loseyourname said:
However, if one million people share chart feature X, but show absolutely no statistical correlation between that feature and personality trait Y, for whatever reason (free will, their charts are different in other ways, etc.), how can an astrologer claim that feature X even pulls a person toward trait Y? On what does the astrologer base that claim?
There are other factors in the chart the astrologer uses to interpret feature X, such as aspects (up to 5 major ones, and a few minor ones). If Mars in Virgo in the 3rd house (as opposed to the other 11 houses) has a trine, and/or conjunct, and/or opposition, etc to any of the 8 planets or sun, then there are infinite possibilities of how that feature would be expressed. It is not a matter of saying that people with Mars in Virgo are this or that, but how the chart is expressed as a whole. For two people to have identical chart (and I mean
identical), it is 99.99999999% impossible. As I said before, for that extreme slight chance for people to have the identical chart, they need to begin breathing on their own at the same minute, in the same latitude/longitude, on the same day. Twins have very similar charts, but not identical because they are born at a different minute, which can alter their chart.
I have a program that basically shows a chart moving every second, you just plug in the longitude/latitude. So if that chart moves constantly (and the chart is actually showing a map of the planets moving in reflection to the earth), then it changes as each child is born. To base statistics on that is then automatically flawed (at least I would believe it to be) because the charts of two individuals would be different. So, to be hypothetical about the situation you proposed sort of defeats the purpose of astrology-we are all unique individuals with our own personal wills. The planetary positions at each moment are also individual since they all move at their own pace.
Each house, planet and 30 degree section of the ecliptic (aka "zodiac sign")
have symbolic themes that are pieced together to paint a picture of the person's tendencies. Now here's where I can get super specific about what each means, but it could put you to sleep. Just know that when a chart is interpreted, you have 9 planets, several asteroids (not all astrologers use these), the aspects between each planet(around 9 different ones as mentioned above) and 360 degrees of a circle (earth's ecliptic) of where each can be placed.
These symbolic themes came from years of studying people, and the studying still continues for those who are super serious. The Mars Effect study I mentioned earlier showed that those who had Mars (planet of physical energy/male energy/agression) in the first house/rising sign (the house that represents "me", or "who I am") had athletic tendencies a majority of the time. How do you explain those who weren't athletic whatsoever yet still had Mars in the first house? Well, you would have to be sure that the birth time was correct, then check any negative aspects-is there a square from Saturn in the 4th or 10th house (as an example)? In what sign is Saturn in? Is there a grand trine that affects Mars? Etc, etc.
Does that help any? Sometimes I get so engrossed with astrology, I forget how to communicate in layman's terms.