In general, astrologers hate Sun Sign Astrology. Although we love the idea of it as a doorway to further study, in actuality, looking only at a person's Sun sign gives you very little idea of what they're truly all about. It can also give rise to some egregious misunderstandings.

Many years ago, after I had first started studying astrology, I was telling a friend about my fascinating new interest over lunch in a restaurant. Unknowingly, I was overheard by a man sitting nearby. Out of the blue, an angry voice said, “You say you're an astrologer?” “Yes.” “Well,astrology's bullshit. My best friend and I were born on the same day and we're nothing alike. You're full of shit.” It was a shocking verbal assault. He was truly enraged. Gasping like a fish, I grasped helplessly for a reply, but to no avail; he simply stormed off. I imagine that, to this day, he is positive that astrology has no value. This story is intended to highlight the perils of a little bit of knowledge, which can lead to assumptions like that one.

The thing is, his basic observation was correct. Two people born on the same day aren't necessarily alike at all. There are eight planets used in astrology: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto, plus the Sun and Moon, which are referred to as planets in astrological shorthand. There are also numerous asteroids, dwarf planets and fixed stars, but you only have to think about them after you master the basics. The intent of an astrological chart is to describe and honour the individuality of every human being, even those born on the same day. Even twins, born close to the same moment.

An astrological chart is a map of the heavens created for the date, place and moment of the infant's first breath. On paper, it looks like a pie, divided into twelve slices. The 'slices' are called houses. They're fields of experience and which house your Sun is in depends on your time of birth. Since your Sun is your 'mission in life', knowing which house it's in can be very illuminating if you're unsure of your direction.

In the case of two people who share a birthday, any of the planets could have changed signs on that day; especially the Moon, which changes signs every 2½ days. But the most important consideration, in terms of individuality, is the rotation of the Earth on its axis. As the Earth rotates, it goes through the signs, one every two hours. In the course of a day, it goes through all twelve. The sign on the eastern horizon at the moment of your first breath is the sign that rules your chart and is called your Rising Sign or Ascendant. Some astrologers call it a mask. I call it a doorway. It describes how you look, how you 'go out' to the world and how the world approaches you. There's only one chance in twelve that your Ascendant and Sun sign will be the same, so when people say to you, “You're like such and such”, chances are, they're talking about your Ascendant. It's a dead cert that the man who yelled at me was born at a different time than his friend.

Astrology can be many things to many people, but one of the ways I like to think of it is as a tool, used to cut through the crap of life, the barnacles of other peoples' opinions and prejudices. An astrological reading created for your full, complete chart gives you a sense of being seen for the first time. It holds a most accurate mirror up to - you. Knowledge is always power. An astrological reading will tell you what skills you have at your disposal, where your weak places are, what and how you love – and hate, what you're afraid of and, most valuably, what's coming up in your life so you can get ready for it. Fear is never the best response to anything. If you have an exam or project coming up, you keep it in mind in order to remember to do the work necessary to pass or to complete it.

Everyone wants to know about their love lives. Is this new flame worth my time and attention? Even if you only get their birth date, you can find out minimally whether it's a fling, the real thing or a disaster-in-the-making.

There's also what I call the 'hairdresser' approach to astrology. It's a service, it's all about you at that moment, and, if you wish, you'll only hear good things.

Whatever your approach, astrology is worth your time and attention, if you're looking for a little illumination in the dark.