Astrological Counseling - Blending Ancient and Modern Therapies

In 1929, the eminent psychologist C.G. Jung wrote that astrology was assured recognition from the field of psychology because "astrology represents the summation of all psychological knowledge of antiquity." Almost 70 years later, however, astrology is still waiting. Even though this ancient tradition has been practiced throughout the world for thousands of years and its principles and practice share marked similarities with modern psychological thought, astrology has largely been ignored by the psychological community.

In spite of this lack of professional recognition, the field of astrology has grown considerably through the influence of its younger sibling, the art/science of psychology. The many different schools of psychological thought - Freudian, Jungian, humanistic, existential, and transpersonal, among others - have all contributed to the expansion of astrology as a language of the human experience.

As a result we can now consult with Jungian astrologers, humanistic-oriented astrologers, transpersonal astrologers, and so on. Although the field of astrology has benefited over the years from the influence of the various schools of psychological thought, it now seems clear that if astrology is to be recognized as a legitimate counseling or healing approach we need to recognize that the astrological system and language is a complete "psychology" (soul study) in and of itself.

Basically, the aims of astrology are very similar to that of the various "schools" of modern psychology previously mentioned. All, in their own way, are concerned with understanding the human psyche and with integrating the various aspects of the personality, thereby creating wholeness.

The advantage of using astrology as a tool for understanding and "whole-making" is that the natal chart or horoscope provides a detailed "blueprint" of our unique psychological structure. Even more important, astrology can reveal both our strengths and areas of challenge, and at the same time give us a broader perspective on how we can constructively manifest our potential in these areas.

This kind of unique information about an individual's psychological make-up and positive potential is not immediately available to the traditional psychotherapist, counselor, or psychologist. Many hours of interviewing and therapy may be required before the same information is revealed.

Although the psychologist, in particular, has many personality tests that can be administered to reveal some of the same aspects in the natal chart, this information is usually not readily available for discussion with the client as is the horoscope. The advantage that the mental health professional has, of course, is that once difficult aspects of the personality or emerging potentials are discovered, he or she has the training and counseling skills necessary to help the client integrate them.

Having briefly discussed some of the similarities and differences between astrology and psychology, it seems appropriate to discuss just how astrological counseling fits into the picture. Astrological counseling is a relatively new contribution to the healing arts. It represents a unique blending of the ancient tradition of astrology with the modern science/art of psychology.

Astrology, as traditionally practiced, usually consists of a one and a half- to two-hour consultation. In a typical consultation the astrologer would cover the client's strengths and challenges, life direction or purpose, and current life cycles. In most cases this amounts to an enormous amount of information that the client is then left with to integrate by him or herself. Hopefully by seeing the horoscope as a mirror or symbol of inner psychological and spiritual processes, the client can begin to understand his or her own unique way of being.

Astrological counseling initially provides much of the same type of information as that gained from a typical astrological consultation. The difference being that Astrological counseling supports and builds on the understanding gleaned from the horoscope through ongoing interaction with a skilled "guide" or counselor. This ongoing interaction can help to integrate the understanding gained from the birth chart so that the client can begin to modify, transmute, and attune natal "energies" in order to express him or herself in the most positive and powerful way possible.

Dane Rudhyar, certainly one of the most profound astrological writers, once said that "the highest purpose of astrology is to provide the individual human being with a knowledge of how best to act so that the closed center of the ego may open to the power of his/her inherent destiny" as it not only provides intellectual understanding but also the opportunity to deeply know and honor oneself on an emotional/spiritual level as well. Astrological counseling is truly a synthesis... and a way of rediscovering and re-experiencing just how magnificent we truly are.

James Jarvis, M.A. is a transpersonal counselor, master astrologer, and LifeQwest? Coach who specializes in helping you "Create the Life of Your Dreams." Sign up for James' free bi-monthly LifeQwest? E-zine and receive a free 12-page report, "Keys to Right Livelihood," plus monthly horoscope, coaching tips and special discounts on services. http://lifeqwest.com

Ancient Astrology, What is it and How Can it Help You?

