Tag: transpersonal

What Is Psychological Astrology?

by Dianne Bachman

Most of us gain familiarity with astrology through Sun signs. We see the astrology columns in newspapers and magazines offering a monthly horoscope for each of the twelve signs. Though they speak to an important aspect of our personal make up, the Sun sign is just one facet. Truly, the personal horoscope is a very complex diagram that includes all the planets. We can view it as our unique wiring diagram, our road map for understanding what makes us tick. As the years pass, we can compare our birth charts with the position of the current transiting planets, allowing us to utilize the wisdom of the ages to guide us to our highest potential.

Ha! New Age fluff you say? Well, think again. Astrology dates to 30,000 BC. Archaeologists trace astrology back to the roots of civilization, with cave paintings and rock carvings noting lunar cycles. From 300 BC to the 5th century AD, the Greeks refined the system of planets, houses and signs as evidenced by the writings of Ptolemy. During the Middle Ages, astrology was practiced by doctors, astronomers, and mathematicians. Charts became more sophisticated. But, as the church gained power, astrology was seen as heresy and scientists such as Galileo were forced to denounce their beliefs and practices in astrology. During the 17th and 18th century, the separation of religion and science was prominent and created an inhospitable environment for astrologers, the most prominent made to work under pseudonyms. During the 19th and 20th centuries, the resurgence of curiosity and mysticism relating to ancient practices brought about a renaissance for astrology. Carl Jung, psychologist, brought about a fresh look at astrology and its usefulness in psychotherapy and depth analysis of the personality. It is primarily from Carl Jung’s work that psychological astrology had its rebirth.

Here is what Carl Jung had to say about the matter: “Obviously astrology has much to offer psychology, but what the latter can offer its elder sister is less evident. So far as I judge, it would seem to me advantageous for astrology to take the existence of psychology into account, above all the psychology of the personality and of the unconscious.”

So, what can modern psychology learn from astrology? I do believe that the natal chart (given an accurate date and time of birth) can act as a map for our greatest potential.  From childhood on through our adult years, we can look at factors influencing our journey, depending on the planets and the way they interact with each other. Imagine the zodiac wheel is a big conference table. When we are born, the planets are sitting in assigned seats and each seating position designates an integral part of us. As time passes, the planets move around the table, each trying out the comfort or goodness-of-fit of each other’s seats and roles. Their perspectives and behaviors change, depending on their position around the table. We grow older and our inner dynamics evolve with time and culture. Astrology is a message from the ancients and if we take the time to unwrap it, we are given the gift of understanding.

How Do You Listen?

by Dianne Bachman

Consider this fable by Aesop:

The Ass & His Driver

An Ass was being driven along a road leading down the mountain side when he suddenly took it into his silly head to choose his own path. He could see his stall at the foot of the mountain, and to him the quickest way down seemed to be over the edge of the nearest cliff. Just as he was about to leap over, his master caught him by the tail and tried to pull him back, but the stubborn Ass would not yield and pulled with all his might.

“Very well,” said his master, “go your way, you willful beast, and see where it leads you.”

With that he let go, and the foolish Ass tumbled head over heels down the mountain side.

Though this wise, old fable focuses on interpersonal communication, I would add that the communication we receive from within ourselves, our intuition, connection to Source, or whatever we may call it, is even more important. If we cultivate an awareness of how we receive wisdom, then we can avoid much chaos and pain. I believe with a little consistent effort with self-reflection and turning inward, we can build a bridge to a powerful personal guidance system.

Many of us were not taught the value of stillness when we were young. Others might have been raised in a restrictive environment where meditation was something foreign and forbidden. And still others may feel that this way of knowing is only open to psychics or people who have “the gift.”  I’ll tell you a big secret:  We were all born with the gift! We just need to recognize it, honor it, and make sure we listen when it calls to us.

There really is no right or wrong way to be still. Whether it is an elaborate ritual with sound and scents or lighting a single candle for meditation, the more we make a regular practice of stillness and reflection, the more aware and in tune we become with our wisest Selves. And we are upon the New Year! What a perfect season to become still, to listen, to reflect, to make the intention of deepening this most precious gift, inner wisdom.

Scorpio Rising

by Dianne Bachman

When I was a child, my Aunt Thelma would wait for the Scranton Times-Tribune to check out Sydney Omar’s daily horoscope column.  She would sip her coffee and read the daily prediction for whoever was sitting around the kitchen table.  I was always polite, but never really thought he was very accurate.  Looking back though, I guess her enthusiasm for things like astrology planted a seed within my curious mind.  Scorpio is my rising sign and I believe it is responsible for my desire to look beneath, to plumb the depths.  Fast forward many decades and I am devoted to promoting another type of astrology, psychological astrology, as a vehicle for growth and change.  I have the feeling that if more people really understood astrology, they could benefit greatly from a consultation.  Psychological astrology is not predictive nor is it a psychic art.  It is, however, a wonderful tool to support a deeper understanding of the self, especially if incorporated as a tool in psychotherapy. 

Here is what Carl Jung had to say about the matter: “Obviously astrology has much to offer psychology, but what the latter can offer its elder sister is less evident. So far as I judge, it would seem to me advantageous for astrology to take the existence of psychology into account, above all the psychology of the personality and of the unconscious.”

So, what can modern psychology learn from astrology?   I do believe that the natal chart (given an accurate date and time of birth) can act as a map for our greatest potential.  From childhood on through our adult years, we can look at factors influencing our journey, depending on the planets and the way they communicate with each other.  Imagine the zodiac wheel is a big conference table.  When we are born, the planets are sitting in assigned seats and each seating position designates an integral part of us.  As time passes, the planets move around the table, each trying out the comfort or goodness-of-fit of each other’s seats and roles.  Their perspectives and behaviors change, depending on their position around the table.  We grow older and our inner dynamics evolve with the time and culture. 

When I look at a client’s natal chart, I do not automatically assume my deductions are correct, but it sure gives me a good starting point of questions to ask and where to look with the client about healing.  The process is similar to Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) or parts work.  We begin to look at presenting issues and what planets or tensions in the chart might be worked with.  So, for instance, if I am feeling impulsive, angry, or competitive in relationships and my Mars is in Libra, I might be looking at how to express my Mars in a more constructive way.  I can then focus on Mars, dialog with my Mars, write about my Mars, do artwork to express my Mars and ultimately own and understand the process of my issue from a deep place of self-awareness.  

Of course, this approach does not work for everyone, but I encourage the reader to be curious and investigate further before discounting the potential of astrology to assist in the healing process.  There are some pioneers out there who have written about psychological astrology, and here are a few:  Noel Tyl, Richard Tarnas, Glen Perry, and Liz Greene.  If you lean more toward a belief in reincarnation as a vital part of the the soul’s journey, Steven Forrest and Jeffrey Wolf Green should be on top of the list.