Why General Astrology Forecasts Don’t Work (and How to Align With Your Own Chart)
- Shanae Smith
- Apr 21, 2022
- 9 min read
Updated: Mar 5
Unpopular Opinion: General Astrology Forecasts Are a Waste of Time (For Most of You)
Astrology forecasts are everywhere. They’re fun, reoccurring—and for most people, a waste of time. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good astrology forecast from my favorite youtube astrologers, but if you’re relying solely on general forecasts to navigate your life, you’re missing out on the real benefits of this ancient tool.
By reading Why General Astrology Forecasts Don’t Work (and How to Align With Your Own Chart), you’ll:
Understand the Limits of General Forecasts: so you can recognize why they might not resonate and shift your focus to personalized astrology for deeper insights.
Learn to Align with Your Chart: so you can navigate your energy cycles with confidence and clarity by working with your unique astrological blueprint.
Overcome Doubts About Personal Astrology: so you can shift your focus from generic forecasts to insights that are actually relevant to your life and experiences.
Take Action with Practical Steps: so you can start tracking transits, exploring your natal chart, and using tools like Astro Click Portrait to guide your decisions.
Feel Empowered to Explore Further: so you can move beyond surface-level forecasts and embrace a tailored approach to astrology that resonates with your life.
I don’t normally provide forecasts (there are many forecasters out there I respect— Haley Comet Astrology, Lada Duncheva, Annie Bottichelli, and The Astrology Podcast, to name a few). These resources will become especially valuable after you’ve learned how to interpret transits to your own chart yourself.
But if you’re just starting out, let me explain why most general forecasts aren’t helpful—and how you can actually start using astrology in a way that’s meaningful to your life.
Why General Forecasts Fall Short
General astrology forecasts are designed to appeal to a wide audience, but they can oversimplify complex astrological dynamics. Here’s why they often fail to resonate on a personal level:
Your Natal Chart is Unique:
General forecasts typically rely on Sun signs or Rising signs, but your natal chart is far more intricate. It incorporates the placement of all the planets, your Ascendant, and the house systems, creating a unique energy blueprint. While general forecasts may suggest which area of life a transit might influence (based on houses), they can't provide insight into the quality or depth of the theme unfolding. This is because they don’t account for factors like the placement of the house ruler in your chart or the influence of other planets interacting with the transit.
Transits Affect Everyone Differently:
A planetary transit impacts individuals based on their specific chart placements. For example, a Mars transit in Leo might energize one person’s 10th house (career) while stirring conflict in another’s 4th house (home and family).
Context is Key:
Without considering your personal chart, a general forecast can’t account for how a transit interacts with your current life circumstances or long-term planetary cycles like your Saturn return or Chiron transits.
The Collective vs. The Individual:
While general forecasts can highlight broader societal trends, they often fail to address the nuanced ways these influences show up in your individual life.
TLDR; Forecasts are fun, but they’re not personal (duh!). Most general astrology content applies mundane astrology (planetary transits affecting the collective) to everyone.
For example:
A forecast might describe Jupiter transiting a house as “harmonious.” But harmonious doesn’t always mean good—and it doesn’t mean easy.
Without understanding the houses, planets, and aspects in your chart, you might find that Jupiter’s “harmony” brings an overwhelming abundance of something you’re not ready for.
Forecasts that lump everyone into one-size-fits-all advice often miss the nuance of astrology. They can’t take into account the layers of your natal chart, the unique relationships between planets, or the exact degrees where transits occur.
Knowing a Transit Doesn’t Make You Immune
Morpheus meme moment: What if I told you that knowing about a transit doesn’t make you immune to its effects?
Astrology isn’t about dodging life’s challenges—it’s about understanding their quality. It’s about knowing:
Not all time is created equal.
You can’t outwit the fabric of space and time.
Sometimes, it’s truly not the right time to act.
When you’re unaware of the cycles in your chart, life can feel like a series of random events.
