Post Author Iris Schencks
“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer”.
This quotation by Albert Camus, the Nobel Prize winner, author, journalist and philosopher was not written with any reference to Astrological Psychology but brings to mind the psychological processes involved in the passage of the Age Point through the House system, particularly over the Low Point of each House.
The Age Point starts at the Ascendant and journeys around the chart in an anti-clockwise direction, taking six years to pass through each House, moving in time to an ebb and flow of psychological energy which Bruno and Louise Huber called the Dynamic Energy Curve. This can be imagined as a continuous undulating line running through the House system. Its wave-like motion rises to a crescendo as it nears each House Cusp, and then descends to a low point of intensity as it pulls towards the centre of the chart before gaining momentum and rising again towards the Cusp of the following House. (See figure below).
Dynamic Energy Curve
This dynamic movement represents an organic developmental process, as we journey through life interacting with and learning from the various psychological phases associated with each House. In simple terms, as the Age Point nears the Cusp of a House we may become aware of renewed energy, an impetus to move forward or a desire to set off on a different path in life. We may enjoy relative success or have the feeling that what we are doing or who we are, is recognised and appreciated. In contrast, when the Age Point is close to a Low Point, we may experience a slowing down or even some stagnation of energy. We may lose motivation, experience failure or feel that our actions go unnoticed or no longer have real impact on the world.
Winter in the Northern Hemisphere often becomes a natural time for withdrawal and contemplation and is a time when energy and motivation is reduced. When the Age Point is close to a Low Point the associated psychological process can also be compared to the cold, dark days of winter, when everything seems to be ‘on hold’ and the light and warmth of summer days impossible to imagine. It would be easy to become despondent, frustrated or depressed at such a time. However Albert Camus’s quotation reminds us that far from being an inactive time, the Low Point phase can be used positively for exploration, re-evaluation, reflection and ultimately self-discovery. Although when looking in from the outside there may not seem to be much happening during this psychological ‘winter’, if these inner processes are carefully nurtured and strengthened, they will be able to blossom more fully in the seasons to follow culminating in a glorious ‘summer’ as the Age Point moves towards the next House Cusp. So rather than working against any prevailing dip in energy, it may be more fruitful to ‘go with the flow’ and experience the Low Point as fully and deeply as possible. In this way a greater understanding of the self and the key psychological issues of the House involved may be achieved. To quote Joyce Hopewell in her book ‘Using Age Progression’,
“At the Low Point the motivation and available energy become much more introspective as the person turns their attention to their inner life and what is going on inside. Louise Huber has likened the Low Point experience to being closer to the soul’s purpose. It’s when we begin to question everything we have done so far and start looking for new meaning in our personal, professional and spiritual life.”
Indeed being able to appreciate the hidden opportunities for self development inherent in this seemingly unproductive phase of life may bring huge rewards and enable us to move forward to the next stage of life with renewed energy and a greater sense of understanding, hope and purpose.
So, looking at your own chart, where in the Dynamic Energy Curve is your Age Point now? Can you identify any significant life events or psychological changes you have noticed as your Age Point passed through a Low Point in your chart? Of course it is important to remember that when considering these things, it is much more complex than can be conveyed here and many other things need to be taken into account. For example whether or not the Age Point is aspecting planets or the Node, the Crosses and Elements involved and any planets, particularly Ego planets, positioned close to a Low Point will all provide further opportunities for insights.
More information about the Dynamic Energy Curve, the passage of the Age Point through the Houses and the Low Point can be found in many astrogical psychology books, including ‘The Astrological Houses – a Psychological View of Man & his World ‘ and ‘Lifeclock’ both by Bruno and Louise Huber and as mentioned above, ‘Using Age Progression’ by Joyce Hopewell. Enjoy the winter.
Thank Iris you for posting this interesting and pertinent piece.
It got me looking at my chart to see if I could identify a pattern to my Low Points experiences. I have been married twice and discovered that both marriages occurred on a Low Point. I’m left wondering if these were really attempts to hold on to the outside world rather than ‘going with the flow’ and allowing myself to contact and learn something of my inner self. As these two marriages eventually failed, it seems I married for the wrong reasons! At a later Low Point, my then partner decided to go and travel the world for a year without me and a much more fruitful opportunity was forced on me. That really was a ‘winter sojourn’ as I discovered what I was really made of and that I could not only ‘go it alone’. I realised an inner strength and depths that sustained me…. and still do. A truly great winter lesson.
What an exquisite introduction to the dynamic energy curve and so timely in the run-up to Christmas.