Horoscopes. Should I be reading them?

[luke wilson]

Of late, I have been reading horoscopes especially mine pretty much on a daily basis. Why? I suppose it started off as just something to get a general rough idea of what to expect. Like a general picture of the climate for the coming day or week. However, very rarely does what I read actually happen as it is written on the paper. So I ask myself, why do I still persist with reading them? Why cant I just not read them?

Funny thing is after I read them I forget what I have read once I start doing other stuff. So it is more an activity to quench some unknowable thirst that I have.

I want to know, is reading horoscopes something that is good or something that I should stop doing?

I dont particularly believe that some person somewhere just by looking at some planetary bodies can predict what is going to happen in my life, in somebody elses life or to the world. I might be wrong. I dont really know much about this kind of stuff.

I also find it hard to believe that you can classify everyone that exists under those however many star signs and that the date of your birth has such a great influence on your eventual personality as opposed to your experiences and genetics.

 

[truth seeker]

Years ago, I used to like to read tarot cards. The interesting thing was that it was getting to the point where I was relying upon them instead of making my own decisions. There can be a strong pull to know what is going to happen. It gives us the illusion of control. What really happens is that we give away our free will.

A more balanced solution may be to use these methods when we have weighed the information and then make a determination. Networking is also good for this. ;)

Some questions you may want to ask yourself is What do you get from this? How does it feed you?

 

[luke wilson]

What do you get from this?

Well, I get a feeling of control and comfort for having an idea of what to expect. It has got to a stage of dependence. Where I need to read todays scope or the weeks scope. It gives me a sense of drama to an otherwise undramatic life. Also it's just a matter of quenching some undefinable curiosity. I wouldnt say they hinder me in making my own decisions, as I forget them pretty quick after reading them. That is to say I dont take the words to heart. In a sense, I am always looking for something big to happen to me personally. I am reading it, seeing if something interesting, out of the ordinary will happen today or this week or something like that.

I suppose the last point acts as a substitute for me to initiate change in my life, to take the initiative to provoke such a change. Instead I take the approach of waiting, being passive - waiting for things to happen rather than making things happen. So in this sense I suppose you can say I surrender abit of my free will.

How does it feed you?

Hmm, I am not entirely sure what this question means. It is true that it feeds me in some way. It either keeps me still locked up in this prison by providing the predators mind sustenance or it provides objective truth about our reality. The problem is I dont really know which of this is the true thing. However, what I can say for sure is that it has become an addiction, like the same way one can be addicted to some drug. I just need to know, I need to get my daily fix. The problem is that I do not know WHY.


How do you suggest I proceed from this point regarding this situation. Should I stop reading horoscopes, go cold turkey?

 

[henry]

What do you get from this?

I suppose the last point acts as a substitute for me to initiate change in my life, to take the initiative to provoke such a change. Instead I take the approach of waiting, being passive - waiting for things to happen rather than making things happen. So in this sense I suppose you can say I surrender abit of my free will.

I think you have seen something of yourself here.

How does it feed you?

Hmm, I am not entirely sure what this question means. It is true that it feeds me in some way. It either keeps me still locked up in this prison by providing the predators mind sustenance or it provides objective truth about our reality. The problem is I dont really know which of this is the true thing. However, what I can say for sure is that it has become an addiction, like the same way one can be addicted to some drug. I just need to know, I need to get my daily fix. The problem is that I do not know WHY.


How do you suggest I proceed from this point regarding this situation. Should I stop reading horoscopes, go cold turkey?

I think you answer truth seeker’s question in the first part of your response. You seem to think that by reading the horoscope, you can control your life. You think it will announce to you some big change. As I understand our work, we need to let go of those attachments to outcomes. If we are doing what needs to be done at every moment, then we aren’t thinking of getting specific results. At least for ourselves. We certainly want the results of work done well.

You might try an experiment with yourself and give up the horoscopes for a set period. A week or a month. Watch yourself. How do you feel when you think about grabbing the paper to check the horoscope? How often does it happen? What are you doing to compensate?

If you do it one week, then try it for a second.

You’ll most likely learn something about yourself in the process.

 

[luke wilson]

Thanks for pointing out the connection with anticipation Galahad. I was blind to it. Horoscopes keep me locked up in an anticipatory mindset. Left brain doing its thing against the right brain again. Arghhh!!! :O

I will give the experiment you suggest a go.

