Hot topic: Astrology
It’s more complex than horoscopes

LAUREN OYLER/Hurricane

By Megan Green
Riverside High School

Horoscopes are the lottery of astrology. They are a generalization of each sign’s day. We may think that our horoscope doesn’t apply to us, but that’s because we’re all more than just our general sign.

We all have afflicting, or unfavorable, moons and ascendants, or rising suns. Some of us may even be born on a cusp between two signs. But most people don’t bother to look into astrology that far.

Each person is different, even in an astrological sense. So the reason you’re an Aries and may not have much in common with your Aries friend is because of afflicting moons and birth place and time.

You might not be the typical Aries, but look beyond just the surface of your sign. Go to an astrologer and ask him or her to dig for you; ask them why. There are charts on the Internet that can tell you what your moon sign is as well as the typical personality of a person under that moon sign. You are your own person and your own variation of your star sign.

Astrology can help you in life - even in love crises. Books such as Linda Goodman’s “Love Signs” are amazing in their attempt to understand your partner’s annoying habit of cleaning constantly. The answer? She’s a Virgo and obsessive compulsive.

But just because there are good and bad matches doesn’t mean that the bad ones don’t stand a chance — or that a Scorpio will automatically fall head over heels for a Cancer. Anything can work with a little effort. So, for instance, a Scorpio/Libra match can work as long as the Scorpio gives the Libra the space and independence he needs.

Astrology has so many amazing possibilities. Astrological profiling, which explains the different aspects of each of the 12 signs, happens to be one of them.

For example, I was born on November 22, which is a cusp between Scorpio and Sagittarius, and I fit that cusp quite well. By combining some of both basic traits, you get me. Scorpios are extremely private and short; Sagittariuses are outgoing and normally have thick hair. I fit all of those descriptions.

Afflicting moons do play a part in everyone’s overall personality, though, so that’s why no outline is exact. Instead, they just give loose explanations and leave more to the imagination.

To truly understand astrology, you have to do more than just skim the surface. A superficial understanding of astrology only closes the door to a majestic world of stars and possibilities to understand your best friend, mother, partner, child or, most importantly, yourself.

Astrology can’t be relied on for each and every decision you make throughout your life, but it can be a tool used to achieve overall self understanding and happiness. It may also tell you why your last relationship failed.

So take advantage of this tool the universe has handed us - and, most importantly, have fun doing it.