ARTICLES
ASTROLOGY AND CESAREAN BIRTH
Recently a friend asked me about astrology and birth circumstances. Having always felt somewhat out of alignment with his Capricorn Sun position, he felt that, had he been born at his due date, rather than earlier by C-section, he would have fitted more comfortably with the Aquarian Sun position he would have had.
I explained to my friend that there is just SO MUCH MORE to a person than a Sun position alone, and that his Aquarian tendencies would probably be explained by other factors in his birth chart, which we will look at when I undertake his reading a little later this week…..
However, his question really got me thinking – what influence does induced labour, or birth through surgery, have astrologically on our society?
A BRIEF LOOK AT CONTEMPORARY CESAREAN PRACTICE:
According to 2016 statistics, in Australia, over a third (34%) of women are electing to have cesarean births, and in private hospitals the rate is double that of public hospitals. Many western countries would be similarly high (it’s 19% in the USA and 25% in the UK), and Cyprus has the highest rate of C-section births in the world with 52% of babies delivered via surgery. Studies reveal the reasons for these ever growing statistics are firstly, the presence of great risk for the mother or baby, obviously, but also for reasons of convenience and planning, litigation aversion by practitioners, and also because of the rising age of women giving birth and the perceived risks with that.
Personally, I am all for people’s rights to choose what happens with their bodies, and as such, please don’t imagine I have a problem with the choice to have a C-section for convenience or aesthetic reasons. Similarly, one of my own children was delivered with forceps, and not when he was good and ready to arrive naturally, and I have wondered from time to time if his souls intent was tampered with when he enter the world?
I was relieved of that worry when I read up on ancient cultures (the Druids, some Native American tribes, and the Greeks to name a few) and their belief that a soul chooses its parents before incarnating. Similarly, the consensus amongst intuitive spiritual practitioners today is that, regardless of the manner of birth, a soul still CHOOSES the time of its entry into the world, and therefore, the soul CHOOSES the resulting astrological chart it will match up with.
Interesting.
BUT WHAT DOES IT MEAN IN ASTROLOGICAL TERMS?
If planned cesareans are aligning with the daily schedule of surgeons, this means that approximately 34% of Australian children are being born with a sun positioned in one of the ‘above the horizon’ houses. In truth, the statistics will be much higher than 34%, as at least half of the remaining non cesarean births will also have a sun above the horizon placement. What does this mean for our culture to have 67% of people being born with the Sun above the horizon in the 8th, 9th 10th, 11th or 12th houses?
FIRSTLY - THE SUN
The Sun represents the identity of a person, their inner self or personality, the tone of being and the ability to assert one’s self confidently in the world. Its placement in the chart tells us what the evolutionary goal in life is, and how a person can most effectively realise this goal. It is often linked to our careers, our fathers or father figures, and the expression of our personalities.
SECONDLY – THE UPPER HEMISPHERE (houses 8 to 12 in this discussion)
The upper hemisphere represents our objectivity – with the sun here our soul growth occurs through big, outer life events, where our individuality is expressed in a public and visible manner. A person with an upper hemisphere emphasis in their chart will find it difficult to retreat from the world – their life tends to be ‘out there’ for everyone to see, be that in a small community or a broader world context. For example, if you have a sun placement in the 10th house you will tend to desire success and recognition in your career, feeling that fulfillment in life can only come from making your mark in the world. There is also a desire to become socially influential, receive public recognition and cater to the considerable ambition that comes with this placement. Particularly, a person with the Sun in the 10th house will tend to crave validation from a wider circle than their personal influence. Public, visible manifestation.
Is this what we see happening with the social media age? So many people living their lives on a public stage? And what does this mean for society as a whole into the future….. will the deeper realms of the sun placed in houses below the horizon - where personal growth occurs subjectively for an individual through thoughts, feelings and reaction – increasingly be forgotten or exceptionally rare? Are we unknowingly giving rise to a generation with very strong personal ambitions (10th house), radical humanitarianism (11th house), transcendent spirituality (12th house), massive transformation through crisis (8th house) or a craving for travel to exotic destinations (9th house) all played out in a very public realm? Note that these are not ‘bad’ things, but what will happen to our societies if the cultural balance is skewed heavily in this direction and the more inner, subjective approach to life is neglected? It might just be a difficult world for the intuitive, the imaginative and the feeling based people to belong in.
SO THE TAKE HOME FROM THIS IS?
I don’t mean to instil fear about the future of society – after all, we are rising into greater consciousness and ever so slowly leaving the Kali Yuga period behind…. It’s all good in the end and whatever happens is ultimately for the betterment of humanity – even if it sometimes feels like some sort of hiccup on the way to grace! But I do like to ponder what this shift may mean for our culture (particularly for Australia and Cyprus where the C-section rates are so high!) and the generations to come. But perhaps that is just me using my below the horizon sun tendencies! What do you think?
