Post by tony on Feb 15, 2014 15:46:24 GMT -5
These are my views on astrology as someone who came to it from a
psychological perspective, primarily informed by the work of C G Jung.
Astrology is primarily psychological, which is to do with the soul or psyche. It is an inner,
intuitive discipline rather than a science in the modern sense. The personality, of which
astrology can give us a rich and complex profile, is, like the body, a vehicle of the higher
purpose which we serve in earthly life. Astrology is a powerful tool for understanding two very
important and inter-linked processes in life. Firstly the day to day reality and our adaption to
it, and secondly our hidden or inner purpose and the lessons which are inherent in that.
In the first of these we are living and focussed in the life of an incarnate being. As such we
may be unaware of, or resistant to, the more complex psychic reality of `who and what we are' as
a multi-dimensional being of which this incarnation is only one small facet. The reality of our
multi-dimensionality is contained in the placement of the transpersonal planets. It is through
their aspects to the personal and collective planets that the potential for our experience and
understanding of this reality is constellated. In particular it is through the effects of
transpersonal planet transits that the tension between our trance-like identification with the
with earthly life and the reality of our greater being is so heightened that it breaks into
consciousness.
Astrology is on one hand a very subtle and complex tool for self knowledge on the day to day
level of experience. Here it give us explanations for many of our actions behaviours and urges,
and as such is a tool for self acceptance. If one can accept who one innately is, and begin
to work with rather than against one's nature, then the processes of nurture with which we
attempt to change ourselves may be far more effective. In this area the focus of astrology
is primarily on the personal planets (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars), the Ascendant and
Jupiter and Saturn (planets related to collective life and values) as indicators of our
personal desires, styles and attitudes in relationship, social life and self expression.
This aspect of astrology, through aspects to the transpersonal planets, also shows the possible
outlets for the deeper forces in the psyche which flow (or don't flow) into our lives through
the gateways of the personal planets.
It is in this sense that astrology offers a great potential for increasing self knowledge, and
therefore self acceptance, which makes it is a most useful psychological tool. In this it
focuses one on the here and now, on ever day life and realities, not on escapist fantasies
and phenomena.
On the other hand astrology is a powerful tool for understanding our relationship to the
transpersonal aspects of human experience - the religious, spiritual or metaphysical dimensions.
The outer or transpersonal planets and the Nodes of the Moon, connect us to the deeper purposes
which we serve knowingly or unknowingly in our lives. These planets (Pluto, Neptune, Uranus and
Chiron) move in long cycles that have a collective as well as individual significance, and, as I
indicated above, their linking with personal planets indicates the manner in which one will
experience such transpersonal realities.
Deeply unconscious patterns in the individual psyche are here revealed, things that seem to run
in families or have the quality of what may be called karma or fate. The Nodes of the Moon also
indicate deeper psychic patterning, karmic issues or spiritual lessons. The deeper layers of
psychological patterning such as psychosomatic responses, psychic and spiritual abilities and
dimensions of the personality, transcendent or transformational energies, addictive/neurotic/
psychotic possibilities and psycho-sexual dynamics are all potentially indicated by outer planet
configurations in the chart. In other words the deeper life of the soul, the lessons one has in
serving it in this life and the multi-dimensional aspect of our greater being may be revealed
through these factors.
Periods of transit activity by outer planets are important indicators of where, how and when
energies from the deeper layers of the psyche will break through and demand our attention.
Such times are times of trial and challenge but also of great potential benefit; times of
transformation, healing and emergence of creative energies and hidden psychic or spiritual
dimensions into one's life. Transits are times of cyclic emergence of energies for psychological
change and spiritual development. They are "trigger" points which open up times of heightened
opportunity for growth, although they are often initially experienced as times of disruption and
upheaval. Looking at signs and houses in major transits can prepare one for dealing with the
emergence of these energies in particular arenas of life. It is important to understand that
outer planets and Saturn transits are not "points in time" and understanding that they may
extend over several months (up to a year sometimes) may be important preparation for gaining the
fullest benefit from them.
