Transcript PSYCHE AND COSMOS:

PSYCHE AND COSMOS:
Holotropic States of Consciousness
and Archetypal Astrology
Tests Used to Predict the Reaction to Psychedelics
and the Outcome of Therapeutic Sessions:
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Symptoms Checklist (SCL - 90)
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Minnesota Multidimensional Personality Inventory (MMPI)
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Shostrom's Personal Orientation Inventory (POI)
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Rorschach Inkblot Test
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Psychedelic Experience Questionnaire (PEQ)
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The above tests were essentially useless in this regard.
Natal and Transit Astrology:
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Natal and transit astrology is an invaluable tool in the work with holotropic
states of consciousness:
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psychedelic therapy
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primal therapy
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rebirthing
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holotropic breathwork
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spontaneous psychospiritual crises (“spiritual emergencies”)
History of Astrology:
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Astrology is a very ancient art and science
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Origins probably in the third millennium B.C. in Mesopotamia and later spread from
Mesopotamia to India and Greece
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Hellenistic astrologers refined astronomical computations and assigned specific
mythic deities to individual planets (already established by the Babylonians)
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Ptolemy: first unified synthesis of astrology - the meanings of the planets, their
positions and geometrical aspects, specific influences on individual lives and
collective events
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In an expanded, revised, and refined form, Ptolemy's system influenced for almost
2,000 years the religion, philosophy, and science of pagan and later Christian Europe
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Modern astrologers, using the advances of the telescope, then added to the ancient
system the three outer planets, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto
Astrology in the Modern Era:
Like many other esoteric systems, astrology was one of the victims of
the rationalism and materialism of the Scientific and Industrial
Revolution
The rejection of astrology was not based on a scientific proof that its
premises were false, but on its incompatibility with the fundamental
metaphysical assumptions of Western science (monistic
materialism)
More specifically, there are several important reasons for the
dismissal of astrology by materialistic scientists
The Astrological Perspective:
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The astrological world view closely reflects the original meaning of the Greek word
Kosmos: the universe is an intelligibly ordered, patterned, and coherently
interconnected system
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All events follow an intelligible trajectory that is attuned to the movements of celestial
bodies and can be at least partially intuited
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The doctrine of universal sympathy: the microcosm of the human psyche reflects the
macrocosm and terrestrial events mirror celestial events ("as above so below,” “as
without, so within”)
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Human life is not the result of random forces ruled by chance, but an integral part of the
whole; the time and place of birth plays a critical role. Time has a quality, not just
quantity (Jung’s comparison with wine)
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Astrological thinking presupposes the existence of archetypes, timeless primordial
principles underlying, informing, and forming material reality
Basic Metaphysical Assumptions of Western
Science Contradicting Astrology:
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1. The universe is an infinitely complex system of mechanical processes, a giant
supermachine; it has no intrinsic meaning
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2. The universe is strictly deterministic and is governed by principles of linear causality;
celestial bodies can influence terrestrial events only by physical forces (the problem of
the “cause of all causes” is avoided)
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3. The individual human psyche reflects only an infinitesimal fraction of the universe;
the idea that it is commensurate with its totality is absurd and contradicts Aristotelian
logic (“a part cannot be the whole”)
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4. Biological birth is psychologically irrelevant, unless it causes irreversible organic
damage to the brain
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5. Experiences of ordinarily invisible dimensions of reality, such as archetypal figures,
motifs, and realms, are products of pathological process in the brain; they do not have
any ontological relevance
Findings of Modern Consciousness Research
Supporting the World View of Astrology:
