is an ongoing point of discussion for modern astrologers. Less astrologers believe that there is an as-of-yet undiscovered physical force or influence providing a causal mechanism for astrology. More astrologers contend that astrology operates through a kind of acausal synchronicity as theorized by Carl Jung, that separate events are made meaningful by their temporal connection. It is the view that coincidences are not entirely meaningless.  Planets don’t cause things to happen as much as the hands on a clock cause it to be dinner time. They merely reflect circumstances, they act as signs rather than causes. And so, the arrangement of the planets in the sky at the time you were born reflects the circumstances of your birth and the course of your life.

How do I read my natal chart?

You need your precise birth time, birth date and birth place in order to find out where the planets were at the time and place you were born. A picture of the planets at the time you were born is called your natal chart, and it is from this that various insights and prognostications can be made. Once you have your birth data, sign up for a free account with www.astro.com to see your chart. Consider scheduling a general astrology consultation and I’ll go through your chart with you!

What if I don’t know my birth time?

  • Ask your parents. Even if they don’t know the exact time, they may be able to give you some clues as to what part of the day it was.
  • Look in your baby book. Usually, if your parents kept a baby book, the time is recorded in there.
  • Look at your newspaper birth announcement. If you can get a hold of it, it will sometimes be there.
  • Look on your birth certificate. This is usually reliable, but be aware that the birth time on the birth certificate might not be completely correct. Depending on when and where you were born, it might not be recorded at all. If you were born in the United States, a good place to start searching for your birth certificate is here.
  • Rectification. An astrologer would use any and all clues you can gather, alongside a chronology of important events in your life to find the time that matches most closely.

5 thoughts on “FAQ”

  1. This FAQ is not about you (as suggested by the tab heading). What about you?
    Where, when, how did you learn astrology? Who were your teachers/mentors?
    How did you become interested? etc. etc.

  2. Do you have a last minute cancellation list that I could be on so I don’t have to wait until January? I’m a mom of five, and not usually a whiner or crabby about waiting in line. But Saturn was parked on my natal degree for three months during this return and when it ends, Jupiter and Saturn are meeting on my Jupiter natal degree and today someone said we’re finishing cycles started in 1982/3, 2000, and 2007 which are all massively significant for me. Anyway, I totally understand if not and I’ll wait my turn. Thanks so much!
    Kate

    1. Hi Kate, I’m sorry about the wait. Cancellations are very rare, the quickest way to reserve a spot at this time is through the times available on the scheduler. Hope to speak with you about all this soon!
      Best,
      Patrick

  3. They way you explain astrology in the context of science is amazing. I’m a scientist and also an amateur astrologer. Thank you for your articles Patrick, I’m happy I’ve found your blog.

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