Another good practice is to review the daily positions of the Cosmic Significators (Sun, Moon and Planets) comparing their present positions with those they occupied at the moment used to erect the Cosmic Chart [horoscope]. Our entire planetary system, as everything else in the Cosmos, is in a perpetual state of flux. The positions of the Sun, Moon and Planets, reflect that continual state of flux. Thus by studying their daily positions we can follow the daily flux of our cosmic system, attuning our minds and cosmic sensitivities to the reality of the cosmos.

It is a lot easier to tune in, for example, to the energy emanating from the cosmic cycle related to Mars when you already know where Mars is. Furthermore, these cosmic cycles interact among themselves and also interact with our own personal cosmic sensitive points buried deep within our psyche. The net effect of these interactions will depend on many factors and may differ widely from the normal effect of each cosmic cycle when acting by itself. But, by studying in advance the flux of these cycles we can see when and how they are going to interact among themselves and from our previous reactions to similar cycles we may foresee what their future impact would be.

This don't need to be a detailed step by step analyses. The idea here is not to do "Sun-sign type daily readings" but to develop a feeling for how we react to cosmic influence so that with just a quick glance at the daily planetary positions we may see what is the present cosmic mood, and how it may affect us.

To review the daily positions of the Cosmic Significators (Sun, Moon and Planets) you'll need an Ephemeris [the Rosicrucian Fellowship sells a very good one. Also, the American Federation of Astrologers sells the Rosicrucian Ephemeris plus a few others, all of them good] and a good telescope. The Ephemeris helps you to see where the Cosmic Significators are in your natal chart while the telescope helps you to see where they are in the actual sky. Both things are essential to develop your own sensitivity to their influence.

As part of this daily astrological sensitivity training I recommend you to built a Personal Astrological Observatory where you can go to contemplate the heavens. Since the primary cosmic cycles that influence us are within our own Cosmic System, a low priced telescope should be enough. But to it you should add others things that would help you to comprehend the cosmic phenomena [equinoxes, solstices, phases of the Moon, high and low tides, eclipses, etc., etc.] taking place in our Cosmic System, and how they affect our environmental reality and psychological development.

As you become familiar with all these phenomena and with the various cosmic cycles manifested in the paths of the planets, you'll find yourself able to perceive the state of the heavens at any given time and date.

Knowing then the Cosmic Forecast for the day, we'll be much more prepared to tune in to the cosmic forces and organize our daily schedule, attitudes and priorities in such a way as to maximize our use of that cosmic potential. Again, this need not to be a detailed "well thought out plan"; but simply a quick glance; just as you check the whether forecast to see if it is going to snow, hail or rain, if it is going to be warm or cold.

This understanding of the present state of the Cosmic Continuum in combination with the previously describe exercise of the Inner Light offers the best way to develop your psychic sensitivity. Arm yourself with your Cosmic Chart, Ephemeris, and telescope. Start by meditating on your Cosmic Chart to get a feeling for your own cosmic sensitivity; then study the present positions of the planets [using the Ephemeris and a telescope] to determine the general cosmic state and its influence upon you. Finally, practice the exercise of the Inner Light focusing your mind in seeking harmony and resonance with the Cosmos.

Our minds, after all, function in cycles; both in their daily workings and long term development, in their emotions as well as their ideologies. Each and every one of us has a personal ideology [WorldView], which is not static but grows, changes, and evolves in a cyclical manner. By identifying our inner emotional and intellectual drives with specific cosmic cycles we energized our inner development making sure that it will not become stagnant but will continue to grow, change and evolve in resonance with our Cosmic Continuum. This in turn guarantees us a rich, functional and exciting, but yet stable, emotional and intellectual life.

This, as a matter of fact, should be the primary function of Astrology: to regulate our intellectual and emotional lives in resonance with the Cosmos, which in turn is none other that God Himself manifested in an impersonal form.

Obviously, to be able to use Astrology this way you need a better understanding of this subject than the one given in the daily Sun-sign Horoscope Columns. Several good sources of astrological training and understanding follows. Please note that in order to obtain useful understanding from these sources you need to approach them with a critical attitude. Don't come to Astrology seeking Masters, Gurus, or Spiritual Guides. Here we are all students -- the cosmos is our textbook and common sense our guide. As Paul once said: "Analyze it all, but retain only what's good."

Having warned you, the following are good sources of astrological understanding:

 Uranus Publishing Co. Inc. 401 Pond Lane, Dept AA1193 Sequim, WA 98382 

Master Course in Basic Astrology written and published by Ove. H. Sehested; copyrighted 1982 with many subsequent revisions and updates. This is probably the best correspondence course in Astrology. Sehested is a great writer and teacher. I strongly recommend this course to new and even experienced astrologers who want to master the fundamentals of Astrology. Sehested also offers a solid catalog of Astrology books with over 1,000 titles.

 AstroResearch 1500 Massachusetts Avenue NW #764 Washington, DC 20005 

A good solid, traditional, defensible, Astrology calculation software package written and published by the enigmatic Syrman. This is an integrated top of the line software package that occupies over 10 megabytes of disk space. So you can imagine how much material it should contain.

 American Astrology 475 Park Avenue South New York, NY 10016 

A "must have" magazine for anyone interested in Astrology. Good, solid articles at the forefront of astrological thought.

 American Federation of Astrologers 6535 South Rural Road Tempe, AZ 85283 

The Oldest astrological organization in the United States. AFA offers a good catalog of books, cassettes, software and other Astrology related items. Also, there is the Annual Convention plus many other benefits for its members.

 The Rosicrucian Fellowship P.O. Box 713 Oceanside, CA 92040-0713 

Religious style Astrology organization. Offers a free correspondence course in Astrology [but you have to buy them the textbooks: about a $50 investment]. In spite of its religious style this organization have many good ideas and concepts to offer. Their Ephemeris [a book listing the daily positions of the Sun, Moon and Planets] is a "must have" for any astrologer or Astrology student.

 Astrolabe Box 40 Dept. A Brewster, MA 02631 

Top of the line Astrology software by Robert Hand, considered by many today's foremost astrologer. Also includes Hand's books like HOROSCOPES SYMBOLS -- classic works no astrologer should be without.