When you’re learning astrology your best subject is yourself. The reasoning behind this is the fact that it is ourselves we may know best. You can think you know another, and perhaps you do, but there are more variables involved. Direct observation (of another) is helpful but is no substitute for direct experience (within yourself). I find it helpful when talking about what I “know” and listening to what others posit to use the rules of court for admissible testimony and questioning. “Objection, your honor, conjecture!”

So when you read an astrological description of something in your own chart it’s much easier to decide if it has merit. Does it ring true? That’s important if like me you like to Google astrological questions. Sure I have my own take on whatever it is, but sometimes it’s good to look for someone else’s perspective. There’s so much out there, some good, some bad, some weird.

If you’re going to Google for information it’s important read with discrimination. One way to do that is to scrutinize the language used. Is their word choice accurate? Sure this is semantics, but sloppy word choice can reflect sloppy thinking or communications. Check to make sure the terms used agree. One big mistake I see in astrological descriptions is using the wrong verb for the planet. The Moon feels, needs. Venus likes and wants. Mars acts. Mercury thinks, smells, hears, processes. When someone writes, “Mars feels…” I stop right there. If they’re not accurate in this regard I doubt their conclusions.

Is Mars involved in feeling, does its position affect feeling? Of course! All our parts interact and impact each other. The way we act affects how we feel. But if someone doesn’t communicate accurately how can you trust what they say? How do you know what they really mean?

Another common problem to look out for is something that is too specific to be true universally. For instance I Googled “Moon square Venus” and got a description that stated “tradition and history don’t interest you.” Well I have this aspect with a Capricorn (Saturn) Moon and an 8th house Aries Venus. Capricorn uninterested in tradition? Aries uninterested in war (much of history is about war)? Pffft.

If you’re interested in figuring out how YOU learn and want to fine tune that process the primary planets to investigate are your Mercury, Saturn and Jupiter. Mercury describes how you think and use your senses. Saturn placement represents your relationship to rules and authority and the particular type of wisdom acquired through age and experience as well as that which is passed down. Jupiter is philosophical and experiential, in the moment, in the body learning. Figuring out how you learn is a great way to maximize your astrological self-education!

How critically do you read astrological descriptions?