Understanding Astrology: Learn These 10 Things First

Sculpture on building facade showing zodiac clock with signs and astrological houses.

If you’re curious about astrology or just want to be more in tune with your bruja (witch) side, we bring you a few interesting facts to start your journey. Here 10 astrology facts that will blow your mind and they’re great conversation starters if you want to connect with other astrology enthusiasts:


Astrology is as ancient as it gets

Sculpture on building facade showing zodiac clock with signs and astrological houses.Photo by Josh Rangel on Unsplash

Astrology dates back thousands of years, with the earliest evidence of it dating as far back as the 3rd millennium BCE. Astrology was even an academic discipline across Eurasia until the 17th century. It has evolved significantly since then, but its fundamental principles remain rooted in ancient wisdom. While it’s not a science, its history is fascinating, and the meaning we give it is rich. Remember that the next time a man tries to make you feel silly for liking astrology; he’s just close-minded.

Sun signs vs. Moon signs

a globe with the representation of the zodiacal signs and constellationsPhoto by Nastya Dulhiier on Unsplash

When you’re just getting into astrology, the difference between your sun sign and your moon sign can seem complicated. It’s actually very simple! The sun sign is determined by the position of the sun at the time you were born. It represents your core identity, ego, and the essence of who you are. Your moon sign is determined by the position of the moon at the time of your birth and it represents your emotions, instincts, and subconscious mind. Together, they allow you to understand your astrological identity a bit better and get more insights out of your interpretations.

Being born between two signs might make you a “cusp”

diagram of a birth chart with representation of the zodiacal signs and houses

While astrologers have different interpretations of “cusps”, it’s generally understood as someone who is born between two signs. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re a combination of the two signs, though. More often than not, people identify more with one sign than the other, so it’s a matter of assessing and figuring out the sign that speaks to you the most.

Mercury retrograde is not as bad as it may seem

The Colors of Mercury

Photo by RidingWithRobots on Flickr

Mercury retrograde is a phenomenon in which the planet Mercury appears to move backward in its orbit. In astrology, this period is often associated with chaos and communication issues, so it’s not advisable to make big life decisions during this time. However, it can be a positive time if you use it to slow down, reflect, reevaluate, repair, and do things like reorganize your space, revisit old places, etc.

The moon can influence your emotions

Image of the Moon cyclePhoto by Sanni Sahil on Unsplash

When the moon is full, do you notice feeling more sensitive? Especially when it comes to reminiscing about the past. Well, dating back to as early as 400 B.C., scholars attributed this kind of emotional shift to the moon's gravitational pull. The term "lunatic" itself originated from the belief that lunar phases affected mental states. So, maybe keep an eye on moon phases and see how they affect your mood.

Astrological compatibility is a thing

Woman seated on a couch attentively listens to an astrological reading and analysis

The belief in astrological compatibility is based on the idea that the positions and movements of the Sun, Moon, planets, and stars at the time of our birth can influence our personality and behavior. Based on that, astrologers have determined how compatible signs can be with each other. It’s not a hard rule, but you can find which signs you’re most compatible with and see how that aligns with your experience.

The significance of Saturn returns 

Saturn and its ringsPhoto by NASA on Unsplash

Saturn returns occur approximately every 29.5 years when the planet Saturn completes its orbit around the Sun and returns to the same position it occupied at your birth. This period is often associated with significant life changes, challenges, and opportunities for growth. So, mark it on your calendar if you haven’t because it can be the perfect time for introspection and making a reassessment of your goals for the future.

The importance of transits and progressions

illustration of the orbit of the planets

Illustration by Thibaut Roger

Astrology considers transits and progressions to interpret and understand the influence of celestial bodies. Transits look at the position of the planets in relation to your natal chart, while progressions consider the advancing positions of the planets. Transits show the external influences affecting your life, while progressions reveal your internal growth and development over time. Both are essential for understanding the dynamics of your life journey and providing insights.

