Personal Astrology: More Than Just Horoscopes

by Mac Duffy

Ever wonder why some couples "click" and others don't? Baffled by how different your children are from each other? From you? Do you feel stereotyped by your "birth sign"? It turns out your instincts are right!

I never really had a clue about Astrology until I met Carolyn Leigh, a Nationally Board Certified and California Licensed Practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine. I thought it was just a game, but Carolyn says it is so much more than your daily horoscope. "It's a scientific framework that illuminates the cyclical order of the universe."

A natal chart is a picture, created at the moment each person is born, of the positions of the planets from the perspective of the earth and the zodiac constellations that form the backdrop of each planet. As the earth rotates, the position of planets in the sky shifts (from our perspective), so that even twins born 5 minutes apart can have significantly different charts. According to Carolyn, unlike the daily horoscope which speaks to all "Aries" alike by only taking the position of the Sun into account against the current sky, the tailored interpretation of an individual's natal chart will look at the relationship of ALL the planets to each other, providing a great deal of specific insight and detail.

Although lots of people associate astrology with the interpretation of the daily horoscope and there are times when even I felt it seemed eerily appropriate, most of us have likely discovered that the daily horoscope is a hit or miss event when we realize that even two people born on the very same day can have drastically different journeys. Carolyn believes that "the daily horoscope has done a great disservice because it dishonors the depth and complexity of the science of astrology and fails to reveal the power which astrology holds for self-understanding, growth and spiritual evolution."

"On a more personal level," continues Carolyn, "I have been able to heal some very painful emotional wounds through the study of astrology. When I began to study astrology and saw in my natal chart the reflection of a very sensitive person who also felt constrained and ashamed of this trait, I was able to gradually move into a place of self-acceptance. I began to heal mentally and emotionally, and the sensitivity that once was experienced as a terrible curse became a powerful tool in my chosen profession of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Energetic Healing."

"I have come to respect and love myself truly. For my natal chart is a reflection of me, a mirror of the talents, skills, and nature with which I was born. I have come to respect my piece of the pie, my contribution to the Great Creation, and I have come to have greater understanding and respect for all people."

Carolyn's passion is to help people to "understand themselves and the impulses that affect the way they live their lives". In addition to her healing practice, she teaches a series of classes that introduce the ancient science of Astrology to all ages and learning styles through a unique combination of tactile, auditory and visual aids, which include music, painting, meditation, energy exercises, role-playing & journaling.

It's a blast! Children love it and my friends and I are still emailing her with questions, weeks after our first experience. It is so much more than your daily horoscope. It's not "hocus pocus" or a game. Even from my novice point of view, I can see it's a real tool for self-awareness and growth.

I highly recommend that any parents who are struggling to understand and adapt to their children's specific styles and harmonize their families or any person seeking to heal old wounds (with their parents, siblings or partners) take a chance and check out Carolyn's class.

If you and your family would like to participate, you can call Carolyn at 310-365-6855 or visit www.oaktreehealer.com for more information.