Discovering the Different Branches of Astrology and Their Traditions

Mar 02, 2024

Garden of Thoughts, Saturday Edition, 4-min read.

This is a very vast subject and you can find a lot of information on the internet, I have been researching this subject for a long time and it has helped me to have more knowledge about myself.

Step by step I will be uploading updates of all the concepts that I have been learning over the years, but I would like to leave you the first piece of information

You are not only your sun

It is normal that you identify with only one sign because the sun is your ego but the moon for example is your emotional side, vulnerable etc...

Let's take a look at the most common ones today.

Natal Astrology

This type of astrology is the most popular worldwide and focuses on the astrological charts of individuals.

It explores challenges, interpersonal relationships, careers, etc.

Mundane Astrology

As the name suggests, this branch of astrology deals with situations and events of everyday life: natural phenomena, political events, economic situations, collective trends, social phenomena, etc.

The astrology of countries and movements falls under this branch as they refer to groups of individuals and not to specific persons.

Horary Astrology

This branch is one of the oldest but not as popular as the others.

In horary astrology a question is asked and the astrologer makes a chart for the time at which the question is asked.

The chart itself holds the answer to the question.

It is often used to answer specific questions ranging from "Where are my car keys", to "Will I get the raise I asked for at my job".

This is one of the more predictive branches of astrology.

Elective astrology

Elective astrology is used to choose the most propitious date and time for all kinds of initiatives or activities.

This branch is more concerned with looking at future charts to choose the best time for any activity, from selling a property, signing a contract, closing a business deal, or getting married.

Types or Astrological Traditions

Now, the different branches of astrology can be explored from various astrological traditions, many of them come from the dawn of the discipline itself (Vedic, Hellenistic, Medieval, etc) or are more recent (Modern, Uranian, Evolutionary, etc).

Having said that, here are the types:

Traditional astrology

Which encompasses astrological teachings from the 2nd century BC to the 7th century AD.

While it is Western and was mostly written in Greek, its sources come from older traditions of Egypt and the Mediterranean.

We can consider it the oldest form of Western astrology and the basis of modern astrology.

Chinese astrology

Which is the astrology of the Chinese calendar, particularly its 12 annual animal cycles.

The origin of the Chinese Zodiac Cycle, according to the Yin and Yang theory, is based on taking the cycle of the Ten Celestial Stems (Five Elements combined with Yin or Yang) and adding four intermediate seasons (corresponding to the Earth element, the unifying or transitional element associated with the Center) between each of the four elements (Wood, Fire, Metal, Water), with their corresponding polarities.

Vedic astrology

Of Hindu origin. Also known as Jyotisha, it originated in India approximately 2000 years before Christ.

This form of astrology emerged alongside Hellenistic astrology and was compiled in texts such as Jora-Shastra and Saravali.

The Vedic tradition differs from other traditions by using the sidereal system instead of the tropical system.

Modern astrology

This type of astrology is considered very recent and spans from the early 20th century to the present day.

Modern astrology has taken elements from various traditions and has added some of its own, such as the regencies of transpersonal planets over certain signs (Uranus with Aquarius, Neptune with Pisces, and Pluto with Scorpio).

From this tradition, other branches emerge, such as Evolutionary Astrology, Uranian Astrology, Psychological Astrology, etc.

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