I've often pondered on how, for some people, what begins as an innocent interest in astrology, sparked by curiosity, can easily turn into an unhealthy obsession. I posted a few thoughts on this back in 2009, came across them again the other day and decided to give them, lightly edited, a re-airing:
ASTROLOGITIS
Can astrology become too much of an obsession, a hindrance to living one's life in fact? This question has crossed my mind from time to time over the years. I am saved from the worst symptoms of astrologitis (as I'll call it) by my view that astrological doctrine is an imperfect tool which can throw up only shadows, at best. Astrologers use a tool which hasn't been honed to perfection yet, in spite of centuries of trying.
Whether consulting a professional astrologer or interpreting charts for oneself, I believe it's best to look on the results as shadows, or skeletons - or even skeletons of shadows or shadows of skeletons, still of interest, but requiring fleshing out and clarifying from hindsight and experience.
Personally, I'm not convinced by some parts of astrological lore. But I am totally convinced by the bare bones of astrology. Bare bones don't tell us what the picture is like "in the flesh " though. Clever experts can reconstruct a face from a skeletal skull, and be fairly certain that it resembles the human being who inhabited the skeleton - but can never be absolutely certain of the detail. Likewise in astrology.
I think the key to not becoming obsessive, not feeling the need to quit, is to stand back from it, not to focus on self too much. Look outward and backward, viewing people and situations, yours and theirs, with hindsight. This way you can see parts of astrology at work and know that "something is going on".
For me, that's where the magic of astrology lies.Trying to predict one's future can be disappointing and/or worrying. Neither is helpful. It's often said that if you know what's around the corner for you, you can prepare yourself for it. Maybe some brave souls can, and if you are one of those - fine! I'm not. I tend to worry, and prefer to meet problems head-on, as and when - and if - they occur. There's no point in worrying about the skeletal problem astrology might indicate which, when flesh is added and it becomes the reality, might turn out to be a minor irritation or even a blessing, instead of the serious problem about which you'd worried.