Recently a friend asked me about astrology and birth circumstances. Having always felt somewhat out of alignment with his Capricorn Sun position, he felt that, had he been born at his due date, rather than earlier by C-section, he would have fitted more comfortably with the Aquarian Sun position he would have had.
I explained to my friend that there is just SO MUCH MORE to a person than a Sun position alone, and that his Aquarian tendencies would probably be explained by other factors in his birth chart, which we will look at when I undertake his reading a little later this week…..
However, his question really got me thinking – what influence does induced labour, or birth through surgery, have astrologically on our society?
A BRIEF LOOK AT CONTEMPORARY CESAREAN PRACTICE:
According to 2016 statistics, in Australia, over a third (34%) of women are electing to have cesarean births, and in private hospitals the rate is double that of public hospitals. Many western countries would be similarly high (it’s 19% in the USA and 25% in the UK), and Cyprus has the highest rate of C-section births in the world with 52% of babies delivered via surgery. Studies reveal the reasons for these ever growing statistics are firstly, the presence of great risk for the mother or baby, obviously, but also for reasons of convenience and planning, litigation aversion by practitioners, and also because of the rising age of women giving birth and the perceived risks with that.
Personally, I am all for people’s rights to choose what happens with their bodies, and as such, please don’t imagine I have a problem with the choice to have a C-section for convenience or aesthetic reasons. Similarly, one of my own children was delivered with forceps, and not when he was good and ready to arrive naturally, and I have wondered from time to time if his souls intent was tampered with when he enter the world?
I was relieved of that worry when I read up on ancient cultures (the Druids, some Native American tribes, and the Greeks to name a few) and their belief that a soul chooses its parents before incarnating. Similarly, the consensus amongst intuitive spiritual practitioners today is that, regardless of the manner of birth, a soul still CHOOSES the time of its entry into the world, and therefore, the soul CHOOSES the resulting astrological chart it will match up with.
Interesting.
BUT WHAT DOES IT MEAN IN ASTROLOGICAL TERMS?
If planned cesareans are aligning with the daily schedule of surgeons, this means that approximately 34% of Australian children are being born with a sun positioned in one of the ‘above the horizon’ houses. In truth, the statistics will be much higher than 34%, as at least half of the remaining non cesarean births will also have a sun above the horizon placement. What does this mean for our culture to have 67% of people being born with the Sun above the horizon in the 8th, 9th 10th, 11th or 12th houses?
FIRSTLY - THE SUN
The Sun represents the identity of a person, their inner self or personality, the tone of being and the ability to assert one’s self confidently in the world. Its placement in the chart tells us what the evolutionary goal in life is, and how a person can most effectively realise this goal. It is often linked to our careers, our fathers or father figures, and the expression of our personalities.
SECONDLY – THE UPPER HEMISPHERE (houses 8 to 12 in this discussion)
The upper hemisphere represents our objectivity – with the sun here our soul growth occurs through big, outer life events, where our individuality is expressed in a public and visible manner. A person with an upper hemisphere emphasis in their chart will find it difficult to retreat from the world – their life tends to be ‘out there’ for everyone to see, be that in a small community or a broader world context. For example, if you have a sun placement in the 10th house you will tend to desire success and recognition in your career, feeling that fulfillment in life can only come from making your mark in the world. There is also a desire to become socially influential, receive public recognition and cater to the considerable ambition that comes with this placement. Particularly, a person with the Sun in the 10th house will tend to crave validation from a wider circle than their personal influence. Public, visible manifestation.
Is this what we see happening with the social media age? So many people living their lives on a public stage? And what does this mean for society as a whole into the future….. will the deeper realms of the sun placed in houses below the horizon - where personal growth occurs subjectively for an individual through thoughts, feelings and reaction – increasingly be forgotten or exceptionally rare? Are we unknowingly giving rise to a generation with very strong personal ambitions (10th house), radical humanitarianism (11th house), transcendent spirituality (12th house), massive transformation through crisis (8th house) or a craving for travel to exotic destinations (9th house) all played out in a very public realm? Note that these are not ‘bad’ things, but what will happen to our societies if the cultural balance is skewed heavily in this direction and the more inner, subjective approach to life is neglected? It might just be a difficult world for the intuitive, the imaginative and the feeling based people to belong in.
SO THE TAKE HOME FROM THIS IS?
I don’t mean to instil fear about the future of society – after all, we are rising into greater consciousness and ever so slowly leaving the Kali Yuga period behind…. It’s all good in the end and whatever happens is ultimately for the betterment of humanity – even if it sometimes feels like some sort of hiccup on the way to grace! But I do like to ponder what this shift may mean for our culture (particularly for Australia and Cyprus where the C-section rates are so high!) and the generations to come. But perhaps that is just me using my below the horizon sun tendencies! What do you think?
