One of the most intriguing fields of study and research could very likely be astrology.
Although many argue astrology could not and should never be considered a science, it is precisely what the term astrology means; it is the ‘science of the stars’. The term astrology originates from two Greek words, astron and logos, meaning ‘a star’ and ‘science’.
In modern times, astrology falls under the category of so-called pseudo sciences; it is an alternative practice.
Those who are against accepting astrology as a legitimate scientific practice, argue this ‘science of the stars’ was too inconsistent and loose in its principles and methodology, as well as its results were.
Nevertheless, many practice astrology and rely on guidelines it offers.
This is precisely how astrological answers should be taken, as guidelines. Although many people think an astrological reading, such as a personalized horoscope, could offer them a prediction of an exact course of events, that is not true.
Astrological readings are no divination, although many think of them as such.
Astrology is very old, possibly the oldest (pseudo) science humankind has practiced. No one knows where it exactly originates. However, roots of modern Western astrology seize back into the era of ancient civilizations.
The oldest horoscope possibly originates from ancient Babylon. Astrology is believed to have been very popular amongst Babylonians.
Ancient cultures all had a profound interest in astrology: Ancient Greeks, Egyptians, Romans, but also people in India, China, Japan and elsewhere, were all deeply interested into the sky and the stars.
Astrology once was basically the same with astronomy. In the seventeenth century, however, astrology was ‘cast out’ and astronomy has been considered an official, acknowledged exact science ever since.
Astrology was put aside, along with all other mysterious, occult and esoteric practices. Astrology has been getting more and more popular since about the half of the twentieth century. Today, astrology is popular, although still not taken that seriously as in its earliest days.
Nevertheless, one must admit that this wonderful and amazing discipline has survived many ages, being more or less popular or approved, accused to be some kind of witchcraft or dark practice, being glorified in old days and so many more treatments it had.
Modern astrology is not exactly the same as the oldest astrology, but it is still based upon the same principles.
Comparative Astrology and Natal Astrology
Comparative astrology is one of the most interesting fields of astrology, because it analyzes people’s relationships looking at them through the prism of the starry universe.
Natal astrology is also extremely interest and a must for all other types of readings. Natal astrology studies life and the personality of an individual through the same prism.
According to astrology, our lives have been written in the stars. In old days, it was believed that we were no more than puppets of destiny. The destiny is the one to pull all the strings, while all we have to do is simply to live according to its tune.
Well, modern astrology says yes, and no. Our fate was written in the stars, but we manipulate the potentials given.
In other words, our potentials is what was written in the stars. One’s natal chart reveals those potentials. Natal chart is a graphic representation of the sky, of the solar system, taken at the time of one’s birthday.
To be more precise, it is a reconstructed image of the sky; one that represents one such moment. Planets of the solar system have their specific energies.
They relate to one another and create specific contacts. Planets are distributed over the chart that features zodiac signs and astrological houses, as well.
All these elements create a complex and unique image, which tells the astrologer who you really are and, more important, what could you possibly become.
Synastry and Comparative Astrology
Synastry is one type of astrological readings associated with relationships. People are mostly interested into romantic synastry; they would like to know if someone they have a crash on is the right person or not, for instance.
Well, synastry would not tell you one was the right or wrong person for you, but it could tell about your astrological compatibility.
It is different from telling if one was your soul mate or quite the contrary. Synastry compares two natal charts and analyzes interactions between their elements, namely, planets.
Synastry gives an insight into the possible dynamic of a relationship and the nature of that relationship. It does not tell if a relationship is going to be a complete disaster or not.
Before doing a synastry reading, the astrologer analyzes each chart, focusing especially on elements related to love life, such as compassion, emotional expression in general, tendencies towards a log relationship, tendencies towards love affairs, marriage et cetera.
Synastry and Astrological Aspects
The essential part of reading a synastry are astrological aspects created between two charts. Aspects are, in fact, connections of planets or, more precise, contacts of energetic nature.
When the astrologer compares two charts, he or she could see what type of contacts planets from one chart form with those from the other one.
There could be five major aspects, the conjunction, the opposition, the square, the trine, and the sextile. They could be divided into two groups, easy and heavy. Easy aspects are flowing.
In these, planetary energy flows free and is favorable, making planets manifest their best qualities.
