what astrology can tell about psychology?
“The basic meaning of the horoscope is that, by mapping out the positions of the planets and their relations to one another (aspects), together with the distribution of the signs of the zodiac at the cardinal points, it gives a picture first of the psychic and then of the physical constitution of the individual. It represents, in essence, a system of original and fundamental qualities in a person’s character, and can therefore be regarded as an equivalent of the individual psyche.” ~ Carl Jung
I thought long and hard what to write about this week. And, as I always write inspired by the things that are happening in my personal and/or professional life, and as the theme of astrology was occupying my mind this past week, I have decided to give it a go. For those of you who may find it unrelated to recovery - maybe you even find it unrelated to the human conditioning and psychology - well, this post just might not be for you. See you next week!
I have always thought of astrology as this fascinating and mysterious thing. There were times in the far past when I, however, thought that it could be mostly Woo Woo and esoteric stuff, only to soon after learn and embrace that behind astrology is actually a science. Not the (modern) science of today where there is a cause and effect, and where there is an idea that everything that can be proven is allowed to be part of our perceived reality, and what is not proven cannot possibly be part of it and, therefore, needs to be eliminated as a concept. Astrology is rather what was once considered a science - it is also an art, and it “interprets cosmic symbols” (Alexander von Schlieffen). Studying astrology meant studying the sky (in those times when people didn’t have Netflix). As something that works with symbols, it cannot be interpreted with words, thoughts and the traditional mind. Jung felt that “planetary aspects” can give us clues about the individual’s “psycho-physiological disposition: by mapping out the positions of the planets and their relations to one another (aspects), together with the distribution of the signs of the zodiac at the cardinal points, it [the birth chart] gives a picture first of the psychic and then of the physical constitution of the individual.”
“Astrology and other methods of divination may certainly be called the science of antiquity.” ~ Carl Jung
Astrology describes mixture of the various cosmic archetypes in us, based on the state in the cosmos in the moment when we were born. “In the moment when someone is born there is a pattern of archetypes that speaks of a personality of the individual” (Alexander von Schlieffen). The birth or the natal chart includes our “personal life task” and this is the rising sign or the ascendant. For the astrologer, the natal/birth chart is not just an image of the sky at the moment of one’s birth - it is much more - a makeup of our soul’s plan, and consequently, the most valuable instrument one can own. It states the reason why we were born, and it discovers our task during our lifetime. Since this has been determined even before we were born, it makes astrology even more fascinating - it makes it a philosophy, and also poses various questions about the relationship between the faith and free will. This is where it gets complicated for many people when it comes to astrology. If there are certain characteristics, qualities, impressed on us even before we receive early life experiences - how free are we then, really, in determining what we can and cannot do with this constitution that is given to us? Even if we look at our physical predispositions and characteristics, we will notice that we are not able to do just anything with it - we have a certain body shape and type (or maybe even a limitation), or we have stiff hips and short hamstrings, big feet or a small bladder, etc. So, how can we work with what we have, with what we are born with?
This question of how to understand fate and free will leads to two types of astrologers - those who are fatalistic and believe that we have little to no free will, and those who believe that “man reaps what he sows”. You’ll probably recognize yourself in one of these two types. The father of modern astrology Alan Leo stated that the “character is destiny.” This would imply that our destiny, our future, is predetermined by our inner character. Fate evolves with time, and it is identical with time. When we say that the time has not yet come, or that the “stars have not yet aligned”, we mean that fate has not yet realized itself. And by taking responsibility for our character, we participate in our fate.
Both astrology and analytical psychology face us with the unpleasant and horrified fact that we are not the masters of our own life, and that there are elements in our psyche - as well as in our life - that are way beyond our control. Many people cannot accept this. And, we can often be ignorant. We love learning about our strengths, but when it comes to our imperfections and weaknesses, we often overlook and disregard them. And, make no mistake - this does not make us free - not at all - it makes us more susceptible to cause and effect relationship, and less in control of our lives. What comes to mind is this saying that I read somewhere: “Freedom is what we do with what’s been done to us.”
“Rebellion is when you look society in the face and say, I understand who you want me to be but I am going to show you who I actually am.” ~ Anthony Anaxagorou
Astrology is also a very practical science. Different planets and their positions can tell a story about many things - our nature, our temper and character, about how it all develops and changes within time, about what kind of challenges we need to face in life in order to evolve, about what we need in order to live our full potential, about how to relate to that which is around us, about how to relate to each other, about our ability to be passionate about something, our ability to anticipate next steps and future, the ability to create structures and to carry on responsibility. It also shows our ability to connect in most intense way, it speaks about sudden change of patterns and about leading unconventional and unexpected life, it connects us with the unknown and unseen worlds, it speaks about past patterns that are familiar and safe but which don’t allow us to grow, about adventure and trying something new, about development of the soul, about our worldly vocation and so on... And this vast knowledge can be very useful in our day-to-day life, but also in our journey of becoming who we truly are.