ECLIPSES IN TIME
As we emerge from the May/June eclipses of 2021, I found it very interesting to look back at how these powerful celestial events have been viewed by the residents of our planet for hundreds of years.
But first, a bit of astronomy…..
Earth is the only planet in the solar system, and quite possibly the galaxy, that has a moon precisely the right size and precisely right distance away to perfectly blot out the radiant #star it circles. This makes our vantage point, in the whole of the known universe so far, rather enviable – no one else gets to witness such a special event! Our galactic placement for enjoying solar eclipses quite wonderful.
And now for a bit of eclipse history…..
Interestingly, the word eclipse comes from the ancient Greek word ekleipsis, meaning “abandoned”, as the Sun momentarily abandons the earth in the middle of the day. Understandably to ancient cultures in light of this ‘abandonment’, eclipses have historically been viewed as omens that bring about death and destruction.
In ancient China, it was believed that solar eclipses were connected to the wellbeing of the Emperor, who, without protection, was considered to be in danger at this time. Chinese legend indicates that astrologers Hsi and Ho failed to predict the eclipse of October 22, 2134BCE and were subsequently executed, which, if true, makes this eclipse the oldest in recorded history.
Babylonians were also very accurately predicting eclipses at the same time through the saros cycle, which is still used today (see my recent Eclipse video discussion with Joanna for more information about this concept at the Kesenya Moore youtube channel).
Both the Babylonians and the Chinese shared the belief that solar eclipses were a bad omen for their ruler, and through the use of saros cycle prediction they were able to place substitute kings on the throne during the eclipse, with the intent that the substitute would receive the wrath of the gods instead of the real ruler – lucky them!
Contributing to this belief in the middle ages was the death of King Henry the first during the four minute long eclipse over England in on August 2, 1133 – I am sure his astrological chart would be an interesting read if an accurate date and time could be attributed!
By comparison, the ancient Greeks believed that solar eclipses were bringers of peace. As we have ascertained through the writings of the historian Herodotus, the Greeks believed the solar eclipse of 585BCE caused the war of the Lydians and Medes to end.
And, quite beautifully, in Italy we find the long held belief that flowers planted at the time of an eclipse would bloom brighter and more scented than at any other time. Time to get out into your garden!
Interestingly, Biblical scholars armed with modern #astronomical techniques, believe they have pinpointed a significant #historical eclipse that correlates with the time of Jesus death, lining up with a lot of Hebrew prophetic prediction found in Old Testament books (Joel, Ezekiel and Isaiah)
Ancient Australian Aboriginal cultures recognized the conjunction of the sun and moon in the skies during eclipses, revealed through their #dreamtime storytelling. For example, the Warlpiri people tell the tale of the solar eclipse through the Sun-woman being hidden by the Moon-man as he makes love to her (something quite beautiful really). Conversely, their tale of a Luna eclipse reveals the Moon-man being threatened by the Sun-woman who is pursuing and catching him.
As you can see, many hundreds of years of belief and historical events have contributed to our understanding of eclipses being very special times.
Check out Guiding Star videos on all the eclipses that are have unfolded in May/June – their links are below.
Discussion of Saros Cycles with Joanna
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kx4AMAhHqAI
May 26th Eclipse 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-A7Q9WyaHs&t=92s
June 10 Eclipse 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meirzARa-Xw
As we emerge from the May/June eclipses of 2021, I found it very interesting to look back at how these powerful celestial events have been viewed by the residents of our planet for hundreds of years.
But first, a bit of astronomy…..
Earth is the only planet in the solar system, and quite possibly the galaxy, that has a moon precisely the right size and precisely right distance away to perfectly blot out the radiant #star it circles. This makes our vantage point, in the whole of the known universe so far, rather enviable – no one else gets to witness such a special event! Our galactic placement for enjoying solar eclipses quite wonderful.
And now for a bit of eclipse history…..
Interestingly, the word eclipse comes from the ancient Greek word ekleipsis, meaning “abandoned”, as the Sun momentarily abandons the earth in the middle of the day. Understandably to ancient cultures in light of this ‘abandonment’, eclipses have historically been viewed as omens that bring about death and destruction.
In ancient China, it was believed that solar eclipses were connected to the wellbeing of the Emperor, who, without protection, was considered to be in danger at this time. Chinese legend indicates that astrologers Hsi and Ho failed to predict the eclipse of October 22, 2134BCE and were subsequently executed, which, if true, makes this eclipse the oldest in recorded history.
Babylonians were also very accurately predicting eclipses at the same time through the saros cycle, which is still used today (see my recent Eclipse video discussion with Joanna for more information about this concept at the Kesenya Moore youtube channel).
Both the Babylonians and the Chinese shared the belief that solar eclipses were a bad omen for their ruler, and through the use of saros cycle prediction they were able to place substitute kings on the throne during the eclipse, with the intent that the substitute would receive the wrath of the gods instead of the real ruler – lucky them!