Rodney Ravenswood, copyright 2008
psychological perspective, primarily informed by the work of C G Jung.
Astrology is primarily psychological, which is to do with the soul or psyche. It is an inner,
intuitive discipline rather than a science in the modern sense. The personality, of which
astrology can give us a rich and complex profile, is, like the body, a vehicle of the higher
purpose which we serve in earthly life. Astrology is a powerful tool for understanding two very
important and inter-linked processes in life. Firstly the day to day reality and our adaption to
it, and secondly our hidden or inner purpose and the lessons which are inherent in that.
In the first of these we are living and focussed in the life of an incarnate being. As such we
may be unaware of, or resistant to, the more complex psychic reality of `who and what we are' as
a multi-dimensional being of which this incarnation is only one small facet. The reality of our
multi-dimensionality is contained in the placement of the transpersonal planets. It is through
their aspects to the personal and collective planets that the potential for our experience and
understanding of this reality is constellated. In particular it is through the effects of
transpersonal planet transits that the tension between our trance-like identification with the
with earthly life and the reality of our greater being is so heightened that it breaks into
consciousness.
Astrology is on one hand a very subtle and complex tool for self knowledge on the day to day
level of experience. Here it give us explanations for many of our actions behaviours and urges,
and as such is a tool for self acceptance. If one can accept who one innately is, and begin
to work with rather than against one's nature, then the processes of nurture with which we
attempt to change ourselves may be far more effective. In this area the focus of astrology
is primarily on the personal planets (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars), the Ascendant and
Jupiter and Saturn (planets related to collective life and values) as indicators of our
personal desires, styles and attitudes in relationship, social life and self expression.
This aspect of astrology, through aspects to the transpersonal planets, also shows the possible
outlets for the deeper forces in the psyche which flow (or don't flow) into our lives through
the gateways of the personal planets.
It is in this sense that astrology offers a great potential for increasing self knowledge, and
therefore self acceptance, which makes it is a most useful psychological tool. In this it
focuses one on the here and now, on ever day life and realities, not on escapist fantasies
and phenomena.
On the other hand astrology is a powerful tool for understanding our relationship to the
transpersonal aspects of human experience - the religious, spiritual or metaphysical dimensions.
The outer or transpersonal planets and the Nodes of the Moon, connect us to the deeper purposes
which we serve knowingly or unknowingly in our lives. These planets (Pluto, Neptune, Uranus and
Chiron) move in long cycles that have a collective as well as individual significance, and, as I
indicated above, their linking with personal planets indicates the manner in which one will
experience such transpersonal realities.
Deeply unconscious patterns in the individual psyche are here revealed, things that seem to run
in families or have the quality of what may be called karma or fate. The Nodes of the Moon also
indicate deeper psychic patterning, karmic issues or spiritual lessons. The deeper layers of
psychological patterning such as psychosomatic responses, psychic and spiritual abilities and
dimensions of the personality, transcendent or transformational energies, addictive/neurotic/
psychotic possibilities and psycho-sexual dynamics are all potentially indicated by outer planet
configurations in the chart. In other words the deeper life of the soul, the lessons one has in
serving it in this life and the multi-dimensional aspect of our greater being may be revealed
through these factors.
Periods of transit activity by outer planets are important indicators of where, how and when
energies from the deeper layers of the psyche will break through and demand our attention.
Such times are times of trial and challenge but also of great potential benefit; times of
transformation, healing and emergence of creative energies and hidden psychic or spiritual
dimensions into one's life. Transits are times of cyclic emergence of energies for psychological
change and spiritual development. They are "trigger" points which open up times of heightened
opportunity for growth, although they are often initially experienced as times of disruption and
upheaval. Looking at signs and houses in major transits can prepare one for dealing with the
emergence of these energies in particular arenas of life. It is important to understand that
outer planets and Saturn transits are not "points in time" and understanding that they may
extend over several months (up to a year sometimes) may be important preparation for gaining the
fullest benefit from them.
Rodney Ravenswood, copyright 2008