What is astrology really about? Check out our ultimate guide

The study of astrology has always been a booming and fascinating topic of discussion among all age groups.

Some people find it helps with self-actualization and helps them to uncover aspects of themselves that they might not have been able to.

Celebrities such as Lady Gaga, Beyonce, and Kendall Jenner, are all supporters of the practice.

But if you don’t know your Sun sign from your moon sign,  you may feel a little intimidated by the ins and outs of the mysticism of astrology.

But have no fear, we’ve created the ultimate guide to get you started on your journey. 

What is astrology?

Astrology is defined as the “divination of the supposed influences of the stars and planets on human affairs and terrestrial events by their positions and aspects.”

In essence, astrology encapsulates how we may feel on any given day.

I know my astrological sign and read my horoscope. That’s enough, right?

It’s definitely a part of it, but there are more aspects to consider.

“Sun sign horoscopes, while extremely helpful, have perpetuated this into the mainstream about astrology, and I love to set the record straight,” says Adama Sesay, a professional astrologer from LilithAstrology.com.

“Your entire chart affects your personality and no two charts are alike.”

Sesay also provided insight into the aspects of our astrological signs, which are our sun, moon, and rising. Here’s what she had to say:

Sun sign

“Your sun is the ego and where you shine the brightest.”

Moon sign

“The moon is your internal world and emotions.”

Rising sign

“Your rising is your personality or how you come off to people when you first meet them.”

If you want to unpack more information about your personality, Sesay says: “If you want to take it further, add your Mercury (communication), Mars (how you take action), and Venus (how you love) into the mix!”

How can you access this information about your personality?

To uncover your sun, moon, rising, mercury sign, etc., it’s helpful to know your exact time of birth.

If you don’t know, ask your parents. And if your parents don’t remember, you can still do a birth chart, although it won’t be the most accurate. 

According to JKS Astrology, if you don’t have a birth time, an astrologer can help you, but it includes listing important dates in your life, which are time-consuming and costly.

Is this real? I heard it was all fake.

Although there isn’t any evidence to back up astrology, some people like the feeling of control it gives them.

“Astrology has a huge effect on my daily life,” said Vachon Osby, a holistic healing artist and founder of When In Babylon.

“It was quite a fascinating sentiment to understand the position of planets/ stars and moons, at any given moment, in our solar system has such an influence on how we respond to life around us.”

Another person who goes by @mercurialseries on Twitter uses astrology to her advantage:

Do I need to find an astrologer, or can I do it myself?

You can absolutely find an astrologer to help you on your path, so it’s more of a personal one-one relationship.

There are also a series of astrology and horoscope apps and websites that you can use as listed below.

Apps

Co-Star

Co-Star is taking the astrological app market by storm. The company, which has been featured in publications such as The New York Times, features real-time updates as the planets move throughout the solar system; personality analysis customizes your entire astrological chart and the compatibility within planets. You can also add your friends who are on the app to compare birth charts which can be exciting.

Also, Co-Star’s predictions stem from a map of the sky at your exact time and birth via NASA data to track planets as they move.

The Pattern

The Pattern is a personality app that is set to help you understand yourself, others, and the world around you. The app features a section to gain an understanding of your friends, romantic connections, how our traits teach us about shared experiences and direct messaging options. The Pattern also has worldly predictions, which are unique.

The Daily Horoscope

The Daily Horoscope is a free app that features daily, weekly, and monthly horoscopes, divulging the characteristics of each sign and also exploring Druid and Chinese horoscopes for the year. You can also customize the colors and font size that you want in the settings section of the app to personalize it. Some interesting ones are “Misty Planet,” “Starry Night,” and “Winter Frost.”

Websites

Astrology.com

Astrology is a good website to learn about all things zodiac signs, retrogrades of planets, astrology, the universe, and more. The color scheme of the website, which is black and white with pops of color for blog entries and horoscopes seems like a night sky dazzling with colored lights.

AstrologyAnswers.com

Astrology Answers is a comprehensive website that includes daily horoscopes, blog entries on dream analysis, and tarot readings if you’re interested.

Cafe Astrology.com

Cafe Astrology is a free website that allows you to type in information about yourself to access your natal birth charts. You also have the option of doing a birth chart for lover compatibility, astrology forecasts on a weekly, monthly, and yearly basis. There is also a section which interprets the birth charts of celebrities, politicians, and people of high status like President Joe Biden, vice president Kamala Harris, Prince William and Kate Middleton to name but a few.

How do people use astrology day-to-day?

People use astrology in their daily lives in a myriad of ways. Whether or not they should take that leap and attend that party or bar function or wondering if they should go on a date with a person that’s been sitting idly in their phone for some time, the list is an endless way to feel empowered.

What do the skeptics say?

One powerful argument is that so many planets have not yet been discovered, so how accurate can astrology be?

Some sceptics decided to delve into the world of astrology themselves, such as one writer who now has a different view of horoscopes’.

There’s got to be a whole world of astrology memes, right?

On social media, there are several astrological accounts that feature lots of perspectives. From Libras standing in the mirror to rehearse a conversation they are nervous about, to the love languages of each sign and personality trait. Check out some insightful, funny, and daily examples below:

All in all, astrology can be seen as a fun way to enrich your life, making you feel joyful and all-around better about yourself and the decisions you make for yourself in this lifetime.

Good luck on your journey into the magical world of astrology.

Visit Adama Sesay’s website here. 

Visit Vachon Osby’s website, When in Babylon, here.