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Mythology of Astrology |
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If the jave menu is not
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Columns and Articles: Triplicities and Quandruplicities Ethics,
Astrology and the Saturn-Pluto opposition |
This column will talk about the connection between mythology and astrology. Whether astrology is a science or an art, or both, is an ongoing debate within the astrological community. But that discussion, important as it is, is beyond the scope of this column. However there are some indisputable facets to astrology: namely that it is both ancient and contemporary; and that astrology is a symbolic language, comparable to how mathematics is also a symbolic language. When we think astrologically, we use a systematic, descriptive, diagnostic, symbolic language. And the language of astrology is not arbitrary -- it relates to the cosmos, to mythology, to our solar system, to mathematical relationships between heavenly bodies, and to facets of human nature, human experience, and historical phenomenon. Natal astrology can also be seen as the progenitor of 20th and 21st century psychology. But both astrology and psychology have an even more ancient lineage, and that is mythology. Jungian analyst and writer, Robert Johnson, author of popular books such as We, He, and She, wrote his autobiography Balancing Heaven and Earth in 1999. In it he tells the story of how he inadvertently became a Jungian psychotherapist. When a young man, Johnson asked his first therapist how he could learn about human nature. Johnson says that his analyst, Dr. Kunkel, provided a wonderful answer. Dr Kunkel said: "There are three ways: one way is to read all the ancient Greek mythology, because it is all right there. A second way is to read the collected works of Carl Jung. And the third way is to wait and watch -- that is really the best way."Of course, as astrologers we know that we would add a fourth way, and that is to study astrology. As students of natal astrology, we are acute observers of human action and human nature. Astrology is able to accurately describe,diagnose and delineate how very complex we humans are, both in our individual uniqueness and our collective nature. You cannot simply translate the use of mythology into astrology, or into archetypal psychology. The astronomical planet is one entity, the mythological predecessor or archetype of god or goddess is another being, and the astrological planets as used in the horoscope represent yet again another system of knowledge or logos. It is very important to make distinctions -- you cannot just transpose one kind of presence or energy onto the other. But, you can use the knowledge of mythology to help you understand and become more fluent in the language of astrology. In this column I will introduce you to the Greek/Roman gods and goddesses whose archetypal energies are represented in the symbolic language of our Western, tropical astrology. Anne Massey has designed the butterfly as a logo for my monthly column. This past summer, I wrote an astrological article in which I made reference to my experience in my own backyard here in Montreal. There were astonishingly beautiful Monarch butterflies, who would land on me if I kept very still. The butterfly has long been special to me, as in Greek the word "psyche" has two meetings -- the soul, and butterfly. And so the butterfly is a synonym for our own human psyche or soul. And Psyche, one of the very last Greek goddesses to become part of the Greek pantheon was the only human mortal to be raised up to become one of the immortals on Mount Olympus. Our human soul is infused with "intimations of immortality." The psyche or human soul forms the root word for psychology. Here in this monthly online column, with the butterfly as our guide, we will explore the human psyche through the imagery of mythology. It is my hope that grounding our knowledge of the planetary archetypes in their mythological roots will allow us to be able to approach our work with astrology on a deeper and richer level. Mythology is by no means the sum total of astrology; it is in fact only a part of the magnificent, multifaceted system of knowledge and wisdom that astrology is comprised of. But mythology is one ingredient, and an important compenent, so hopefully this column will share with you some of my insights on mythology and astrology. I began my study of mythology during high school and have continued to study mythology and Jungian archetypal psychology all my life, alongside my involvement with literature and astrology. In the next column I will begin with Mars, the god of war and the ruler of the first sign of the zodiac, Aries. I am beginning with Mars for serveral reasons--as the ruler of Aries, the first sign of the zodiac and symbolic of the spring equinox, Mars likes to be first! As well, we are living in a very difficult time, with our country at war, and in such a time as ours has now become, we need to look to Mars, the god of war, and learn about his Martian energy. And so with Mars leading the way, I will join you again next month, in our exploration of mythology and astrology.
Carolyn Joyce is a Montreal astrologer.
She has published eight books of poetry, under the name Carolyn
Zonailo. She is co-originator of The Aquarian Symbols. Visit her
websites www.aquariansymbols.com and www.carolynzonailo.com. She
is available for astrological consultations by telephone at 514-483-4432.
© Carolyn Joyce 2001-02 |
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