Contributing to this belief in the middle ages was the death of King Henry the first during the four minute long eclipse over England in on August 2, 1133 – I am sure his astrological chart would be an interesting read if an accurate date and time could be attributed!
By comparison, the ancient Greeks believed that solar eclipses were bringers of peace. As we have ascertained through the writings of the historian Herodotus, the Greeks believed the solar eclipse of 585BCE caused the war of the Lydians and Medes to end.
And, quite beautifully, in Italy we find the long held belief that flowers planted at the time of an eclipse would bloom brighter and more scented than at any other time. Time to get out into your garden!
Interestingly, Biblical scholars armed with modern #astronomical techniques, believe they have pinpointed a significant #historical eclipse that correlates with the time of Jesus death, lining up with a lot of Hebrew prophetic prediction found in Old Testament books (Joel, Ezekiel and Isaiah)
Ancient Australian Aboriginal cultures recognized the conjunction of the sun and moon in the skies during eclipses, revealed through their #dreamtime storytelling. For example, the Warlpiri people tell the tale of the solar eclipse through the Sun-woman being hidden by the Moon-man as he makes love to her (something quite beautiful really). Conversely, their tale of a Luna eclipse reveals the Moon-man being threatened by the Sun-woman who is pursuing and catching him.
As you can see, many hundreds of years of belief and historical events have contributed to our understanding of eclipses being very special times.
Check out Guiding Star videos on all the eclipses that are have unfolded in May/June – their links are below.
Discussion of Saros Cycles with Joanna
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kx4AMAhHqAI
May 26th Eclipse 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-A7Q9WyaHs&t=92s
June 10 Eclipse 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meirzARa-Xw
FATE OR FREEWILL IN A HOROSCOPE
Feeling like you have no control over your own life? Like all the well intentioned law of attraction quotes sprinkled around your home, never seem to actually work in real life? Or perhaps you are someone who is tired of hearing people tell you “leave it to fate” or “go with the flow” – you’d never get anywhere in life if you did that! You are a walking incarnation of “if you believe it, you can become it!” and “the world is my oyster” instead!
What if I told you that, according to Evolutionary Astrology, BOTH fate and free will were actually true? That for some people, life IS all about fate - about letting go and allowing life to flow to them. That no matter how hard they try, predestined and fated life events will always be their companion.
And that for some people, life really does respond to their choices. It honors their will and drive to achieve certain outcomes, certain thought patterns and the creation of their OWN destiny . In fact, there are even some people that have a combination of BOTH fate and free will in their lives. Like a railway line running across the countryside, they use both sides of the track to get them where they need to go!
So how about you? Is your life more about fate, or free will? And what does this have to do with astrology anyhow?
Interestingly, Evolutionary Astrology teaches us that the measure of fate or free will in a person’s life can be assessed by the position of the planets in their chart. And it is simple to see. By dividing the circular chart into eastern houses and western houses, we have a system that shows on what side of the railway tracks our life tends to lean.
Let me give an example….. find the meridian line in your circular chart, represented by the symbology “MC – IC”. Anything on the left side of that line (the side of your ascendant) will be associated with your will power, your self-determination, your personal action that can achieve an outcome. This is known as the Eastern Hemisphere in our chart.
Polarically, anything right of that meridian line (the side of your descendant) will represent established forces in our lives, immovable powers, twists of fate. This is the Western Hemisphere. Count up the planets in your chart – how many do you have in each hemisphere (west or east)? If you have a big majority in the east (ascendant side), life for you circles around your intention, the power of your will, and the creation of your own destiny. While a big swath of planets in the west (descendant) reveals that you must learn to cultivate adaptability, going with the flow, and TRUST that your soul contract is being fulfilled exactly on schedule.
And for those with more harmony and balance in their chart (an even spread of planets across both hemispheres) your life will experience both effects – phew! In my readings, I can look at the position of planets in these hemispheres, and how they might play out in your life with regards to fate or freewill.
Knowing this method has enabled me to relax a little more about my own life, which is heavily weighted to the fate side. I don’t have to get worked up when crazy stuff happens – I look at the signs, I trust my instincts, and I also trust my souls contract for growth. People with this signature find that life is more about “random forces striking in critical ways”, so fighting the fated momentum to be relocated to another part of the country, or to be retrenched, or to stop your partner leaving you, is basically a waste of energy. Instead, western hemisphere people should embrace and adapt to wherever the flow is taking them – maybe to experience a fabulous and expansive new culture with that relocation, or to find the job of a lifetime after that retrenchment, or to open up new fields of independence and life direction with the end of that relationship.
When you are an eastern hemisphere person you can shape the tone of your life by you action or inaction. Your own motivation and decisiveness will determine the outcome – sit on the couch all day, every day, watching Netflix and you will reap that harvest in your life. Choose to invest in your skills and talents, master your thought life, get fit, study hard, develop networks of friends and you will reap that harvest. It is entirely up to you – because your life, for good or ill, is in your own hands.
