How to Learn Astrology
by Eric Francis
April 21, 2006
http://cainer.com/ericfrancis/apr21.html
ONE of the great astrology secrets is how you become an
astrologer. It takes some natural talent, but more than that, it takes
devotion. Part of that devotion is managing your relationship to the unknown,
that is, to all the mystery that abounds when you start to get into a topic
like this and go the places it leads you. One of the most important things you
can do is talk to other astrologers, but you need to be careful not to pick up
their prejudices. It is absolutely essential to keep an open mind. Not everybody
has one.
Mainly, you learn astrology by doing astrology.
This week, I'd like to reveal what in my opinion are the
most important tools you can get to speed you on your way. Like anything,
becoming an astrologer costs some money, but thanks to the Internet many tools
and resources are available that simply did not exist 10 years ago. These
include various online ephemeris resources and chart casting
services (and stuff like this column).
Still, there are some things you need on paper, in the 3D
world, in a more tangible form than the Internet. Call me old fashioned, but
that's just where I'm coming from. A lot of important resources don't make it
onto the Internet (for example, I have not found a good astrology dictionary,
but if you know of one, please let me know).
Here is a list of my most highly recommended tools to use
and learn from, including a couple of study plans for your own natal chart.
1. Your natal chart, prepared by an astrologer or a quality
chart service. I am NOT talking about an interpretation -- I am talking about
the chart itself. Astro.com does charts but I don't think the format they print
in is particularly satisfying. It's small and crowded. The best charts are made
by Solar Fire or Time Cycles, one of which most astrologers use. In studying
astrology, it's pretty important to have an idea of the energies in your own
chart. This helps you "know thyself" and also gives you one of the
clearest real-life illustrations that astrology works, and shows you how it
works.
2. Your secondary progressions, same deal as above. You may
not know what secondary progressions are, and you may not be able to find easy,
pat explanations of how they work, but suffice it to say they are one of your
most important charts. The way you learn to read progressions is to get the
chart and start reading it. This is how you do any astrology -- you get the chart
and (even if it takes a while) you read it. With progressions, first study the
Moon and look at the things it's done lately, is doing now, and is doing next.
3. An ephemeris. The ephemeris is the book that tells you
where the planets are. The reason to have the ephemeris in book form is because
you will need to browse it in order to find the information you need. It's too
complicated to do this using an online ephemeris, and you don't always want to
be strung onto the Net when you're doing your astrology work. You need an
ephemeris that covers from around 1920 to around 2020. Unfortunately, the best
one is difficult to get in the
4. An astrology dictionary or encyclopedia. Or both. You
need to know what words mean, and you need to know that certain concepts exist
that are conveniently put into dictionary or encyclopedia form. Most people
overlook this crucial step to learning. The very best dictionary, for
thoroughness and accuracy, is the Arkana Dictionary of Astrology by Fred
Gettings. This book may be out of print. I suggest you try a used book search,
such as Amazon or Half.com. Another good one is the Astrology Encyclopedia by
James Lewis. There is an older version, available cheap used, and a newer one,
which can be purchased new, and who knows, it's probably available used by now
as well. Jim's book also lists people and asteroids. It's very useful. The two
compliment each other quite well.
5. A tarot deck. Working with the tarot in tandem with
astrology is helpful for two reasons. One is that the cards, particularly the
trump cards, illustrate astrological signs, the planets and the elements.
Having illustrations is quite helpful because it gives you an opportunity to
visualize the energies. The Book of Thoth by Aleister Crowley has a lot of good
information, but you have to deal with the fact that he's a real occultist and
not writing for Reader's Digest. I suggest the more decks the better, so that
you can make comparisons across the decks. The other great advantage to working
with tarot is that you will train your intuition. Astrology has a technical
side, but ultimately when you really get what it's talking about, you make a
little intuitive leap beyond the data. This is what tarot will teach you how to
do. Here is an example of
integrating tarot and astrology.
6. A chart notebook. You make this yourself. In the early
phases of your study you will start to collect charts. I suggest keeping these
in some kind of three ring binder, whether you punch them out or use sheet
protectors. Your charts can be where you take your notes, or you can keep the
notes mingled in on other paper. Your chart notebook is where you will keep all
your stuff together and it will quickly become your most important astrology
book.
