Astrology is a Real Experience
If you practice the art of astrology long enough, the self is forgone for a comprehensive, full-bodied experience of the universe’s playing field.
ASTROLOGY IS A REAL EXPERIENCE. A lived sensation.
And yet.
Astrology spans so many centuries, cultures, and categories of knowledge that the student of astrology is often confused by and distanced from this simple fact.
And yet.
Astrology is a lived experience.
Sidereal astrology or tropical astrology? Perhaps spiritual astrology or evolutionary. Or maybe archetypal, Jungian astrology. But maybe the Hellenistic school is truer. And what about Vedic astrology?
These schools or different approaches represent collections of rules and laws based on a particular nomenclature unique to each school but always involving the same underlying principle. Namely, human beings have anthropomorphized the planets in the solar system to mirror or echo the human psyche.
Although I practice what would be considered psychological-spiritual astrology, I recommend that students invest the time to explore the different schools, find one that’s a fit, and then—once immersed—let it all go—to develop their own unique astrological experience.
In much the same way that, say, after mastering French, you wouldn’t go to Paris and continue to spend all of your time referencing grammar, syntax, and spelling. You would talk to people and do things. This is how astrology works best.
You learn the language and then set it aside. There is always time to study and learn more. But it’s best to acquire astrology’s basic codex and jump in.
Astrology is a lived experience in the same way your relationship with your husband or sister is a lived experience. The rules and laws of astrology—what does the 5th house represent, what’s the central drive of Gemini, what does the square connote between two planets?—those impressions are sketches. Hints. Segues towards your lived experience.
They are not etched-in-stone absolutes anymore than the color red should only be used in one specific way in every painting you will ever paint.
As a skeptical mystic, I constantly reconsider what I learned as a student. I’ve abandoned a lot along the way as I developed a personal relationship with the Zodiac, the Sun, the Moon, and the planets. The essential nature of those forces is hardwired into my mainframe.
This is the gift of living astrology—if you practice it long enough, the self is forgone for a comprehensive, full-bodied experience of the universe’s playing field. One lives the cosmic view instead of reading about or conceptualizing it.
Do you remember when you learned to ride a bicycle? That moment when suddenly—wow!—you were in harmony with gravity, your bike went forward, and you traveled the neighborhood freely. That’s what it’s like when the student of astrology comes to the place where they let go of the tradition they’re aligned with.
We are Earthlings
We are living extensions of the planet Earth.
Our planet is in an intricate relationship with each of its creations-occupants, as well as a reciprocal exchange of energies with the Sun and the Moon. And the Sun and the Moon are in a relationship with the other planets in the solar system. Our Sun is in rapport with other Suns in other galaxies.
This is the foundation of astrology.
Astrology is a participatory exchange within the dispersion and oscillation of light—and light’s life-giving properties—throughout the solar system.
The Earth receives light from the Sun and transmutes that light into various forms of food, and various forms of life that thrive on the planet. Earthlings also contribute back to this process—this is a reciprocal exchange.
Ultimately, astrology has nothing to do with discovering if a Leo is a good match with a Pisces. I understand the charm of typologies, but all of the signs of the Zodiac are in harmony with one other, in the same way that your lungs and your heart work in a precise complimentary manner.
When asked by students and novices which astrological material they should explore first, I suggest they book a session to inquire into the components of their unique starcraft and how it is fashioned—its gifts and affinities.
Or you can start like so many astrologers have started, by building a comprehensive library.
Many different astrologers have unearthed many different schools and techniques, and the most extraordinary of those astrologers—regardless of their tradition—lived astrology as an experience and made the art their own.
You can too.
Love,
When a bunch of my online community decided sidereal was the only way to go, I looked at it and saw it changed my Sun from Pisces to Aquarius. I immediately said No! I have Aquarius rising, so I'm not shunning my Aquarian parts but I *feel* like a Pisces.
I've also got my own ideas about Mercury. I see him as kind of a "trickster" like spider or coyote in some Native American stories.
I like the idea of making astrology a personal thing. Now if I could just remember all the basics🤪 I'm thinking I might need to create a Quick Reference Card or something😂
THAT's the way to describe Astrology. Thank you Brother.