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AstrologyNotes Astrological Knowledge Base
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"Planetary influence" in this article refers not to the symbolic meaning of a planet but to the strength of influence of a planet (or other solar system body) in an individual's life and how it manifests itself. For example, one person may experience Mars opposition Pluto as a confrontation with others, a second person may simply have more energy and focus while a third may not experience anything at all. Some of these variations are reflected in the natal and transiting or progressed aspects and ingresses, the cycles of the planets involved, and the dignities of the planets. Others, such as suggested by Robert Hand in his book "Planets in Transit", may be the result of repression. If you repress something, it is more likely to be externally represented and therefore more noticeable, whereas if you deal with it proactively it may become internalized and less noticeable. However, this does not account for cases where there is very little correspondence between the individual's experience and the birth chart, either natally or by transit. There are some people who are intensely affected by any transits to their natal chart, whereas other individuals are rarely affected. Similarly, some people consistently express planetary influences in base, instinctual ways whereas others consistently show a more subtle and elevated expression. Certain astrologers have expressed the opinon that these variations are due to the fact that people evolve at different stages, and that the level of evolutionary development has an effect on astrological influence.
The original definition of evolution referred to beneficial modifications in a species over time. In this article, however, we are using the term evolution to refer to beneficial development of an individual. Since a single lifetime is not sufficient for significant evolutionary growth, this necessitates the assumption that some sentient part of self continues past death (which we will call the soul). We are not trying to promote the existence of the soul, incarnation, or any type of belief system, but merely exploring the possible effects of personal evolution on astrological interpretation as it pertains to planetary influence.
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One theory, held mostly by evolutionary astrologers such as Jeff Green and Steven Forrest, is based on the assumption that we incarnate into successive lifetimes for the purpose of evolutionary development. The birth chart is seen as a tool that reflects our evolutionary state and the lessons we need to learn in this lifetime. The planets interact with human consciousness for the purpose of evolutionary growth, and therefore the expression and influence of the planets vary based on the awareness and conscious participation of each individual. In this view, we are seen as active participants (and perhaps originators) of the life experiences and challenges represented by our birth chart. We are constantly striving for betterment, and although we might not be happy with our current life lessons, we can look forward to the next lifetime in which we should be able to experience a smoother ride due to our elevated consciousness. The drawback to this theory is that it depends on a somewhat religious and linear notion of evolution, being dependent on karma and incarnation.
Jeff Green in his book "Pluto, The Evolutionary Journey of the Soul" explained how the different stages of evolution affect how a person reacts to evolutionary impulses, and therefore to the planetary influences as revealed in the birth chart. He details four states and admonishes the astrologer to first determine the evolutionary state of the individual before attempting to interpret any placements.
In his book "Musings of a Rogue Comet", Martin Lass also groups humanity into evolutionary stages, but then describes how each group varies in sensitivity to the planets. He describes three levels of sensitivity to planetary influence, which are opacity, translucence and transparency. However, he makes it clear that no one can be entirely "opaque" (else they would be dead) and likewise nobody can be entirely "translucent" (or else they would not be corporeal). Therefore, everyone is a mixture of these three stages.
Both authors agree that there is generally overlap between the stages. Also, it is probably true that a person can move back and forth between these stages within one's lifetime.
The above theories require a somewhat linear view of evolution from imperfect to perfect. They also depend on belief in successive incarnations (as a means of perfecting oneself) and karmic balance or karmic debt (as a means of measuring what is imperfect). There are, however, other ways of viewing evolution. For one, there are many people who do not subscibe to the belief in a continuance of self past death. In such a case, any application of evolution to astrology would be limited to its effect on the collective. For another, there are those who believe in some form of continuance of self, but either do not believe it evolves or do not believe it is required to reincarnate. In such a case, theories based on karmic evolution are not useful. In this article we are specifically assuming that personal evolution is meaningful and therefore that the soul exists and most likely continues past death. Starting with the eternal soul as a premise, then, we can explore possibilities for evolutionary growth beyond those mentioned previously. For example, we might suppose that personal (or soul) evolution is radial rather than linear.