Astrology teaches us that time is layered, archetypal, and repetitive.
Cycles Aren’t Always What You Expect
I hate to break it to you, but life isn’t one long period of bliss followed by a single stretch of struggle. It’s a cyclical of both.
You’ll experience years of joy, connection, and gratitude. And you’ll have seasons of challenge, loss, and frustration. The beauty of astrology is understanding these rhythms so you can prepare for them and work with them, rather than against them.
So, Why Even Bother With Astrology?
Astrology becomes powerful when it’s personal. Instead of relying on general forecasts to guide you, learning to apply astrology to your own chart can transform the way you approach life.
For example:
Have an interview coming up? Look at Mercury in your chart to align your timing and communication style.
Navigating a relationship? Your Venus sign can show you what you need in love—and whether the current Venus transits support those needs.
This is why I say: stop living by general forecasts and start using astrology as the personal, powerful tool it’s meant to be.
I have tons of blogs on Using Astrology. Please take some time to peruse them!
Addressing Potential Concerns about Using Astrology
If you’ve ever felt that astrology is too broad or complex to apply, you’re not alone. Let’s address some common concerns and how personalized astrology offers a deeper, more effective approach.
It’s natural to feel skeptical about the idea of using astrology for personal growth, especially if general forecasts haven’t resonated with you in the past. Here are some common objections and how personalized astrology offers solutions:
"Astrology feels too general to apply to my life."
General forecasts are broad by nature, but personalized astrology is entirely different. By focusing on your unique natal chart, you can uncover specific insights tailored to your life, goals, and challenges.
"Astrology can’t predict everything, so what’s the point?"
Astrology isn’t about predicting every detail—it’s a tool for self-awareness and alignment. It helps you work with the energy of the moment, making life feel less chaotic and more intentional.
"This seems too complicated for beginners."
Tools like the Astro Click Portrait (link below) and resources like my Astrology Transits for Beginners post (also linked below) break the process into manageable steps. You don’t need to know everything at once—just start with the basics and build from there.
"How do I know if it’s worth the time and effort?"
Personalized astrology isn’t a quick fix, but it’s an investment in your understanding of yourself. By aligning with your natural energy cycles, you’ll find it easier to make decisions, overcome challenges, and embrace opportunities.
Exploring your personal chart can unlock meaningful insights tailored to your unique journey. Here’s how to get started:
1. Use the Right Tools
Start with a tool like the Astro Click Portrait to get a clear overview of your astrology chart. This interactive tool simplifies your chart by highlighting planets, houses, and aspects in an easy-to-understand way. When you click on a placement, you’ll find accessible explanations for the house it’s in, the sign it occupies, and the aspects (or “conversations”) it’s having with other planets. It’s a great starting point for exploring your unique astrological blueprint.
For a deeper dive into energy cycles and how they impact rest and productivity, check out Rest and Productivity with Energy Cycles.
2. Learn the Basics of Transits
To understand how planetary movements influence you personally, review Astrology Transits for Beginners. This guide explains how transits interact with your natal chart and how they shape your experiences over time.
Track specific transits to your Sun, Moon, and Rising sign for patterns that resonate most strongly with you.
3. Understand the Role of Houses
Knowing what each house represents can help you interpret the areas of life impacted by transits. For a clear explanation, refer to Astrology Houses Explained.
Pay attention to which house a transit is moving through to identify themes such as career, relationships, or personal growth.
4. Reflect on Personal Patterns
Keep a journal to record your experiences during key transits. Over time, you’ll notice recurring themes and how different planetary movements align with your energy and life events.
5. Focus on Practical Applications
Astrology isn’t about predicting every detail but aligning with the energy at play. Use insights from your chart to guide decisions, embrace rest during challenging periods, and take action when transits support growth.
By integrating these steps into your practice, you’ll move beyond general forecasts and discover how personalized astrology can transform your understanding of yourself and your path forward.
