Spiritual Astrology Session Four: Astrological Patterns ‘Atthis Round Table on Spiritual Astrology: + for the Center: Thomas M. Hedberg, Betsy Caprio Hedberg, Penny Key + quests: artist Edita and student Phil ‘March, 2014 ‘Tom: Hi again, everybody's good to be back. ‘Today, we'll continue looking at astrological pate —pattemns in the heavens, in the zodiae, in our birth charts, and, most of all, in the human soul. Patterns in the soul are sometimes referred to as “the anatomy of the psyche.” How're you all doing? (Sophia, the Center's small black cat, is on a red velveteen pillow next to Tom's chair. She's fascinated by a newly added mobile of the solar system gently swaying over the round table.) Phil: Since you ask, Tom, here goes...'d like to run a personal problem by everyone. Next month, I go to Chicago to celebrate Passover with my family—it's big and extended, and I've missed Seder with them for the last two years. Lknow there'll be questions about my graduate work! Now, I could just say psychology,” but some will want to know more: classes, faculty, research, thesis topic, and so on. Do I ‘fess up and say, “I'm exploring astrology as a possible counseling tool?” Already, I can hear my grandmother's voice: “You were going to be a doctor—then you went to California and look what happened! Now you're an astrologer?” (all—including Phil—can't help but laugh!) ‘Tom: Oh, Phil—can we be flies on the wall at this Seder? You do know that there are variations on this story in every faith tradition! I was told recently, not for the first time, that astrology was against Christianity. As I recall, a hushed reference was made to ‘the devil and all his works.” Edita: Oh, dear--and how did you handle that, Tom? ‘Tom: Wel, first I agreed that turning one’s life over to a “diviner” could show a reluetance to turn to God. Ttried to explain that there are different approaches to astrology, and brought in the sainted Magi of the Christmas story, who were thought to be priest-astrologers. Of course, the zodiac artworks found in medieval churches—like your beautiful Georgian zodiac, Edita—make a good case for the historical dialogue of Christianity with astrology. Also, not everyone knows that until the early 20" century there ‘was an official Vatican astrologer!! But these points might not impress your folks, Phil. Penny: So, Tom—in a similar situation, first you acknowledged and affirmed the other person's concerns, then turned to history. Phil, what would it be like to go armed with some historical information on connections between Judaism and the science of the stars? I’m thinking specifically of the zodiac mosaies which have been found in ruins of synagogues in northern Israel. I think they date from the 6" century. Betsy, don't you have a picture of one of these? Betsy: Yes, I do (rummaging through some files). I'm looking for the famous Beit Aleph synagogue mosaic in the valley of Jezreel—it was uncovered in 1928 by members of a kibbntz.? Keep talking... Phil: So there was an ancient Jewish connection to astrology? Who knew? Penny: Phil—assuming that you'll get around to mentioning astrology (or will have the word pried out of you!)—what most troubles you? Is it being ridiculed? Or seeming to be wasting your time? Or thought to be unscholarly?. Phil: Yes to all of these, but most important I think my grandmother may be hurt and scandalized. She's pretty traditional, and probably thinks of astrology as superstition or messing with the occult To} Will it make a difference if you mention that your original plan has been to debunk astrology? Phil: doubt it. At best, jokes will be made—and at worst, I'l be the big family disappointment.Four/2 Betsy: Ah! Here's the pieture. It's slightly cropped. A mosaic floor zodiac, in fantastic condition considering its age—as you can see, only Capricorn at the bottom is heavily damaged. Date: .520 C.E. Phil: Wow! That's impressive. Edita: And look at the Hebrew lettering that identifies each of the zodiae signs. I remember reading that the corner women represent the seasons—so, the members of this synagogue were shown a zodiac connected to their natural world, as well as to their faith tradition, Tom: Now, the center interests me. Since Jews would not have had an image of G_D in the center of their zodiac—or anywhere else—they found a