Archetypal Astrology within the Context of Free Will
Astrology is not just a means to draw up predictions on someone’s future, but rather a rich language used to express the cycles of life’s archetypal patterns. Archetypal astrology, in this regard, refers to the extensive field of natal astrology, where it incorporates the elements of psychological astrology and evolutionary astrology to analyze an individual’s personality traits, potentials, and life process. Combining archetypes – recurring characters or situations of universal human behavior – and planets, these astrologers construct a narrative that serves as a guide to understand human behavior and events of personal life.
The theoretical concept of archetypal astrology is deeply routed in the works of Carl Jung, a Swiss psychologist, who is largely credited for bringing the term ‘archetype’ into psychoanalytical theory. Archetypes, according to Jung, mirror universal and recurring themes seen throughout history and cultures. These concepts represent different aspects of the human psyche, explaining how we tend to exhibit similar patterns and behaviors across generations and societies.
One of the main questions often posed in relation to astrology is the degree to which it allows free will, or if it predestines our life events. Archetypal astrology provides a refreshing perspective on this matter, by arguing that while certain life themes may be predetermined, how one reacts or engages with these themes is fully within their free will.
Planets and celestial bodies in astrology are visual representatives of these archetypes. They don’t cause events to happen, but rather symbolize inherent energies and themes happening concurrently. For instance, if Mars is in a dominant aspect in someone’s chart, it suggests that themes of aggression, bravery, conflict may be evident in that person’s life. However, how the individual chooses to express this Mars energy, whether destructively or constructively, exemplifies the operation of free will.
Jung believed that these archetypical themes are deeply embedded in the collective unconscious of society. For instance, the Goddess archetype is universally recognized and manifests in different appearances and roles across many cultures, like Athena in Greek mythology or Saraswati in Hindu mythology. Similarly, the planets in your natal chart provide the terrain, the storyline, but how you participate in your destiny and navigate through life is purely an exercise of your free will.
In the realm of astrology, the birth chart captures the planetary configurations at the exact moment of your birth. This natal chart provides insight into earthly energies that can be potentially instrumental in shaping your personality and life. Nevertheless, archetypal astrology highlights that the natal chart is not a determinant of fixed outcomes, but rather a roadmap suggesting potential routes. Your freedom to choose among these paths or create your own signifies the exercise of your free will within the boundaries of your astrological predispositions.
The position of Moon in your chart, for example, might suggest that you are naturally nurturing and emotionally attuned. How you choose to manifest these qualities – as a caring mother, a hands-on nurse, or even a passionate artist communicating emotionally resonant work – represents your initiative and free will.
To conclude, archetypal astrology recognizes that every individual is born with a certain set of astrological influences. These influences suggest but do not dictate the themes and patterns of one’s life. We are not puppets controlled by the planets; instead, we interact with the planetary energies, using our free will to manifest our most authentic selves within these astrologically-influenced archetypal landscapes. Therefore, archetypal astrology does not negate the existence of free will, but instead affirms it.