A linear (or karmic) view of evolution assumes that one incarnates, develops to a certain degree, dies, and then incarnates again over and over, always striving to meet some goal of perfection in the distant future. This is a slow process and one cannot go from point A to point C without going through B. There is, in fact, no provision for "an end" to this process, it just keeps going. Spiritual leaders such as Buddha or Jesus Christ have in the past modified such linear thought with the concept of instant and radical change through a sudden change in perception (e.g., Enlightenment or Salvation Through Grace). Along with such spiritual revelations have been important scientific discoveries that imply that phenomena do not always occur in a linear or predictable fashion. Given such numerous advancements in thought, it is puzzling that astrological theory seems to have polarized between two approaches to evolution and the birth chart, either the traditional view of karmic cycles, or choosing to ignore it completely.
The concept of karma and therefore of linear evolution comes from the assumption that time itself is linear and that all phenomena have previous cause. However, the scientific community has shown that there exist what are called "quantum entanglements" in both micro and macroscopic reality which set up a two way relationship in time. In other words, what occurs in the present moment could possibly (under the right conditions) affect both the past and the future. Such phenomena are acausal, or rather their cause is not discernible with our current linear theory of time. Although it is wise to be conservative and not assume too much, such findings do seem to indicate that a nonlinear model of evolutionary development as it relates to astrology may be worth considering.
What if the soul sits at the center of reality, like the Sun sits in the center of the solar system, and consciousness reaches out to all of space and time simultaneously? In other words, suppose the soul is able to communicate radially through time and space. If so, then a moment of awareness could change what we view as past and future in an instant. We know this does occur with respect to our perception, because we experience it whenever we reach a "eureka" moment in which our perception of the past is totally revolutionized. For example, when mankind discovered the earth was round instead of flat or when Einstein published his findings on relativity, these radical new ideas instantly "changed" our past by changing our perception of it. In a similar but more profound way, a radical change in perception or awareness could result in a transformation of what we may have previously experienced as imperfections or limitations. With the change in perception comes a change in actual experience. In such a case, is it really useful to remain rigidly fixed to notions of karmically determined individual fate? If we have the option to "jump" to a higher state of growth through our conscious awareness, would it not be wise to keep that awareness free of reliance on past patterns? Otherwise, we may be held back by limited perception.
Astrologically, we look at the nodal axis for the primary indicator of karma and the direction of evolutionary growth. Most astrologers present the nodal axis as a linear progression from imperfection (we have too much of our South Node characteristics, or have weaknesses related to that node) to perfection (we become better and more effective by adopting our North Node characteristics). In general, this seems quite accurate and provides useful insight. However, the fact remains that for some people it becomes a problem in the way it is presented. Admonitions of guilt, responsibility and limitation can push the person toward a more Saturnine rather than Solar expression of self. Martin Lass points out that the goal of evolution is toward a Sun centered expression which transcends the other planetary influences. If this is true, would it not also be correct to assume that anything which prevents solar expression would also prevent evolution?
Perhaps the real purpose of the nodal axis is not to show us where we are imperfect and how to perfect ourselves, but rather where we can balance in the here and now. The North node may not be revealing what we need to become, but may only be revealing a practical means for shaking off the past long enough to focus in the present. What if we view our place in the wheel of the chart as the center point, not in some distant future of perfection but right now? With such a view of the chart, we are no longer told how to behave but rather how to balance on the pinpoint that opens the door to eternity. Our planetary placements are no longer limitations but rudders under our own control, which we can use to move the ship of our soul back to center point. And these changes could take place dynamically, giving us access to the entire range of potential in all the planets and signs in a single lifetime. Evolution becomes not a linear process of struggle over time but a radial process of realization right now.
In a radial view of evolution, the individual would be affected by their birth chart only in so much as it aligned with their consciousness. If their conscious will were weak, they would probably be highly affected by the chart, but in an instinctual way. If their will and awareness were strong, they would be less affected without their active involvement, but they could still gain help from the chart when needed. If they watched their own chart they would be more affected because the chart would participate with them as a learning tool. These assumptions agree well with the above views of evolutionary stages, but without the need to believe in incarnation or karma.
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