Ancient astrology is the type of astrology that was practiced by astrologers hundreds and thousands of years ago in medieval Europe, ancient Arabic, Greek, and Indian cultures. There has been a resurgence of ancient forms of astrology in the early 21st century, researching and investigating the ancient techniques and adding them to the set of modern astrological tools.

Modern western astrology has become more focused on psychological analysis of the individual's chart and less and less on the actual predictive elements of astrology such as marriages, accidents, health issues, family and other life areas. Western astrologers became more and more interested in understanding the roots of their art, which were obscured by the ravages of history like the Dark Ages of Europe.

There has been a concerted effort at bringing back to modern use techniques that were used in the ancient world such as rulerships, planetary periods, solar and lunar returns, and such things as oriental and occidental placements of planets in a chart. There has also been a resurgence of Vedic astrology in the western world. Vedic astrology (also called Jyotish, "science of light").

The chief virtues of ancient astrology are that they retain the original mindset and intent of their creators who had a decidedly less materialistic, fear-based, and egoistic emotional disposition, than their modern counterparts. Supposedly this gives greater spiritual and predictive power if the techniques are emulated as closely as possible. In practice this has proven to be true, giving an added practical dimension to astrology that the west has been lacking in for many years.

This is not to say that western astrologers aren't good at predicting the events in the life of any given client, it is the use of the ancient astrology techniques however that have greatly enhanced their ability to do it. Yet the ancient techniques of astrology are still only known by a relatively small amount of western astrologers, the word is spreading though.

Since it is arguable that the Vedic culture of India was one of the first, if not the first advanced society in history, some people assert that Vedic astrology (from ancient India) was the progenitor of all other forms of astrology. Some researchers of the Vedic culture cite references going back as far as 8,000 BC and longer. Some say however that the ancient Greek and Vedic cultures arose around the same time in the early first millennium AD, and that they borrowed concepts from each other. It is difficult to actually know since only fragments remain of the ancient texts, Indian records however have seemed to have suffered far less of the ravages of the Dark Ages but not entirely.

If you are looking for a richer astrology experience you should try out an astrology who advertizes the use of traditional, medieval, or Vedic styles. There is generally a greater emphasis on predictions (money, job, spouse, love, health, etc) than the psychological issues (thoughts, feelings, motivations, etc) of the western brand of astrology. Your experiences with ancient astrology may be much more satisfying.

For more articles on ancient astrology, including free ebooks and current astrological predictions, go to http://www.starworldnews.com

Astrological Counseling - Blending Ancient and Modern Therapies

In 1929, the eminent psychologist C.G. Jung wrote that astrology was assured recognition from the field of psychology because "astrology represents the summation of all psychological knowledge of antiquity." Almost 70 years later, however, astrology is still waiting. Even though this ancient tradition has been practiced throughout the world for thousands of years and its principles and practice share marked similarities with modern psychological thought, astrology has largely been ignored by the psychological community.

In spite of this lack of professional recognition, the field of astrology has grown considerably through the influence of its younger sibling, the art/science of psychology. The many different schools of psychological thought - Freudian, Jungian, humanistic, existential, and transpersonal, among others - have all contributed to the expansion of astrology as a language of the human experience.

As a result we can now consult with Jungian astrologers, humanistic-oriented astrologers, transpersonal astrologers, and so on. Although the field of astrology has benefited over the years from the influence of the various schools of psychological thought, it now seems clear that if astrology is to be recognized as a legitimate counseling or healing approach we need to recognize that the astrological system and language is a complete "psychology" (soul study) in and of itself.

Basically, the aims of astrology are very similar to that of the various "schools" of modern psychology previously mentioned. All, in their own way, are concerned with understanding the human psyche and with integrating the various aspects of the personality, thereby creating wholeness.