So what will you do with this information – will it set you free to trust that the Universe actually has your back? I hope so! Or will it give you the motivation to get out there and make it happen, knowing that you actually CAN! I hope so too!! Where ever your planets fall, just knowing that they make your relationship to fate and free will completely unique is empowering in itself. No longer do you have to pay attention to people telling you that you need more faith in your life to make things happen, or that if you worked harder you would be more successful. And in that, for each one of us, there is true freedom!
Feeling like you have no control over your own life? Like all the well intentioned law of attraction quotes sprinkled around your home, never seem to actually work in real life? Or perhaps you are someone who is tired of hearing people tell you “leave it to fate” or “go with the flow” – you’d never get anywhere in life if you did that! You are a walking incarnation of “if you believe it, you can become it!” and “the world is my oyster” instead!
What if I told you that, according to Evolutionary Astrology, BOTH fate and free will were actually true? That for some people, life IS all about fate - about letting go and allowing life to flow to them. That no matter how hard they try, predestined and fated life events will always be their companion.
And that for some people, life really does respond to their choices. It honors their will and drive to achieve certain outcomes, certain thought patterns and the creation of their OWN destiny . In fact, there are even some people that have a combination of BOTH fate and free will in their lives. Like a railway line running across the countryside, they use both sides of the track to get them where they need to go!
So how about you? Is your life more about fate, or free will? And what does this have to do with astrology anyhow?
Interestingly, Evolutionary Astrology teaches us that the measure of fate or free will in a person’s life can be assessed by the position of the planets in their chart. And it is simple to see. By dividing the circular chart into eastern houses and western houses, we have a system that shows on what side of the railway tracks our life tends to lean.
Let me give an example….. find the meridian line in your circular chart, represented by the symbology “MC – IC”. Anything on the left side of that line (the side of your ascendant) will be associated with your will power, your self-determination, your personal action that can achieve an outcome. This is known as the Eastern Hemisphere in our chart.
Polarically, anything right of that meridian line (the side of your descendant) will represent established forces in our lives, immovable powers, twists of fate. This is the Western Hemisphere. Count up the planets in your chart – how many do you have in each hemisphere (west or east)? If you have a big majority in the east (ascendant side), life for you circles around your intention, the power of your will, and the creation of your own destiny. While a big swath of planets in the west (descendant) reveals that you must learn to cultivate adaptability, going with the flow, and TRUST that your soul contract is being fulfilled exactly on schedule.
And for those with more harmony and balance in their chart (an even spread of planets across both hemispheres) your life will experience both effects – phew! In my readings, I can look at the position of planets in these hemispheres, and how they might play out in your life with regards to fate or freewill.
Knowing this method has enabled me to relax a little more about my own life, which is heavily weighted to the fate side. I don’t have to get worked up when crazy stuff happens – I look at the signs, I trust my instincts, and I also trust my souls contract for growth. People with this signature find that life is more about “random forces striking in critical ways”, so fighting the fated momentum to be relocated to another part of the country, or to be retrenched, or to stop your partner leaving you, is basically a waste of energy. Instead, western hemisphere people should embrace and adapt to wherever the flow is taking them – maybe to experience a fabulous and expansive new culture with that relocation, or to find the job of a lifetime after that retrenchment, or to open up new fields of independence and life direction with the end of that relationship.
When you are an eastern hemisphere person you can shape the tone of your life by you action or inaction. Your own motivation and decisiveness will determine the outcome – sit on the couch all day, every day, watching Netflix and you will reap that harvest in your life. Choose to invest in your skills and talents, master your thought life, get fit, study hard, develop networks of friends and you will reap that harvest. It is entirely up to you – because your life, for good or ill, is in your own hands.
So what will you do with this information – will it set you free to trust that the Universe actually has your back? I hope so! Or will it give you the motivation to get out there and make it happen, knowing that you actually CAN! I hope so too!! Where ever your planets fall, just knowing that they make your relationship to fate and free will completely unique is empowering in itself. No longer do you have to pay attention to people telling you that you need more faith in your life to make things happen, or that if you worked harder you would be more successful. And in that, for each one of us, there is true freedom!
ANCIENT ASTROLOGY WISDOM
ANCIENT ASTROLOGY WISDOM
Astrology is the most ancient of sciences, with recognition of the stars, planets and cycles dating back to the earliest of human cultures on the earth. From its use as a cyclical calendar in early tribal cultures, through to more knowledge based advanced ancient societies, to its mutation into a hidden mystery or occult practice in the middle ages and finally the resurgence of popularity as the Aquarian age (ruler of astrology) arises, it has always been a tool in the guidance of mankind.
As we look to the future in astrology, it is important to recognize that there is so much wisdom we can draw from its past incarnations in previous cultures to enlighten us on our spiritual soul journey this lifetime. If you are interested in a perspective on Astrology that incorporates astrological science and techniques with intuition, personal soul evolution, ancient esoteric understandings, theory and philosophy, then this article is for you!