substitute. Many Jews of this late Roman Empire period were Hellenistic in culture. And the builders of this synagogue chose an early Greco-Roman solar deity, Helios, ‘to stand for the Sun at the center. This correlates with verses of the Hebrew scriptures about the Lord being clothed in light, with clouds for a chariot Penny: Phil, could some of this information be useful to you, in case you get grilled in Chicago? Why don't you take the picture with you? One picture really is worth 1000 words. Phil: Thanks...this does help. I do feel a good bit more prepared. Penny: We'll be waiting to hear how things turn out. You know it’s true that religious objections to astrology are mentioned in the sacred texts of several faiths, but I think that may be due to fear—fear that astrological predictions may interfere with our relationship with the Divine, or encourage us to give up our free will. [bet we ean all agree that this is not what our study of astrology is about (yes, general agreement). Remember, our spiritual or transpersonal astrology differs from the stereotype of magazine and newspaper horoscope columns. Edita: I've read sad reports of how astrology’s been used in the past—and is still used in some cultures—to make people dependent upon those with this knowledge. A kind of magical thinking. + Tom: True, Now we're going to look at some astrological patterns—we've been immersed in these since ur first meeting, haven't we? There’s the mandalic pattern of the birth chart, a map of a soul's story... Phil: And the Natural Zodiae, with sub-patterns of elements and modes, and signs and pairs of signs... Penny: Now these are static patterns, right? Permanent and unchanging. Remember how the unchanging Natural Zodiae layout underlies all birth charts? One of our Center clients devised a transparency from half of a clear page protector. On it, she copied her natal chart, in a circle the same size as our earlier Natural Zodiac (using permanent markers), and she puts it over a copy of that zodiac. Betsy: What a great idea! Now, she sees the Natural Zodiac informing her own chart. Also, le’s remember that some people describe the birth chart as “the eosmogram” or “the inner solar system.” Behind some of our astrological patterns lies their great astronomical prototype: our Solar System. Over our round table today we have this paper mobile of our solar system from an old grade school classroom. And here’s an AstroNotes page about this astonishing design—early on, humans realized how Earth reflected heavenly patterns, especially those of the planets and constellations.AstroNotes #6 ~ Our Solar System Pe ‘A dip into astronomy: Most of us have a good idea of our solar system, one of many. Here's a chart showing its pattern—not to scale, of course. Nor are the orbits of the planets as smooth as in this sketch, In fact, the dark line through Chiron the comet shows how Chiron is doing its own thing, following a path which intersects the orbits of Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus—making Chiron a good symbolic link between the solar system’s seven original planets and the three ‘newer’ outer planets. Our solar system's pattern is elliptical—i.e., based on the flattened circle known as an ellipse: 0. Since astrologers began creating birth chasts long before this elliptical shape was recognized, and because they assumed Earth was at the center of the heavens, charts were given the image of wholeness—a circle. ‘And, the chart was (and has stayed) geocentric. (Some cultures—e.g,, India~developed rectangular birth charts.) Astrology is a symbolic art rooted in astronomy; many of its most ancient tenets hold true today. More clarification: Below, 9 basic astronomical bodies are shown in proportion to the size of Earth, whose diameter at the equator is figured here as 1. The Moon, so important in the birth chart, is of course a satellite of Earth, about M ofits size. Note how much smaller the personal planets are in comparison to huge Jupiter and Saturn, each with many moons. Telescopes revealed Uranus in 1781, rotating tilted on its side, quirky compared to other planets (and in our charts!). Neptune was sighted in 1846—it is “the other blue planet.” In 1933, Pluto was added; recently reclassified as a “dwarf planet” its importance to astrologers seems unchanged. (We've added the asteroid belt, discovered in 1802, increasingly used by today’s astrologers, and comet Chiron, first noted in 1977). 