How Astronomy Laid the Foundation for my Astrology Practice

As I approach my 30th birthday, my parents have been on my mind a lot lately. While they might not have a strong presence in my decision-making of today, I still hold the values they instilled in me in high regard. I often think about how their influence continues to shape what I consider good for me.

Reflecting on my youth, my involvement in an astronomy club was a defining chapter for my teenage years. It was a journey that began thanks to my mother. She was the one who found the club for me, after pouring through several magazines (when print magazines were still a thing), sensing that I really liked astronomy. This was during a time when we were closer, and she played an important role in shaping my interests. One of my fondest memories is her taking me to the Science Center for a study on planets, to an observatory in the North of Singapore, and the astronomy club on the East side of Singapore. I can still picture the building, where we would set up telescopes on the rooftop and peer into the setting evening sky. It was magical, seeing the moon and planets, through the lens of those telescopes.

The club also organized trips to the observatory up North, where we were taught to use astronomy apps on the computer. That time, mobile apps were not a thing yet, but I found it on my phone anyway (or rather, this must have been the time of the iPod). I was fascinated by the ability to click and drag on the screen and see constellations as they appeared in real-time, based on our location and hemisphere. For a kid like me, who was deeply interested in what lay beyond our world, this was an incredible experience. I was always existential, reading books about aliens, UFOs, and the possibility of life beyond Earth. Part of this fascination was driven by a sense of isolation — I didn’t have many friends at school and often wondered if there was a place out there where I truly belonged.

I vividly remember the first time I saw the Moon, Saturn and Jupiter through the telescope at the astronomy club. It was a moment that felt almost surreal, like stepping into a scene from a science fiction movie. To actually see one of these distant planets with my own eyes, rather than just on a computer screen, was nothing short of amazing. It was as if this faraway world, something I had only ever seen in books or online, was suddenly right there in front of me. The experience was awe-inspiring, reminding me of just how vast and incredible our universe truly is.

My interest for the stars started earlier. When I was even younger, around six years old, I was part of the school’s Library club. My assigned task was organizing the books, and I spent alot of time in my favourite section — Greek myths. They gripped me, as I was spending hours reading about Persephone, Hades, Medusa, Icarus, Hercules, Aphrodite, the Labyrinth of Crete, the Centaurs, King Midas, Narcissus, and Pandora’s Box. Captivated by stories like these and the beauty and myth of the constellations as they were depicted in these books, these early experiences laid the foundation for my deep interest in the stars and planets, which eventually became a core part of who I am.

Even though I was fascinated by astronomy, I was too shy to tell anyone that my real interest was in astrology. I secretly wondered how the stars and constellations that I learned about in astronomy informed astrology, especially since I was already aware of sun signs and how they related to birth dates. In my adult years, I eventually embraced astrology fully, and acknowledge that my time in the astronomy club of my younger days gave me a deeper understanding and appreciation of the celestial bodies that form the basis of my practice today.

Now, as an astrologer, I can look back and see how those early experiences with astronomy have informed my work. Understanding the movements of the planets, the phases of the moon, and the constellations has given me a richer perspective in astrology. It’s interesting to reflect on how, even though I was too shy to admit it back then, the seeds of my current passion were already being planted during those nights spent gazing at the stars with my mother by my side.

So how does astronomy inform astrology?

Astronomy and astrology are closely linked, with astronomy providing the scientific foundation upon which astrology builds its interpretations and meanings.

1. Planetary Movements

Astronomy studies the precise movements and positions of celestial bodies, such as planets, stars, and the moon.

The orbits of planets around the Sun are governed by the laws of physics, primarily Newton’s laws of motion and gravitation. These movements are highly predictable, allowing astronomers to calculate the exact position of a planet at any given time, both in the past and future.

In astrology, the precise movements of planets are not just a matter of scientific observation — they are imbued with symbolic meaning and are considered to have correlation to human affairs. They are crucial for creating natal charts and predicting transits and other events here on Earth.

2. Constellations and Signs

Astronomy’s precise knowledge of where these constellations and celestial bodies are located in the sky is indispensable to astrology. This scientific foundation allows astrologers to accurately determine the positions of the planets, fixed stars, and more.

Each of these celestial characters plays a unique role in shaping the story of a person’s life, with their positions offering insights into personality, relationships, career, and growth in a lifetime, and so much more.