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1. The study of transpersonal experiences points to an ensouled cosmos permeated with
superior intelligence and reflecting a master blueprint
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2. Depth psychology has discovered the existence of synchronicities, which represent an
important and viable alternative to the principle of causality
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3. Non-ordinary states of consciousness offer the possibility to experience ordinarily
invisible dimensions of reality, including archetypal figures, motifs, and realms, and
empirically validate their existence
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4. Experiential psychotherapy revealed the critical psychodynamic importance of the birth
experience for the psychological development and life of the individual
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5. Discovery of the extraordinary predictive potential of astrological transits for the
nature, timing, and content of holotropic states of consciousness
Findings of Modern Consciousness Research
Supporting the World View of Astrology:
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1. The study of transpersonal experiences points to an ensouled cosmos permeated with
superior intelligence and reflecting a master blueprint
•
2. Non-ordinary states of consciousness offer the possibility to experience ordinarily
invisible dimensions of reality, including archetypal figures, motifs, and realms, and
empirically validate their existence
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3. Depth psychology has discovered the existence of synchronicities, which represent an
important and viable alternative to the principle of causality
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4. Experiential psychotherapy revealed the critical psychodynamic importance of the
birth experience for the psychological development and life of the individual
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5. Discovery of the extraordinary predictive potential of astrological transits for the
nature, timing, and content of holotropic states of consciousness
Parallels between Astrological Archetypes
and Basic Perinatal Matrices (BPMs):
• BPM I : Neptune
• BPM II: Saturn
• BPM III: Pluto
• BPM IV: Uranus
Parallels between Types of Ecstasy, BPMs, and
Astrological Archetypes:
• Oceanic Ecstasy (Apollonian): BPM I - Neptune
• Volcanic Ecstasy (Dionysian): BPM III - Pluto
• Epiphanic Ecstasy (Promethean): BPM IV - Uranus
Basic Elements of the Horoscope:
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Ascendant
Descendant
Zenith (midheaven)
Nadir
Zoodiacal signs
Planets
Angular relationships
Houses
Angular relationships between Planets:
(Aspects, Transits)
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Conjunction: O degrees
Opposition: 180 degrees
Trine: 120 degrees
Square: 90 degrees
Quincunx: 72 degrees
Sextile: 60 degrees
Astrological Archetypes:
Sun
Moon
Mercury
Venus
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
Pluto
Perspectives on Archetypes:
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The tendency to interpret the world in terms of archetypal principles first emerged
in ancient Greece and was one of the most striking characteristics in Greek
philosophy and culture. Archetypes can be seen from several perspectives:
• 1. HOMERIC: archetypes seen as mythological principles - deities
(Zeus, Hera, Ares, Hades, Aphrodite, etc.)
• 2. PLATONIC: archetypes seen as philosophical principles Forms, Ideas
• 3. JUNGIAN: archetypes seen as psychological principles primordial ordering patterns governing the Psyche
Astrological Archetype of the Sun:
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the conscious self, Jung’s persona, core of the personality
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central principle of vital energy and personal identity
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personal will and expression of oneself as an autonomous individual
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association with the masculine principle, or yang
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tends to reflect significant male figures in one's life
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The archetypes of any planets that form significant aspects with the Sun will have a
particularly strong influence in the person's life and character
Astrological Archetype of the Moon:
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aspects of the psyche of which we are unconscious
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the psychosomatic self
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emotionally and instinctively reactive aspects of the personality
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association with the feminine principle, or yin
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early mother-child relationship and childhood
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home and ancestral heritage
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tends to reflect significant female figures in one's life
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The archetypes of the planets that form important aspects with the Moon tend to be
especially significant in the person's life; they will manifest in the parts of one's life
that are governed by the Moon.
