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In my earliest days of studying astrology, the first book that truly inspired me was Astrology, Karma & Transformation: Inner Dimensions of the Birth Chart by American astrologer Stephen Arroyo. It’s a book of tremendous depth and insight, written in clear and simple language, and it opened up the whole spiritual and psychological dimension of astrology for me. As soon as I could, I also obtained a copy of his previous work, Astrology, Psychology and the Four Elements.
When I heard about the Jupiter/Saturn astrology conference planned for July 1981 in Berkeley, California, I knew that I simply had to travel from my native Scotland to attend. The conference featured just three astrologers over its seven days: Stephen Arroyo, Liz Greene (an author whose writings had also inspired me), and Alan Oken, who happened to write the first astrology book that I ever bought. I spent a wonderful week in Berkeley and San Francisco, soaking up all the astrology that I could, but what was originally planned as a three week holiday ended up becoming a 32 year stay! Looking back it is astonishing to realise how much the simple choice to attend the conference ended up changing the entire direction of my life.
In the remainder of the 1980’s, Stephen Arroyo and CRCS Publications put on several other high-quality conferences, including the extraordinary Saturn/Pluto event in 1982. At each one I was invited to be a part of the conference staff, helping out in the book-room and meeting dozens of wonderful people, including Jim Lewis, Donna Cunningham, Tracy Marks, Dennis Elwell and Richard Idemon. In the years that followed I have eagerly devoured every new book that Stephen has written, and they have all helped shape my approach to working with and communicating the astrological language with others.
Stephen Arroyo is the author of at least 9 high-quality books on astrology, starting with his ground-breaking Astrology, Psychology & The Four Elements in 1975. His works also include explorations of astrology and relationships, the planet Jupiter, the profession of astrology and a chart interpretation handbook that is excellent for beginners.
In 2012 he published his latest, and possibly final book on astrology, this time an ebook entitled Experiments & Experience with Astrology: Reflections on Methods & Meaning. Like all his previous works this one is full of his penetrating insights and the clear language that has made many of his earlier works into classics. Reading it this past week I have been struck by how much I am in agreement with Stephen Arroyo as he discusses his philosophy on astrology, and how much my own years of working in the field have led me to many of the same conclusions. For example, as a teacher I have always emphasized the importance of keeping things simple, and not overwhelming my clients with too many techniques and too much complexity. In the chapter “Methods of Chart Synthesis”, Arroyo writes:
“I maintain, rather than helping us to achieve chart synthesis and thus a meaningful evaluation of the person’s major life themes, putting too many factors in a chart makes it harder to discriminate between the significant themes and the peripheral details………my view is that one should use a minimum of major, reliable factors in order to see a client and his or her situation clearly. Otherwise you’ll project confusion, not order, to the client.”
There’s also no question that many years of sharing astrology with other people and listening to their life experiences has deepened my ability to see another person’s reality clearly.
“I have to emphasize that there is no substitute for an intuitive grasp of the whole chart, which is to say, an intuitive grasp of the whole person. This can only be developed over time, from a great deal of experience with lots of people and lots of charts. No matter how many measurements you use, this intuitive apprehension of the totality of a chart and person can come only from time and experience.“
Experiments & Experience with Astrology is also full of good information on the ascendant, transits, subtones, counseling with astrology, and includes an in-depth interview with Stephen Arroyo, originally published in the Mountain Astrologer. I also really enjoyed the chapter “Current Psychological Theory in Relation To Astrology”, from which I have extracted the following quotes.
“To “sort out the motivations” involved in various intimate struggles is precisely one of astrology’s greatest uses. It is especially in the area of motivation that astrology is such a powerful tool. No other method, technique, or theory can touch it. There are all kinds of tests, personality inventory tests, motivational tests, vocational aptitude tests available, but none of them get so quickly to the essence of individual motivations as does astrology.”
“When in the hands of an experienced, competent practitioner who has some mental and ego discipline, one who is not trying to prove himself or to prove that astrology works or to impress the client with sensationalistic predictions, when in the hands of such a person, astrology works almost unerringly as a tool for understanding individual psychology and motivations, person-to-person experiences, and many periods of change or crisis. I have absolutely no doubt about that; it works if you understand this great science.”
I highly recommend this book to anyone using astrology in their work with others, or to those wishing to deepen their knowledge of the modern astrological language. The same goes for any of Stephen Arroyo’s previous publications, which I have listed below. You can purchase the ebook, as well as the other titles from several places, including amazon.com and iTunes, and also from kobobooks.com.