0 e . HS 5 Mercury EARTH : -. . ose venus | MARS : <= % : enter EQUATORIAL DIAMETER psttasyS JUPITER, SATURN URANUS NEPTUNE PLUTO Here are approximate figures for the time each planet takes to complete a full orbit, followed by the amount of time each usually resides in a zodiac sign or house before entering the next. Remember, planets may “go retrograde” (Rx) as they move, affecting their orbiting time and sign/house residence. ‘And, movement out ofa sign may oceur ata different time from movement into the next house. Moon—28 days (2 days) Mars~2 years (2 months) Uranus—84 years (7 years) ‘Mercury—88 days (7 days) Jupiter—12 years (1 year) ‘Neptune—165 years (14 years) Venus—7 months (17 days) Saturn—29/: years (2' years) Pluto—248'2 years (20 years) Chiron—48-51 years (4 years...but varies)Four/4 Edita: So, the planets were named for deities, and starry constellations were named for mythological ‘characters and became the zodiac. And we've inherited the names of Greek and Roman lore; if we lived in India or Nordic cultures, the planets and zodiac would have different names. But the pattern they express would be alike, worldwide....because all originated from the same solar system. Is that right? Penny: Right! The pattern—an archetype—remains the same, even though it may ‘change clothes’ from culture to culture. (And, in the southern hemisphere, the pattern has inverted timing.) ‘Tom: Now, let's remember that the seasons mirror the same pattern. They became templates for peoples’ exterior lives (at first, unconsciously), as in “It’s spring, time to think about new life...” ete. Here's an antique almanac page | think you'll like. As you can see, it features the Sun going through : “RECBER Y entin son.ssxeaee monthly changes in the northern hemisphere (in this case, Germany). The ‘twelve sequential zodiac signs are above each Sun, with necessary outer farm tasks below. Edita: Then, this, pattern was found to be internal as well external. Of course! Penny: That's wonderful, Tom! I remember my parents using an almanac to plant their vegetable gardens. They would have been shocked to kknow they were using EN ba hel AES 9 astrology! (I wonder if Phis grandmother is a gardener? she laughs, then continues...) And so, the awareness of the seasons and their accompanying signs becomes a perfect metaphor for our “Inner Path.” What began as a static elliptical (and then mandalic) shape starts to have concepts attached to it. When the seasons are connected to the heavenly design, the repetitive linear pattern of Birth-Life-Death-Rebirth can be spotted. Then, as you say, Edita, comes the awareness, “Oh, that's like my life, without and within...” Wow! LX Oh, hey~makes me think of the Buddhist oxherding pictures... Doesn't the same inner pattern play out there? Lots of finding out who you are and what you can do at the beginning of the sequence (0, that’s ego development). Then a turn-around, as the original purpose of ox-catching proves to be an illusion...the old way dies. Then a return—wiser?—to the external world you thought you'd transcended. But, now, you have gifts to bring to that world. And the cycle repeats—over and over. ‘Tom: Yes—that's one good non-astrological example of how this pervasive archetypal pattern keeps reeycling. We find examples of the pattern again and again: east and west, ancient and modern. Astrologically, each year as the final sign in the zodiac begins—X, we're sent hints about immersion in the greater “sea” of the unconscious, followed by ‘Y’‘s hints about growth of a stronger “I.” All subtly. Penny: Sometimes we're aware of this—but most of the time, we probably aren't. But even if we aren't, the pattern’s still unfolding in the background—subliminally, unconsciously. The pictures and messages are just “in the air” as the signs circle around the calendar. Working with astrological images, ‘makes the implicit pattern explicit, and helps to deepen this process. Of course, one of the purposes of our round table is to help us become more and more conscious of these patterns in our lives.Four/5 Phil: Thus: As Above / So Below stays true...as does As Without / So Within! jetsy: Yes. Here's a very simplified look at how