 

[crazycharlie]

I have studied my natal chart alot
and it has helped me understand myself better ..
money/relationships/luck/struggles etc ....

with forecasting forget it nothing has ever come of it ....
( on a personal basis )

its also alot cheaper these days to go online
get your chart done ( free ) and get books and study
imo a natal is worth the time to investigate
anything else NOT ....

 

[Laura]

I have studied my natal chart alot
and it has helped me understand myself better ..
money/relationships/luck/struggles etc ....

with forecasting forget it nothing has ever come of it ....
( on a personal basis )

its also alot cheaper these days to go online
get your chart done ( free ) and get books and study
imo a natal is worth the time to investigate
anything else NOT ....

Agreed. Natals can be very helpful, but predictions made my astrology??? Keep in mind, that astrology came into being because the ancients were watching the skies for comets that quite often hit the planet and caused destruction. They knew that certain groupings from certain quadrants were more likely to impact than others. Then, after the cometary activity quieted down, a couple generations went by, and people began to read these old texts and assume that it meant "ephemeral" influences and so, modern astrology was more or less "created" out of something that was once a true science. Read Victor Clube's book "The Cosmic Serpent" for details.

 

[luke wilson]

Day 1 of not looking at any horoscopes. So far so good.

Does anyone know a good place where I can get a natal chart? For free!

 

[truth seeker]

What do you get from this?

Well, I get a feeling of control and comfort for having an idea of what to expect. It has got to a stage of dependence. Where I need to read todays scope or the weeks scope. It gives me a sense of drama to an otherwise undramatic life. Also it's just a matter of quenching some undefinable curiosity. I wouldnt say they hinder me in making my own decisions, as I forget them pretty quick after reading them. That is to say I dont take the words to heart. In a sense, I am always looking for something big to happen to me personally. I am reading it, seeing if something interesting, out of the ordinary will happen today or this week or something like that.

I suppose the last point acts as a substitute for me to initiate change in my life, to take the initiative to provoke such a change. Instead I take the approach of waiting, being passive - waiting for things to happen rather than making things happen. So in this sense I suppose you can say I surrender abit of my free will.

How does it feed you?

Hmm, I am not entirely sure what this question means. It is true that it feeds me in some way. It either keeps me still locked up in this prison by providing the predators mind sustenance or it provides objective truth about our reality. The problem is I dont really know which of this is the true thing. However, what I can say for sure is that it has become an addiction, like the same way one can be addicted to some drug. I just need to know, I need to get my daily fix. The problem is that I do not know WHY.


How do you suggest I proceed from this point regarding this situation. Should I stop reading horoscopes, go cold turkey?

Yes, it's important to notice how our behaviors can present themselves in all areas of our life. It can be very easy to become dependent on what others have to say. It seems easier, but really removes the responsibility from ourselves. I'll suggest that when you feel the need to ask a question, refer back to what you've written above. Ask yourself, "Am I feeding?" This will give you the opportunity to practice initiating change as opposed to passively sitting back and waiting for things to happen or for others to give you the answer. If you take the time to gather information on your own and make your own choices, you will find yourself empowered. After you have done this, if you find you still need guidance, you are then in a much better position to ask for help. It can be a strong dynamic, but I think you have it in you to do this. :)

I'm including the link to the definition of feeding. This may help you to understand the underlying dynamics of it.

I'll leave you with two questions. After you read the link I posted and then reread your post above, do you see any dynamics in terms of feeding at play? If so, how?

 

[luke wilson]

I'll leave you with two questions. After you read the link I posted and then reread your post above, do you see any dynamics in terms of feeding at play? If so, how?

I have just read the link. Thanks for posting it btw, I totally forgot the definition and how this can manifest in everyday life - so knowing and applying this knowledge can offer protection. Having known this, maybe I would have acted differently over the last couple of weeks. I think I have been willing food to some people. Falling prey to my own mechanical reactions which present me as dinner on a plate, ready to eat.

Coming back to the subject at hand, I fail to see how feeding is occuring here. As I surely cannot be feeding the horoscopes nor the horoscopes feeding me. I mean, they are just words on paper. They have no energy or means to either get or take my energy. So I am lost. Maybe there is something obvious I am missing. I might be feeding the people who write the horoscopes? Is this even possible as I dont know them personally? I might be feeding my own predators mind by suffocating myself in anticipation or a false sense of comfort and other illusions which can produce negative emotions which then sustain the predators mind?