Heavy aspects are challenging and not necessarily bad, although people usually think of them as such. They are challenging , as they create tension, arguments and problems; if we speak about synastry, they provoke fighting and lead to lack of understanding.
However, sometimes their have energy is needed. They are not necessarily destructive.
Opposition Aspect in Synastry
Opposition is one of the heavy aspects; in fact, it is the heaviest and the most notorious of them all. Opposition aspect is responsible for all that we listed. It leads to misunderstanding; it makes everything difficult, burdening and troublesome.
On the other hand, this aspect could make you take up certain necessary activity in order to resolve tension.
This, in the long run, could be constructive and could actually improve your relationship. Oppositions are meant for you to overcome them. No one says it was an easy thing to do.
However, do not freak out at the first sight of an opposition in your synastry chart. Think of it as a challenge to your relationship, as a test.
Oppositions could rarely be fully overcome, so that they never rise again. They would always create some sort of a problem and argument.
If there were enough favorable and flowing aspects, they could soften some rather heavy opposition and make them bearable and manageable, even if those were impossible to overcome.
Mars in Mythology and Astrology – Planets in Synastry
Roman god of war, known by the name Mars, is the first association to warriors, military commanders, battlefields, vengeance, bloodshed, roman spears and armor etc.
In Greek mythology, the same god was known by the name Ares; he was vital, strong, very masculine deity, the one who rejoiced to the sound of shields clashing and who enjoyed violence and bloodshed.
No wonder that Greeks did not admire brave and aggressive Ares that much, but Romans praised Mars and celebrated his name.
In astrology, Mars has similar reputation to that of the bloodthirsty god. Mars is a malefic, also known as the ‘bloody planet’, but also as the ‘star of strength’.
Mars gives us vitality, raw energy, power, daring spirit, courage. Mars guides by impulses, not reason.
Mars is very carnal and masculine principle; it is associated with raw physical energy in every single sense. Mars is associated with physical love, with competitiveness, combatant spirit, danger, death, risk, injury, troubles.
Mars is the fighter within and its position in a natal chart tells much about your activity in its raw sense.
Mars is extremely important in synastry, since it represents the carnal aspect of love in the first place. It has to do with attraction and with chase, as well with winning over. Mars is fierce and consuming in that sense. This planet represents physical ruling over the material.
We shall see how it corresponds with Jupiter in a not that pleasing aspect of opposition.
Jupiter in Mythology and Astrology – Planets in Synastry
Jupiter is a completely different story. Jupiter is known as the greatest benefic amongst planets. Jupiter is known as the lucky planet, a star of fortune it is.
Jupiter is the planet of expansion, wisdom, knowledge and it is easygoing. It represents high places and places of authority that come natural, that do not require tremendous effort to be won.
In contrast to the other social planet, Saturn, Jupiter is positive, unrestrictive, and expansive.
It has to do with faith, philosophy, higher knowledge, travel, exploring the world; it especially has to do with foreign distant lands and people.
Jupiter is a good planet and is considered to be a protective one. It brings luck and fortune.
Mars Opposite Jupiter Synastry – Challenge Accepted
Mars opposite Jupiter is a combination that could possibly lead to great mutual achievements, but also to a disaster. This connection could be very stimulating and inspiring, though not without problems.
Well, the thing is that Jupiter partner would project their big ideas and their need for expansion onto the active and fierce Mars.
Mars would gladly accept it as a challenge, at times going far beyond their own limits.
Now, on one side, it could really be an amazing experience for both, while on the other hand it could lead Mars to complete exhaustion, because sometimes what Jupiter proposes is not what the Mars partner was capable of doing (although it could be hard for them to admit so).
On the other hand, Jupiter comes with openness and positivity.
Mars Opposite Jupiter Synastry – Give Up the Challenge
Jupiter could make raw and impulsive Mars actually to start thinking about their convictions and beliefs; this could lead to a positive change and actually make you two tuned in much better.
It is not that Mars would simply accept what was served, but would rethink their own, established convictions and widen their horizons.
It would greatly please Jupiter and make him or her grow, as well.
The best advice is to stop thinking about everything someone proposes as a challenge; this is a message to the Mars person.
Jupiter should be more observant and keep in mind that not everyone could share his or her expansive nature to the fullest.
Jupiter generally remains positive, but the other one could feel down, because they cannot fulfill Jupiter’s grandiose ideas.