Do Astrologers use Intuition?

Before answering this question we first need to establish or define what is astrology? Probably the best way I would describe astrology is that it is like to our human DNA a complex pattern that is fixed at birth. The astrological chart is a snap shot of the celestial bodies of our solar system as they move through the ecliptic and zodiac belt. Using a person’s full birth date, location and exact time of birth the astrological chart is calculated using astronomical data of the planetary positions, astrological signs and houses (a division of space and time).

As you can see there is a defined structure to astrology based on three core principles planets (psychological drives), signs (expression/attitudes) and houses (fields of life experience). It is through the combination and interaction of these three core principles depends on how an astrologer will perceive and synthesis astrological symbolism into a coherent reading. However, beyond this point it’s also down to personal preferences of how an astrologer interprets an astrological chart. In fact I have rarely seen two astrologers providing the same reading like for like from the same chart but that does not mean one is right and the other wrong – just different perspectives.  How can this happen if there are standard principles? Ok let’s take an example - an astrologer’s interpretation will be different depending on the type of house system used when calculating the astrological chart. Each house system provides a different perspective of the individual just like we all have our own individual perspective of reality. However, the house system is selected from either personal preference, research or through astrological experience. Therefore the astrologer can interpret an astrological chart from many different perspectives using the same three principles and so it’s through experience and practice of sound astrological techniques that makes the astrologer provide accurate reading rather than intuition.

Although years ago I really thought that when I was doing an astrological reading I used some sort of intuition but as my experience has grown I know this to be untrue. I believe to be a great astrologer you need to really understand the basic principles of astrology really well and have confidence in this knowledge when interpreting a chart and never deviate from these core principle meanings. So if intuition does not have a role in astrology why do I get a gut reaction, thoughts or feeling that come in my mind when interpreting a chart? Well the mind is a great tool for linking thinks together and making connections just like people do when they come up with an invention. But more than this our whole life is about narrative and storytelling whether it si through a formal journal, conversation or telling someone what you did today. It’s a way of how we develop meaning in our lives...so to me an astrologer needs to be a great story teller who has unconsciously developed their techniques over the years through interpreting thousands of charts. The astrologer also learns so much from feedback after from a client a reading whether it is to confirm things that were accurate or not. So when people ask me do astrologers use intuition? I say no...it is just great storytelling based on three core principles.