Vol. 8, No. 6, 1991

Articles on the New Age

Marcia Montenegro

There are really two types of astrology. One is the mass-marketed commercialized astrology popularized in newspaper horoscopes and in certain books written for large audiences (such as those by Linda Goodman). This astrology is usually linked to prediction and more rigid information about the various sun-sign types.

However, astrology practiced by most contemporary professional astrologers grew out of the modern psychology movements.

The late astrologer and metaphysician, Dane Rudhyar, developed transpersonal astrology, a system heavily influenced by occultist Carl Jung and his views of man and the universe using symbols and mythological archetypes.

The outer planets Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are particularly important in this system as they represent the universal order and how the individual interacts with it in his own consciousness.

Many modern astrologers do not believe the planets influence people but rather that each person is born at the moment when the planets align a certain way in order to reflect that person's character and destiny.

Two people born with the same chart (same time and place) can manifest different potentials and will not necessarily have similar lives. The twin souls theory of popular astrology is not adopted by most serious astrologers.

Predictions are often called "forecasts" or "trends" and are based on upcoming planetary influences on the birth chart. These influences are usually interpreted on a psychological level.

Scientific attacks on popular astrology have little effect on psychologically-oriented astrology. One reason is that this astrology does often seem to work.

As a former astrologer, I can attest to the accuracy and often predictive power of a chart. When a client is told specifics about childhood, relationships, job skills, etc., the client cannot help but be impressed.

Rational arguments as to why astrology should not or cannot work mean nothing to someone who has experienced a chart as accurate.

The argument that astrologers are picking up clues from the client's appearance or responses can be true for some but many astrologers tape charts for clients they never meet. The information comes solely from the chart. The real source is the "angel of light."

As astrological reading impacts the client with its complexity and pseudo-psychological/spiritual language.

A client might hear, "Your reactions are immediate and forceful; you are impulsive," or "The emotional distance between you and your father has caused you to choose cold men as partners."

The scientific-sounding terms of psychology and benign spiritual/metaphysical language render astrology more acceptable and less "weird."

The usual arguments used against astrology by Christians and others are weak because they often attack ideas the transpersonal/psychological astrologers do not hold (such as the belief that planets influence people) and because astrologers and their clients have seen the chart give valid information.

Astrology is becoming more mainstream. More and more astrologers are asked to check out potential employees for employers, and some therapists refer their clients to astrologers.

Most astrologers themselves like to separate their art from other occultic practices, although many of them believe in or use things such as tarot cards, psychic sensitivity, and most accept the basic new age philosophy.

It is my belief that this astrology is extremely occultic and that the hand of evil is involved in making it work. Astrology exalts the self in place of God and His word in the guise of offering "spiritual" advise. It is one of the most seductive of the occultic arts, a true wolf in sheep's clothing.

[Ed. Note: Marcia Montenegro was a professional astrologer for eight years and involved in Eastern beliefs and metaphysics for almost fifteen years. God intervened and she abandoned astrology and came to Christ in November, 1990. She attends church in Atlanta, Georgia.]