12 Common Misconceptions About Astrology Everyone Gets Wrong
As a practicing Astrologer whose worked with hundreds of clients, I come across a lot of different opinions and perspectives about the ancient practice. Whether you’re a beginner in the subject or more advanced, let’s take a look at 12 of the most common misconceptions that I hear:
“Your sun sign is the most important piece”
Your sun sign is indeed a very vital puzzle piece of your birth chart, but I think this misconception about the Sun sign being the *biggest* piece of who you are comes from the popularization of Western astrology being spread through newspaper horoscopes, magazines, etc. But I’d argue that there are more important components to your astrological makeup – like planetary aspects.
“I’m like that because of my birth chart”
Astrology gives amazing insights into personality traits making it a great tool for self-analysis. However, I see a lot of people blame their behavior on their signs, which is not the case in reality. Your birth chart doesn’t dictate every aspect of who you are as an individual – it makes you more prone to certain traits than other people might be. The degree to which you do or don’t exude those traits is dependent on the individual and their life experience.
“My birth chart tells my future”
There’s a form of astrology called “predictive astrology” where astrologers use chart data to try to predict anything from world events to political races. This is more focused on the correlation between the likelihood of an outcome and the position of planets, and not the causation of the position of the planets influencing the outcome. The same can be said for your birth chart. It paints a picture of what’s likely to correlate in your life based on the position of the planets, and not necessarily what they will cause in your life.
“I get all i need to know from my daily horoscope”
Apps, social media pages, email newsletters – no matter where you get your daily horoscope there’s no doubt it’s a helpful tool. But, rest assured there’s much more in-depth information you can uncover regarding the transiting planets and your birth chart than what’s provided in a daily basic Sun, Moon, Rising letter.
“Astrology is spiritual”
I do believe astrology has a deep spiritual background and essence, but not exclusively. Not only has it been used for centuries as a guide for the soul, but it also has cultural, religious, and astronomical connections. Not to mention its roots in traditions of ancient wisdom.
“My fate is determined in the stars”
You can use your imprinted astrological energy to guide you toward what path might be best for you, but your fate is determined by your choices, actions, and free will, not your birth chart. Astrology reflects potential influences and potential energy, but it doesn’t override the personal agency you have over yourself.
“signs are feminine or masculine”
There are tons of traditional interpretations of signs that deem them either masculine or feminine in energy, and I will not argue that sentiment, but what I will say is that there’s more at play to interpreting it. For example, Scorpio is a masculine sign, but if a planet placed in Scorpio is debilitated and poorly aspected (especially by feminine energy) it’s probably not going to exude powerful, grounded masculine energy. In my opinion, the expression can be more subjective than that.
“Astrology is supposed to be positive”
There’s a lot of positivity and motivation to be found in astrology, but it’s important to keep in mind that as a tool of the universe, it encompasses all. This means it shows you your strengths, but also your weaknesses. It can indicate the high points in life, and it can highlight the lowest points too. Life has a dualistic nature, and so, astrology does too. It’s essential to the growth of your soul.
“Astrology and science don’t mix”
Contrary to common public opinion, there’s a big intersection between astrology and science and there has been for a long time, spanning back to the Greeks and Romans. I’ve read many psychological and statistical studies done concerning astrological phenomena as well.
“Western astrology is the correct system”
There’s a very diverse number of astrology systems being practiced in the world today, and Western astrology is among the youngest. Western astrology doesn’t account for shifts that have occurred in the planets on their axis over time and is actually no longer aligned with the sky in real-time.
“astrology will show me if we’re compatible”
Astrology can be extremely helpful in looking at the compatibility between the archetypes of two people. The keyword here is archetypes because what’s most important is how the two individuals come together with their different life experiences, thought processes, feelings, etc. It’s not rocket science that a Gemini would be more compatible with a Libra than a Taurus, but if the Libra was raised completely differently than the Gemini, hates their habits and mannerisms, and refuses to see eye to eye with them on anything, this archetypical compatibility means nothing.
“I was born under this sun sign, so I will always embody this sun sign”
If you’re born in August under the Sun sign Leo, indeed, you will always be a Leo, and celebrate your birthday every Leo season. However, your astrological energy evolves and progresses through life just as you do. You have progressed charts that will change as you age and so the characteristics that the planets represent in your life will change to embody different signs throughout your lifetime.
