Hi All,
I am also not as esteemed as all of you are. Thought I'd just jump
in, though. I think interpretation of psychological characteristics has
been enhanced by Western Psychology, using the archetypes of Greek
mythology and how they relate to psychic forces that interact and
compel/impel human beings. They use images to explain things that words
are inadequate in doing. That doesn't mean that they are without merit
because they do not reflect life on the normal waking plane.
In other words, just because a painter does not paint an image that
looks like a photograph, does not mean the painter is wrong in what he
sees, or his painting is incorrect. It is a perception of reality, that
will or will not resonate with the viewer.
Some people have really been helped by the relationship of planets
explained to them whether or not the planets were in the correct sign or
not. A Mars aspecting negatively your Moon, means something no matter what.
The pantheon of Vedic gods have their own subtle and powerful
images, as well. I love how Das explains things, using Mars as a
general, etc. Still Mars, and Mangala DO have the same warlike
attributes, and Venus in both do mean luxury, beauty of things, etc.
A willingness to see the merits of both systems should be a virtue.
Not an agreement, just a willingness to see the others' standpoint and
see why it continues to flourish because of a need it fulfills.
By the way, there have been astrologers (western) who have made
correct, public predictions. There was even a trial of an astrologer in
the United States in the 1920's or 1930's who was given a chart of
someone and asked to make a prediction. She said the person was dead by
drowning and would have no future. She was correct. The judge gave her
the date, on the spur of the moment, of his son who had just died in a
drowning accident.
Thanks,
chrys333