What are the different types of astrology?

Astrology is an ancient practice that can be used to provide insight into the future, explain personality traits, and more. But did you know there are multiple types of astrology? Here, we’ll explore the various types of astrology, explain the differences between them, and dive a little deeper into some of the astrological systems practised by astrologers today.

Determining how many there are isn’t easy, as there are multiple types and systems within the traditions.

In this article, I will cover a few of the better known types of astrology traditions and systems.

Astrological Traditions

Western Astrology

Western astrology is the form of astrology most people are familiar with. It is based on the belief that the position of the planets, the Sun, and the Moon at the time of a person's birth can be used to understand the individual's character and predict the future. The main components of this form of astrology are the twelve zodiac signs, which are divided into four elements: fire, earth, air, and water. Each sign has specific characteristics, and the combination of all the signs creates a unique chart for each individual.

The twelve zodiac signs are Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. Each sign is associated with a particular set of qualities, such as Aries being associated with courage and ambition, or Pisces being associated with compassion and intuition.

Western astrologers use the placement of the planets, Sun, and Moon in a person's birth chart to interpret the individual's character and predict their future. This is done by looking at the house, sign, and aspects of the planets and other celestial bodies, as well as the aspects between them.

Chinese Astrology

Chinese astrology is based on the lunar calendar and the position of the stars and planets. It is believed to be over 5,000 years old, and is based on the 12-year cycle of animals. These animals are believed to have a powerful influence on the destiny of individuals.

Chinese astrology is based around 12 distinct zodiac signs. These signs are determined by the year of birth, and each sign is associated with a particular animal and element. For example, someone born in the year of the rat is said to have a personality that is driven and ambitious, while someone born in the year of the ox is said to be reliable and hardworking.

In Chinese astrology, the five elements – wood, fire, earth, metal, and water – are also important. Each zodiac sign is associated with one of the five elements, and this element can affect the personality of the person born in that sign.

Vedic Astrology

Vedic astrology is the traditional form of astrology from India. It is similar to Western astrology, but has its own unique set of rules and interpretations. The positions of planets and stars in relation to the zodiac are used to determine a person’s destiny.

Vedic astrology has been used in India for over 3000 years and is one of the oldest surviving forms of astrology. It is based on the Vedic scriptures, which are ancient Hindu texts, and is used to make predictions based on a person's date of birth.

Vedic astrology is divided into two main categories: jyotish, or predictive astrology, and samhita, or general astrology. Jyotish focuses on making predictions about a person's future and samhita focuses on understanding the past and present.

Astrological Types and Systems

Natal Astrology

Natal astrology is a type of astrology that uses the exact date, time, and location of an individual's birth to construct a natal chart. The chart is then used to assess the individual's character, life path, and potential.

Natal astrology has been practised for thousands of years, with its roots in Babylonian, Egyptian, and Hellenistic astrology. It is still widely used today and can be found in many cultures, from Western to Eastern.

Natal astrology is based on the belief that the positions of the planets and stars at the moment of our birth influence our individual personalities, destinies, and life paths. By analysing the data from a natal chart, an astrologer can determine the individual's strengths and weaknesses and gain insight into their life journey.

Mundane Astrology

Mundane astrology is a form of astrology that focuses on the events taking place in a country or region, as opposed to individual people. It's interpretation is based on the movements of the planets and can be used to predict events or trends in a population.

Mundane astrology has a long history that dates back to ancient times. People in various cultures around the world used this form of astrology to interpret the movements of the planets and predict what would happen in their communities. Today, astrologers still used mundane astrology to interpret the movements of the planets and make predictions about what will happen in the world.

Electional Astrology

Electional astrology is a type of astrological practice that involves selecting a time to begin a task or event based on a favourable astrological chart. It is one of the oldest forms of astrology, with its history dating back to ancient times. It is based on the belief that the stars and planets influence the outcome of any endeavour, and that by selecting the most auspicious moment, one can increase the chances of success.

Electional astrology is used for a variety of purposes, from career decisions to marriage proposals. By consulting an electional astrologer, one can determine the best time to start a project or make a major life decision.

Horary Astrology

Horary astrology is an ancient practice of divination used to answer questions about the present and future. It is one of the oldest forms of astrology, having been used since the days of Ancient Greece, when it was used by philosophers such as Aristotle and Plato to answer questions and make predictions about the world. This form of astrology relies on the position of the planets and stars at a given moment in time to provide insight and answers to specific questions.

Evolutionary Astrology

Evolutionary astrology is a modern branch of astrology that combines traditional astrological techniques with modern psychological theory. It is a spiritual practice that seeks to understand the evolution of the individual soul and its relationship to the cosmos.

Evolutionary astrology has its roots in the ancient practice of astrology, which has been used by many cultures throughout history to interpret the movement of celestial bodies and the influence they have on human life. It was first developed in the 1970s by astrologers Steven Forrest and Richard Tarnas. They combined traditional astrological methods with the psychological theories of Carl Jung and depth psychology, creating an approach that is both spiritual and psychological.

Evolutionary astrology focuses on the individual’s personal growth and development. It takes into account the individual’s birth chart, which is a map of the sky at the moment of the person’s birth. The birth chart is used to determine the individual’s unique soul purpose and potential for growth and evolution. The astrologer then looks at how the current planetary transits and cycles, combined with the individual's birth chart, are affecting the individual’s life and can be used to guide the individual’s life path.

Final Thoughts

Astrology is an ancient practice that has been used for thousands of years to provide insight into the future, explain personality traits, and more. There are many different types and systems, including Western, Chinese, Vedic, Natal, Mundane, Electional, Horary, and Evolutionary Astrology, each with their own unique set of rules and interpretations.

So which one do you choose to explore?

Working with modern Western astrology is a great place to start, as it’s most widely available in the form of information online, courses and books. Once you’ve gained a basic knowledge, you can then choose to specialise in a different style or form.

The great thing about astrology is that it is a never ending subject, allowing you to find your vibe along the way.

Check out the list of astrological traditions, types and systems on Wikipedia to get an idea of the variety.

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Hi, I'm Sarah... 

..astrologer, creatrix and life improvement enthusiast

I’m a big fan of using every tool available to create our best lives. It’s not always easy to see life’s challenges as opportunities, but as we learn to tune in to our own needs, explore our behaviours and make better future decisions, it becomes possible to craft an amazing journey for ourselves and those around us. My goal is to help you explore your own life, habits and behaviours in a way that can benefit you and those around you.

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