When I first became interested in astrology, I methodically, systematically, and tediously went through one of those "cookbook-style" texts.  You know the ones I mean, where you look up the sign position of our Sun, then its house position.  Then you move along to the Moon and so forth.  I proceeded to dutifully handwrite every word, hoping to dramatically broaden my self-understanding in a few evenings.

Everything went well until I came upon an interpretation that I just couldn't identify with. Did that Saturn in Virgo really mean that I'm doomed to be a perfectionist with tendencies bordering on obsessive-compulsive behavior?  You've got to be kidding!  No way -- not me.  

I decided to skip the uncomfortable suggestions that I wasn't quite ready to "fess up" to.  I decided to call it quits for the night -- after all, it was getting very late and I did have to be up early the next day.  

As I grudgingly laid down to sleep I couldn't help but see astrological interpretations projected on the back of my eyelids as I finally drifted off to sleep... compulsive behavior!

After a few days, I'd finally gotten through all the planets in their respective signs and houses and digested some of the information on the growing number of pages transcribed on that yellow legal pad.  I'd reached a point that I might even begin to admit that some of those less desirable traits really could be a part (of course just a really, really small, almost insignificant part) of me.

Now I was at a crossroads.  I could set the book (and further studies) aside or I could decide that I'm really going to go for it, "Damn the asteroids, full speed ahead."  After all, we're talking about enlightenment and self-understanding here, right?

Soon after, I began a serious study of astrology.  But the reasons for (and a deeper significance of) this choice didn't become clear until some time later.  Then, finally the metaphoric light bulb came on above my head. Hey, maybe there's a positive use of that Saturn in Virgo after all.  

This was a significant breakthrough.  I'd begun to recognize that all astrological interpretations represent suggestions of what we're likely to experience.  But within these suggestions always lies a relatively wide range of possible manifestations.  Eureka!

The old texts that left little latitude for individual response to astrological influences were often dismally depressing.  We were creatures of free will, right?  If we were doomed to predetermined fate, what was the point?  Many of the old texts were plainly wrong in this regard.

In my case I was initially reluctant to embrace the possibility that my Saturn in Virgo had perfectionist tendencies.  But there was also a more positive part of this and every measurement.  It actually wasn't much of a stretch to realize that Saturn in Virgo could also contribute to the focused discipline necessary to study, analyze, and refine information...a much more positive result than surrendering and resigning myself being obsessive-compulsive.

Once we firmly grasp this core concept we recognize that although our birth charts will never change -- our response to the influences suggested in our horoscope can be changed.  A challenging or even debilitating influence can be turned into a powerful asset.  By being aware of these extremes of behavior can we begin to transform ourselves into something approaching our highest potential rather than passively gravitating toward the less rewarding and less productive extreme.  We've all had our unique tools all along, but now we can learn how to more effectively use them!

Obviously, not everyone wants to or has the time to seriously study astrology.  But luckily, years of study  aren't necessary in order to gain the insight that it can provide.  

By scheduling a meeting with a competent professional astrologer you can quickly begin to more efficiently use your tools, using them to your advantage to craft the person you can become.

Revised: April 13, 2006.  All rights reserved.