So, you’ve finally figured out your big three (Sun, Moon, and Rising), started dabbling in transits, and maybe even survived a Mercury retrograde or two. But then someone throws out, “Oh, I only use sidereal,” or “What ray does your sun sign sit in?” and suddenly you’re spiraling back into “I have no idea what any of this means” territory.
Take a breath. There's a lot to digest here.
Let’s break down the many kinds of astrology practiced around the world and help you figure out which one might be the best fit for your cosmic journey.
Western Astrology: The One You Already Know
If you've ever read a horoscope in a magazine, pulled up your birth chart online, or had someone guess your sign based on your vibe you’re already familiar with Western astrology. This system uses the tropical zodiac, which is aligned with the seasons, not the actual constellations. (Yep. Aries season always kicks off with spring).
Western astrology is great for:
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Personality insights
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Timing life events (transits and progressions)
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Relationship dynamics
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Journaling and self-awareness
🔭Want to track your transits, journal through moon phases, and learn what each planet actually does? Astrology Notion Template is made for this. It’s beginner-friendly, visually beautiful, and designed to help you actually use what you’re learning.
Astrology isn’t a one-size-fits-all system. It’s more like a celestial buffet of sorts, with different cultures, philosophies, and techniques bringing their own flavor to the table. Whether you’re here for spiritual growth, personality insight, or predictive accuracy, there’s a type of astrology that fits your vibe.
Let’s break it down into the main branches:
1. Natal Astrology
AKA Birth Chart Astrology...
This is where most people start. Natal astrology focuses on your birth chart (a snapshot of the sky at the exact moment and place you were born). It reveals your personality, emotional patterns, strengths, blind spots, and more. Your “big three” (Sun, Moon, and Rising/Ascendent signs) all come from this system.
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Purpose: Understand yourself on a psychological level
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Best for: Personality discovery, self-reflection, and inner work
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Used in: Western, Vedic, Hellenistic, and Evolutionary systems
👉 If you’re using my Astrology Notion Template, the birth chart section is where the magic begins.
2. Mundane Astrology
World Events...
Mundane astrology is the OG of the OG and it dates back to ancient Babylon, when kings used the stars to predict floods, wars, and political shifts. Instead of focusing on individuals, it looks at collective energy and world events.
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Purpose: Predict or interpret global trends
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Best for: Geopolitical analysis, economic forecasts, cultural movements
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Used in: Western and Vedic traditions, especially for eclipse cycles and planetary alignments
3. Electional Astrology
When Should I…?
This branch helps you choose the best date and time to start something important like launching a business, getting surgery, signing contracts, or even making a big move.
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Purpose: Pick the most astrologically aligned timing
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Best for: Weddings, business launches, surgeries, travel plans
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Used in: Primarily Western and Vedic traditions
If you’ve ever wondered why your wedding planner consulted the moon phases, now you know. Teehee.
4. Horary Astrology
One Question. One Chart. One Answer.
This system answers specific questions using a chart cast for the moment the question is asked. Think of it like cosmic and celestial troubleshooting.
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Purpose: Get an answer to a yes/no or detailed question
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Best for: Lost objects, relationship clarity, job opportunities
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Used in: Traditional Western and Hellenistic practices
No birth time required for this type.
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5. Medical Astrology
Your Birth Chart as a Body Map
This ancient system links planets, signs, and houses to specific parts of the body and health conditions. Medical astrologers use this to understand chronic conditions, imbalances, and potential healing paths.
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Purpose: Insight into physical, emotional, and energetic health
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Best for: Holistic practitioners, chakra healers, and anyone with chronic conditions
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Used in: Western, Hellenistic, and Vedic astrology
Pair this with your energy healing practices for a powerful full-body perspective.
6. Vedic Astrology (Jyotish)
Precision, Karma, and Soul Contracts
Vedic astrology uses the sidereal zodiac, which aligns with the actual constellations in the sky. It centers the Moon over the Sun and offers some of the most accurate timing predictions via planetary periods (dashas).
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Purpose: Reveal karmic patterns, spiritual evolution, and life timing
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Best for: Deep spiritual insight, marriage predictions, career and wealth paths
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Standout tools: Nakshatras (lunar mansions), dashas, remedies like mantras or gemstones
Your signs may shift here and that’s part of the magic. Vedic doesn’t mess around.
7. Hellenistic Astrology
Ancient Tools with a Modern Comeback
Hellenistic astrology is the early form of Western astrology, originating in Alexandria around 200 BCE. It uses whole sign houses, lots (Arabic Parts), and planetary rulerships to deliver precise timing and fate-oriented readings.
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Purpose: Track time lords, fate cycles, and hidden life patterns
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Best for: Astrology nerds who love timelines and precision
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Used in: Modern revivalist circles, professional forecasting
Think of it as astrology’s vintage edition but with really good bones.
8. Esoteric Astrology
The Soul’s Long Game
Esoteric astrology shifts the lens from personality to soul purpose. It teaches that we evolve through each sign over lifetimes, and each planet represents a spiritual function. This system is all about service, alignment, and awakening. So if you want to know yourself deeper at the soul level, Esoteric is fabulous to learn.
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Purpose: Map spiritual evolution and chakra development
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Best for: Energy workers, lightworkers, and those on the path of ascension
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Based on: Teachings from the Theosophical Society and Alice Bailey
This is where Western astrology meets metaphysics. If you’re into chakras, frequencies, and energy healing, dive in!
9. Evolutionary Astrology
Your Chart as a Past-Life Map
Evolutionary astrology uses Pluto and the lunar nodes to explore karmic wounds and the soul’s intention for this life. It blends traditional astrology with modern psychology and spirituality.
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Purpose: Understand soul contracts and emotional healing
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Best for: Shadow work, past life patterns, and healing from trauma
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Standout tools: Pluto placement, South and North Nodes, aspects to the nodes
10. Chinese Astrology
Your Yearly Animal Sign (And So Much More)
Most people know their animal sign (Dragon, Rabbit, etc.), but Chinese astrology is actually incredibly deep. It uses a 60-year cycle of Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, along with elements and the BaZi (Four Pillars of Destiny).
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Purpose: Understand your energetic profile and annual themes
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Best for: Career choices, luck forecasting, compatibility
11. Modern Psychological Astrology
The Inner Landscape
This form blends astrology with Jungian psychology. The goal is personal growth, self-awareness, and inner balance not prediction. It interprets planets as internal archetypes and signs as aspects of the psyche.
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Purpose: Personal growth and integration
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Best for: Therapy, journaling, self-exploration
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Used in: Western astrology, often integrated into coaching and healing
This is where astrology stops telling you what will happen and helps you understand why you react the way you do.
So… Which Path is Right for You?
There’s really no “best” system to choose, it is all about what resonates with your current path. You can mix and match, explore one at a time, or stick with a specific type of astrology and still learn something new every week. If you’re just starting out, Western natal astrology is your best bet as it gives you all the foundational tools to build from. It's a good intro to the greater universe of astrology practices.
If you're ready to take the next step (without needing a million open tabs), I've got the perfect sidekick.
Track All of This (Without the Overwhelm)
🌟 My Astrology Notion Template is your all-in-one space to:
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Record and explore your birth chart
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Track transits, moon phases, and retrogrades
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Journal with guided prompts
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Learn sign, planet, and house meanings
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Start dipping your toes into esoteric and karmic interpretations
It’s made for beginners, deep divers, and everyone in between. And yes it actually makes learning astrology fun. All you need is a free Notion account.
With Love and Light,
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