Astrology: Guidance, Not Destiny
Why Astrology?
Astrology is more than a system of symbols and predictions - it’s a language that translates the chaos of life into meaning. Reading The Inner Sky by Steven Forrest has fueled my passion for astrology, making me reflect on its deeper purpose. His words are powerful reminders of why I, and many others, turn to the stars - not to surrender our fate to them, but to better understand ourselves.
I was drawn to astrology to learn more about myself. When I first started exploring my natal chart, I didn’t know just how deep this journey would take me. Mining through even a few of the astrological layers, I uncovered truths about myself that I hadn’t fully acknowledged before. The insights I gained validated experiences and emotions I had long questioned, and that sense of validation brought me so much peace and awe. Astrology didn’t just give me answers - it gave me permission to embrace the parts of myself that I had once seen as contradictions or flaws.
One of the most beautiful things I love about astrology is that whether or not someone chooses to seek out and incorporate this information into their lives is irrelevant. Astrology, the planets and their influence, exist regardless of whether or not we acknowledge them. It’s like gravity. Gravity doesn’t need you to believe in it to “do its thing.” The same is true for astrology. You can live a full and meaningful life without ever knowing anything about it. But for those who choose to explore it, it’s another facet of life that can provide an added benefit - a chance to enhance our lived experience and navigate life with a deeper understanding of our choices.
In the very first chapter of The Inner Sky, Forrest captures this idea of astrology as a tool for growth:
“Growth. That is the key. That is what separates true astrology from simple fortune-telling.”
Growth implies that astrology isn’t here to tell us what will happen next or who we’ll marry. Instead, it’s a tool to unlock our potential, reveal blind spots, and guide us toward self-improvement. To me, this is what makes astrology magical. Not mystical, but practical - grounded in the human experience.
Forrest describes astrology as a “new language,” one that anyone can learn if they open themselves to it:
“All we are doing is learning a new language. The words may be unfamiliar. But the meaning behind them is as universal as breathing.”
Astrology is universal. Every human struggles with uncertainty, pain, or confusion. Forrest argues that with an accurate birth chart, we can decode those struggles. Astrology becomes “life’s Rosetta Stone,” making sense of the chaos:
“The chaos, the pain, and the seeming randomness of our lives coalesce before our eyes into an orderly system. And once we grasp that system, we spend a lot less time swimming against the tide.”
I can’t tell you how often I’ve felt like I was fighting some invisible current, unsure if I was on the right path. But the more I dive into astrology, the more I realize it isn’t here to control us - it’s here to inform us. And that distinction is everything. Forrest makes it clear:
“Astrology can help us in only three ways. It can vividly portray the happiest life available to us. It can tell us what tools we have available for the job and how best to employ them. And it can warn us in advance about how our lives will look when we are getting off the mark.”
It’s important to highlight what he says next: “From that point on, we must affirm that all choices lie in our own hands and that no planet or sign ever preordains a specific fate.” This is the core of my belief as an astrologer-in-progress: free will always reigns supreme. Astrology provides insight, not dictates.
Another reason I’m drawn to astrology is its ability to cut through the noise of life. So many of us are trying to “find ourselves” amidst societal pressures, family expectations, and personal doubts. Forrest puts it perfectly:
“Astrology’s principal advantage is speed. Without it, we may stumble around for years trying to sort out good information about who we are from all the phony truths and empty dreams with which we have been programmed.”
But astrology isn’t a magic wand. It doesn’t do the work for us. Forrest cautions:
“Astrology’s disadvantages? All that fine information can go in one ear and out the other. Astrology does not change people any more than psychotherapy changes people. People change themselves.”
This truth is humbling. No matter how accurate a birth chart reading may be, it’s up to us to take that knowledge and act on it. There’s no shortcut to growth, but astrology can make the journey clearer.
So, why astrology? Because it gives us a map, but we still get to drive. It reveals what’s possible, but it’s up to us to create the life we want. It’s a blend of mystery and logic, and that’s what makes it so beautifully powerful.
I’d love to hear your thoughts! Do any of these quotes resonate with you? What has astrology revealed to you about your journey?
Let’s discuss in the comments, or feel free to join the conversation in the book club!