I am going to step through a handful of ancient cultural astrological beliefs and how they can be incorporated into our philosophical approach to astrology today. I will also mention some helpful techniques – so if you are more logically minded, hang in there, there will be something in this article for you too!
It is important to keep in mind that not everyone approaches astrology from the same perspective – and that is OK! There are those who incorporate an intuitive, spiritual sense, and those who appreciate a more method based approach to their astrology. Please refrain from judging those who do not come at astrology from your perspective. One of the rich and beautiful offerings of astrology is the recognition that we all have a unique energetic perspective to shine (earth, air, fire or water) that will resonate with different people.
EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS AND ASTOLOGICAL PRACTICE
Shamanism is really the most ancient form of spiritual priest/priestess hood. Most ancient cultures had rituals and celebrations that were presided over by shamen or shawomen who functioned as mediums between the spirit world, medicine givers and healers, and the wisdom holders in their communities. These people were innately gifted in their practice – just as some are gifted with a warrior nature, others are gifted with a thinking nature, and others are gifted with a practical nature, shapeople carried gifts of feeling and intuition. Shapeople offered their profound sensitivities in service to their communities through their ‘6th sense’ and psychic abilities, their empathetic gifts, and their ability to function with more highly attuned feeling and intuition guidance.
Carl Jung noted this approach in cultures untouched by western civilization, where life worked more from intuition and understanding, and western cultures functioned largely from a conquest and rational approach. Carl Jung felt there was need or capacity to incorporate and honour these elements – seen in astrological charts by the modalities of earth, fire, air and water – in the human experience.
There are those who practice forms of ancient priest/priestess hood today, seeking to grow their consciousness through communion with hidden realms (spiritual, other dimensional) and use of ancient tools – tools such as dancing, drumming, music healing, energy work, chanting , dream work, attuning with nature and natural cycles, the recognition of omens and signs, and of course, understanding the language of the universe in the stars. Similarly to ancient shapeople, these practitioners today also seek to use their gifts in these areas to serve their communities and bring blessing to the world around them.
BELIEFS
Interestingly, did you know that scientists calculate that 60% of stars in the universe are in binary (or more) relationship with another star – and in western cultures 60% of adults are in a couple relationship with a partner? Just an interesting correlation – as above, so below.
Jupiter maturation at age 16 indicates sexual maturity
Sun maturation at age 21 indicates physical maturity
Moon at age 24 indicates emotional maturity
Venus at age 25 relational maturity
Mars at 28 capability and life strategy
Mercury at 32 skills talents and abilities
Saturn at 36 philosophical maturity – how you carry your burdens and sufferings
North Node at 42 – relative to its house position in your chart
South Node – also relative
Also, though the ancients were not aware of Uranus, modern astrology recognizes that the four quarters of Uranus in its cycle indicate the four stages of life – childhood, young adulthood, middle age, mature age.
And there are many more cyclical indications in the heavens but this is a small example.
NOT FOR EVERYONE
Ancient Astrology wisdom is not for everyone. It is more than a logical, calculated mathematical or ‘cookbook’ approach, as it incorporates philosophical and spiritual understanding, alongside as techniques.
The words below are from a review for my amazing astrological colleague, Heather, and when I read these words they really ‘clicked’ with me, especially with regard to ancient astrological philosophy, and my own personal experience that not everyone ‘gets astrology’, and even within astro circles, not everyone ‘gets the spiritual component’. (Thank you Heather and Chriselda for permission to use this quote!)
“People who only base their understanding of life in what they call “logic” ironically don’t realize that astrology is anything but LOGICAL. It is alchemical. It is the science of ALL AGES because it is rooted in (age old) truths that have been hidden, scapegoated, demonized and therefore ridiculed….”
USE OF ANCIENT ASTROLOGY WISDOM
When I do a reading I use astrological techniques from many sources – Western, Evolutionary, Jamini etc – but the philosophy of our connection to the earth and the sky, the cycles of the planets relating to our seasons of life, the importance of every element/sign/planet and placement, and the equality of all life experience influences what I see in the chart, stemming from my understanding Ancient Astrology principals.
Ancient astrological philosophy can support our astrological practice if our intent is to empower and support others. To do so we need to ‘tune in’ to our clients with our intuition and feeling capacity, just as the ancient wisdom keepers, medicine givers, sages and tribal wise ones did for their communities. We need to understand our own and our clients life questions and journey at a soul level, in order to really be of assistance.
Astrology has become my spiritual connection with God and what the Universe is communicating to humanity. I hope that by combining my understanding of wisdom theory with astrological knowledge I may bring the language of the heavens into greater clarity and understanding within your life.
