June 2, 2005

KEYWORDS: Popular Astrology, Sun Signs, History of Astrology

Anthony Asks:

“Will astrology become better in the mainstream population in the sense that it can be used less for “entertainment” or will it continue to have a split personality in relation to how it is viewed in western modern society?”

Kevin Answers:

Anthony,

As you know from the article on the history of Astrology, Astrology has had a rather rocky relationship with western civilization. The future of astrology is, not surprisingly, a topic of great interest to most astrologers, although no one can truly predict what it will be. One thing, however is certain: Astrology will not occupy the same role in our lives today as it did in its heyday.

Astrology originated as a tool to help us to better understand and adjust to the numerous uncertainties in life. While life may be just as uncertain today as it was in the middle ages, we have other ways of answering our fundamental questions. In the middle ages, it was common practice to consult astrologers for information on whether ones ship had arrived safely (for example). Today, we are able to find our answers with a simple phone call.

In the middle ages, physicians relied on astrology to help diagnose and treat their patients, and at the time, it was the most accurate diagnostic tool available. Interesting as medical astrology is, today we’re more likely to rely on scientific tools for diagnosis and treatment. We live much longer, healthier lives today, and illnesses that would be life threatening in the 17th century barely phase us today.

Remember: up until the 20th Century, Astrology was used entirely for prediction. The idea that a birth chart could be used to understand an individual’s personality and behavior patterns is comparatively brand new.

Astrology’s popularity is certainly on the rise, however. While the majority of the population may dismiss Astrology as the daily horoscope listings, the Sun Sign columns are ultimately responsible for making people aware of Astrology. The real question is how can Astrology contribute to modern society.

Unquestionably, Astrology makes its most significant contribution today as a counseling tool. Astrology can help us to gain a more complete understanding of ourselves and of others. Astrology and psychology share many common ideas; Carl Jung in particular incorporated astrological symbolism into his exploration of the unconscious.
Another relatively new branch of Astrology is Financial Astrology. Financial Astrologers focus on investment cycles, analyzing planetary transits and their relationship to changes in the stock market and other financial arenas.

I don’t see Astrology shaking off the “entertainment” stigma anytime soon; however, the more people that discover the true breadth and scope of true Astrology, the more quickly the general perception will change.