Jung and his immediate students described the individuation process (and if you've time to pursue it, a reference we recommend highly is Jolande Jacobi’s The Way of Individuation 5). Basically, Jung speaks of Part One and Part Two of this process. Roughly (very roughly), these parts correspond to early years when we set out to find our place in the world (One), then a turn-around once the ego (small *s” self) is strong enough to become the servant of the always-there-center (Two). ‘Home’ (in psych language) is the Self, the place we began, and to which we now consciously return, to cite TS. Eliot. We tracked this as the “Inner Path” on the two AstroNotes #5 pages last session. I find it useful to imagine a diagram like this: © Tom: And Jung spoke, too, of the individuation process asa spiraling life-trip up a mountain. From each U7] position on the path, we have a broader view of ari vo‘ whence we've come. This—like Dante’s—is a ~ a oe if | vertical picture, a trip from immersion in everyday (nm) life, upward into a broader view of the same ¢ : terrain with each spiral : ‘Then, we have the zodiac as a circular picture AtHlome Leaving Home xewing Hone of the same process. The pattern repeats itself, over and over in different cultures, as Phil reminds us, We can become ‘multi-lingual, using symbolic language from psychology, religious traditions, astrology, alchemy and elsewhere—for the same pattern. Penny: And thinking of spirals, here’s an. interesting picture showing how some 14° century artists conceived the solar system. It'sa fresco from the ceiling of the famous Kariye Djami chureh in Istanbul, splendid home of the last era of Byzantine grandeur. ? Here, an angel holds up the entire cosmos, which—because it was imagined as spiral—is in the form of a snail-shell! We don’t see an array of planets—just the Sun on the left and the Moon at right, nestled among stars in the firmament's coils. (The Greek inscriptions refer to adjoining scenes.) And if we were there in Istanbul, we would see how the entire background of this angelic flight is also a spiral. The heavens swirl over the heads of worshipers. All this spiraling is really interesting— it shows such movement! Edita: The liturgical year—no matter what one’s persuasion —also mirrors the pattern we're talking about: Ember Days ushering in each season. And Yom Kippur, Ramadan, Lent—followed by new life. Fast, then feast. Tom: Definitely. And when members of many of the world’s religions follow the sequential unfolding of their church or temple services, they're allowing the same pattern to imprint itself more deeply into their lives—maybe only unconsciously at first, but eventually as a conscious awareness. Now we're talking about how theology can saeralize corresponding patterns in nature. Penny: So, astrology’s not the only way to stay conscious of the patterns—though it may be the earliest.Betsy: Only one of a hundred ways! But, how powerful and complete a way it is. Four/6 Penny: Members of ‘Phil's’ Israeli synagogue, and of the Christian cathedrals so loaded with astrological symbolism, were at home with such artwork. The symbols were very alive for them. The correlation of the zodiac signs to the life of the soul was familiar—and clear. Present-day religious buildings also may have such imagery.* Edita: So many medieval Christian artworks show Christ with the four symbols of the gospel authors —I'm thinking of my Georgian fresco, and here's a painting from a 13" c. Norwegian stave church.? At top left there's a man representing the human ancestry of Jesus—this is how St. Matthew's gospel starts. Then, below him, a funny sort of lion, a dweller of the desert—St. Mark opens with the story of John the Baptist, the desert solitary. Phi ‘And these symbols are from astrology...? Betsy: Let's look at the last two: At the bottom right is a horned bull or an ox—Luke's gospel opens with a priest in the temple, someone who deals with sacrifice and sacrificial animals. Penny: And upper right is an eagle, standing for St. John. His gospel opens with the heavens, the place from which his words take wing. Do you see the astrological connection? ‘Tom: These are the four fixed signs of the zodiac: the man from 23 (fixed air), the lion from 2 (fixed fire), the bull from % (fixed earth), and the eagle from Ml (fixed water—the