A friend showed me what she called a “psycho-astrological study” that she had received, in reality, a so-called “free birth chart”. Supposedly, it was meant to be a real birth chart…
With the advances in computing, and the proliferation of astrology software and online websites offering free birth charts, virtually anyone can now generate a birth chart. All it takes is opening a program and clicking Print… which naturally raises the question: why consult an astrologer ?
The underlying questions are the following:
- can a computer truly interpret a chart of the sky ?
- can software genuinely decode the deep symbolic language of astrology, with all its layers and interconnections ?
A computer can of course perform all the tedious calculations, and a million times faster than any human being ! Thankfully so, as it frees us from that purely technical work. But analyzing a birth chart ?
A computer can list all your aspects, planets, signs and houses, and match them with standardized interpretation texts.
However, things become far more complex as soon as we start analyzing cycles, let alone multiple interwoven cycles, combined with different dominants and factors, including the many planetary rulerships that are almost systematically “forgotten”, planetary patterns, chart structures, transits and progressions, or even synastry and other chart comparisons.
Not to mention the intuitive dimension, which is a crucial factor in genuine interpretation (see in particular the book, “The Practice of Astrology” by Dane Rudhyar).
These free charts may provide a vague idea of certain listed astrological data (when the data itself is accurate) but they often give a distorted image of astrology.
More importantly, they can seriously mislead clients, which is far more problematic.
The one my friend received contained numerous errors in the astrological data itself.
As for the software-generated interpretations, in the best case they are bland and meaningless; in the worst case, they rely on fear and superstition, potentially causing real psychological harm.
A serious astrologer has years of study and experience behind them in mastering the symbolic astrological language.
They devote considerable time to reviewing the chart in order to interpret it as a whole, and to provide useful, actionable insights for each client, not a mechanical litany of isolated astrological factors.
They must create their own personalized interpretations for each unique chart, rather than simply printing ready-made software texts.
A good astrologer must also possess basic knowledge of psychology, in order to discern the expectations and fundamental needs of their clients, first and foremost, to avoid causing harm.
They must demonstrate pedagogical skill during consultations, both to explain their interpretations and advice, and to clarify the limits of their own practice, offering reassurance where needed.
Beyond ethics and professional standards, an astrologer must also embody genuine human qualities in the client relationship: listening skills, empathy, compassion, analytical sensitivity, and personal integrity.
Only under these conditions can astrology truly function as a meaningful tool for decision-making support.
These are precisely the elements that no software or computer can provide, free or otherwise. 😉
Even though artificial intelligence is clearly making enormous progress… who knows where it may eventually lead ?