Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Astrological Counseling - Blending Ancient and Modern day Therapies

By Bond Jones


In 1929, the eminent psychologist C.G. Jung wrote that astrology was assured recognition inside the field of psychology simply because "astrology represents the summation of all psychological knowledge of antiquity." Almost 70 many years later, however, astrology is still waiting. Even though this ancient tradition has been practiced throughout the globe for thousands of years and its principles and practice share marked similarities with modern-day 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 from your influence of its younger sibling, the art/science of psychology. The many various schools of psychological thought - Freudian, Jungian, humanistic, existential, and transpersonal, between others - have all contributed for the expansion of astrology being a language on the human experience.

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

Basically, the aims of astrology are quite similar to that from the a number of "schools" of modern day psychology previously mentioned. All, in their own way, are concerned with understanding the human psyche and with integrating the numerous aspects from the personality, thereby doing wholeness.

The advantage of using astrology like 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 each our strengths and areas of challenge, and too give us a broader perspective on how we can constructively manifest our potential in these areas.

This kind of distinct information about an individual's psychological make-up and positive capacity is not quickly accessible for the traditional psychotherapist, counselor, or psychologist. Quite a few hours of interviewing and therapy could be needed prior to the exact same facts is revealed.

Although the psychologist, in particular, has many personality screening that may be administered to reveal a few of the exact same aspects inside natal chart, this data can be not readily offered for discussion with the customer as will be the horoscope. The advantage that the mental wellness professional has, of course, is that as soon as tough aspects in the personality or emerging potentials are discovered, he or she has the training and counseling skills necessary to assist the client integrate them.

Having briefly discussed a few of the similarities and differences among astrology and psychology, it seems correct to discuss just how astrological counseling fits into the picture. Astrological counseling is often a relatively new contribution for the healing arts. It represents a specific blending with the ancient tradition of astrology from the current science/art of psychology.

Astrology, as traditionally practiced, typically consists of the one along with a half- to two-hour consultation. In a frequent consultation the astrologer would cover the client's strengths and challenges, life direction or purpose, and contemporary life cycles. In most cases this amounts to an enormous quantity of info that the consumer is then left with to integrate by him or herself. Hopefully by seeing the horoscope being a mirror or symbol of inner psychological and spiritual processes, the buyer can begin to understand his or her individual certain way of being.

Astrological counseling initially provides a lot from the exact same kind of details as that gained from a regular astrological consultation. The difference getting that Astrological counseling supports and builds on the understanding gleaned in the horoscope through ongoing interaction using a skilled "guide" or counselor. This ongoing interaction can aid to integrate the understanding gained from the birth chart so how the customer can start to modify, transmute, and attune natal "energies" to be able to express him or herself within the most certain and powerful way possible.

Dane Rudhyar, undoubtedly the most profound astrological writers, once said that "the greatest purpose of astrology is to offer the individual man or woman using a knowledge of how greatest to act so that the closed center of the ego may open towards power of his/her inherent destiny" since 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 definitely a synthesis... along with a way of rediscovering and re-experiencing just how magnificent we truly are.




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