Astrology Defined
What is a star sign?
A star sign is a way of dividing all human nature into twelve different characteristic types or archetypes. You could have anything as an archetype; you could use a city and say, there's an archetypal Texan or a New Yorker. These are broad terms that everybody understands, that we use to convey complex messages simply. To understand why there are twelve star signs, you have to go back to the mathematicians. The Babylonians have 360 degrees in a circle. We don't know why there are twelve, but twelve is a very convenient way of dividing up these characteristics, these archetypes of star signs.
How do I know what my star sign is?
Your star sign, as long as you're not born around the 19th or the 22nd, is easy. They run in order from the spring equinox, Aries, through to the end at Pieces. They follow in order. If you are born around those dates of the 19th or 22nd, you have to have your star sign professionally calculated, otherwise you'll be called “on the cusp,” which is really a nonsense phrase.
If I was born on the 'cusp' of two signs, am I influenced by both?
You're not born on the cusp. Each year, the sun enters a sign at a specific time and if you have your chart calculated or if you visit a website or an astrologer, they'll tell you where your sun sign is. It has to be one star sign or the other. However, you're not just your sun sign. All the other planets have an influence and there's no such thing as a pure Aries, for example. If your sun is in Aries, you'll have planets in other signs. Your sun is definitely in one sign or another. There's no such thing as somebody born on the cusp.
Why does my date of birth affect my personality?
The way that astrologers look at the universe is that it's in a constantly expanding state. The universe is never the same place twice. The minute you are born, you're born into a unique universe. The universe has grown the minute after you're born. It's not that your date of birth affects your personality, it reflects your personality.
How does Western astrology differ from other types of astrology?
Western astrology primarily is based on the tropical zodiac. We follow the way of the path of the sun basically. Other types of astrology could be based on the moon primarily for example as Chinese astrology is. Or it could be based on the backdrop of the stars like Indian astrology is. But Western astrology works in the Western world.
Do the other signs affect my personality?
Of course the other signs affect your personality. The sad thing about astrology is that you're not just your sun sign, you have the whole zodiac, you have every planet affecting you. You're all of it, and that's why you have to be very careful when you pick on a sign and say, "I hate that sign," when what you need to know is where is that sign on my chart.
How can I find out how the other signs affect me?
In the modern world there are hundreds and thousands of websites that'll calculate your astrology chart for you. Then you'll see how all the planets mingle together and make you you. Astrology is a fascinating subject if you take it as it's meant to be. It's much more interesting than just being one in twelve. You're unique.