So, in this starry cast of characters, astronomy provides the knowledge of where these constellations are located in the sky, which is essential for determining a person’s luminaries, inner planets, social and outer planets, as well as fixed stars and other points.

3. The Ecliptic that forms the Houses

The ecliptic is more than just a path the Sun appears to follow in the sky — it’s a central framework that both astronomy and astrology rely on.

In astrology, the houses are divided and defined into twelve sections, which corresponds to the ecliptic, which correlate and govern the different areas of life.

The ecliptic not only defines the houses but also determines the critical points of the Ascendant and Descendant, which are key to understanding personal identity (the first house) and relationships (the seventh house). By analyzing these points, astrologers can find insights into how individuals interact with the world and the people around them, guided by the ecliptic.

4. Phases of the Moon (Lunations) and Eclipses

The moon’s phases, such as new moons, full moons, and eclipses, are well-studied in astronomy. Astrology uses these phases to interpret emotional states, cycles of growth and release, and timing for various activities.

By aligning with the lunar cycle and understanding the impact of eclipses, individuals can navigate their lives with greater awareness, tracking their own cycles in accordance with a softer luminary, and harnessing its energy to support their own personal journeys and goals.

5. Retrogrades

Astronomically, a retrograde occurs when a planet appears to move backward in the sky due to the relative positions and movements of Earth and that planet.

In astrology, retrogrades are interpreted as times of introspection, revisiting the past, or experiencing delays in the areas governed by the retrograding planet. I personally find my best writing to be during this time, because it’s a chance to slow down and reflect instead of charging forward. This is when all my past “save as drafts” become “hit publish”. I’m actually writing this article now, during the Merc Retrograde!

When a planet is retrograde, it’s as though its energy is asking us to also address issues we may have overlooked. Retrogrades can be periods of great insight and personal development if approached with mindfulness and a willingness to reflect on past actions and decisions. They can be opportunities for re-evaluation, and not just chaos and misfortune as they are often popularly depicted in pop culture.

6. Validation of Cycles with the Solstices

Astronomy provides validation for the cycles and patterns observed in astrology. For example, events that shape the cosmic weather, such as solstices, are based on astronomical observations and predictions.

Astronomically, the solstices are key moments when the Earth’s axial tilt is at its maximum relative to the Sun, resulting in the longest and shortest days of the year.

These observations lend a scientific foundation to the astrological practice, interpreting them as significant change markers for transformation, and energetic shifts.

7. Sidereal vs. Tropical Astrology with the Equinoxes

Astronomy helps explain the difference between sidereal and tropical astrology, which uses the actual constellations in the sky, and tropical astrology, which is based on the fixed position of the zodiac relative to the seasons.

Tropical astrology is the most commonly used system in Western astrology. It is based on the Earth’s seasons and the position of the Sun in relation to the equinoxes and solstices. The tropical zodiac begins at the vernal (spring) equinox, which occurs around March 21 each year, marking the start of Aries at 0°.

Sidereal astrology is commonly used in Eastern traditions, especially in Vedic astrology (Jyotish) in India. It focuses more on the physical positions of the planets in relation to the stars and is often considered to have a more “literal” interpretation compared to the symbolic focus of tropical astrology.

Understanding the precession of the equinoxes, is key to grasping this distinction between the different ideologies and practices.

8. Orbital Cycles and Life Rhythms

Astronomy tracks the orbital cycles of planets, such as Saturn’s 29.5-year orbit around the Sun. In astrology, these cycles correspond to significant life phases, like the Saturn Return, which is often associated with major personal growth and challenges that occur roughly every 29 years.

I have just finished my Saturn Return — it was great and really felt I “levelled up” into becoming a real adult.

An Observatory — Photo by Jad Limcaco on Unsplash

As I approach my 30th birthday, it’s clear to me that the path I’ve walked as a practicing astrologer has been shaped by the foundation that astronomy provided. It’s funny to think how a simple fascination with the stars has turned into something so much bigger. It’s like the universe laid out the roadmap for me, one star at a time.

I can’t help but smile, at the fact that with time, I got to see how the two worlds would collide in such a beautiful way. In the end, whether I’m charting a natal horoscope or gazing up at the night sky, I’m reminded that the stars are not just points of light — they are markers of time, change, and the eternal rhythms of life.

As I look forward to my next life chapter, I do so with a deeper appreciation for how the universe gives us clues to guide and shape our paths, reminding us that we are all part of something much larger than ourselves.