Astrological Archetype of Mercury:
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intellect, reason (Logos), mental activities
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capacity to perceive and learn, conceptualize and articulate
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use of words and language, communication of ideas
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ability to move around, to transport, to make contact
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Mythological expression of this archetype: Greek god Hermes (Roman
Mercurius), the messenger of the gods
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Major aspects between Mercury and other planets reflect the way one
receives and transmits information, the nature of one’s intellectual
functioning, and the focus of one’s education
Astrological Archetype of Venus:
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the principle of love or Eros
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the yin aspect of sensuality and sexuality
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desire for romance, partnership, and social relations
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attracting and being attracted by others
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aesthetic sensibility and its expression in artistic activities
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search for harmony
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Mythological expression of this archetype: Greek goddess Aphrodite, (Roman Venus), the
goddess of love and beauty
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Major aspects connecting Venus with other planets show significant correlations with the
capacity to give and receive affection and love, with the nature of our social interactions
and particularly romantic involvements, and with artistic interests, talents, impulses, and
expressive abilities
Astrological Archetype of Mars:
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principle of dynamic energy and of the initiating and driving impulse
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vitality and athletic prowess, the yang aspect of sexuality
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ambition, assertiveness, competitiveness, courage, anger, and violence
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forces of nature and technology
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wars and other powerful and violent events
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Mythological expression of this archetype: Greek god Ares (Roman Mars), the god of
war
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Important aspects or transits involving Mars tend to coincide with assertive and
aggressive behavior, conflicts, and confrontations, disposition toward impulsivity and
injury
Astrological Archetype of Jupiter:
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Positive side:
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“Great Benefic,” governing growth, expansion, success
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optimism, abundance, happiness, good fortune
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pursuit of what is better or higher, generosity, and magnanimity
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open-mindedness, far-reaching perspectives
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high moral standards and philosophical ideals
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intellectual richness, and cultural breadth
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Shadow side:
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overindulgence, inflated self-image, eccentricism, extravaganzas, and excesses
of all kinds
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Mythological expression of this archetype: Roman god Jupiter (Greek Zeus), the
highest deity of the divine pantheon and king of the Olympian gods
Astrological Archetype of Saturn:
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often called the “Great Malefic,” polar opposite of Jupiter
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restriction, limitation, scarcity, deficit, starvation
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oppression, repression, inferiority, guilt, and depression
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impermanence, aging, death, ending of things
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difficult personal trials and tribulations
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Mythological expression of this archetype: Saturn (often identified with the Greek
god Kronos, Father Time), and the Grim Reaper
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Transits involving Saturn typically mark critical developmental periods in life and
times of hard labor; they bring difficulties and challenges, but also forge enduring
structures, and lead to important completions
Astrological Archetype of Saturn:
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Positive function:
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grounding of our everyday existence, giving it structure
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material reality of things, order, and linear sequence of events
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reliability, endurance, maturity, responsibility, and fidelity
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superego, moral law, conscience, and judgment
Astrological Archetype of Uranus:
the principle of sudden surprise, dramatic change
rebellion against the status quo, revolutionary activity, liberation
spiritual awakening, and emotional and intellectual breakthrough collapse
of established structures
revolutionary insight, creative genius, invention and technology, particularly related to electricity,
individualism and originality
Shadow side: archetype: anarchy, unfruitful eccentricity, and indiscriminate
acting out against limitations and laws of any kind
Mythological expression of this archetype: as Richard Tarnas has demonstrated, Uranus does not
show a strong correspondence with the Greek god Uranus (Heaven), but with the Greek Titan
Prometheus (trickster quality of Uranus)
When Uranus is in a major aspect to another planet, it tends to liberate its
planetary archetype unto full expression, often in ways that are sudden,
unexpected, unusual, surprising, and exciting
Astrological Archetype of Neptune:
dissolution of boundaries between self and others, nature, universe, and God
mystical union, cosmic consciousness, imaginal world (Corbin), spiritual realms
idealistic dreams and aspirations, physical and psychosomatic healing, spiritual longing
heightened intuition, ESP, creative imagination
water of the rivers, lakes, and oceans, body fluids, amniotic environment of the womb
Shadow side: flight into fantasy, delusion, illusion, self-deception, psychotic distortion
of reality, loss of individuality, disorientation, alcoholism, drug addiction, entrapment
in the samsaric world
Mythological expression of this archetype: the Greek Poseidon, Roman Neptune, Narcissus,
but also the Hindu maya and lila
When Neptune is in a major aspect to another planet, it tends to weaken, idealize, and spiritualize
its effects
Astrological Archetype of Pluto:
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primordial energy in the cosmos, nature and human society
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energy of destruction and (re)creation
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fundamental biological processes of birth, sex, and death
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psychospiritual death and rebirth
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instinctual forces in the body and psyche (the Freudian Id)
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the underworld (physical, social, psychological, archetypal)
Mythological representation of this archetype: Roman deity Pluto
(Greek Hades), god of the underworld, but also Dionysus, Shiva,
and Kundalini Shakti
When Pluto is aspecting another planet, it tends to intensify and empower
the archetype of this planet. This can lead to various power struggles
and conflicts, but also to profound transformation