The advantage of using astrology as a tool for understanding and "whole-making" is that the natal chart or horoscope provides a detailed "blueprint" of our unique psychological structure. Even more important, astrology can reveal both our strengths and areas of challenge, and at the same time give us a broader perspective on how we can constructively manifest our potential in these areas.

This kind of unique information about an individual's psychological make-up and positive potential is not immediately available to the traditional psychotherapist, counselor, or psychologist. Many hours of interviewing and therapy may be required before the same information is revealed.

Although the psychologist, in particular, has many personality tests that can be administered to reveal some of the same aspects in the natal chart, this information is usually not readily available for discussion with the client as is the horoscope. The advantage that the mental health professional has, of course, is that once difficult aspects of the personality or emerging potentials are discovered, he or she has the training and counseling skills necessary to help the client integrate them.

Having briefly discussed some of the similarities and differences between astrology and psychology, it seems appropriate to discuss just how astrological counseling fits into the picture. Astrological counseling is a relatively new contribution to the healing arts. It represents a unique blending of the ancient tradition of astrology with the modern science/art of psychology.

Astrology, as traditionally practiced, usually consists of a one and a half- to two-hour consultation. In a typical consultation the astrologer would cover the client's strengths and challenges, life direction or purpose, and current life cycles. In most cases this amounts to an enormous amount of information that the client is then left with to integrate by him or herself. Hopefully by seeing the horoscope as a mirror or symbol of inner psychological and spiritual processes, the client can begin to understand his or her own unique way of being.

Astrological counseling initially provides much of the same type of information as that gained from a typical astrological consultation. The difference being that Astrological counseling supports and builds on the understanding gleaned from the horoscope through ongoing interaction with a skilled "guide" or counselor. This ongoing interaction can help to integrate the understanding gained from the birth chart so that the client can begin to modify, transmute, and attune natal "energies" in order to express him or herself in the most positive and powerful way possible.

Dane Rudhyar, certainly one of the most profound astrological writers, once said that "the highest purpose of astrology is to provide the individual human being with a knowledge of how best to act so that the closed center of the ego may open to the power of his/her inherent destiny" as it not only provides intellectual understanding but also the opportunity to deeply know and honor oneself on an emotional/spiritual level as well. Astrological counseling is truly a synthesis... and a way of rediscovering and re-experiencing just how magnificent we truly are.

James Jarvis, M.A. is a transpersonal counselor, master astrologer, and LifeQwest? Coach who specializes in helping you "Create the Life of Your Dreams." Sign up for James' free bi-monthly LifeQwest? E-zine and receive a free 12-page report, "Keys to Right Livelihood," plus monthly horoscope, coaching tips and special discounts on services. http://lifeqwest.com

Ancient Astrology, What is it and How Can it Help You?

Ancient astrology is the type of astrology that was practiced by astrologers hundreds and thousands of years ago in medieval Europe, ancient Arabic, Greek, and Indian cultures. There has been a resurgence of ancient forms of astrology in the early 21st century, researching and investigating the ancient techniques and adding them to the set of modern astrological tools.

Modern western astrology has become more focused on psychological analysis of the individual's chart and less and less on the actual predictive elements of astrology such as marriages, accidents, health issues, family and other life areas. Western astrologers became more and more interested in understanding the roots of their art, which were obscured by the ravages of history like the Dark Ages of Europe.

There has been a concerted effort at bringing back to modern use techniques that were used in the ancient world such as rulerships, planetary periods, solar and lunar returns, and such things as oriental and occidental placements of planets in a chart. There has also been a resurgence of Vedic astrology in the western world. Vedic astrology (also called Jyotish, "science of light").

The chief virtues of ancient astrology are that they retain the original mindset and intent of their creators who had a decidedly less materialistic, fear-based, and egoistic emotional disposition, than their modern counterparts. Supposedly this gives greater spiritual and predictive power if the techniques are emulated as closely as possible. In practice this has proven to be true, giving an added practical dimension to astrology that the west has been lacking in for many years.