evolved image of Scorpio is the eagle or phoenix). They were described in a vision in chapter one of Ezechiel. ‘Tom: If you were a churchgoer in old Norway, what might the evangelists’ symbols say to you? Phil: Let's see...Well, astrology is interwoven with our religion. And fixed signs were chosen (not cardinal, not mutable) to ground these ideas, give them roots. And wings make the symbols seem angelic, as though they channel heavenly or celestial ideas. The writers were inspired. How's that? Penny: That's good! “And I will raise them up, on eagle’s wings...” ‘Tom: Now, there are other patterns we want to look at, patterns in birth charts. Astrologers over the ages have come up with various meanings—so, we'll offer the viewpoints most often found, which usually align with our Jungian perspective on astrology. Be prepared, however, to find authors here and there citing differing meanings for astrological components—and then, trust your own experience." Betsy: Yes! Let's give credit to Dane Rudhyar, who, from the 1930s, dove so deeply into Jung's developmental psychology—the individuation process—and made the correspondences to astrology. Penny: Now, here are our next AstroNotes pages...Whoa! (Penny says this as a dark blur shoots over the round table... it’s Sophia! She's stared at the solar system mobile for over an hour, and has finally made a leap for it—landing on the floor across the table after an unsuccessful swipe at Saturn’ rings.) Oh, Sophia—our astro-cat! She seems 0.k., maybe a little embarrassed at having missed her prey. Are you alright, sweetheart? I'll get some of her treats. (Penny tends to Sophia, who pretends not to notice all eyes focused on her—but calmly goes about grooming her ruffled fur. The session resumes!)AstroNotes #7 ~ Patt Here are a few—very simplified. Patterns are created primarily by the distribution of planets in the chart. No one pattern or shape is thought of as better or worse than others...what’s ‘important is seeing how a chart is designed, then making the most of its potentialities. Most astrology texts treat this subject, and experts’ interpretations don't always agree...keep studying! Cote: this is a double-page spread. For notebooks, punch holes on right, then on left side of the following page.] * Hemispheres: May be balanced by major planets (5 +5). Or, one hemisphere may be more heavily ‘tenanted’ than the other; this focused energy (or ‘preponderant weight’) shown here by colored areas. (Note: the psyche tries to fill vacuums or gaps so wholeness is achieved ©.) Keys: Oe, ® Personal Self-directed one renea trioncas centles Mcbieameioe ies guides Introversion Extraversion Introversion, inner world Extraversion, outer world EY Or fe signs, etc. ‘and/or Phases of inner individuation process—repeated, ever-deepening: "f & I =emengence of ego Q lp = firming-up of ego B iy. = ego discovers need for greater context Wp a2 € = ego surrenders its primacy to That Which Is Greater (Ego-Self axis formed so “I” is handmaid/valet of Other.) 2 2 ” Who gm? How gan Tbeme? Where gga Lgoing? Why was. born?” —S.Bohan + Three Sectors (4 signs each): (favored by U.K.'s Howard Sasportas, Clare Martin, others) Me 2nd _— Me and You gu=We Tand others [and Thou eel Interpersonal ‘Transpersonal + Aspect-configurations or pictures: oral Fy pel C+ MECH WS tard Uae C2 59) Grand Cross - 4 planets O, usually insame mode _T-Square - 2 planets opposed + 11 each Offers self-reliance, but person may avoid help. Leads to strength, dynamism—IF A challenging set-up, powerful once resolved. central planet serves as unifier. Grand Trine - 3 planets A, usuallyinsame _Yod or “Finger of God” - @ element. Offers inner stability, harmony, 2 planets > + 1at farthest point but person may be content to live in own Also: “Finger of the World”- @ comfort zone, avoiding opportunities to planets 0) +1 at farthest point explore, stretch, grow. ~ Both point to a special soul-task ~ Foun /#* Shaf ina Foua/e Ten basic layouts, an idea credited to Mare Edmund Jones, pioneer American astrologer (and Alice Howell's teacher). Colors show arrangements of houses ‘tenanted’ by planets—and these can be at any place on the chart. Find the shape closest to the chart being considered (there will be variations). Two notable energy points: ‘Splash or Sprau—overall scattering, Each