ASTROLOGY THE SCIENCE OF LIGHT

Astrology The Science of Light Astrology has been defined as the study of the positions and aspects of celestial bodies in the belief that they have an influence on the course of natural earthly occurrences and human affairs. Astrologers find that the rhythmic motions and patterns of the planets and other celestial bodies correspond with and give meaning to what might otherwise seem to be the chaotic, random events of our everyday lives. In ancient times human beings observed the moving lights in the sky—the Sun and sometimes the Moon during the day and the Moon, planets, stars, comets, and meteors during the night. The study of these lights is what came to be called astrology. To this day, astrology is called jyotish-the science of light–on the Indian subcontinent. Secondly, astrology is the study of archetypes—of the ideal examples, forms, or models of things. An archetype is a prototype. Spiritually or metaphysically, the lights in the sky embody or symbolize archetypes. Students of Plato and Kant, of idealism, mysticism, and New Thought refer to these archetypes as divine ideas—the thoughts in the mind of God or in the Divine Mind. Astrology is the study of correspondences—the correspondences between the lights in the sky and the life and lives below. The archetypal symbols assigned to the bodies in our solar system are interpreted in terms of their corresponding activities on Earth. These archetypes lie within the collective unconscious. They manifest in the personal unconscious and the personal consciousness as thoughts, feelings, motives, and perceptions and in the world as behaviors, interactions, and events. Most importantly, astrology is the study of cycles–-the cycles of the lights in the sky and the cycles in the lives of all living things. All cycles have beginnings and endings. They also have middles, and between the beginnings, middles, and endings they have many phases. Each phase is a particular activity or process that can be described in archetypal terms. Each time that one phase ends and the next begins, there is a turning point or crisis that grabs the attention of one’s consciousness, often in the form of an event. The activities taking place within and around us are mirrored in the movements occurring within our solar system. Observing the cyclical movements of the planets enables us to gain a greater understanding of the cycles and patterns in our own lives. When we understand our natural cycles and work with them rather than against them—when we go with the flow instead of trying to push the river, we learn our karmic, spiritual lessons and take a step closer to self-fulfillment, self-actualization, and Self-realization. The definition of astrology that I will use here is the study of earthly and human events as they are represented by or reflected in the cycles of our solar system’s planets and of similar bodies and phenomena. Astrology is the correlation between the cycles of our solar system and the events we experience in our lives. Astrological phenomena represent the basic energies, needs, drives, and functions found in nature and in human beings. These basic processes are common to all of us, but like DNA or fingerprints they are uniquely arranged and expressed within each individual. Each one of us travels his own particular path at his own particular level of consciousness. We each have our own unique opportunities for expressing our potential and for reaching self-fulfillment. The horoscope or birth chart is a metaphysical guide to the particular pattern of energies, needs, talents, skills, and challenges of the person born at that moment in that particular place. The birth chart—also called the natal chart and the nativity–symbolizes the characterological material that is potentially available to the individual. The positions of the Sun, Moon, and planets in the birth chart symbolize the character we develop in life. The natal chart indicates the lessons we came to learn, the talents and abilities we will use to get our learning, and the people, events, and situations that will help us manifest our destinies. It is the interplay between the natal chart and the actual and symbolic movements of our solar system that indicates the timing of our opportunities and challenges. We share the timing of some of these developmental landmarks with humanity in general. However, the exact nature of the landmarks are personal and are symbolized by our our charts. In addition to these general landmarks, we have our own unique ones whose timing and character are also found in our personal nativities. Vedic astrologers regard the natal chart as the symbol of our prarabdha karma—the karma we have chosen to work with during this lifetime. Spiritual astrology asks us to think of the birth chart as the plan, journey, or path our higher Self has chosen for us to follow. If we are attuned to the promptings of our higher Self, we meet our lessons with a minimum of pain and suffering. We recognize our blessings, and we move forward creating a better present and future. If we resist the path our higher Self has chosen, we prolong our lessons. Then our higher Self uses the events in our lives to awaken us and to make us conscious of the patterns that keep us from our higher good. Working with your birth chart increases your awareness of how and when to best express your unique potential in your life. For some, the natal chart confirms what they already knew about themselves. It also helps them identify those things of which they were only dimly aware, things they are just beginning to discover. For many, the birth chart helps to make them conscious of unconscious patterns that interfere with their conscious aims and personal happiness. Astrology can be applied in many ways in many different situations. It can be used to gain a deeper understanding of our individual life paths and our experiences. It can give us insights into our personal issues, our patterns, our fears, and our dreams. We can discover our purpose in life, unlock our highest potentials, and learn how to live in harmony with the universe. Astrology is a key that can unlock a greater spiritual connection to the universe. It can be a powerful tool for healing and transformation. And in the right hands, astrology can be an extremely effective predictive tool.