This is not to say that western astrologers aren't good at predicting the events in the life of any given client, it is the use of the ancient astrology techniques however that have greatly enhanced their ability to do it. Yet the ancient techniques of astrology are still only known by a relatively small amount of western astrologers, the word is spreading though.

Since it is arguable that the Vedic culture of India was one of the first, if not the first advanced society in history, some people assert that Vedic astrology (from ancient India) was the progenitor of all other forms of astrology. Some researchers of the Vedic culture cite references going back as far as 8,000 BC and longer. Some say however that the ancient Greek and Vedic cultures arose around the same time in the early first millennium AD, and that they borrowed concepts from each other. It is difficult to actually know since only fragments remain of the ancient texts, Indian records however have seemed to have suffered far less of the ravages of the Dark Ages but not entirely.

If you are looking for a richer astrology experience you should try out an astrology who advertizes the use of traditional, medieval, or Vedic styles. There is generally a greater emphasis on predictions (money, job, spouse, love, health, etc) than the psychological issues (thoughts, feelings, motivations, etc) of the western brand of astrology. Your experiences with ancient astrology may be much more satisfying.

For more articles on ancient astrology, including free ebooks and current astrological predictions, go to http://www.starworldnews.com

Ancient Astrology, What is it and How Can it Help You?

Ancient astrology is the type of astrology that was practiced by astrologers hundreds and thousands of years ago in medieval Europe, ancient Arabic, Greek, and Indian cultures. There has been a resurgence of ancient forms of astrology in the early 21st century, researching and investigating the ancient techniques and adding them to the set of modern astrological tools.

Modern western astrology has become more focused on psychological analysis of the individual's chart and less and less on the actual predictive elements of astrology such as marriages, accidents, health issues, family and other life areas. Western astrologers became more and more interested in understanding the roots of their art, which were obscured by the ravages of history like the Dark Ages of Europe.

There has been a concerted effort at bringing back to modern use techniques that were used in the ancient world such as rulerships, planetary periods, solar and lunar returns, and such things as oriental and occidental placements of planets in a chart. There has also been a resurgence of Vedic astrology in the western world. Vedic astrology (also called Jyotish, "science of light").

The chief virtues of ancient astrology are that they retain the original mindset and intent of their creators who had a decidedly less materialistic, fear-based, and egoistic emotional disposition, than their modern counterparts. Supposedly this gives greater spiritual and predictive power if the techniques are emulated as closely as possible. In practice this has proven to be true, giving an added practical dimension to astrology that the west has been lacking in for many years.

This is not to say that western astrologers aren't good at predicting the events in the life of any given client, it is the use of the ancient astrology techniques however that have greatly enhanced their ability to do it. Yet the ancient techniques of astrology are still only known by a relatively small amount of western astrologers, the word is spreading though.

Since it is arguable that the Vedic culture of India was one of the first, if not the first advanced society in history, some people assert that Vedic astrology (from ancient India) was the progenitor of all other forms of astrology. Some researchers of the Vedic culture cite references going back as far as 8,000 BC and longer. Some say however that the ancient Greek and Vedic cultures arose around the same time in the early first millennium AD, and that they borrowed concepts from each other. It is difficult to actually know since only fragments remain of the ancient texts, Indian records however have seemed to have suffered far less of the ravages of the Dark Ages but not entirely.

If you are looking for a richer astrology experience you should try out an astrology who advertizes the use of traditional, medieval, or Vedic styles. There is generally a greater emphasis on predictions (money, job, spouse, love, health, etc) than the psychological issues (thoughts, feelings, motivations, etc) of the western brand of astrology. Your experiences with ancient astrology may be much more satisfying.

