Understanding Astro-Psychology

Understanding Astro – Psychology 

Astrology approaches its understanding of the psychology of human nature through observation and interpretation of the cosmic influences and energies of the zodiac, solar system and planets upon the whole human psyche. The science is based upon the ancient system with its firm traditional basis for analysis that includes character, health factors, human relationships and circumstances as well as national and wider issues that affect our globe.

Astro-Psychology, in its study of individual human nature, begins simply with the serious consideration of the zodiacal birth sign. We learn to appraise the identified positive characteristics of ‘our sign’ and find it easy enough to accept that these virtues are inherent in us. Not so easy, but equally necessary, is our attention to the negative traits. Although commonly shared as inherent weaknesses in us all, they are particularly evident in us and in others of the same birth sign as our own.

In evaluating these good or bad tendencies or traits, we must do so on the understanding that we personally may not have learned or wish to express these particular qualities of our birth sign. In this case, they remain as certain energies or resources to which we have easy access when and if we choose to utilize them.

It is our free will that determines our life course and pathway and allows us to travel the easier routes and highways that astrology is able to indicate, or directs us to choose a pathway off the beaten track. The decision is always ours, no matter what subtle influence prevails in the weather of the starry heavens. However, as the farmer is wise to make hay when the sun shines, there are life activities and efforts that are likely to be more successful when the planetary climate is conducive to productive outcomes. So we begin to be aware, beyond earthly weather patterns, to observe the ‘climate of the skies’.

The benefits of learning all the zodiacal signs and their faults and virtues including our own is to broaden our understanding and acknowledge the differences in human nature in the people around us. It is a wise exercise with beneficial outcomes.

We are encouraged to study not only the nature of the zodiacal signs but also the effect the planetary energies their influences and ultimately upon our circumstances, moods and work. We find that the movements of the planets result in ever changing patterns more volatile in their influence than the standard powers that emit from the zodiacal twelve segments of the cosmos. The aspects or relationship of one planet to another at any given time create difficult or harmonious blends of energy patterns to which we will react.

Just as the science of psychology has found certain ground rules and common factors in human nature and behavior that provide us with a sense of common ground with others, astrology as a science is complex in order to extend suggestions as to why we are as we are. This applies in all spheres of our being and in our common goal for self growth and excellence in achievement, physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual.

When we have our chart drawn up, there is attention given also to the natural elements that are referred to as earth, water, air and fire to determine the proportion of these qualities of practicality, emotionalism, intellectual or spiritual in our character. This is related to the planetary placement in zodiacal signs to which these elements are designated as applying.

There are many wonderful benefits from studying astrology. Many of these are practical such as planting crops by the moon phases, indicating fishing outcomes, planning social programmes, finding a compatible companion or partner, in healing, or choosing an auspicious date for important national events. There are many possible applications in which astrologers choose to specialize.

However, to use what we learn about human nature and apply it in daily life through the art of astro-psychology provides us with an intriguing lifetime interest. It helps us to feel inwardly secure with a sense of being part of a nature’s infinite diversity in its creative design that manifests in our own uniqueness but at the same time allows us to feel part of the wider family of humanity. We take comfort and empathize with at least one twelfth of the billions of others on this planet with whom we will always feel a special link through the shared zodiacal influences focused at the time of our birth.

A simple balanced approach is advised so that we font make the mistake of thinking that the stars rule us in a way that obliterates free will. Nor do we wish extreme self assertion so as to challenge or blame all the energies of great nature rather than trying to harness them.

The key in applying astrological science lies in the attitude Shakespeare expressed in his ‘Julius Caesar’…. “The fault dear Brutus lies not in our stars but in ourselves, that we are underlings.”

We each have a unique nature with unique purpose and life talents in addition to qualities common to all. To observe and understand this uniqueness allows us to feel renewed sense of self confidence and sharpen our desire to live not only a happy creative lifestyle but one that offers our unique gift to the world.

Use astro-psychology to help you to recognize and utilize the special ingredients and strengths that comprise your total psyche.

ASTRO-PSCHYOLOGY

Astropsychology

Psychological Astrology, Astrological Psychology or Astropsychology is a recent product of the cross-fertilisation of the fields of astrology with depth psychology, humanistic psychology, and transpersonal psychology. It uses the horoscope and the archetypes of astrology to inform the psychological understanding of an individual’s psyche.

