Astrology & Compassion - later section of Chapter 2 - A Conspiracy of Disinformation
¯ Even then, the individual planetary pressures can manifest at one or more levels. Transiting Mars conjunct natal Uranus in Leo in the 1st house expressed materially leads to (I kick down a barrier), emotionally (an outburst of anger), mentally (I plan to change my circumstances) and spiritually (I reflect upon my need to free myself from other people’s labels). Furthermore within levels of expression there are many specific empirical outcomes. On the physical level one person may break down a barrier, another start a revolutionary movement and so on. In his Cosmos and Psyche Richard Tarnas links this multi-level astrological expression with Jung’s theory of archetypes.
¯ Because of the variables, we have the free will to make choices, provided that we are ready to face the consequences indicated by the underlying planetary patterns.
Because astrology manifests such a wide range of varieties, detractors dismiss it as generalised and unspecific ‘Barnhamism’, capable of any interpretation that fits. Many interpretations perhaps, but that certainly does not mean ANY interpretation and never outside the range. Here comes the crucial – defining the range of variables, then testing for the range. Also, seeking to identify what other astro factors might make an exception to an expected outcome.
Such work being undertaken would be of immeasurable benefit to our modern world, where a narrow view of precisely measured mechanical materialism dominates societies in a state of chaotic emotional and intellectual anarchy. For by discerning, anticipating and explaining patterns in emotions, thoughts and beliefs, astrology offers an understanding that the purely physical sciences never can achieve and without which current social and psychological theories are incomplete.
Tragically, little or no public or business funding has been given to genuine attempts to do such research. Non-debunking research is nearly always the volunteer work of individual astrologers, working with meagre software and facilities. In contrast, considerable resources were put into disproving Gauquelin findings – even one replication study going to the extent of misrepresenting its own findings.
As already mentioned, some funding has been given to psychologists and sceptics, who seek to decide for themselves what would prove, or disprove, astrology and then publicise the disproving claims in high-profile media networks. These studies either ignore astrologers, or seduce well-intentioned, but unwary and inexperienced, astrologers into traps that are contrived to appear to fail. It would be unworthy of consideration to research physics, biology, and chemistry without involving experts in these fields in the main experimental and reporting design. Indeed, the usual approach is for experts to decide their own research and to be given funding, not to be put ‘on trial’ by outsiders, who know and respect nothing about the area of expertise under study. Why should astrology be treated so differently?
A good astrologer will describe the archetypal environment within which a person will have to work out his destiny during the period under consideration. A good astrology consultant will then discuss likely consequences of using the potential at varying levels, to help the client decide which level he is ready for and so will find most beneficial.
To seek to assess such activity by counting how many people had children, romantic affairs, developed their artistic achievements and so on is to fail to understand what the client and consultant seek and are trying to offer. Would we say a medicine failed if it built up the red cell blood count, but the patient was already too anaemic to survive? Or would a meteorologist’s prediction of a ‘wet time for everyone tomorrow’ fail because the majority of the population saw the skies that morning and stayed indoors? Unless researchers listen to astrologers, identify and know what they are looking for and when they have found it, any experimental conclusions by statisticians for or against astrology are meaningless.
From Chapter 3 - Could this be How Astrology Works?
At school, I was fascinated to learn how astronomers use time-lapse cameras to trace planetary movement from a dot for each observation, to draw a curved line through the heavens over time. When the cycle is complete, the line will return to its original point. Alternatively, we can trace the movement of two bodies, or two bodies as observed from a third body, and make straight lines to join the two curved lines at selected intervals. Both methods are ways of representing the actual relative movements of one or two bodies from each other or a third one. Since they are calculated by precisely measured mathematical algorithms of physical movement, they indicate actual relationships, which must be dependent on actual physical factors. Rather than planet A or B having a direct effect upon a person or event, could it be that their pressure of relationship to us, as revealed by the visually observable pattern of their movements, is what we are responding to? Of course, rather like the roller-coaster ride, it may not be the planets, or even the observable pattern, that is causing our experience, but rather something we are yet to discover and understand that is related to the patterns.
Are there factors in these actual physical patterns that are similar to patterns our ancestors have found to be sacred? Do the physical patterns compliment the verbal explanation of planetary cycles handed down to us by our ancestors? Positive answers to these questions are the clues that help us link the metaphysical with the physical and learn how astrology works.