What is a Horoscope?

A horoscope is an astrological chart or diagram representing the positions of the Sun, Moon, planets, astrological aspects, and sensitive angles at the time of an event, such as the moment of a person’s birth.

The word “horoscope” is derived from Greek words meaning “a look at the hours” (horo meaning hour/watch and scopos meaning watcher/marker).

Other commonly used names for the horoscope in English include natal chart, astrological chart, star chart, cosmic map, sky map, birth chart, radix, or simply chart. All these terms refer to the same basic tool used by astrologers.

Planets do not cause or control behavior.

The birth horoscope of a person reveals hidden talents and character traits, as well as opportunities and challenges that may arise in their life circumstances. This is not because the planets are causing or controlling behavior. 

Just like the hands of a clock do not cause the time but rather indicate an underlying reality, the external planets are indications of an underlying consciousness that ebbs, flows, and evolves within the individual. 

Each symbol on the horoscope is an aspect of consciousness that reacts and engages with other aspects of consciousness as the consciousness evolves over the course of time.

The horoscope can be used as a guide to understanding the type of energetic life path the soul has chosen to experience by incarnating at the time and place of their birth.

Such self-knowledge can help in making better decisions, whether it is about personal relationships, career choices, or other important life-changing decisions.

Horoscopes can also be associated with events such as coronations, weddings, political appointments, and so on.

Once again, the planets and other horoscope symbols are not responsible for “causing” any event. They point to an energetic flow in the group consciousness that is dominant at the time of the event. The flow of consciousness influences attitudes and, ultimately, behavior.

Horoscopes are sometimes used to make predictions about the future. This can cause problems. While the energetic nature of a particular point in time may be predicted, how people respond within those circumstances is not.

For example, let’s say you were planning to attend a party. Your friend arrives first at 10 pm and lets you know how much fun it is and that there is great energy in the room. Everyone is really having an awesome time. For whatever reason, you are delayed and cannot get there until 1.30 am. It’s reasonable to “predict” that the vibe will be much different when you arrive. The music is quieter. Few people are dancing. More people are sitting and talking. The energy is softer. Even though I can anticipate the energy or “consciousness” of the event, I can’t really know how people will respond. However, given what we do know, it is not unreasonable to “predict” someone will fall asleep on a chair, someone will be sick, or someone will break a glass. You get the idea, right?

So, the planets and other symbols of the horoscope are like the hands of a clock. They are not causing anything but pointing to the interplay between various aspects in the stream of consciousness that we, other living creatures, and our planet move in.