Astrology Isn’t What You Think It Is: 5 Myths Debunked

When I first got into astrology, I was a kid. I was fascinated by the idea of understanding myself better—outside of my parents, my culture, my home, and where I grew up.

I would look to anything that gave me clues: name books, zodiac signs, personality quizzes—you name it.

It wasn’t until decades later that I decided to take an astrology course.

At first, it was out of curiosity because I remembered how much I loved it as a kid. But little did I know that spark of curiosity would lead me down an unexpected path of deep astrological studies.

The more I got into astrology, the more I started to see myself in a new light—outside of family stories and lived experiences. Astrology helped me reconnect with who I really was and what I came to Earth to learn.

At the same time, I understand the skepticism—how can the planets in the sky have anything to do with your personality, your likes and dislike, and your life lessons. 

So today, I want to explore and debunk five of the most common astrology myths I hear—because there’s more depth and wisdom in this practice than many realize.

Myth 1: A Single Zodiac Sign Defines Who You Are

At some point, most people have looked up their zodiac sign and thought, "That doesn’t sound like me."

And that’s probably true—because you are not just one sign.

When you plug your birth date, time, and location into an astrology website, you get your complete birth chart. Essentially a map that shows where every planet—including the sun and moon—were at the moment you were born.

Each planet represents a different part of your personality or life path:

• The moon reflects your emotional nature.

• Mercury rules your mind and communication.

• Venus shows how you love.

• Mars points to your motivation.

So, if you’ve ever felt disconnected from your sun sign—it’s because you’re far more complex than one piece of the puzzle.

Myth 2: Astrology Isn’t Backed by Science, So It’s Not Real

Astrology isn’t a science in the traditional, empirical sense. But it is a system that has been used for thousands of years to find meaning in the movement of the planets.

From the Babylonians to the Greeks, astrology evolved as a way to understand human behavior, cycles, and life patterns. Today, modern astrology blends that ancient wisdom with psychology.

Even Carl Jung used astrology to understand the human psyche, famously saying:

"Astrology represents the summation of all the psychological knowledge of antiquity."

So, while it may not be “scientific” in the way physics is, astrology is deeply rooted in symbolic understanding, and is an incredible tool for reflection and personal growth.

Myth 3: Astrology Determines Your Future

There’s a long-standing debate in astrology between fate and free will. Here’s how I see it: astrology sets the stage, but you’re the actor.

While the sky can show patterns, themes, and cycles, like your Saturn return or an upcoming eclipse, how you respond is entirely up to you.

Astrology doesn’t predict the future in a rigid way. On the contrary, it helps you make sense of what’s happening so you can navigate it with greater awareness and clarity.

In short, it’s a map, not a mandate. You’re still in the driver’s seat.

Myth 4: All Astrology Is the Same

Not all astrology is created equal. There are many different systems, each with their own language and lens:

• Western Astrology (most popular in the U.S.): Uses the tropical zodiac, which follows the seasons rather than the actual star positions. It focuses on inner emotional and psychological patterns.

• Vedic Astrology (Jyotish): An ancient Indian system that uses the sidereal zodiac, meaning it’s based on where the stars and constellations actually are in the sky. It focuses strongly on things like karma, life path, and spiritual evolution.

• Chinese Astrology: Uses the lunar calendar and 12 animal signs (like Dragon, Rat, and Tiger, to name a few). It’s deeply connected to Taoist philosophy and focuses on balance, personality traits, and life cycles.

• Evolutionary Astrology: Looks at your soul’s journey across lifetimes. It highlights the spiritual lessons you’re here to learn and how your past shapes your growth in this life.

• Hellenistic Astrology: A revival of techniques used by ancient Greek astrologers, often very predictive in nature.

  
  

Each system has value and a unique way of interpreting your chart. So, if you're looking to get a reading or exploring astrology, it helps to know what system you're looking into and what you're hoping to learn.

Myth 5: Astrology Goes Against Religion

This one comes up a lot—and understandably so.

But astrology and religion weren’t always separate. Ancient civilizations used the stars to connect with the divine. In fact, many religious traditions incorporated astrological observations into their spiritual rituals.

The divide came later, when institutional religion looked to centralize spiritual authority.

Ultimately, astrology isn’t about replacing God, Spirit, or the Universe. It’s about understanding the energetic blueprint you were born with.

Whether you’re religious, spiritual, or both—astrology can support your connection to yourself and the cosmos.

So, What Can Astrology Really Help With?

At its core, astrology offers insight and guidance. It can help you:

• Recognize how others perceive you (Rising Sign)

• Identify repeating life lessons (Saturn)

• Discover your strengths and shadows (Sun)

• Clarify the direction your soul is being called toward (North Node)

Personally, astrology helped me understand the parts of me that didn’t make sense growing up—like being sensitive, moody, or needing time alone. It’s also helped me navigate themes I'm still working on, like self-worth and boundary setting.

I’ve revisited my birth chart countless times, during challenging seasons, crossroads, and moments of deep questioning. And every time, it gives me something meaningful to reflect on. For example, when recurring patterns show up, my chart reminds me that I’m here to learn from them, not avoid them—this is part of my soul’s work.

The truth is, our natal chart doesn’t change, but we do. That’s what makes it such a powerful mirror. At the end of the day, astrology isn't about labels—it’s about honoring all parts of ourselves: the light and the shadow, the strengths and the struggles. It invites us to see clearly, integrate consciously, and grow into the fullest expression of who we’re meant to be.

Want to Learn More?

If you’re interested in going deeper into astrology, check out my Introduction to Astrology course—designed to help you understand your chart, the planets, the zodiac signs, and so much more.