Another fascinating aspect of astrology is, as Alexander von Schlieffen states, that “no moment in time is lost”. What this means is that - as the nature of life is cyclical (as opposed to being linear) - we have a different approach in understanding how the energy unfolds. In every moment something or someone is born. And we get to live out this moment in our life span. Every moment is unfolding in its own - new - cycle. As Carl Jung states: “We are born at a given moment, in a given place, and like vintage years of wine, we have the qualities of the year and of the season in which we are born.” Whatever or whoever is born at this particular moment of time, has the quality of this moment of time.
As fascinating as astrology is to me, I won’t go into much more into detail about it mostly because I lack the knowledge needed to do so. I can say that I have always believed in an individual birth chart, and not at all in those daily horoscope newspaper writings that address everyone who falls under the same astrological sign. Also, I don’t look at the horoscope as something that is static, fixed and predetermined, but rather as something fluid, that can change and evolve - just like anything in nature, including human beings. I consider it to be a helpful tool in self-knowledge and self-awareness, and something that can be a valuable element of my own individuation process. I have had my personal natal chart done years ago. And, till recently, all I remembered from it was my zodiac (sun) sign, as well as the ascending sign. Earlier this week, after listening to a short lecture by Alexander von Schlieffen, I looked up my personal chart that was done years ago. This inspired me to do some more reading about the meaning of signs, houses, planets etc. And, finally when I added some Jungian psychology and thought to it, it became such a profound discovery.
“The question which every astrologer asks is: What are the operative forces that determine my fate despite my conscious intention? And every psychoanalyst wants to know: What are the unconscious drives behind the neurosis?” ~ Carl Jung, C.W. Vol. 10: Civilisation in Transition
Jung was also speaking of synchronicity - a term that refers to a significant correlation between the inner world and the outer world, which simply cannot be viewed through a causal relationship. Synchronicity happens when an internally perceived event (dream, vision, thought) is seen to have a correlating event in external reality - in a way that the internal image has “come true”, as we tend to say. For example, you are thinking of a person, and then suddenly, that same person calls you out of the blue the next day. Or, even better, you are consumed by thoughts around certain areas of your life and - just like that - you find some pointers and suggestions about it in random places.
Like, this morning, for example, this personal horoscope reading landed in my inbox:
“Your fears are related to childbirth and parenting, creative self-expression, hobbies, entertainment, sexual partners, love, and romance. This could be a fear of having children and taking responsibility for them, and as a result, you could either have no children at all, or you can become a parent at an older age. Your relationships with children can be rather cold, your parenting style is strict. You may have psychological difficulties with romantic relationships, feel restrained, and quench your feelings and desires. You are afraid of failures in creativity, your lack of imagination.”
Holy shit! Not only that it perfectly described my fears, issues and themes that are present in my life currently, but this reading also triggered some deep memories and traumas, and called for some serious contemplation and analysis on my end. How are my psychological predispositions, my fears, as well as my past decisions affecting the current state of affairs in my life? What am I capable of doing about this? Am I able to change any of this? And what things are just the way they are, and will remain that way, no matter how I feel about them? There is an invitation, without question, to face some of my fears and redirect my life and purpose.
Then, there were recommendations:
“It would be harmful for you to look too restrained, have unachievable expectations for any romance, or settle for secondary roles in creative activities because you are scared to present yourself. Allow yourself to be imperfect. Make your work about creativity and take creativity to work. It is important that you develop ease and value every little achievement on the way to improving your skills. Aim for patience and maturity in relationships, gradually feeling free to express your feelings.”
Allow yourself to be imperfect.
Make your work about creativity.
Aim for patience and maturity in relationships.
Gradually feel free to express your feelings.
I will take these with me. They speak of my deep core beliefs, of my fears and old wounds, and certainly of what is needed for change.
I am certain that astrology will continue to be criticized by those individuals with scientific minds. The great task is (and has been for a while) to join science with spirituality. And we need to remember that astrology is not a belief system - we do not need to believe in something to feel its effects. Just like the law of karma - just because you don’t believe in it does not mean that actions don’t have consequences. Astrology continues to exist - years after years - and keeps reminding us of the interconnected realities which we live in, all the enigmas and obscurities, as well as the grace and perfection of the universal order. Astrology is what often offers meaning and hope to our souls.
“It takes courage to push yourself to places you have never been before… to break through barriers. And the day came when the risk it took to stay tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” ~ Anais Nin
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Until we meet again,
Marina
