It is almost more than 4000 years since the astrological ideas came into existence. With the different civilization, different system of astrology prevailed, with different beliefs and practices. The beginning of the 1st century B.C, witnessed the emergence of a new form of astrology viz. horoscopic astrology, which later came to be popularly known as Hellenistic astrology. Based on this tradition, many a system of astrological practices have emerged worldwide. It is during 1985 to 1987 the concept of Horoscope Analysis based on the psychological parameters was devised. It sowed the seed for the development of a new system of astrology, which is known as psychological astrology. Consulting astrology is a general term that covers most types of astrological practice.

Psychology is the science of mind and behavior. And psychological astrology, as its name suggests, is defined as a system of astrology that emerged from the synthesis of psychology and astrology. Psychological astrology is a specialized sub field of astrology that focuses on issues relating to personality growth and fulfillment of mankind. It is only a recent development. Psychological astrology employs a distinct method to explore the psychological implications over the psyche of an individual by studying his horoscope. Psychological astrology is transpersonal in nature and it could not be compared with the conventional notions of psychology themselves. According to Psychological astrologer Melanie Reinhart, "Astrology is an ancient and highly sophisticated map of the psyche that has survived translation into many different cultures over time."

As we already know, the birth chart is a graphical representation of the sky at the time and place of birth of an individual. The pattern of how planets and signs are positioned in the houses along with other variables in the birth chart differs from individual to individual and the chart is believed, in psychological astrology, to provide information with regard to personality, childhood issues, repressed material, spiritual yearnings, life themes, challenges, psychological development and life cycles of a person.

Carl Jung (1875 - 1961), a Swiss psychiatrist, is considered as the first modern psychologist to state that the human psyche is religious by nature. He has dealt with this aspect deeply. He is one of the most well known pioneers in the field of dream analysis. The concept of the collective unconscious and synchronicity perceived by Jung, laying stress on the "as above so below" theory, paved way to the development of psychological astrology. He believed that astrology could teach us about the human mind in a general nature. Several astrologers worked on this principle and found out that horoscopes could reveal the structure of character and they concluded that a person's emotional difficulties could be traced through his horoscope. This line of thought went a long way in letting astrology find a foothold in the field of psychology. Psychological astrology employs horoscope as a mere tool to help identify a person's characteristics and abilities based on their mindset.

According to the traditional astrology, human behavior is related to planetary positions. Even though the traditional astrology could describe the nature of human behavior, it touches only the outward characteristics of a person. But psychological astrology deals with the interior of the mind. For instance, psychological elements namely basic needs, developmental stages, psychological functions, cognitive structures, internal dialogues, intrapsychic conflicts, unconscious complexes, defense mechanisms, and personality disorders could be determined with the help of psychological astrology.

Promotion of personality healing and transformation are the main scopes of the psychological astrology by studying the unconscious mind. The psychological approach of this subject is aimed at the growth and development of the mankind toward an optimal state. Psychological astrologers go a step further to do counseling too by providing advice, direction, and guidance to their clients. Issues like psychological complexes, wounds, defenses, and others that may be operating outside the client's awareness are targeted so that they may be defined and addressed.

Being a transpersonal theory, psychological astrology adds significant dimensions to psychology, transforming it into a more spiritualized field of the subject that links human mind to heavens and reconnects humanxity with its divine heritage. According to psychological astrology, human psyche is considered a perpetual and irreducible phenomenon and is manifested in biological and social conditions. The application of psychological astrology makes a powerful tool for counseling and life management. It gives an incredibly helpful understanding about lack of a sense of direction, low self confidence, conflicts in relationships, health, sexuality, love, vocation, addiction, depression and much more.

Psychological astrologers claim that looking at the birth chart of an individual, his life journey and his complexes can be found out. Psychological astrology gives the individual insight into what makes him tick as a person; it can help him understand where he is going in life, why problems recur in his life and teaches him how to develop himself better. This can lead to helping him have a greater understanding of himself, his relationship with others and the direction of his life.