Astrology – what the F*+! is it?

To the general population Astrology is a bit of whimsy – check today’s stars, read our horoscope as we wait for our GP or dentist appointment. This view does of course have an element of truth, but it is not the total definition of what Astrology might be.

Astrology is also a way to see and interpret the human based view of all things existential. It operates on the premise that the universe is alive and conscious: e.g. Chi, Prana, Anima Mundi – which means the entire shebang functions via an intelligent vibration. It also proposes that – we as individual humans – have chosen to incarnate into the specific body within which we reside (in the) Here and Now. And as extension to/and of this vibrating intelligence, we have chosen time, date and place of birth to ensure that we are (always) where we need to be in order to learn the lessons attached to the birth event. Astrology suggests that the planets/celestial bodies within our solar system are each imbued with specific ‘archetypal energies’ (see below for definition of archetypes), that produce, yield patterns – messages that will resonate and correlate to each human’s specific lessons via direct experiential exchange between our living body/psyche, the living intelligent cosmos and the minutiae and events as they play out. In short Astrology is a method for developing insight into the self – to get to “Know Thyself” – and ones latent potential via pattern recognition – the mandala of the cosmos’ spirals, cycles – lessons on offer …………… as above – so below.

Astrology is the using of symbolic language in a bid to communicate and deal with the less visible aspects of the human psyche and the surrounding environmental conditions wherein we are born and reside. Astrology creates and opens a portal – a way into the ‘self’ – which promotes communication and understanding of the life journey, it enables us as observer/participant the means whereby we can see and locate patterns and cycles that contain the potential to supply and promote meaning to the seemingly random events of the everyday. The Birth/Natal chart is essentially the capturing of the pattern of the surrounding heavens – in symbolic form – at the moment we enter this human life. This approach/methodology can illuminate areas from within our psyche that contain the innate capacity to show and bring benefit from life’s lessons as they appear. This means that as we set about (consciously) living our life journey there will be particular life events of significance that will align with or correspond to specific astrological/planetary transits or movement. Astrology is – in its broadest sense: the search for human meaning via observation and interaction between one’s conscious self – the psyche, live events and the extended world in which we reside. It seeks to shed light upon both the general/collective behaviour and the more specific individualised life events that occur (synchronously) via the influence of planets/celestial bodies and us within the confines of 3D planetary living.

Archetypal Correspondence – the language of symbol – according to CG Jung’s definition “An Archetype is an inherited, inherent and ancient aspect of the collective unconscious that is present within the individual psyche that typically presents in symbolic form – is essentially neutral – i.e. without any ascribed meaning – until activated (energised) by wilful movement from the unconscious to the conscious realms”

  The basic principle of astrology infers that the planets contain fundamental, cosmically based connection to specific archetypal forces or principles (captured within the collective unconscious) which influence human existence and behaviours, character and personality and in direct association also suggest that the patterns formed by the planets positions and movement/transits through the heavens will bear meaningful correspondence to the patterns of human affairs on the Earth. In terms of individuals, the positions of the planets at the time, date and place of a person’s birth are regarded as corresponding to the basic archetypal patterns of that person’s life and character. The birth moment – leaving the mother’s womb – taking our first breath that we become archetypally imbued – imprinted and affected by the ‘Gods/archetypes’ to produce specific symbols aligned with specific (karmic) lessons for which we have chosen this particular time and life. The Natal/birth chart can provide for us a vivid portrait of one’s total self and the potentials on offer – its usefulness however will be entirely dependent upon how willing we are to face our true character: i.e. the whole self as revealed in Archetypal form – including the Shadow: parts of the self that may be shunned even disowned due to their difficult, dark or hidden nature/presentation.

 Psychology is only now beginning to acknowledge what the astrologers have known for many years: in our (psychological) struggle to bring back the fragmented, lost pieces of ourselves we are oftentimes propelled into a maelstrom of confusion which can shock and terrify but can also awaken us to potential development the possibility for evolution and healing. Our hero/ine’s journey towards individuation may take many paths and have different guises and forms which will correspond to different astrological cycles/transits throughout the living of our lives. Difficult lessons can arrive through loss which will likely be accompanied by suffering. With the honouring and legitimising of these vital occurrences comes opportunity for healing and evolution whereas failure to honour the suffering will see any associated negative symptoms persist. Our diligent approach to THE work will become the way forward as we attempt to make meaning, decipher the codes: finding and using the patterns and cycles of the rich and varied tapestry of life. NB: See Dane Rudhyar’s Acorn theory where the suggestion is that the entirety of our potential is made present by the agreement and arrangement to incarnate at a specific point/place time/space and suggesting that we have contained within us all that we can or will ever be. It differs from the medical/psychological theorem where the psychological notion posits that we need to gather fragmented pieces of the psyche and glue them back on.

NB – Though the goal of using Astrology be an Alchemical process: turning lead into gold – the depiction and  realisation of one’s (potential) destiny it needs to be remembered that using any ‘language’ (including Astrology) within the therapeutic/counselling type arena is based upon the notion to serve the persons involved. It is not designed or deemed to be infallible and the quality of the health of the individual’s life and the nature of the individual’s soul are far more important than any insight that the natal chart may infer or offer. And just like these ‘symbolic’ readings that arrive into the healing/counselling arena via such linguistic use it needs to be mentioned and prioritised that the ownership and interpretation of any language and or symbol always belongs to the individual that provides the image, idea and symbol: i.e. the dream belongs to the dreamer and use remains their choice.    

And to quote the very clever modern day Wise Woman and Sha(wo)man Zoë Shuttleworth from her superb website Zodiac Astrological Alchemy – Know Thyself – https://zo-diac.com/ the italics below give a beautiful succinct definition for today’s subject matter

Astrology is an ancient art-science that considers the meaning interwoven in the celestial bodies against the backdrop of the zodiac and the mysterious correlation between these cosmic movements and the events in our lives: our inner psychic terrain and thus our human experience.