For more articles on ancient astrology, including free ebooks and current astrological predictions, go to http://www.starworldnews.com

Astrological Counseling - Blending Ancient and Modern Therapies

In 1929, the eminent psychologist C.G. Jung wrote that astrology was assured recognition from the field of psychology because "astrology represents the summation of all psychological knowledge of antiquity." Almost 70 years later, however, astrology is still waiting. Even though this ancient tradition has been practiced throughout the world for thousands of years and its principles and practice share marked similarities with modern psychological thought, astrology has largely been ignored by the psychological community.

In spite of this lack of professional recognition, the field of astrology has grown considerably through the influence of its younger sibling, the art/science of psychology. The many different schools of psychological thought - Freudian, Jungian, humanistic, existential, and transpersonal, among others - have all contributed to the expansion of astrology as a language of the human experience.

As a result we can now consult with Jungian astrologers, humanistic-oriented astrologers, transpersonal astrologers, and so on. Although the field of astrology has benefited over the years from the influence of the various schools of psychological thought, it now seems clear that if astrology is to be recognized as a legitimate counseling or healing approach we need to recognize that the astrological system and language is a complete "psychology" (soul study) in and of itself.

Basically, the aims of astrology are very similar to that of the various "schools" of modern psychology previously mentioned. All, in their own way, are concerned with understanding the human psyche and with integrating the various aspects of the personality, thereby creating wholeness.

The advantage of using astrology as a tool for understanding and "whole-making" is that the natal chart or horoscope provides a detailed "blueprint" of our unique psychological structure. Even more important, astrology can reveal both our strengths and areas of challenge, and at the same time give us a broader perspective on how we can constructively manifest our potential in these areas.

This kind of unique information about an individual's psychological make-up and positive potential is not immediately available to the traditional psychotherapist, counselor, or psychologist. Many hours of interviewing and therapy may be required before the same information is revealed.

Although the psychologist, in particular, has many personality tests that can be administered to reveal some of the same aspects in the natal chart, this information is usually not readily available for discussion with the client as is the horoscope. The advantage that the mental health professional has, of course, is that once difficult aspects of the personality or emerging potentials are discovered, he or she has the training and counseling skills necessary to help the client integrate them.

Having briefly discussed some of the similarities and differences between astrology and psychology, it seems appropriate to discuss just how astrological counseling fits into the picture. Astrological counseling is a relatively new contribution to the healing arts. It represents a unique blending of the ancient tradition of astrology with the modern science/art of psychology.

Astrology, as traditionally practiced, usually consists of a one and a half- to two-hour consultation. In a typical consultation the astrologer would cover the client's strengths and challenges, life direction or purpose, and current life cycles. In most cases this amounts to an enormous amount of information that the client is then left with to integrate by him or herself. Hopefully by seeing the horoscope as a mirror or symbol of inner psychological and spiritual processes, the client can begin to understand his or her own unique way of being.

Astrological counseling initially provides much of the same type of information as that gained from a typical astrological consultation. The difference being that Astrological counseling supports and builds on the understanding gleaned from the horoscope through ongoing interaction with a skilled "guide" or counselor. This ongoing interaction can help to integrate the understanding gained from the birth chart so that the client can begin to modify, transmute, and attune natal "energies" in order to express him or herself in the most positive and powerful way possible.

Dane Rudhyar, certainly one of the most profound astrological writers, once said that "the highest purpose of astrology is to provide the individual human being with a knowledge of how best to act so that the closed center of the ego may open to the power of his/her inherent destiny" as it not only provides intellectual understanding but also the opportunity to deeply know and honor oneself on an emotional/spiritual level as well. Astrological counseling is truly a synthesis... and a way of rediscovering and re-experiencing just how magnificent we truly are.

James Jarvis, M.A. is a transpersonal counselor, master astrologer, and LifeQwest? Coach who specializes in helping you "Create the Life of Your Dreams." Sign up for James' free bi-monthly LifeQwest? E-zine and receive a free 12-page report, "Keys to Right Livelihood," plus monthly horoscope, coaching tips and special discounts on services. http://lifeqwest.com