What Is Astrology? The word “astrology” is derived from the Greek word “astrologia”, which is made up of two parts, “astron”, meaning “star” and “logia”, which means the “study of”. For centuries humans have gazed up at the stars and wondered at the heavens. Many questions have been asked pertaining to the universe and cosmos, and many answer have come from afar and wide. Over a period of time man has come to realise that movement or positioning of certain stars and planets can have an adverse effect on individual’s behaviour. The most noticeable of changes has come about through the weather and our planet as a whole. Astrology has given us many tools to help us understand human character, and offers us a universal language for communicating our observations with others, who too look and wonder at the beauty of it all. However, astrology is an imperfect language and so we use our interpretations of it to determine what we see. The astrologer’s role is to understand the meaning of our destiny by studying all the astrological information available. This will include the planetary positions of the stars, sun and moon on any particular day in time, which is said to represent our birth sign. These signs are better known as zodiac signs. By correlating all this information the astrologer is able to construct a map or predicted life path on a chart, and it is the continuous study of this art that is known as astrology. The Natal Chart The natal chart is a horoscope or astrological chart, which is drawn from the time of a person’s birth. To be absolutely accurate, the exact time of birth must be known. The word “natal” refers to the “native” or individual whose chart is created or studied. From this chart the experienced astrologer is able to determine the characteristics of the person and is able to gain an insight into the person’s persona as well as his or her potential. Everyone possesses certain characteristics, which may apply to them only, and also qualities and traits which go to make up the personality of a person. Astrology is concerned with the study of these traits as they are represented by the positioning of the planets, sun and moon. It stands to reason that everyone’s natal chart will in some way differ. The modern natal chart used by a Western astrologer will consist of 12 sections, each representing a zodiac symbol. These symbols are well known to just about everyone who has ever looked at their daily horoscopes in the newspapers. As the planets are continuously moving, or at least appear to be due the rotation of the earth, then positioning by degrees is how the chart is read. Each degree tells a slightly different story about the individual. Studied in great detail, the astrologer is able to map out the life of a person and therefore produce with some accuracy a life path or destiny image. Readings And Interpretation As astrology is basically the study of the stars, then the experienced astrologer’s job is to read the signs and interpret them as accurately as possible. In the UK, astrologer Guruji is famed for his accurate predictions relating to astrological & horoscope readings that he produces. So much so that over the years he has built up a devout following. It’s all about the interpretation, as many astrologers will have different views on this, and obviously they can’t all be right. However, certain aspects are standard and almost universally accepted when it comes down to individual characteristics. This can very easily be demonstrated by matching people to their birth signs purely by their behaviour patterns. Even some amateur astrologers are able to do this with some degree of accuracy. For example, the star sign Taurus represents the bull, which is an animal known for it’s stubbornness. The sign Libra, which is represented by the scales, represents someone who is just and fair, as in the scales of justice. Astrology is a fascinating subject and as such will continue to draw scholars to it for many centuries to come.