From the outset, we wish to warn
the beginner that it is not sufficient to merely have well researched birth
data in order to find the definitive formula to the individual. A chart
can only be seen as additional information about a thorough and well balanced
biography. With experience, it can offer rough guidelines and explanation.
If one eliminates the hidden but certainly meaningful pre-natal biography,
then other important factors must also be considered: parents, social environment,
spiritual stimulation or negligence, education, psychological traumata,
sickness, time factors, personal moral guidelines, religion, cultural background
etc.. A horoscope can be just as misleading as the angelic mask behind
which a devil lurks or the sinister face which conceals a good friend.
In addition, the birth chart itself,
far from being a fixed matrix or straightjacket, is like a human being.
It expresses itself, transforms, breathes and lives. It is in an ongoing
renewal process which, in astrological terms, is caused by transits, solar
returns, relocations, progressions, directions, other rhythms, etc.. Beneath
a horoscope full of squares, oppositions and other 'conflicting' constellations
you can find a friendly, balanced or highly developed mind. On the other
hand, a harmonic chart full of trines, sextiles and promising conjunctions
can conceal a boring or undeveloped character. This or similar considerations
of a holistic nature, which allow for the intuition or refined instinctive
judgement of the interpreter, led to the popular concept of astrology as
an ART of interpretation. And so, it is not surprising that the main careers
of some talented astrologers are artist, writer, musician or other professions
related to art (THOMAS RING, DANE RUDHYAR, NOEL TYL). This shouldn't however
ex-clude a more scientific way of thinking. Even experienced analysts should
therefore avoid overhasty conclusions resulting from a brief glance at
the horoscope. Not only can these conclusions lead to prejudice but also
obstruct the way to one of the greatest mysteries - Humankind itself !