quadrant occupied; no more ar Gbat es Diversified capacities; however, may Tack focus, have i Locomotive—V4 - ‘4 of chart empty ‘houses, in sequence, Open’ be place of rest (eye of tornado) or source of inspiration (nature abhors vacuum). Engine’) inet is key. ~ Singleton ~ a planet (or conjunction of ‘two planets) alone in a hemisphere. ~ Stellium ~ four or more planets conjunct ina sign or house (plural: stellia). Tripod or Splay—3 ‘tenanted’ house ‘groups, separated info triangle. May be able to transcend dualities, find Jung's transcendent functions? that ‘9-1 empty houses in each group. Aware of alternatives (*both/and”). Look to oppositions for energizing. ‘area can Bundle or Cluster—all planets in 4 ‘houses_(a narrow Bow, most rare pattern). High concentration of energy leads to focused life—but need to tend to empty % of chart. Bowl or Hemisphere—all plancts Find oj in 4 of cha houses in bowl. Empty area may exert a ‘pull’ to explore the unknown. 1-2 emy balan ago Sara ‘Bundle (as funnel is of Bowl) a s ton Se paiid Look to “handle” as release point. ‘Bucket or Furmel—Bowl witha m conjunet planets). Energy directed through this ‘release point’—sign and house can be source of lifewneaning. [keene os Same sents moore support to planetary concentration in Bundle, than an actual release point/channel.Four/9 Tom: Well, Sophia has spent some time on my lap and she’s purring. I'll take down the mobile as soon as we finish. (Wonder what's going on with Sophia's chart now!) Any questions about the AstroNotes? Edita: Not a question, but just to say that these pages will add a lot to our astro-journals.. Betsy: Good! Then, let’s move on to a question we all ask: How do I learn to read a birth chart? Our next session will focus on this. For now, let’s take another look at the chart of our Center, which we met last time. Even though some of us are new to ‘reading’ birth charts, we already have several skills that can tell us something about the Center from its “map of potentialities.” What did you notice first? Phil: Well, the most obvious thing—and it does jump out at you—is the layout of the planets. Talk about patterns in a chart! ‘There’s Chiron, which isn’t even a planet, at the top of the chart—and everything else is gathered tightly at the bottom. Penny: So, the northern hemisphere of the chart isemphasized. Based on what you already know, ‘what does that suggest to you, Phil? Phil: Well, I see it as a focus on everything below the horizon, in the dark—this could be about the unconscious. It also could be about establishing a healthy sense of self—the personal signs of the zodiac. And it also could be about introversion. Edita: But Chiron above changes things, doesn’t it? Looking at the AstroNotes page, I can see this is a Wedge pattern, with the Chiron singleton as the release point through which all that busy lower- chart energy is directed. So what's released is flavored by Chiron, which is loosely conjunct the MC. Penny: So, let's say the elevated planet was not Chiron, but—oh, Venus. We might see her energy as beautifying and making attractive all that's cooking below. But, it's Chiron...so what does that suggest? Tom: Well, that little comet is named for the wounded centaur, who guided great heroes. Thus, in charts, it refers to teaching and healing, and befriending those exploring their life purposes. Yes, this fits with us. So, would anyone like to sum up what we've seen so far about the Center’ Edita: Ul wy..."The Center for Sacred Psychology is rooted in helping people develop themselves and their talents...so as to release their energies into the outer world...especially, using as a resource (Taurus) an array of the world’s wisdom (9% house—the natural Sagittarius home).” How's that? Penny: That's really good, Edita! Of course, we might have said this without ever seeing the chart. But, how good to have what we know intellectually confirmed in this way. Here's another question: What if there'd been nothing in the upper/Southern hemisphere...then, how would you read the chart? Tom: Well, I'm thinking it would then have a locomotive pattern, with Pluto in Scorpio as the engine leading the train. Hmmm...that seems different. More difficult, perhaps? Penny: Would you say that without a planet above the horizon, the chart lacks a doorway, or perhaps the