Character Skills and Talents: Astrological Divination

As writers, we want to make our characters as unique and interesting as possible. One way to do this is to give your character a special skill or talent that sets him apart from other people. This might be something small, like having a green thumb or being good with animals, to a larger and more competitive talent like stock car racing or being an award-winning film producer. 



When choosing a talent or skill, think about the personality of your character, his range of experiences and who his role models might have been. Some talents might be genetically imparted while others are created through exposure (such as a character talented at fixing watches from growing up in his father’s watch shop) or grow out of interest (archery, wakeboarding, or magic). Don’t be afraid to be creative and make sure the skill or talent is something that works with the scope of the story. 

Description: exploring the study of the placement of stars, planets and constellations, to determine how astrological structure can affect personality and influence life events. A character who has studied astrology extensively can chart an individual’s celestial path by using the date and hour of their birth. This information can offer unique insight into their personality traits, relationships, and how certain planetary movements may be influencing their lives. This in turn can give greater context to past events, the present, and possibly open a window into what the future may hold.

Beneficial Strengths or Abilities: Strong reading skills, a background in psychology or working knowledge of the personality basics, being a people-person, having an investigative nature, a willingness to help others, an interest in other cultures and their beliefs, being strong in mathematics

Character Traits Suited for this Skill or Talent: open-mindedness, studious, intelligence, pensive, inquisitive, disciplined, patience, curiosity

Required Resources and Training: A character would have to dedicate significant amounts of time to the study of the stars, constellations (birth signs), cultural mythology (pertaining to astrological beliefs), and spiritual beliefs. Having a mentor or attending programs that focus on astrology and its teachings would fast track one’s knowledge. The character would also need significant practical experience in creating charts and learning the right questions to ask so that one’s advice addresses the specific areas the subject will find the most useful.

Associated Stereotypes and Perceptions:

Many believe that astrology is not a valid discipline, while others place weight on what celestial influences are interacting with their star/sun sign at different points of their lives. Most see astrology as being no more than computer generated horoscopes that run in newspapers and magazines, but in reality, it is a philosophical study of finding meaning in the stars.

Scenarios Where This Skill Could be Useful:

Choosing the right time to have a family, take financial risks or make bigger changes in one’s life by seeing if the influences in the stars are currently favorable or not
Understanding the traits that pair with Zodiac signs to determine if a friendship or other relationship will be a strong match, and if not, how best to work with a specific sign based on the traits that present typically with someone of that group
Increase awareness of upcoming planetary shifts that may present challenges, so one can work towards minimizing them before they occur
As a form of entertainment at parties
As a way to secure one’s place as an adviser or trusted supporter (provided the person in power believes in Astrological influences)
As a method to introduce a fictional prophesy or predict a major event

Resources for Further Information:

Understanding Astrology

First Steps in Astrology

The Personalities of Astrological Signs

You can brainstorm other possible Skills and Talents your characters might have by checking out our FULL LIST of this Thesaurus Collection. And for more descriptive help for Setting, Symbolism, Character Traits, Physical Attributes, Emotions, Weather and more, check out our Thesaurus Collections page.

 

Image: Kaz @ Pixabay

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