Astrology is an ancient discipline that many perceive as a pattern-setter for our life story, connecting us with the intricate symphony of the celestial universe. However, it’s vital to understand that the approach towards astrology is not deterministic, implying the lack of free will. A dynamic perspective towards astrology is termed as ‘Archetypal Astrology’, recognizing our freedom to wield the lifelines we are arbitrarily thrown into. In this article, we explore the synergistic relationship between archetypal astrology and your free will.
Archetypal astrology, as compared to deterministic astrology, believes in the affinity between our external and internal worlds. It asserts that the planetary movements do not necessarily prescribe our destiny, but they correspond to our inner experiences and the psyche’s deep impulses. It is akin to a synchronistic dance between the astral bodies that aligns with our soul’s rhythm.
The primary term to understand in archetypal astrology is an ‘archetype,’ which Swiss psychologist Carl Jung defined as universal symbols or motifs that shape our behaviors, aspirations, fears, and even dreams. According to Jungian psychology, these archetypes reside in our collective unconscious – a reservoir of our shared ancestral experiences. In the realm of astrology, planets are conceived as these archetypes, signified with certain attributes.
For instance, Mars signifies aggression and vitality, Venus signifies love and beauty, and Saturn denotes discipline and shadow. They are not reduced to single-dimensional characters but rather embody a spectrum of related experiences and emotions. It’s fascinating how these cosmic archetypes resonate with our individual and collective psyches, subtly influencing the rhythms of our lives.
What sets archetypal astrology apart is its non-deterministic philosophy. The planetary archetypes align with our experiences, but they don’t dictate our responses. Instead, they present a variety of possibilities that we could choose from. Our free will is the key player in responding to these cosmic signals. Essentially, we are the composers of our life symphony, with the planets providing us with different musical notes that we can sequence and play according to our intuition and judgment.
This interplay between archetypal influences and free will suggests a cosmic collaboration rather than a cosmic domination. To analogize, if life were a river flow, the planetary forces would be the river currents. They set the general directions, but our course within those currents is determined by our paddling – the exertion of our free will. The river’s general flow is not altered, but multiple paths are possible within it, and it’s up to us to steer our life’s canoe.
Nonetheless, we must remember that the exercise of free will does not imply the absence of suffering or unforeseen circumstances. Instead, it’s about how we respond to them. It’s about turning the planetary burdens into blessings by choosing to harvest growth from the challenges life presents us. As Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor and psychologist, stated, Between stimulus and response, there is space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.
In essence, archetypal astrology harmonizes our connection with the cosmic universe, allowing us to understand and navigate life’s terrain better. It emphasizes the importance of our free will in determining life’s course while also keeping us intertwined with the universal symphony of celestial bodies. Adopting this perspective can help us acknowledge our power and transcend the boundaries of deterministic astrology. After all, we are not just mere characters in our life story but rather the co-authors scripting each chapter.