Astrology has many branches

photograph of an astrological book

Astrology isn't just about Sun signs (your typical horoscope). There are many other branches to look into, including natal astrology (analyzing individual birth charts), horary astrology (to answer specific questions), electional astrology (for selecting auspicious times for events), and mundane astrology (which focuses on world events).

It’s not a science, but it’s not useless

photograph of a telescope pointing at the night sky

While astrology has a dedicated following and has been relevant for millennia, it also has a lot of skeptics who dismiss it as a pseudoscience. Yes, astrology is not a science, but many people find value in it as a tool for self-awareness, personal growth, and understanding of themselves and their connection to the universe. Ultimately, it’s thought-provoking and fun, so there’s no harm in it. Plus, it can help you find your own form of spirituality!

hands holding up yellow protest signs that say Hands Off Our Bodies
Photo Credit: Gayatri Malhotra via Unsplash

Originally published in Common Dreams. Reprinted with permission.

The Latino electorate will prove decisive in securing reproductive freedom and abortion access through ballot measures around the country, particularly in states where Latinos are a significant portion of the electorate.

In November, abortion rights measures will appear on ballots across ten states, including Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, and New York, where Latinos make up a significant portion of the electorate. For decades, pundits and politicians have recycled long-held misconceptions about Latino voters and abortion access, citing our conservative and religious beliefs.

Anti-abortion extremists have long fueled these misconceptions through misinformation and disinformation campaigns targeting Latino communities with egregious lies and inflammatory rhetoric about abortion. Yet, polling, focus groups, and direct interactions with Latino communities have debunked these outdated tropes.

The Latino electorate will prove decisive in securing reproductive freedom and abortion access through ballot measures around the country, particularly in states where Latinos are a significant portion of the electorate.

For Latinos, the freedom to decide, a pillar of our American democracy, is critical. Meanwhile, Latinos are being hit directly with anti-abortion efforts that take away that freedom such as the six-week abortion ban put into effect by the Florida Supreme Court and the 1864 abortion ban upheld by the Arizona Supreme Court. In the wake of the Dobbs decision, people of color and Latinas have felt the impact of a lack of abortion access, an element of basic healthcare.

A 2023 report by the National Partnership for Women and Families estimated that nearly 6.5 million Latinas, or 42% of all Latinas of reproductive age in the country, live in a state that either had or was likely to ban abortion. Ironically, it will be abortion access and anti-choice efforts to restrict freedom of choice that will mobilize Latino voters this election.

In a poll conducted by three national reproductive justice organizations, 87% of Latinas named abortion and women’s rights as one of their top priorities as they head to the polls. Another battleground poll conducted by Somos PAC and BSP Research found that 61% of Latino registered voters expressed a more positive/favorable view of Kamala Harris after hearing that she will protect abortion rights, versus only 19% of Latinos who said they had a more negative view of Harris after hearing that.

In key states to secure the White House and both chambers, Latinos make up large chunks of the electorate: Arizona (25%), Colorado (15%), Florida (20%), Nevada (20%), and New York (12%). In the face of unprecedented attacks on basic healthcare access and targeted attempts by extremists to mislead and divide our community on this issue, this November Latinos will be key deciders on abortion access across the country.

Mari Urbina, Managing Director of Indivisible, Battleground Arizona Lead and former Harry Reid advisor.

Héctor Sánchez Barba is president and CEO of Mi Familia Vota (MFV).

This Viral Video Game Is Changing the Face of Voter Outreach

In 2024, voting campaigns have evolved greatly, to say the least. Creativity is now the name of the game and tongue-in-cheek humor is expertly leveraged to drive action. One example of that is Bop the Bigot, a revival of a viral game created in 2016 by Bazta Arpaio, an Arizona activist group, as part of a campaign to unseat Maricopa County’s Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Arpaio lost his re-election to Paul Penzone that year.

The game has now been updated for the current election cycle and relaunched by On Point Studios, with new features added to enable players to find out what’s on their ballot, confirm voter status, and register to vote.

