Myths-Dreams-Symbols
The Unconscious World of Dream
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Myths-Dreams-Symbols The Unconscious World of Dream |
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A New Pioneer |
Oedipus Redivivus |
Self Discovery, the Metaphysical |
Introvert-Extravert/Types |
 Carl Jung |
from Anthony Peña |
 A Message From Jerry |
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Chatting with a friend the other day, I happened to mention I’d been studying the psychology of Dr. Carl G. Jung for many years. I seem to remember having gone on and on and on, bending her ear about how Jung’s theories on the “soul” and/or “psyche” had made a deep and lasting mark on my life. Finally, my long-suffering friend with a newly bent ear asked: “So what does Jung’s school of psychology teach?” What resulted from this innocent enough question was one of those ghastly, awkward moments where one longs for the luxury of a Monday Night Football instant replay, the second time around providing the “picture perfect” answer. The truth is… whenever folks have asked me that question, I predictably rely upon a “tried-and-true” crutch. I briefly stutter and then mumble on about how I wish I could explain Jung’s ideas, but it’s so complex that there’s no simple way to do it. Here’s exactly what I wish I’d had the presence of mind to say: “The soul is it’s own source of unfolding.” Sounds simple, doesn’t it? It’s a quote from the 5th century BCE presocratic Greek sage, Heraclitus. Not Blank
Slates
Sure… Jung’s insight on this may seem like a “no-brainer.” Almost any mother with a newborn infant will be quick to inform you that her baby began displaying his/her own unique personality traits and/or temperament from the very beginning. However, psychologists have been battling over the various “nature (inheritance) vs. nurture (environment)” personality theories for as long as there’s been a thing called “psychology.” The Unfolding
Of The Soul
The Unfolding Of The Soul First Half Of The Journey As infants, children, and then youth “growing up” – we go through the process of developing and establishing a sense of separate “ego identity.” From our seed of potential, we develop a sense of “I.” We develop a stable sense of “who we are in the world.” As a part of this growth process, we immediately begin discovering through our environment (parents, siblings, friends, school, church, society, and culture) that we have certain natural ways of thinking and acting that are not socially acceptable. To one degree or another, we each discover – in order to survive and thrive – we must stuff many of our socially unacceptable behaviors and thoughts down below. We hide these errant thoughts and behaviors far, far away and down into a hidden psychic basement. If all goes relatively well, the formation of our adult ego identity (and the stuffing of our psychic basement) is typically complete by the age 30. In many cultures throughout the world (past and present), one is still considered a “youth,” until the ages of 30-35. Then, around the age of 35, we slowly begin experiencing a subtle, but nagging sense of restlessness and unease. By now, our psychic basements, that Jung called “the shadow,” are stuffed pretty full and the contents of our basements are starting to demand a wee bit of our attention. If we continue ignoring the pleas of our psychic basements – then, our basements have a tendency to get nasty. So then, between the ages of 40-45, we typically experience what’s called the “midlife crisis.” Symptoms of the midlife crisis are that we have grown tired, listless, and restless. We wonder if “this” is all that life is about. If all goes well during our midlife crisis, we then spend the rest of our lives on a new journey of “growing down” and reclaiming all the valuable stuff we’ve previously hidden away in the deepest part of our psychic basements.
“The soul is it’s own source of unfolding.” It really is simple, you know. Also from Heraclitus: "You will not find the boundaries of soul by traveling in any direction, so deep is the measure of it." Archetypal Astrology Map of the Soul What is "Archetypal" Astrology, and how does it differ from what is considered to be more "traditional" astrology? Simply put.. in "Archetypal" astrology, the ancient planetary “map of the soul” used by astrologers is synthesized with the strikingly similar “map of the soul” put forth and pioneered by the 20th century Swiss psychiatrist Dr. Carl G. Jung. Jung's Map of the Soul Dr. Carl G. Jung’s “map of the soul” was (and is) for the "healing of soul" through rediscovery of, and reconnection with, meaning and deeper purpose in life. As an “archetypal astrologer,” I utilize and incorporate Jung’s psychological “map of the soul,” into the way I do my astrology. Coming from this "Jungian" and/or "archetypal" perspective - I, likewise, view the heart and soul of "Archetypal" astrology as the "healing of soul" through rediscovery of, and reconnection with, meaning and deeper purpose in life. In a series of articles on the subject of Archetypal astrology (over the course of the next few months), I will: (1) introduce readers to Dr. Carl G. Jung, (2) discuss some of the basic ideas and tenets contained in Jung’s “map of the soul,” and (3) discuss a little about why (and how) archetypal astrologers incorporate many of Dr. Carl G. Jung’s ideas into the way they do their astrology. Surprised? The idea, that Archetypal astrology (or any astrology) concerns itself with the healing and/or health of the soul, might come as a wee bit of a surprise! Frankly, I can't blame anyone for being surprised at the idea. The only brief flirtations many folks have with astrology are through the entertaining pop astrology of “Sun Signs.” “Sun Sign” astrology includes all those things that you’re probably quasi-familiar with: daily horoscope columns, zodiac sign descriptions, romance and compatibility based on your zodiac Sun sign, and the annual tabloid predictions given by astrologers at the beginning of each new year. >While I enjoy being fascinated and entertained by “Sun Sign” astrology just as much as the next person? Metaphorically speaking, "Sun Sign" astrology is only the “tip of a very large iceberg.” Further, it seems that we astrologers have been battling back and forth, amongst ourselves, for the past 3 thousand years (or so) as to whether astrology is primarily (1) predictive in nature, (2) for purposes of soul growth, or (3) a little of both (predictive and soul growth). So, it's no wonder everyone else is a wee bit confused on the matter. Final Thoughts Oh yeah… There are many fine, extremely competent, “traditional” astrologers who do not accept, espouse, and/or endorse this particular way of “doing astrology.” Taking the “Archetypal” and/or “Jungian” perspective and approach is certainly not a requirement for doing good, solid astrology. It’s simply a choice or avenue that some astrologers choose to take and some astrologers choose not to take. As a side note for any astrologers and/or astrology enthusiasts who might consider themselves to be “purists” and/or “above” Sun Sign astrology? In the United States, the popularity of Sun Sign horoscope predictions began in the 1930s with Paul Clancey’s magazine, “American Astrology.” Who was the first astrologer writing those popular Sun Sign horoscopes for “American Astrology?” It was none other than the highly esteemed and much respected astrologer, Dane Rudhyar!
God In the Psyche Since I'm so very excited about kicking off this new series of articles on Archetypal astrology? Here's the second article: Overview of Jung's Life |
ASTROLOGY with Anthony Peña