ARCHETYPAL ASTROLOGY AND FREE WILL: AN EXPLORATION
Astrology, across various cultures and ages, has remained a ubiquitous thread in the tapestry of human understanding. A key branch of this profound field of study is the intriguing discipline of archetypal astrology. This framework extends the playing field of traditional astrology by integrating elements of depth psychology, spirituality and cosmology, thereby holistically probing the relationship between personal self and universal consciousness. Of particular importance to this study is the delicate interplay between archetypal astrology and the concept of free will.
An archetypal astrologer aims to bridge the gap between the deterministic aspect of astrology, which maps our life unfolding to the movements of celestial bodies, and the experiential dimension of our existence – the experiences, choices, actions, and decisions. Essential to this is the concept of ‘archetypes,’ psycho-spiritual blueprints that shape our experiences but don’t prescribe explicit details of life events. Archetypal astrology acknowledges the presence of universal guiding principles but asserts that these archetypes don’t reign with an iron fist over our lives, rather they grant us latitude to exercise our free will.
Understanding the influence of astrological archetypes is akin to understanding the winds and currents before embarking on a sea voyage. The knowledge can’t alter the wind’s course or intensity, but it equips the sailor with invaluable knowledge to navigate the voyage, giving them agency over their journey’s outcome. This is where free will sails into the picture, bolstering the interplay between archetypal energies and human actions.
Richard Tarnas, a pioneering figure in this field, encapsulates this balance succinctly. He proposes that while planets don’t ’cause’ specific events, they possess archetypal significance mirroring diverse human phenomena. This means that although the macrocosmic astrological energies may synchronize with microcosmic events, the unfolding itself isn’t preordained but relies heavily on human involvement, exercising free will.
By this concept, archetypal astrology recognizes a complex dance of cosmic synchronicity but leaves ample room for human authorship through free will. It essentially offers a metaphysical perspective where the external universe and the internal self are intrinsically intertwined yet autonomous to a significant degree.
Free will in archetypal astrology is, therefore, not seen as an existential challenge to cosmic order. Instead, it’s viewed as an active, co-creating participation where the individual has the free will to engage with the cosmic currents of archetypal forces. Human actions inevitably add a layer of unpredictability and uniqueness, rendering each life journey an unrepeatable masterpiece – shaped by cosmic patterns, yet irreplaceable in its individuality.
NASA scientist James E. McDonald contends that without free will, astrology ceases to be useful, as it morphs into fatalism and invokes a deterministic view of life. Instead, he views astrology as a tool for self-understanding, enabling individuals to comprehend the cosmic forces’ symbolic meanings and harness their free will for meaningful, actualized living.
In conclusion, archetypal astrology’s relevance lies in its balance between the deterministic and free-willed aspects of life. It offers a language to interpret the archetypal patterns that shape our lives, recognizing the spiritual and psychological dimensions of human existence simultaneously. It thus provides a powerful tool to better comprehend our uniqueness and potentialities, emphasizing our free will’s importance in co-creating our life narratives. The recognition that archetypal forces and free will are two sides of a single coin allows for a more nuanced, enriched understanding of ourselves and our place in the cosmos.