Much like its former 2016 version, the game allows users to take out their political frustrations by virtually “bopping” GOP candidates in the head. It’s very similar to whack-a-mole, except the mole is replaced by former President Donald Trump, Ohio’s Senator J. D. Vance, and Kevin Roberts, President of the Heritage Foundation, which is spearheading Project 2025.

cartoon renditions of Donald Trump and J.D. Vance around a Bop the Bigot logoPromotional image provided by On Point Studios.

B. Loewe, Director of On Point Studios, came up with the concept for this game when working as the Communications Director at Bazta Arpaio in 2016, and is the executive producer of this revamped version. In the first version of the game, Bop the Bigot players used a chancla (flip flop) to “bop” the characters, tapping into Latino culture by leaning on the childhood experience of being set right by a flying chancla from a fed-up mother or grandmother.

This year, the chancla is replaced by a more current element, a green coconut, referencing Kamala Harris’ coconut tree meme. There are also side characters like “the couch,” cat ladies, and more coconuts. All references to jokes about Vice-Presidential candidate Vance, or insults Vance has made about women on the campaign trail.

Another new addition is that Harris’ laugh is immortalized as the game-over sound effect, an unexpected detail that adds even more humor and levity to the game.

cartoon renditions of Donald Trump, Kevin Roberts, and J.D. Vance around a Bop the Bigot logoPromotional image provided by On Point Studios.

Bop the Bigot, which is playable on desktop and mobile, is intended not just as a way to vent political frustrations, but also as a tool for activism and securing voter engagement.

For example, the game supports the work of Mexican Neidi Dominguez Zamorano, Founding Executive Director of the non-profit organization Organized Power in Numbers by using the “game over” screen to prompt players to donate to it and support their efforts.

Organized Power in Numbers is focused on empowering workers in the South and Southwest of the U.S. through collective action and comprehensive campaigns. Their mission is to create a large-scale movement that challenges the status quo and advocates for workers' rights, and racial and economic justice.

Currently, Dominguez Zamorano is leading worker outreach to 2 million working-class voters in the South and Southwest through doorknocking, texting, and calls with the help of local groups in North Carolina, Arizona, New Mexico, and more.

“We have been blown away by the enthusiastic reception for the video game. We knew we wanted to be part of its creative approach because our movement needs more fun and laughter. We need more ways to connect with nuestra gente so we can feel joy among all the absurdity we witness every day,” Dominguez Zamorano shared with Luz Media via email.

“Our people are gente trabajadora and we deserve to feel uplifted even in our toughest moments. We are deeply involved in the South and Southwest so we know what’s at stake in this election and we’re happy this can be a resource to mobilize, raise spirits, and get out the vote," she concluded.

Dominguez Zamorano is a committed activist for immigrants and workers' rights, known for her strategist skills and expertise. She played a key role in the campaign to win DACA and has also held roles in major campaigns, including as Deputy National States Director for Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign. In addition to her work with Organized Power in Numbers, Dominguez Zamorano is serving as a Senior Advisor to Mijente’s Fuera Trump Initiative.

Grassroots efforts like these have taken on new life in 2024, with Bop the Bigot adding to the larger, ongoing fight against political apathy and disinformation. Just as it did during the 2016 race, the video game uses humor to soften the serious task at hand—getting people to the polls.

"We want the game to be a fun and comical outlet for anyone who’s been insulted, frustrated, or harmed by Trump in the past and everyone who is ready to move forward as a country after election day," explained Loewe in a press release. "The proposals in Project 2025 and the beliefs of Trump and Vance aren’t just weird, they’re truly harmful. We wanted to give people a humorous and peaceful way to smack down their racism and sexism. We hope it makes people laugh and also feel empowered and motivated to get to the polls on or before election day."

With a mix of satire, sharp political critique, and nostalgia, the game is a call to action. The upcoming election, which is getting closer by the minute, has sparked fierce activism and creative yet grounded initiatives like these aim to ensure voters are engaged, especially young Latinos and disenfranchised groups.