It owes its origins to the writings of Carl Jung in the 1950s. Jung once said “astrology represents the summation of the psychological knowledge of antiquity” (1962). He went on to synthesize his own Analytical psychology theories with those of Western astrology.

Other significant pioneers include Liz Greene and Howard Sasportas who in 1983 founded the Centre for Psychological Astrology. Bruno Huber & Louise Huber also developed their own method of astrological psychology, referred to as the Huber Method which links to Roberto Assagioli’s work with psychosynthesis.

When Carl Jung was investigating the symbolic meaning of dreams; he would commonly come across mythical figures that have been passed down to us from our ancestors.He then noticed a correlation in the images pictured in ones dreams to the gods that were attached to heavenly figures mapped out in the stars. From this the g concluded that the heavenly figures in astrology come from images we make in our minds. Jung felt that it was these mental images that brought about astrology. He did believe that astrology could teach us about the human mind but on a general level. Several astrologers as well as psychologists followed up on his claims and found that from horoscopes they could discover the structure of their character. From this they assumed that a person’s mental difficulty could be found through the horoscope. This was the start of astrology making its way and influencing some psychological tactics. Psychological astrology does not directly believe that a persons everyday life is dictated by the position of the stars. It just shows the horoscope as a mere tool to help identify a person’s attributes. For example a psychological astrologer might use a horoscope method to see if the individual possesses specialized abilities based on their mindset.

Proof of this pseudo-science is very difficult. Astrologers working in a psycho-diagnostic framework rely upon personal experience to justify why psychological astrology can provide meaningful information about a persons character. The external influences on a person can cause them to feel as if the horoscope is accurately portraying their mental issues. According to Riemann, “The dispositions visible in the horoscope are then covered up and their unfolding is blocked by external influences. The horoscope then helps in once again uncovering the buried dispositions.” It is because of this reliance on personal experience and the likelihood of external influences, that scientific evidence would show that the diagnosis of a psychological issue most likely couldn’t be made by a horoscope, causing psychological astrology not to be considered a science. However, within the psychological world of study it is found to work with certain empirical and theoretical methods. In psychology’s past there have been experiences in which methods were applied to patients that called for horoscopes being used as a diagnostic for showing their mental characteristics. These experiences haven’t been able to show any testable empirical evidence that it was in fact the horoscope that found out the mental characteristics of a person and that that was in fact an actual characteristic of that person. This is also another cause for the lack of scientific recognition of the pseudo-science.

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// Even if there was empirical evidence of psychological astrology actually working, that would indicate a correlation between heavenly figures in the sky and a person’s predispositions at birth. While not conflicting with already accepted scientific methods that define and discover a person’s mental characteristics, studies have been unable to verify such things as intangible as personality traits on a quantifiable level acceptable to the scientific community. Jung believed that there are reasons to suspect that heavenly bodies actually effect a person’s development at birth, and that the correlation is acausal and not actually influenced by the planets and stars themselves.[1] He went on to further state his reasons for believing the mindset of a person involved in supposedly aucausal phenomena was crucial in whether the correlation even existed. Psychological astrology is then again brought back to connections through personal experience. It is because of this innate inability a solid empirical form of evidence that based on current scientific standards.

Using Occam’s Razor from Carey, rival explanations can be found about why the horoscope may seem to accurately identify the mental characteristics of an individual, that are more generally accepted than that of an astrological explanation. When a person is mentally evaluated by a psychological astrologer and is told their prediction of their mental characteristics they will begin to associate things they do with what the astrologer is saying, which will give the perception that they are accurately portraying their attributes. A study done by Shawn Carlson took astrological charts that were prepared for 83 subjects, based on natal data from his data the results showed that, “Each subject was given three charts: one chart based on their own natal data, and two charts derived from natal data of other people. Each subject was asked to identify the chart that most correctly described him or her. In only 28 of the 83 cases, the subject chose their own chart. This is the exact success rate expected for random chance. The astrologers predicted that the subjects would select their own chart more that 50% of the time.” In order to balance any bias against astrology it is worth looking at the recent book, ‘Cosmos and Psyche, Intimations of a New World View,’ by respected cultural historian, philosopher, and psychologist Richard Tarnas, which offers new evidence in support of the astrological worldview.