What It Really Takes to “Know” Astrology: Beyond the Surface
What It Really Takes to “Know” Astrology: Beyond the Surface
With the recent resurgence in astrology’s popularity, it’s no surprise that a wave of skeptics and critics has followed suit. For many astrologers, this is one of the most frustrating aspects of being in this field. Astrology is often dismissed as nothing more than a child’s pastime or a fun diversion, thanks in part to widespread charlatanry and the way mainstream media portrays it. But for those of us who know astrology’s true depth, this shallow perception couldn’t be further from the truth.
I imagine this frustration isn’t unique to astrology. Any field that’s complex and requires deep knowledge is bound to be misunderstood by those who have only a surface-level understanding, or worse, no understanding at all. Think about the scientist who, despite overwhelming evidence, has to argue that the world isn’t flat (and yes, I’m ready for all the smoke). Or the artist who is told, “Anyone can do that!” after spending decades honing their craft. Or the technical expert who has to explain why a particular function is impossible, only to be met with disbelief by someone who can’t even locate a file on their computer during troubleshooting.
It’s human nature to dismiss what we don’t understand or refuse to learn about. It’s easier to write it off as insignificant than to dig deeper and seek out knowledge. But with astrology, the atmosphere is slightly different. Almost every field—from science to religion—has taken shots at astrology’s validity. And honestly, I don’t have a problem with that. In fact, most real astrologers started as skeptics themselves, setting out to debunk astrology only to find themselves falling down a rabbit hole of geometric patterns, mathematical constants, and cosmic synchronicities that defy mere coincidence.
The True Path to Understanding Astrology
What separates the genuine seekers from the surface-level skeptics is the depth of their investigation. Many of us who now “know” astrology started as debunkers. We tried to disprove it, only to discover that the more we tried, the more it proved itself to be a coherent, awe-inspiring science that connects everything in the universe. In our quest to find fault, we found truth. The motions of the planets and their correlations with events on Earth are not just abstract concepts—they’re real, measurable, and consistent.
Astrology, when studied deeply, doesn’t contradict science; it validates it. It’s a science of its own, rooted in geometry, mathematics, astronomy, psychology, and more. It bridges the gap between the physical and the metaphysical, showing us that all fields of knowledge are interconnected. Astrology is, in essence, the study of all schools in one.
On the other hand, the worst “debunkers” are those who don’t even deserve the title of skeptic. They skim the surface, creating documents and articles without any real research. They claim statistics without case studies, ignore astrology’s mathematical and scientific foundations, and focus only on Sun signs and superficial surveys. These pseudo-researchers don’t even follow the basic principles of the scientific method:
Methods To Employ
- Formulate a Question or Hypothesis
- Define the Research Question
- Review the Literature
- Create a Hypothesis
- Collect Data
- Make the Hypothesis Testable
- Design the Study
- Conduct the Experiment or Observation
- Test the Hypothesis
- Organize the Data
- Analyze the Results
- Check if the Results Support or Disprove the Hypothesis
- Conclusion
- Look for Other Possible Explanations
- Generalize to the Real World
- Suggestions for Further Research
Instead, what we often see is something like this:
“We asked 100 people for their birthdays, and none of the horoscopes matched perfectly. Case closed, astrology isn’t real.”
Really? Would you consider that a thorough and satisfactory study? Even the basic step of reviewing the literature, an essential part of any scientific inquiry, is skipped. Which astrological texts have they read? Where are their references and resources? Astrology has been studied and documented for thousands of years, with contributions from some of history’s greatest minds. Hippocrates, often hailed as the “Father of Medicine,” was an astrologer who believed that no physician could be effective without knowledge of astrology. Have these pseudo-researchers read anything from Galileo Galilei, Johannes Kepler, or any other renowned scientists who were also astrologers? The chances are incredibly slim.
If they applied this same lazy approach to any other field, you’d scoff at the idea that they had any clue what they were doing. Imagine if they tried to study the effects of pain during menstruation without any expertise in medicine or biology: “We asked 100 women if they experienced pain during their cycles, and 80 said not really. Case closed, there’s no pain in menstruating.”
It’s absurd, right? Yet, this is the level of “research” often applied to astrology.
How Much Do You Really Know?
The truth is, to debunk astrology, or to confirm its validity, you need to have a deep understanding of it. You can’t dismiss or validate something without thoroughly examining it. So, how much do you really know? If you don’t understand the following aspects of astrology, you’re not equipped to make a sound judgment on whether it’s real:
- The Motions of the Planets, Sun, and Moon: Do you know the orbital periods and speeds of the planets? This is foundational knowledge.
- Degree, Minute, and Second of Planetary Stations: Can you pinpoint where a planet is in the sky at any given moment?
- Geometry: Do you understand that astrology is based on measuring a 360-degree space and 30-degree fractals in the sky as observed from Earth?
- Statistics: Have you conducted actual case studies using the scientific and psychological method?
- Keywords for Planets, Signs, Houses, and Aspects: Can you provide at least 50 keywords (there are millions) for each?
- Calculating a Natal Chart by Hand: Can you do this without software? Do you know how to use an ephemeris? If you don’t know what an ephemeris is, you’re missing a cornerstone of astrology, which also requires knowledge of astronomy.
- Anatomy: Do you understand how each sign and planet corresponds to specific parts of the body?
- Mathematical Calculations: Can you convert time and fractions accurately in the context of astrology?
- History and Events: Are you aware of historical events and how they correlate with planetary motions?
- Quantum Physics: Do you grasp the concepts of quantum physics to understand how astrology relates to the nature of reality?
- Human Psychology: Do you understand the psychological implications of astrological placements?
If you haven’t explored these areas, you’re not in a position to make an informed judgment about astrology. Dismissing it without this knowledge is like trying to disprove a language you’ve never learned to speak or understand.
Astrology Is a Language, Not a Belief
At the end of the day, astrology is a language—a complex, nuanced language that speaks to the interconnectedness of the universe. Those of us who “know” astrology don’t just believe in it; we understand it, speak it, and use it as a tool to navigate life. To truly know astrology, you must study it, practice it, and integrate it with the broader fields of science, art, and philosophy.
So the next time someone claims that astrology is a farce, ask them: How much do you really know? Because until they’ve delved into the depths of this ancient science, they can’t truly understand, or debunk, its profound wisdom.