Astrology

By Jade Emory
Oahu Island News, June 2001

Introduction to Astrology

Astrology is the science of planetary influences on earth and its inhabitants. Depending on a person's "birth chart", the same planetary influence could have very different effects. The study of astrology determines potential effects, and ideally empowers us to creatively work with them.

A birth chart is like a photograph of the sky from one's place of birth at the exact time of birth. It is a blueprint of inner and outer potentials, over which a person does have free choice. It shows not only the "sun sign", but also the placements of all planets, asteroids, planetoids and more. Each planetary body influences a different part of our experience.

The constellation in which our "sun sign" resides indicates our will, our ego identity, our male side.

Our moon placement indicates our feminine side, our emotional needs, and personality.

Mercury's placement indicates our intellectual and communicative abilities.

Venus, another feminine influence, governs our experience of personal love, art, music, beauty and finance.

Mars, another masculine influence, rules work, vitality, war, action and athletics.

Jupiter rules both material prosperity and spiritual potential.

Saturn rules the lessons we learn in order to develop consciousness and character.

Uranus rules astrology, progressive social causes, inventiveness, electromagnetism, cultures other than our own, and egoless love.

Neptune rules the highest and the lowest, literally from God-consciousness through meditation to deception, delusion, drugs and alcohol.

Pluto rules deep transformation, shared finances, sexuality and hidden truths.

If the chart is superficially analyzed, the client loses many opportunities for self-awareness and self-determination. However, it is the astrologer's job to educate the client without fear or flattery. It is the client's job to responsibly choose which attributes from their chart to cultivate.

If the chart is thoroughly analyzed, the client learns how to cultivate his or her special abilities and how to overcome limitations.

A future column will explore the additional influences of asteroids and planetoids in the birth chart.

Oahu Island News Contributing Editor Jade Emory holds degrees in psychology and education, has taught in American and Canadian universities and has been a counselor since 1970. Jade passed beyond the earthly bonds of her body in 2020, and is studying astrology on the other side.