Post by Barry Hopewell
It struck me the other day that mindfulness has rarely been stressed as being important in relation to the study and practice of astrological psychology. Yet it is surely fundamental.
When we look at the birth chart and identify features that we relate to our own personality and experience, we can only truly accept or move beyond the limitations they place, if we are are living in the ‘presence’ of mindfulness. We can see that repeating pattern arising from an objective conscious perspective, rather than being a blindly driven subject. Then we can choose to do something different.
For example, I have become ever more aware of the pattern of behaviour represented by the Trampoline in my chart (below, linking Venus, Saturn, Pluto and Sun/Mercury/Mars) – the somewhat prickly red/green exterior, the easy-going interior blue struts that can be pushed a long long way, until finally there is the explosive resistance of that Mars/Pluto square at the base. With that awareness comes the chance to change that repetition.
Extract from my chart showing Trampoline figure
Similarly, when we consult with another on the features in their own chart, it is essential that we stay apart from our own personal reactions that may have been triggered. Indeed the task is very much to bring out the mindfulness of the other person.
Of course, meditation is well recognised as an effective tool to encourage and develop our own capacity for acting mindfully. And this is a key factor in the approach to spiritual development pioneered by Alice Bailey through the Arcane School – and Bruno and Louise Huber spent several years helping to establish the Arcane School branch in Geneva, which still flourishes today. One of the ultimate fruits of this time was Louise’s book Reflections and Meditations on the Signs of the Zodiac.
Featured image by Pedrocastillo09, via Wikimedia Commons
Thanks Barry! Very timely post with our New Moon Aries upon us.
I couldn’t find the exercise in our books (I know it’s in there somewhere), but the Disidentification Exercise http://synthesiscenter.org/articles/0011.pdf (Exercise #4) is a psychosynthesis exercise I try and do 2-3 times a week. Assagioli was in many ways ahead of his time and his awareness of the needs for mindfulness was evident, well before the term ‘mindfulness’ was ever coined. The effects of this exercise reach greater benefits the more they are employed.
Like you, I work through my chart and, in stages, become more aware of how I’ve been identifying with various parts. This exercise reminds of the importance of Self/self and pulls me away from the aspect structure and aligns me back with chart center (if only briefly!). Mindful, chart-center bliss.
Thanks for the link to the psychosynthesis exercises, Mark. What a great resource, all in one place! I note that it’s not copyrighted, which would be useful to anyone wishing to incorporate in their own teaching.
Very interesting. Thanks for sharing your insights on your Trampoline, Barry. Yes, Assagioli was ahead of his time and not afraid to share what he knew.