ANCIENT ASTROLOGY WISDOM
Astrology is the most ancient of sciences, with recognition of the stars, planets and cycles dating back to the earliest of human cultures on the earth. From its use as a cyclical calendar in early tribal cultures, through to more knowledge based advanced ancient societies, to its mutation into a hidden mystery or occult practice in the middle ages and finally the resurgence of popularity as the Aquarian age (ruler of astrology) arises, it has always been a tool in the guidance of mankind.
As we look to the future in astrology, it is important to recognize that there is so much wisdom we can draw from its past incarnations in previous cultures to enlighten us on our spiritual soul journey this lifetime. If you are interested in a perspective on Astrology that incorporates astrological science and techniques with intuition, personal soul evolution, ancient esoteric understandings, theory and philosophy, then this article is for you!
I am going to step through a handful of ancient cultural astrological beliefs and how they can be incorporated into our philosophical approach to astrology today. I will also mention some helpful techniques – so if you are more logically minded, hang in there, there will be something in this article for you too!
It is important to keep in mind that not everyone approaches astrology from the same perspective – and that is OK! There are those who incorporate an intuitive, spiritual sense, and those who appreciate a more method based approach to their astrology. Please refrain from judging those who do not come at astrology from your perspective. One of the rich and beautiful offerings of astrology is the recognition that we all have a unique energetic perspective to shine (earth, air, fire or water) that will resonate with different people.
EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS AND ASTOLOGICAL PRACTICE
Shamanism is really the most ancient form of spiritual priest/priestess hood. Most ancient cultures had rituals and celebrations that were presided over by shamen or shawomen who functioned as mediums between the spirit world, medicine givers and healers, and the wisdom holders in their communities. These people were innately gifted in their practice – just as some are gifted with a warrior nature, others are gifted with a thinking nature, and others are gifted with a practical nature, shapeople carried gifts of feeling and intuition. Shapeople offered their profound sensitivities in service to their communities through their ‘6th sense’ and psychic abilities, their empathetic gifts, and their ability to function with more highly attuned feeling and intuition guidance.
Carl Jung noted this approach in cultures untouched by western civilization, where life worked more from intuition and understanding, and western cultures functioned largely from a conquest and rational approach. Carl Jung felt there was need or capacity to incorporate and honour these elements – seen in astrological charts by the modalities of earth, fire, air and water – in the human experience.
There are those who practice forms of ancient priest/priestess hood today, seeking to grow their consciousness through communion with hidden realms (spiritual, other dimensional) and use of ancient tools – tools such as dancing, drumming, music healing, energy work, chanting , dream work, attuning with nature and natural cycles, the recognition of omens and signs, and of course, understanding the language of the universe in the stars. Similarly to ancient shapeople, these practitioners today also seek to use their gifts in these areas to serve their communities and bring blessing to the world around them.
BELIEFS
- THE UNIVERSE IS ALIVE. Ancient peoples believed that anything that could move had a soul, had desires. As the planets moved in the sky against the backdrop of the fixed stars, this gave rise to the concept of an intelligent soul for each of the planets, and subsequently, the concept of the zodiac as the seat of the gods. It also eventually lead to the creation of planetary god mythology with humanlike attributes and characteristics seen in almost every ancient astrological practice.
- ONE WITH ALL THINGS. The Celtic cultures saw the world as both magical and interconnected – we are one with all things. The trees and animals were reflected in their zodiac, and communication with the spirits of sacred trees (nymphs and dryads) formed part of their spiritual belief. They held that all of nature was sacred and spiritual. They believed that what was represented above was reflected, or a reflection of, what was happening on earth. Ancient spiritual practice at its core is a celebration of our interconnectedness – not just an intellectual understanding of life and the world, but rather, our role and connection to the larger system of the earth and universe.
Interestingly, did you know that scientists calculate that 60% of stars in the universe are in binary (or more) relationship with another star – and in western cultures 60% of adults are in a couple relationship with a partner? Just an interesting correlation – as above, so below.
- WE CAN COMMUNICATE WITH OUR WORLD. Tied to the as above so below theory, cultures such as the Indigenous Americans believed that we were able to communicate with the universe by interacting with the spirit of the earth, the planets, our ancestors, our dreams and nature. We could not control such energy, but we could work with and in alignment to such energies. For example, learning to understand the significance of certain animal omens or certain weather patterns as indicators of coming personal events or energy in our lives…
- ASTROLOGY IS CYCLICAL. Indigenous astrology is the oldest form of astrology as it predates chart making astrology forms – almost every indigenous culture had its own version of interaction with the celestial cycles. For example, the Australian Aborigines used astrological cycles to help them know when to hunt, gather seeds, do their ceremonies and undertake certain individual rituals, such as the Australia Aboriginal walkabout. Belief in the cycles of life and the celebration of our human experience of these cycles also formed part of these early astrologically based cultures – childhood to adulthood, marriage, birth of offspring, death etc.
