Growing up, I didn’t think much of astrology. I thought it was fun to read horoscopes sometimes, but often, they didn’t resonate with me. As I got older, I thought of astrology as silly: astronomy is legit, astrology isn’t.

But a couple years ago, something shifted. I got curious about astrology—and I learned that astrology is insanely more complex than I ever imagined.

The complexity of astrology

When people ask your sign, typically they’re looking for your sun sign. The sun sign is the same for people born within particular dates around a month. But there’s also the rising sign, which changes every two hours. And your moon, which represents emotions. The sun sign, rising sign, and moon sign are often referred to as the ‘big three’ in astrology (no relation to This Is Us, I don’t think.)

Also, all 12 signs of the zodiac and all the planets (even Pluto!) are included in a birth chart. The zodiac signs are placed in houses, which represent different areas of life. The houses can be separated in different ways based on the system: Whole Sign, Placidus, Prophyry, and more!

Then, it’s important to consider where the planets are placed in relation to each other (or the aspects.) And that’s not even scratching the surface.

Though, of course, something being complex doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s accurate or true…

But I do think it opens up possibilities. It’s possible that someone’s experience of astrology doesn’t line up because they were just looking at their sun sign in isolation or got a reading from an unqualified astrologer. Or they got a reading from a qualified astrologer who wasn’t aware of x, y, or z.

Sometimes astrology can be so spot on

I’ve heard many stories of people feeling so seen by astrology. Though, the first reading I got didn’t really resonate with me. But several months later…there was something about astrology, so honoring that impulse, I started learning more. Some things didn’t resonate, but some did: like, when I was born, Venus was in retrograde (or moving backwards), which can show up as difficulties or delays with love (me to a T!)

Though, of course, astrology being spot on for some people sometimes doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s accurate or true…

Maybe it’s just a fun personal growth tool

If astrology makes people feel seen and helps them grow, what’s the harm? I really don’t think there’s it’s harmful, unless people are spreading fear or doing something unethical.

Honestly, I do think of astrology as a fun personal growth tool. Maybe that will change, maybe it won’t. I’m an open-minded (and fascinated) skeptic.

I come to astrology with a sense of curiosity—not to poke holes in it, but rather, to find my own way of making sense of it. Astrology is ancient, practiced my Greeks and Romans. I believe astrology has wisdom to share, but I don’t identify as my chart.

Perhaps a bit counterintuitively, I think it’s an asset to be an astrologer who is a little bit of a skeptic. I won’t be offended if something I say doesn’t resonate. I’m open to a dialogue and working with clients to help them make sense of their own astrology with a kind curiosity—while empowering them to trust their GUTS.

p.s. If you’d like a reading from an astrology skeptic, book here 🙂