energy, to bring its message out into the world? Chiron gives the “wedge” a lever to lift itself up and out of its introversion. Another thought I have is that without Chiron as a focal point, Pluto in Scorpio could have shifted the Center's focus towards healing addictions or similar disorders. Pluto in Scorpio asks us to look, unflinchingly, at our darker natures, our Shadow, Well, we've learned a lot already! Phil: It’s like once you internalize the language, the message sort of leaps off the page at you, doesn't it?Four/10 Betsy: Yes—it sure does! Next time we meet we'll talk much more about reading a chart. Anything else ‘we want to say about the Center's horoscope? (By the way, a blank copy of the rose window chart is at the end of this session, for your use.) We could spend another hour on this, obviously. ‘Tom: Well, ook at the Sun's sign and placement. And here, it’s in the 5" house—the Leo house—and ‘at an early degree of Aquarius. The 5" house: self-expression, confidence in who one is. Aquarius: about ideals and visions, and joining with like-minded people to make the world a better place. Sometimes, too idealistic? All this certainly fits with the Center—and has for 3o years. Betsy: And I always look at the rising sign of a chart, and here it's early Virgo, 7°-so, about gathering and organizing...what? Well, the planet ruling the sign on the Ascendant—in this case, Mereury (ruler of Virgo)—becomes the ruler of the chart. So, we're looking at gathering and organizing ideas. The Ascendant is often equated with the Persona, the way we meet the world. So, now I'm thinking that, after the bunched energies of the bottom of the chart are solidified by passing through Chiron in the {fixed earth sign (Taurus), the related but mutable earth sign (Virgo) helps to share and distribute them, The early degrees of both Sun (4°) and Ascendant (7°) make me think of youthful zest for this task. Edita: Looked up the Sabian symbols * for the chart highlights, and found this for the Sun’s position: “a COUNCIL OF ANCESTORS.” The Marc E. Jones’ text has thoughts about ...dependence upon the hearts and minds of one generation after another... and how ...our background continually mobilizes itself to serve us and facilitate refinement of potentialities... The ‘keyword’ here is ANTECEDENTS. Penny: There’s so much more, such as the preponderance of planets in fixed signs. I know it's about time for us to wrap up this session, but first I'd like to share a collage I made about five years ago after taking my first collage workshop. Acontemplative goddess sits for a moment and. gazes up through the temporal to the eternal. It speaks to me of Venus in Virgo, sitting inside her temple (C.G.Jung’s temenos), quietly seeing the beauty of the man-made and sensing the beauty of the nature-made. I really wasn’t thinking consciously about astrology, but look!—she ended up under a 12-paneled circular dome! This was made several years before we decided to have a round table on astrology—but now it seems like my unconscious was sending a clue about something rising up within. Lalso feel this collage reflects the Center's Virgo rising sign (even though its Venus is elsewhere), which is one reason T wanted to share it with you. It’s a lovely reminder to me that in the midst of the patterns and eycles that swirl around us, we just want to take time to gaze and to breathe. Tom: How beautiful! Well, are we learning how to dance the cosmic boogie?! Let's take a minute to emulate this scene...(a restful pause for all). ‘And, Phil—best of luck at your family celebration. We'll be sending our thoughts and prayers eastward to Chicago (all concur). Penny: Next time, we'll end Part One of these sessions, We'll talk about aspects and transits, and about reading the natal chart. Then, in the fall, Part Two will begin: the planets more fully. Online guests, please join us!End Notes for Session Four Four/11 2 Leo XIII, who died in 1903, was the last pope to retain a resident astrologer. Souree: poet William Everson (formerly Brother Antoninus) interviewed by Clifton Ross, ed. in The Light the Shadow Costs (Berkeley, CA: New Earth, 1996.) Thanks to Jim Neafsey of Berkeley for this reference. [For warnings of the dangers of submitting one's free will, see Bernard Héiring’s The Law of Christ: Moral Theology for Priests and Laity (1961; orig. Ger. 1954).] * Beit Aleph zodiac, one of seven found in remains of ancient synagogues. Search Beit Aleph (or Beth Alpha) for ‘more online; see also www-biblical archeology.org (“Jewish-worship-pagan-symbols"). Picture: Wikimedia @ 8 See, among other verses, Isaiah 60:19 and Psalms 104:2-3. 