From Astrology Algorithm Consumer to Cyclical Cycles Astrology Queen - Practical Steps to Align with Your Personal Astrology
If you’re ready to move from consuming astrology forecasts to living in alignment with your own cycles, I’ve got you.
How to Align with Your Own Chart
Aligning with your natal chart means using its unique patterns and energy cycles as a guide for decision-making, self-care, and growth. Here’s how:
Recognize the areas of life (houses) activated by transits to focus your energy effectively.
Use your chart’s strengths (e.g., planetary placements or aspects) to work through challenges.
Track repeating patterns to plan for opportunities or prepare for difficulties.
By combining these insights, you can create a life that flows with the universe’s energy instead of resisting it. For more on planning see Astrology Planning for Busy Witches and Babes, or Astrology Year Ahead Planning: How to Accomplish Your Goals with a Real Plan that will actually WORK.
To show how this works in real life, here’s an example of how I used astrology to align my energy with meaningful change.
Personal Anecdote: Astrology and Breaking Habits
Astrology isn’t just abstract theory—it’s a practical tool for understanding yourself and navigating change. For example, I used the same astrology transit to quit smoking, a sugary drink, and social media, and a similar transit to start a running regimen.
By understanding the planetary influences in my chart, I could see where my energy was best aligned for breaking habits and creating healthier routines. During that time, I paid attention to transits involving my 6th house (health and daily habits) specifically Venus (which resides natally in my 6th) and Mars (the planet of action).
Quitting wasn’t "easy" necessarily, but astrology provided a framework that helped me understand the timing and energy I needed to succeed and it was absolutely easier than times I had tried in the past. If you’re curious about using astrology for self-improvement, check out my post on Astrology and Quitting Smoking, Stop Self-Sabotage Now: Using Astrology to Break Harmful Patterns.
This transformation doesn’t happen overnight, but with ongoing guidance and personalized support, it becomes a natural part of your life. That’s where my Astrology Retainer Services come in.
With this service, you’ll get:
Monthly consultations to stay in sync with your goals and the current transits.
Ongoing email or messaging support for questions, reflections, or adjustments between sessions.
Personalized strategies tailored to your chart to help you make confident, intentional decisions.
A true partner to help you apply astrology practically to your life, work, and relationships.
Why Retainer Services?
Life is dynamic, and astrology is an ever-evolving tool. With regular consultations, you can align your actions with the natural cycles of the universe, ensuring you’re making the most of your energy, opportunities, and timing.
Ready to Align with Your Life?
This is perfect for you if you:
Want to feel deeply connected to your own rhythms and cycles.
Are seeking clarity in navigating life’s ups and downs with confidence.
Desire long-term support that evolves with you and your goals.
Prefer something with less (or zero!) commitment?
Astrology forecasts can give you insight into what’s ahead—but knowing how to apply them is what truly matters. Understanding your personal transits helps you make informed choices and align with the timing that works best for you.
New to astrology? My Natal Chart Tour gives you a beginner-friendly breakdown of your chart so you can start recognizing how astrology influences your life.
Want to align your plans with astrology’s cycles? My 5-Day Mini Course: Setting Aligned Goals That Work for You teaches you how to work with transits to create meaningful progress and lasting change.
Need a personalized forecast? A one-on-one astrology consultation can help you understand the key transits shaping your life—so you can move forward with confidence and clarity.
You don’t have to predict the future—you just need to understand the cycles shaping it.
Key Takeaways
General forecasts often fall short because they rely solely on Sun or Rising signs and don’t account for the complexity of individual natal charts.
Personalized astrology provides deeper value by focusing on your unique placements, transits, and energy cycles.
Using tools like Astro Click Portrait and understanding your chart’s houses and transits can help you align with your energy for better decision-making.
Practical application matters: By tracking patterns and reflecting on your experiences, you can make astrology a powerful guide in your daily life.
Astrology is about empowerment: It helps you work with universal energy to align with your goals and live intentionally.
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