Astrology Karma & Transformation: The Inner Dimensions of the Birth Chart (1978)
Relationships & Life Cycles: Astrological Patterns of Personal Experience (1979)
The Jupiter/Saturn Conference Lectures (with Liz Greene) (1984)
New Insights In Modern Astrology (with Liz Greene) (a revised version of Jupiter/Saturn lectures)
The Practice & Profession Of Astrology: Rebuilding Our Lost Connections with the Cosmos (1984)
Exploring Jupiter: The Astrological Key to Progress, Prosperity & Potential (1996)
Person To Person Astrology: Energy Factors in Love, Sex & Compatibility (2007)
Experiments & Experience with Astrology: Reflections on Methods & Meaning (2012 ebook)
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The astrology of the United Kingdom and Scotland is somewhat complex, and there are at least four birth charts to consider. The Grandfather of all British horoscopes is for the coronation of William The Conqueror in 1066, although this one has minimal bearing on Scotland, as it was long before any union existed. Unfortunately there are no early horoscopes for Scotland itself, so most astrologers use the 1707 chart, and it is certainly being strongly activated this year. 1707 was not the final say in the formation of the modern United Kingdom, because Ireland joined the union in 1801, the birth date used by many astrologers as the chart of modern Britain. The most recent adjustment was in 1922, when Southern Ireland split off to become the Republic of Ireland, and Northern Ireland remained as a member of the United Kingdom. I will be including all the above charts for your perusal, as well as the chart for Alex Salmond, the First Minister of Scotland, and the primary proponent of Scottish Independence.
It’s not really in the scope of this article to provide a full analysis of the astrology of the referendum, but there are some obvious factors that are worthy of comment. The first thing that caught my eye is the current transit of Saturn through Scorpio, which places it almost precisely on the Midheaven of the 1707 chart on the day of the referendum. There is no question that such a transit of Saturn could indicate a change of government and status in the world, but it could also mean a reconsolidation of what already exists. It might simply be a symbol of the fact that independence, with all of its ramifications, is under consideration. Other significant transits to the 1707 chart include a close square from Neptune to the chart ruling Saturn, suggesting a “dissolving” of the status quo, Uranus closely squaring the Ascendant, which suggests a “shake-up” of some kind, and Saturn opposing the Sun, which prompts much soul-searching and a quest for a deeper sense of identity. Together, these transits speak to some kind of shift, suggesting either a break in the union, or perhaps the whole issue of Scottish independence being put to rest. Even if an outcome is not clear, the astrology shows that the questions are being asked. Of course, it is entirely possible that the challenges that are indicated in this chart have to do with issues other than independence, but there’s no question that major change is in the air for the British Isles. I’ll speculate on this a little more once I have revealed the rest of the charts.
I was born in Scotland and spent most of my first 24 years here, and have always been proud to be Scottish, so in that sense there is a certain romantic appeal to independence. On the other hand, I have always identified with being British as well, and since Scotland has had it’s own government since 1999, the Scots have much more of a say in their political world than they used to. Full independence would create a lot of uncertainties, from whether Scotland would be allowed to stay in the European Union or would have to reapply for membership, to questions about economics, and whether Scotland would have to have it’s own currency, or even adopt the Euro. There’s also the question of whether a separate Scotland would be financially better off than remaining a part of Great Britain. I certainly don’t have all the answers (or even many of the questions), but my instincts lean me towards retaining the status quo, because I fail to see a compelling argument for change, except the emotional feel-good concept of independence.
I do find it interesting that Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond has so much water in his birth chart, in the sense that his strongest chance for separation may be to launch an emotional appeal, banking on patriotic fervour to win his case. It is the opinion of the majority of Scots that I have spoken to, that Salmond is a very slippery character, and though clearly very intelligent, he has used tactics that run from subtle misinformation to outright falsehoods, in his desire to sway the public to support his cause. Having spent the last 32 years of my life living in the USA, Salmond certainly appears to be an American style politician, willing to say whatever it takes to win his political battles. In early September of 2014, he will experience the final phase of his Saturn Return, suggesting a new beginning, and a time of reaping the rewards/consequences of his actions over the past 29 years. Interestingly enough, the Midheaven of the 1707 chart is also close to the same degree of Scorpio, which means that not only does Salmond have his Saturn on the Midheaven of the 1707 chart, but both are being currently “lit up” by transiting Saturn, right before and just after the referendum. By far the most significant transit is the ongoing conjunction of Pluto to Salmond’s Sun, something that only about half of us experience, once in our lifetime. This transit has been active in his chart for the past couple of years, and though technically past its peak, it will still be very close to an exact alignment on referendum day. Pluto transits have long been associated with the exposing of hidden secrets, the revealing of hidden agendas, and the punishment of “hubris”. If it’s true, as many in Scotland believe, that Alex Salmond has been manipulative and deceitful, in pursuit of his political ambitions, then we will probably see his campaign “crash and burn”, but on the other hand, if he really is a man of integrity, then he may take on the added power of being the leader of a newly independent Scotland.
The chart for January 1 1801, when Ireland joined the UK, is what many astrologers have been using for years to signify modern Britain. What strikes me the most is the position of the Sun, at 10 degrees of Capricorn, which means that the 1801 chart is getting the same Pluto conjunct Sun transit as Salmond, who was born on December 31. So there’s no question that the theme of transformation is very much alive in the astrological symbols, and perhaps it suggests that somehow the “Yes Scotland” campaign will prevail, with Scotland rising anew from the ashes of the old UK. At the time of writing, the polls show only a 30% support for independence, with a much larger majority wanting to maintain the status quo, but perhaps things will swing dramatically over the next few months as the full campaign gets underway.
