Welcome to Esoteric Astrology with Bonnie Wells

Esoteric astrology probes the meaning underlying appearances. All charts can be read esoterically, which is to say that it is the focused understanding of the astrologer and not the chart, itself, that makes a reading esoteric.

If the astrologer's intention is to perceive the soul's situation, and to comprehend the spiritual significance of events, and if certain procedures are carried out in order to arrive at those understandings, then a reading can be said to be esoteric.

A computerized chart printout is geared toward everyone born on a given day. While they can be entertaining and interesting, computerized charts are necessarily generic, and thus usually not helpful if you are at a point in your life where you need specific information.

A personal astrological consultation involves a discussion between you and an astrologer trained to identify and focus on your unique nature and circumstances. A good astrologer synthesizes the information your chart yields, instead of simply and briefly describing signs and aspects that were prominent on the day of your birth.

Depending upon a host of factors, one astrological indicator can have a wide variety of meanings; an experienced astrologer, taking into account your entire chart, coupled with his or her awakened understanding of your life circumstances, can grasp the deeper significations associated with particular points in time.

The exact time of birth is essential to the preparation of your individual horoscope. The time of your birth establishes the eastern horizon of your birchart (known as the Ascendant), and the chart is read in relation to that point. This is especially important where esoteric astrology is concerned, because the Ascendant has particular relevance to the soul.

If you don't have a birth certificate, contact Vitalchek or Vitalrec for help with searching for birth records.

If the birth certificates where you were born don't include a space for the time of birth, you can contact the medical records department in the hospital where you were born; the face sheet of your baby chart probably states your time of birth.

If you weren't born in a hospital, a baby book or family Bible/holy book might contain a notation concerning your birthtime.

If all else fails, either a sunrise or geodetic chart can be drawn up for you, but it will not be as specific as a timed birthchart.

Some astrologers undertake a process called "rectification," which attempts to work backward through known events of your life in order to arrive at a likely birthtime. That process tends to be very expensive, and I find most rectification methods to be suspect.

First, become thoroughly knowledgeable and grounded in traditional, exoteric astrology; without that basis, esoteric astrology will be confusing and meaningless because you won't be able to relate it to different levels of life and substance.

Then study books and articles about esoteric astrology and related areas within the broad field of esotericism, paying particular attention to the classic writings of Helena P. Blavatsky, Alice A. Bailey and Rudolf Steiner (whose vast understanding fecundated a body of knowledge developed by Willi Sucher and others called astrosophy, or star wisdom).

Immerse yourself in the Ageless Wisdom and other spiritually-aligned teachings, since those streams nourish all aspects of metaphysical study.

Esoteric astrology is inseparable from esoteric psychology, so become a keen observer of life and human behavior; let your spiritual/philosophical ideals provide the context and background for your observations.

Read widely in many fields, in order to become as well-rounded and informed as possible; only then will you be able to separate the wheat from the chaff among the many theories and ideas you will encounter.