7. Study newspaper horoscopes. Pick your favorite horoscope
writers and cast a chart for the date given on the horoscope. Read the
different signs and see if you can pick up imagery from the chart or the
ephemeris that matches what the writer is predicting in the horoscope. Here is
a basic article on how newspaper
horoscopes work, from this series.
8. Read the charts of news events. Chart data is always
nice, because it leads to charts. Most people read the charts of their friends.
This is helpful, particularly if you ask people to tell you about times in
their life when they were having important transits (I write a lot about this
in Astrology Secrets Revealed). However, it's easier to read the charts of news
events because you don't have to get mixed up into the head and private
feelings of people close to you. You can be a little more easygoing. Any time a
news event states a time, that's a personal invitation to you as an astrology
student to cast the chart. The date and place are always easy to find. You can
find the time if you look for it. But sometimes they just hand you the time,
and that's your cue. Cast charts for everything, even if you have no clue how
to read them. A good source of articles about news events, besides this column
and Planet Waves, is StarIQ.com. They offer good, workable basic astrology
principles and specialize in reader-friendly articles short enough to read in
one bite.
9. Astrology Software. For this purpose, it really helps to
either have charting software or a good service. You will wince at the price of
astrology software -- but I promise you: it is worth it. Some are difficult to
learn. It's worth it. In my opinion, the best for Mac is Time Cycles and the
best for PC is Solar Fire. They are very different -- Solar Fire is a lot
better, and harder to use -- but once you get started, you might even go the
whole distance. And I can pretty much assure you that you'll never outgrow
Solar Fire.
10. Books. To be a good astrologer, you need to have a
diversity of viewpoints. No one explanation of an aspect gives you the whole
picture. Certain ones will seem to crack the case, and often you will assemble
a composite of viewpoints. This is what I have found to be the best method of
studying. I consider what is written in books to be commentaries rather than
definitive information. This lets the writer off the hook and gives you a way
to work with the material. Here is the thing with books. They disappear fast;
they go out of print. So if you see one that looks like you might like it, now
or in the future, buy it. At least write down the publication information, but
usually, for what you pay, you get far more than your money's worth.
11. Writing. You may feel that because you're new to
astrology or not an 'expert' that you have no business writing about it. I
would say that to the contrary, if you're new to astrology, writing about is
the best way to get a sense of what is going on. It will help you find the
words and more to the point, you will develop your concepts. When you read a
chart for a person, you're putting the chart into words. Most people do this by
talking, but writing helps you focus, refine and therefore become clear. Start
a Web page, get a local magazine interested, be an active participant in a
discussion group -- but write, and save what you write. Don't be afraid to
write the same thing over and over, that is, to develop the idea till you say
it in an interesting and effective way. There are relatively few good astrology
writers -- there's plenty of room to actually make a contribution.
12. Creative outlet. It helps a lot to have a creative
outlet, particularly a visual or kinesthetic one (painting or sculpture). This
will help you work the intuitive side of your brain, giving your intellect a
rest. You will indulge your senses in the feeling that reality is flexible and
can be shaped by your hands. Art takes us to another level of reality entirely,
and this is a really good way to keep your mind focused when you're studying
esoteric subject matter. But art exists for its own sake, it offers much in the
way of pleasure for the mind and senses, and is a good way to process your
emotions.
13. Astrology Secrets Revealed. This is the best kept secret
for studying astrology. Nearly every major topic and many minor topics are
considered in some detail. Use the archives, use the search feature, submit
your study questions. Here is the archive by date, and here it is by topic. Here is the homepage and search facility. Plenty is in google, too.
14. Parallel Worlds Chart Resource. This offers a lot of
2006 charts and is in the format of a more than basic chart notebook. There is
also a discussion of the 12 houses. This is VERY useful. Five people worked on
it for four months to research, cast, code and produce this excellent free
astrology resource. Indulge yourself.
15. Therapy. Anyone endeavoring to help people with
astrology would be wise to invest some time in going to therapy. It will help
you understand yourself, and even though you're not a therapist, give you
methods you can use in chart readings.
PS, learn the freaking glyphs! A lot of people around here
already know them, but here is a basic listing. These can come to life, each and all.
I'll be back with more questions and answers next week.
Remember that ASR is sponsored by your subscriptions to Planet Waves Weekly. And you can visit Planet
Waves every day for a new blog and photo!
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