4 Fora report on the exploitative use of astrology, see Wisdom from India: Postmodern West Encounters Pre- Modern East (DVD Lecture #5 by Vishal Mangalwadi: “Astrology,” Vision Video, Worcester, PA). 5 Fora really fine explanation of the individuation process, see The Way of Individuation by Jung's student, Jolande Jacobi (NY: Hareourt Brace World, 1967; orig. German, 1965). Jacobi (1890-1973) was born in Hungary ‘and lived many years in Vienna, where she met Jung in 1927. She escaped Nazi persecution thanks to her 1938 acceptance by Jung for analytical training in Zitrich. Jung himself wrote an introduction to her first book on his psychology in 1940, an act which led to his work being banned by the Nazis. Early in the 1950s, Jolande Jacobi spoke at American Jung centers, including the one in Los Angeles. © From Coming Home, Caprio and Hedberg (Mahwah, NJ: Paulist, 1986). 7 Kariye Djami, better known by its Christian name: the Church of Christ in the Field (or Chora). Thanks to Mark E, Caprio of Tokyo for this pieture. 5 We have a 1985 letter from the late John A. Sanford, former rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in San Diego and a mentor for many at the Center. He includes a description of the zodiacal stained glass rose window of this church, on the western fagade: ..the center or heart of the rose (window) depicts Christ enthroned. Next to this..is the astrological symbol for each of the twelve segments of the year. These were designed to remind us that a true Christian worships God each day and month of the year. ‘The windows for St. Paul's were created by 4Jndson Studios in Pasadena, CA. For more details on how both Judaism and Christianity mirror the path of individuation, see Edward F. Edinger's two superb works: The Bible and the Psyche and The Christian Archetype (both, Toronto: Inner City, 1986 & 1987). » From StMargaret’s church, Torpo, in the Hallingdal sector of Norway. 1 Isaiah 40:31. + An example of non-uniformity is in the correlation of elements and functions of the psyche. Jung, and the majority of authors (astrological and otherwise), assign Air to the Thinking, function, Water to Feeling, Earth to ‘Sensation, and Fire to Intuition. Jungian astrologer Liz Greene (and many others) makes this correspondence in her Relating (NY: Samuel Weiser, 1977); this book, by the way, is an excellent introductory text. (Respected astrologer Noel Tyl, however, switches the correlations for Water and Fire; see Astrology and Personality [St.Paul, MN: Llewellyn Pub., 1974]). What does your experience suggest? ™ See Rudhyar's Astrology and the Modern Psyche (Vancouver, Washington: CRCS, 24 ed. 1976), and also his earlier seminal work From Humanistic to Transpersonal Astrology (Palo Alto, CA: The Seed Center, 1972, 1975). For more background on Dane Rudhyar, see notes 4 and 12, Session Two [in the Round Table log]. ‘8 Edita is studying the Sabian symbols. They come to us from the 1925 work of Mare Edmund Jones and include a symbolic image and short description for each 360° of the zodiac. See his The Sabian Symbols in Astrology (Stanwood, WA: Sabian Pub., 1972), and also Dane Rudhyar’s recasting of them in An Astrological Mandala (NY: ‘Random House, 1973). Online there is a complete listing of the symbols (without descriptions) at .com. See also sabian-symbolsblogspot.com/ for others’ visual takes on each degree’s symbol. Lynda Hill has produced The Sabian Oracle Cards, which feature art for each “360 degrees of wisdom.” Better still: how about creating our own cards/artwork to express important points on our charts? Ifexploring, remember to use the degree after the planet or cusp you are researching; for example, Edita used 5° = to find the Sabian symbol for the Center's Sun at 4° = (because the minutes—not recorded—put the Sun into the next degree). The Sabian symbols serve as an intriguing projective device, similar to the I Ching. ~ ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE, THE BLANK ROSE WINDOW CHART FORM ~