Hi AqVirgo! May I help? Im an AqAr, so we're kin.
I started studying astrology 40 years ago, ( yes, really) I think in order to understand astrology when first starting out, it's easiest if first we understand the basic structure and what we're actually looking at ,and then go on to learn the parts-- like signs, planets, houses, aspects, ect. Most books tell you all about these parts, but dont tell you how all the parts fit together. That's why it remains confusing and we miss what astrology is trying to tell us.
Probably books aren't written on astrological philosophy because it's so multidemensional, but basically, when you look at a chart, you are looking at an individual soul's path in it's journey of spiritual evolution.
You must be open-minded, because astrology embraces principals that are foreign to the Western mind, such as reincarnation, karma, and fate. The chart is a snapshot of what you are to experience in THIS lifetime in order for you to evolve to a higher purer state. These lessons are drawn up by the twelve Lords of Karma before your birth,and you have agreed to every one.They will not, can not, impose anything on you without your consent. Remember how Jesus told us we wouldn't have to experience anything beyond our strength to endure? That's because we have to agree to it. Once a level of perfection (purity) is reached, (and Buddha taught us the level of Perfection is Compassion), we no longer have to experience this physical plane, and can remain in the spiritual realm and work there, or choose to return to Earth and work here, helping others along their path.The aspects (trines, squares, sextiles) are the energies that influence us as we go along making our choices through life. Trines show our karmic strengths, talents, and abilities that we have developed so far in previous lives and bring with us to work on the squares, which show us our karmic lessons we are to learn in this life. Fate is merely the list of lessons you will experience.The sextiles are the opportunities we are given to integrate these lessons so that the right action/reaction becomes automatic and a part of us. These lessons will occurr and reoccurr in karmic cycles until the lesson is learned . When the lesson is learned, the square drops away, becomes a sextile and we are given opportunity to reexperience the lessons until the knowledge/wisdom is integrated into the soul, at which time it becomes a strength and next life will be a trine.
The Houses show us where these experiences will occur.
And that's it, in a nutshell.So let's step back a minute, and look at this...
Here we have a system. It's not random chaos-- it's orderly, organized, planned . That can only be done by an Intelligence. The answer to chaos theory and Big Bang Theory is this-- if you take a handful of macaroni and throw it on the floor, it doesn't reorganize itself into anything... until some Intelligence comes along and puts it into some order. you see what I mean? Astrology tells us there Is a God and shows us what He is Doing for each individual's soul.
Secondly, Astrology tells us that we have a purpose and that each one of us has an important role to play even in this huge scheme of things. It shows us that we matter, that we are not alone, and that death is an Illusion. My! What dangerous knowledge this is to the power of Authorities who want to rule and have control. People who think they're nothing but slime or just one step above the monkeys, think they Need to be told what to do and how to live. So you see, Astrologers haven't hidden this knowledge, they've been hidden away.
Thirdly, the Ages- old question of "Why am I here?" is answered- you're here to grow, to learn, to break through the illusion that the 5 senses are all there is, to learn what Love and Compassion is all about and how to express it in your daily life, and to live in Harmony with God and Nature. You aren't alone. Everything you do influences and effects others around you.
Fourthly,You are a Child of this Creator,whom He CARES about- just look at the effort He is making for you-- to be born at this time in history, on a certain day, year and time, to certain parents, with certain family members, around old friends that you've known before, in this country, in your particular home town-- there are lessons and opportunities in all of it. And there are blessings and rewards and gifts for present and past efforts, even talents for you to explore, develope, and enjoy. See how much you matter? you are important.
This is how it fits together. This is the message of Astrology.
Now, go read and explore this. See what you find out.
