I have always been moved by the Flammarion Engraving featured above. There is something about lifting up the proverbial veil and be able to look into the heavens and understand our interconnectedness. How can you lift the veil and see beyond? How do you embody that which resides in the heavens? Astrology gives us the tools and the means to lift the veil and understand our interconnected relationship with the planets and stars as well as one another.
Living astrology is about understanding your personal experience of the planets. Someone with a water moon (a moon found in Cancer, Scorpio or Pisces) is likely to feel more empathic to an injured person (or animal) than say someone who has an air moon (a moon found in Gemini, Libra or Aquarius) who would be more likely to talk about the injury than be empathic with the injured being.
The truth is you are already living your planets whether you are aware of it or not. From how you shine out into the world (Sun), how you feel and nurture (Moon), communicate with those around you (Mercury), to your values and and relationships (Venus), your desire nature and how you drive yourself in life (Mars), how you handle the larger picture or bigger ideas/philosophies (Jupiter), how you structure and have self authority (Saturn), how you are the rebel or agent of change and evolution (Uranus), the ways in which you are wounded or the healer/educator/facilitator (Chiron), your dreams, ideals or escape hatch (Neptune), how you experience or act with power, transformation, life/death (Pluto).
Understanding the characteristics of each of these planets can give you a better understanding of how they operate in your life. They can also help you to understand other people’s ways of being. If you have your Mercury in Capricorn, your communication style is going to be very different than your friend who has Mercury in Cancer -in this case literally diametrically opposed- in the polar opposite sign. Capricorn will give the flavor of the start of winter: cool, clipped, efficient, business-like, maybe even authoritative, whereas Cancer will give the flavor of the start of summer: warm, nurturing, feeling, available, maybe moody, and more emotional. Without knowing that we have these differing ways to communicate, we, personally and collectively, vilify or praise each style to varying degrees. We must remember that each of the 12 astrological styles is equally valuable; one has no more value than another and no less than another does. The map of each planet’s particular placement in the heavens at the time of your birth (your natal chart) can provide you with the map to reach the destination your soul intended you to reach this lifetime. The natal chart does not reveal your level of consciousness, but it can tell you the challenges, gifts, support, weaknesses and strengths you were given at the moment of your birth –for better and for worse. Lift the veil of unconsciousness and bring your conscious awareness to how you use the energies that are available to you. Astrology gives you the tools to u