What sort of epistemology or way of knowing does astrology use?

Astrology is way of knowing unto itself: to "astrologize." However, to not make plain various epistemologies that flow into the crucible of "astrologizing" adds to the esoteric reputation of astrology. Astrology is neither reduced to empiricism or intuition but is a complex blending of both. Therefore, astrology can be seen as the "queen of sciences" and the most grounded and pragmatic of the metaphysical arts. Astrology is arguably the one tool that illuminates the great mystery of being and the universe that does not reduce or de-complexify that mystery. Astrology is a multivalent way of knowing that incorporates empiricism, experience, feelings and felt sense, and above all, intuition.

Intuition, as defined by the philosopher Pascal, was a "seeing through the surface of things into their essential mystery;" it is an immediate apprehension, or knowing, into essences and universals. Intuition may need the service of deductive reasoning for affirmation, but creativity and bolts of insight-the forms often associated with intuition-come instantly and without premeditation or work.

Empiricism is loosely defined as knowledge gained by the senses that can be worded or classified in objective terms. Astrology integrates empirical data into its hybrid methodology and allows astrologers and lay public to verify or dismiss its hypotheses based on observation. Thus, astrology is not predicated on simply qualitative or subjective inferences but adds strength and rigor from its reliance on empirical observation.

A necessary part of the validation or repudiation of astrology is based on feeling. Some astrological "influences" are obvious, others subtle. In both cases attentiveness to feeling is crucial. Making discreet distinctions in terms of astrological phenomena are dependent upon feeling states. It is not simply enough to have empirical correlations and insights into things, but for astrology to truly make an impact, one must be attuned to the ebb and flow of one's feelings.

Life experience is the cornerstone of wisdom. Life is lived somewhat as if within a mandala of experiences where different episodes, dimensions, or rooms open up over time. It takes a full-fledged experience into all of life's different dimensions to really know-in the deepest sense-what a particular experience is truly about. Thus, in astrological terms, one can sense in a vague but almost inaccessible way what a Pluto transit is all about when one reads descriptions of it in astrological literature. A fuller understanding of a Pluto transit occurs when one observes, hears, or enters into art, film, music that is evocative of the Plutonic dimension of life. The greatest and fullest understanding of a Pluto transit-that particular dimension of the mandala of life-occurs when one experiences a Pluto transit directly. The intelligence or wisdom of this arena of life is immediately accessible, visceral, and fully engaged, thus, one becomes an expert, in a sense, to this realm of life.