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IMAGES OF SOUL:
Toward an Imaginal Astrology
Isn't it interesting the development that astrology has undergone? Or perhaps evolution is the better word. Like many of you, I have been fortunate to have been a part of, a contributor to, and an observer of that evolution.
I first began the study and practice of astrology in 1970, and I can't remember any mention of it as a psychological art. Dane Rudhyar, probably came closest with his work at the time, and many of us still think of him as the "grand" grandfather of what might be termed person-centered or Humanistic astrology.
Rudhyar's Humanistic style most definitely awakened me to becoming more psychological in my own approach to the work. I was so turned on by the notion of a viable pairing of the arts of astrology and psychology that in 1980, I, a mere astrologer, had the guts and the grit to return to school to obtain advanced degrees in psychology. At the time, scarcely a handful of folks in either field would even consider that such a marriage was not only possible, let alone probable. In 1997, fifteen years later, that marriage is thought of not only as highly compatible, but also as part of a burgeoning field in which psyche and horoscope may be seen and acknowledged as one.
My doctoral dissertation, developed this idea of an astro-psychological pairing by tracing astrology through four perspectives. I began with its use as an "event-focused" predictive technique or oracle, traced it through and to a Humanistic growth oriented, or "person-focused," transpersonal modality, then further delineated its evolution into a Jungian, or "meaning-focused" map of the psyche. Finally, by following the ideas and psychology of Jungian analyst, author and thinker, James Hillman, I placed it in a more contemporary perspective, which I termed "image-focused," or Imaginal.
What makes the combination of these two arts, astrology and psychology, so dynamic? What do they have in common? Simply and profoundly, they both draw their sustenance from the same territory: the imaginal landscape of the psyche.
Jung taught us that the psyche has and is its own reality. He also demonstrated and conceptualized throughout his life's work, that "image is psyche." Clearly, as astrologers, we can no longer question the notion that psyche is also horoscope. As many of you know, psyche is the Greek word for soul, so that when taken together, the images of the psyche and the images of the horoscope, may be seen as one, both psyche and horoscope produce images as their primary product, both partake of the same imaginal ground. Consequently, the two can be seen as one and described as images of soul.
In bringing this marriage to your attention, I am not suggesting that you give up your pragmatic way of viewing or practicing astrology in favor of some psychologically esoteric modality? But if you are a seasoned astrologer, or astrological practitioner, whose practice is built upon a solid ethical foundation of ongoing education and substantial counseling experience, then why not consider making astrology more "imaginal?" This imaginal perspective will enhance and enrich your vision of your work with yourself and your clients; it will do nothing less than open the doorway to an enlivened theatre of the Gods. All you need to do is pay attention to the images of soul that arise during a session, and do this in a way that honors them fully. Am I wetting your appetite for an imaginal astrological experience?
It is important to see these images not just an oracles, transpersonal growth-oriented messages of spirit, or meaning-focused Jungian concepts such as anima, animus, or shadow. Although they contain all of those possibilities, they contain far more. Like Chinese baskets, they fit within, and are part of, one another.
How will you recognize these images of soul when they appear? Pay close attention to the images no matter how fleeting that arise in you as well as in your client during a session. For example, if you find yourself having difficulty describing a transiting Sun-Saturn square to your client, give him or her an image instead of astrological or psychological vocabulary. You might say: I'll bet you feel like a leaden boulder (Saturn) up against a bony, bloody, barren shoulder (Saturn). You're both the shoulder and the boulder. You push and push with the greatest life force (Sun) and sense of frustration (Saturn and the square aspect) trying to create something.
The image of a bare shoulder trying to move a leaden boulder is both dramatic and powerful. Or you may have an image that comes to your during a session which at first seems unrelated, either to the person's horoscope, or to the content of the dialogue so far. Sit with it. Do not disregard it as being of no consequence. Then when and if it feels right, share it. A dialogue around this image might ensue, and you may be surprised about where this leads both you and the client. I have shared some of the seemingly most off-the-wall images, and the sharing of these has had enormous impact on the session. When you begin to consider the possibilities of this approach in your sessions, you will see unlimited opportunities to constellate a dialogue with the client that is rich in the content of life experience as well as rich in imagination.
If the client seems to be struggling with words or feelings, ask him or her to give you an image which best describes the experience in that moment. Attend to what you are feeling and seeing in that moment as well, and then trust that the words or the phrase that embodies the right image will be there.
Think of these images as soul figures in the psyche's theater, or as the creative colors on an artist's palette. They know better than you how to impart the essence of a given life situation, dream, astrological sign, planet, house or aspect. Place your faith in them. Use your imagination. Improvise. All that these images of soul ask is that you attend to them, honor them by giving them words, form, love, respect, reflection, and devotion. If you do that you are giving them a place to be born. You are paying homage to them as having value in their own right. When you can begin to think of these soul-images as angels bearing gifts, they will not only illuminate your psyche, they will also lead you right into the psyche of your client.