In terms of your point of dependence on other people and the feeding relationship that can ensue as a result of this dependence, I think this is something that I fall prey to. Definately in real life and maybe even here in the forum. In real life, I feel like I act mostly as food as I am not really a predator, if I am, I have certainly deceived myself into believing I am not. However, having been fed on, I must indeed feed on someone else inorder to replenish the lost energy. So i suppose the key is to know how one is fed upon and how one feeds on others. For me this is no easy task.

Sometimes I think I ask questions in the forum that I should first do research for or try to figure out independently. The reason I ask, is maybe I feel other people are in a better position to give me a decent well thought out answer as they have better knowledge on that specific situation or sometimes, maybe to get a different perspective on a matter.

 

[henry]

Sometimes I think I ask questions in the forum that I should first do research for or try to figure out independently. The reason I ask, is maybe I feel other people are in a better position to give me a decent well thought out answer as they have better knowledge on that specific situation or sometimes, maybe to get a different perspective on a matter.

What if you did the research first, for yourself, and then came back here with what you have found? In sharing it with others, you would then be able to see if you are on the right path. That would shift the dynamic and you would be making yourself responsible.

 

[Gonzo]

Hi LukeW,
I've enjoyed your inquisitive nature and interest you've shown in trying to make room in your life for change and questioning yourself and your environment. You are certainly on the right path, which, naturally, is full of dead ends, wrong turns, etc., but essentially trying to move forward.

IMO, horoscopes can have a tendency to breed anticipation and can help to separate ourselves from the awareness of cause and effect, giving our will over to some default energy.

In reading many of your responses, I think you actually answer your initial question quite well.
It might be beneficial to reread your responses while pretending they are from someone else, if you can.

I find it difficult for me to remain objective if a horoscope generates an emotion in me. I, personally can fall into having one eye open for the outcome. I avoid them for that reason and might only occasionally (couple times a year) read one at the end of a day out of curiosity. You might have better ability to remain objective than I do.

Gonzo

 

[Bernhard]

Does anyone know a good place where I can get a natal chart? For free!

_http://www.astro.com

You can register for free and get a natal chart for free. Under "free horoscopes" click on "Personal Portrait" or "Astro Click Portrait" and type in your birth data (Date, Time and Place).
Once you know your natal chart and where the planets are (in the houses and in relation to each other) you can also search the internet for other descriptions and insight. You can also get books to learn more about it as well. I've learned a lot about me through my natal chart. It also helps to get a reading from a professional astrologer who can see the bigger picture of your chart. However, there are good and not so good astrologers.....like in any profession. It's best to learn more about it yourself before going to anyone, imho.

 

[luke wilson]

What if you did the research first, for yourself, and then came back here with what you have found? In sharing it with others, you would then be able to see if you are on the right path. That would shift the dynamic and you would be making yourself responsible.

I am going to do this from now on. Atleast to the best of my ability.

You are certainly on the right path, which, naturally, is full of dead ends, wrong turns, etc., but essentially trying to move forward.

Thanks for the encouraging words Gonzo. I hope I am on the right path. Would definately suck if I wasnt. Even if this might be the right path or approach sometimes it feels as if one is moving blindfolded or in a dark room full of many obstacles. Always running into dead ends and taking wrong turns as you mention. Hopefully stumble my way out of the maze at some point.

 

[Gonzo]

Even if this might be the right path or approach sometimes it feels as if one is moving blindfolded or in a dark room full of many obstacles. Always running into dead ends and taking wrong turns as you mention. Hopefully stumble my way out of the maze at some point.

Well said. The only thing I would change is the word "hope", eventually having it become something more like "faith", as in:

".. having faith that I will eventually find my way out of the maze at some point."

What more could a person want? Since all there is in life is lessons, it is more about the journey than the destination.

Every blind alley, dark corner, wrong turn, etc., is essential learning for which there is no greater substitute.

The more we learn (often through painful mistakes), the more our awareness grows and the more our perceptions of reality change, the more we SEE the objective reality. A sense of humour, I think, I imperative or you could easily take yourself and everything else far too seriously.

The saying that learning is fun is true, but I believe it takes efforts both to learn and to see it as fun.

Keep the faith,

Gonzo