AstroLog I

AstroLog I

Life and Meaning

by Bruno & Louise Huber et al

Bruno and Louise Huber are well known as founders of their system of astrological psychology, combining the best of astrology, depth psychology and discoveries from their own research. In 1964 they founded the Astrological Psychology Institute (API) in Zürich, devoting their lives to counselling, teaching and further research. Since then over ten thousand students have been trained with API, many achieving the Institute’s professional Diploma.

The Hubers’ essential teachings are now mostly documented in English in eight volumes, and English-language Foundation and Diploma Courses have been provided by APA since 1983. However, there is now a substantial body of experience and knowledge in the use of the ‘Huber Method’ in the German-speaking world that is not easily accessible to most English speakers. Much of this experience is documented in the bi-monthly German-language magazine AstroLog, established in 1981. Each of its now-over-150 issues contains articles by contributors including the Hubers, API teachers, students and Diploma holders, many of whom are professionals in other disciplines. Subjects include amplification of aspects of the Huber Method, new ideas and research, practical experience, links with other disciplines, case studies etc.

Thanks to a bequest from Agnes Shellens, we have been able to translate some of the best articles for publication in English. This first volume contains a selection grouped under four categories: ‘Astrological Psychology’, ‘Life and Meaning’, ‘Age Progression’ and ‘Growth and Transformation’.

Availability

Paperback, 328 pages. Translated from the German by Heather Ross. First published 2007.
ISBN: 978-0-9547680-7-2

Extract

• Contents List

Review by Kathy Rogers

When did a book last promise to explain the answer to Life, the Universe, and Everything? On that occasion the answer was 42 which left most of us none the wiser. This book is very different. Its 300 pages contain tutorial items and deeply philosophical essays which make it an invaluable resource for the student and the proficient astrologer alike.

The core teachings of Bruno and Louise Huber are familiar to most of us through the eight key texts that form a ‘must read’ for newcomers to the Huber approach and an essential reference library for practitioners. However these teachings are not a static doctrine but are the foundation for a dynamic, evolving and, above all, living form of modern astrology.

AstroLog 1: Life and Meaning gives English-language readers access to over 20 of the most thought-provoking and influential articles published in AstroLog, the German-language magazine that has documented this continuing development for more than a quarter of a century. The translation has been due to a generous bequest by Agnes Shellens, whose enthusiasm for the Huber’s work led her to translate much of their writing for the first time for an English-speaking audience.

The book is divided into four parts that take the reader through developments in Astrological Psychology, into the existential arena of Life and Meaning, on a journey in Age Progression and then to the core dynamic of Growth and Transformation. This is therefore a book that allows a straight read through or one you can dip into time and time again, each time emerging with more insights and greater wisdom.

AstroLog 1: Life and Meaning contains an extraordinary wealth of material. I’d like to share just a few of the thoughts I had as I read. The first chapter is entitled simply Astrological Psychology by Bruno Huber. This is the most concise yet comprehensive description of the Huber method that I’ve read and I’ve annotated its 3½ sides as an essential read for anyone interested in Astrological Psychology. However, it’s within Psychosynthesis and Astrology that Bruno says “…it is the insight that something could be better that initiates the search for meaning…setting in motion chain reactions in the consciousness that cannot be stopped”. This search for meaning can bring us to astrology and Bruno comments that our conscious observation of ourselves may sometimes lead to a wish that we’d never got involved in astrology “…in order to become completely ‘normal’ again”. It’s too late for most of us, but this remarkable chapter explores how we can draw on concepts from psychosynthesis to enhance our astrological practice.

There are a number of articles on the transpersonal planets and, in particular, Pluto. As many astrologers hypothesise about the possible changes that Pluto’s ingress into Capricorn may bring, it’s timely to read two chapters about Pluto’s status as a planet. As Harald Zittlau comments, the correlation between the movements of the classical planets and events on earth have been meticulously observed for centuries yet, due to its much later discovery, mankind has consciously observed less than half an orbit of Pluto.

This book contains something for everyone. There are chapters that stimulate deep thinking, including one where Louise Huber reminds us to laugh – “…laughing is a healing energy because it stops us taking ourselves so seriously, no longer seeing everything in terms of our EGO and reacting negatively to every failure”. In addition, some chapters explore basic concepts in a way that will make you relook at your own chart and re-evaluate it. As an example, try looking at Moon Node – Ascendant by Ruth Schmidhauser.

This book would make a wonderful addition to any bookshelf. It has been translated, edited and published with care. The commitment of the team of people who have brought us AstroLog 1: Life and Meaning h as given us a volume you will want to return to; to read for research, for growth and to promote personal reflection; and a book that offers you a way to come back to your daily life with a new perspective and the knowledge your reading has been time well spent.

Kathy Rogers, Conjunction 43, 2008