Jupiter maturation at age 16 indicates sexual maturity
Sun maturation at age 21 indicates physical maturity
Moon at age 24 indicates emotional maturity
Venus at age 25 relational maturity
Mars at 28 capability and life strategy
Mercury at 32 skills talents and abilities
Saturn at 36 philosophical maturity – how you carry your burdens and sufferings
North Node at 42 – relative to its house position in your chart
South Node – also relative
Also, though the ancients were not aware of Uranus, modern astrology recognizes that the four quarters of Uranus in its cycle indicate the four stages of life – childhood, young adulthood, middle age, mature age.
And there are many more cyclical indications in the heavens but this is a small example.
- THE EARTH IS SACRED. Indigenous American, Australian and Celtic traditions (to name but a few!) believed that the earth was sacred - that we need to honour her nature, cycles and seasons. Respect for the earth (modern day Environmentalism) is important.
- MYTHOLOGY AND STORIES. Again, many tribal cultures such as the Mayan and Aboriginal, as well as the first organized systems of astrology in Babylon, Greece and Egypt, used their rituals, stories and ceremonies as mythical re-enactments of cosmological events. Modern Western astrology continues to draw from the insights Hellenistic mythology offered to describe planets, the signs and their effects on humanity. Similarly, modern psychology uses archetypes to describe personalities (for example, the 16 Personalities test based on the Jungian Myers Briggs analysis). Such expressions and storytelling assist our understanding of the characteristics of the Zodiac, and therefore, ourselves.
- EQUALITY. Interestingly, there is great variance between cultures for the interpretation of male/female energies. For example, Australian Aboriginal astrology viewed the Sun as female and the Moon as male – the opposite of our contemporary view of the energies. Similarly, in Mayan astrology, Venus was considered the planet of war. Tribes would time their sacrifices and warfare to align with the helical rising of Venus as the Morning Star. From the third century BC the principal of Yin and Yang was incorporated as part of Chinese cosmology. This is the principal that all things exist in inseparable and contradictory opposites and is therefore non hierarchical – all is equal – male/ female, youth / age, dark / light, good/ bad – each with an element of the other at its core.
- RESPECT FOR THE TOTALITY OF THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE. As illustrated by the Yin Yang, all experience is important – the light and the shadow of who we are, our youth, our middle age, our old age is all of value and should be honoured. This is an important component of Ancient Astrology Wisdom, where we see that nothing is inherently ‘bad’ (malefic eg. most parents who raise their children with appropriate boundaries will understand the intent behind the phrase ‘you’ve got to be cruel to be kind’) and nothing is inherently ‘good’ (benefic eg. we all know the phrase ‘too much of a good thing’). Everything serves its purpose in both the karma and evolution of our souls. Eg. Saturn can be a planet of psychic protection in the chart; Venus can represent our struggles with relationship as a reaction to past life relational experiences.
- REINCARNATION. Almost every ancient astrologically based culture believed in the afterlife, and most in reincarnation and past lives as part of the evolution of our souls. In Hindu and Western Astrology past lives are revealed in the chart through both the south node of the moon, the moon itself, the 12th house and the placement of some karmic planets (Saturn and Venus particularly)
NOT FOR EVERYONE
Ancient Astrology wisdom is not for everyone. It is more than a logical, calculated mathematical or ‘cookbook’ approach, as it incorporates philosophical and spiritual understanding, alongside as techniques.
The words below are from a review for my amazing astrological colleague, Heather, and when I read these words they really ‘clicked’ with me, especially with regard to ancient astrological philosophy, and my own personal experience that not everyone ‘gets astrology’, and even within astro circles, not everyone ‘gets the spiritual component’. (Thank you Heather and Chriselda for permission to use this quote!)
“People who only base their understanding of life in what they call “logic” ironically don’t realize that astrology is anything but LOGICAL. It is alchemical. It is the science of ALL AGES because it is rooted in (age old) truths that have been hidden, scapegoated, demonized and therefore ridiculed….”
USE OF ANCIENT ASTROLOGY WISDOM
When I do a reading I use astrological techniques from many sources – Western, Evolutionary, Jamini etc – but the philosophy of our connection to the earth and the sky, the cycles of the planets relating to our seasons of life, the importance of every element/sign/planet and placement, and the equality of all life experience influences what I see in the chart, stemming from my understanding Ancient Astrology principals.
Ancient astrological philosophy can support our astrological practice if our intent is to empower and support others. To do so we need to ‘tune in’ to our clients with our intuition and feeling capacity, just as the ancient wisdom keepers, medicine givers, sages and tribal wise ones did for their communities. We need to understand our own and our clients life questions and journey at a soul level, in order to really be of assistance.
Astrology has become my spiritual connection with God and what the Universe is communicating to humanity. I hope that by combining my understanding of wisdom theory with astrological knowledge I may bring the language of the heavens into greater clarity and understanding within your life.