As I mentioned earlier, December of 1922 was the last time that the United Kingdom made a major adjustment, losing Southern Ireland to independence, with the formation of Northern Ireland. This came about after many years of bloodshed and religious conflict between protestants and catholics, a tension that continued to play out throughout the rest of the 20th century. The most interesting thing astrologically is that when Northern Ireland was created, Pluto was in an exact opposition alignment with the Sun in the 1801 chart, the very chart that represented Ireland joining the United Kingdom in the first place. Clearly Pluto brought things to a head back then, and now in 2014 we find Pluto exactly opposite its 1922 position, once again aligned with the Sun in the 1801 chart, as the future of the United Kingdom is decided.
There is a final chart to reveal, the one for December 25 1066, when William the Conqueror was crowned King of England at Westminster Abbey. This is not a chart that is often used for Scotland, but it is a significant date in the history of the British Isles, and by a quirk of destiny, it has the same exact Sun position as the 1801 chart. This of course means that Pluto is currently conjuncting the Sun in both British charts (and closely moving up on the Capricorn Ascendant in the 1707 chart), clearly revealing that something big is waiting to happen. Since it seems that Scottish independence is a long-shot, at least from the current polling, perhaps these major transits are referring to something else altogether. Given the age of the current Queen, this could be the time that her long reign comes to an end, through her death or abdication. It is also possible that the Pluto transits will uncover a scandal that strikes to the heart of the British establishment. For the past couple of years there has been a slowly unfolding story involving sexual child abuse by various celebrities (including DJ Jimmy Savile) over a 40 year period, which is rumoured to involve senior members of the British government (particularly during the Thatcher years), the BBC, and even the royal family, so perhaps this will prove to be part of the momentous changes that lay in store for the UK.
I hope that this blog stimulates some ideas and opinions from some of my readers. I don’t pretend to know how all of this will play out, but am fascinated by astrology’s ability to track current events and changes in our world. Please add your thoughts and comments and any analysis that might help further illuminate this topic.
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Many years ago I came across a wonderful and insightful article in the old Astrology Now magazine, written by Don “Moby Dick” Jacobs, and called “Astrology’s Pew In Church”. The article described his research and conclusions in a quest to find the birth chart of Jesus of Nazareth. Because King Herod is known to have been alive at the time of Christ’s birth, and yet died in the year 4 BC, it is historically obvious that Jesus must have been born before that date. Also, despite the fact that the Christian world celebrates the birth of Jesus on December 25th, it has long been accepted by most theologians that the December birthday is symbolic, not literal, and was chosen to coincide with the pagan feast of Saturnalia at the winter solstice, as a lure to draw in new followers. In the end Jacobs came up with March 1st of 7 BC as the likely date, and you can perhaps see why he called it “the most powerful horoscope in world history”. I highly recommend seeking out a copy of the original article, which also offers an amazing chart for King David as well, in the shape of the two interlocking equilateral triangles that make up the familiar Star of David, comprising six of the seven known planets.
My computer software is limited in its scope, and so I am unable to conjure a chart from it for such an early date. Instead I have reverted to the old style of handwritten charts, and some of my students from the 1980’s may recognize the lovely chart form created by my friend Rebecca Wilson. As you can see, it really is quite a birth chart, and it certainly tested my abilities to squeeze all the Piscean planets together so they are still legible. Bearing in mind that the three outermost planets had yet to be discovered, this chart has only two planets (Mars and Mercury) that are not in the sign of Pisces, and once we add in the extra three we find Uranus is actually in Pisces as well. When you consider the procession of the equinoxes, and the approximately 2,000 year astrological ages, it is extremely fitting that the Avatar of the Age of Pisces, has this tremendous alignment of planets in Pisces in his birth chart. It is also interesting that the bible is full of images of fish and fishermen, and that even today you can find many Christians that have a fish symbol on their cars, representing their faith.
At first glance this is quite a challenging birth chart, with Saturn conjuncting both the Sun and the Moon, as well as the massive opposition involving Pluto in Virgo. In fact, it’s a perfect example of how potent challenging aspects can be, if someone has enough consciousness and awareness to express those energies in a creative and positive manner. The strong Saturn suggests the heaviness of his destiny and his full awareness of the task at hand, as well as his self-discipline and determination necessary for his quest to serve humanity. Without the strength provided by his Saturn, it is unlikely that he would have survived experiences like the temptation in the desert, and of course the whole betrayal and crucifixion. The aspects to Pluto provide him with a tremendous depth of insight into human pain and suffering, and the desire to help and to heal, something obviously echoed by the Piscean cluster’s compassion and deep empathy. How much more compassion is possible, than that of a man who was willing to sacrifice his life to help the whole human race take important steps in its evolution? The presence of the Pisces planets in the 3rd house, including the chart’s ruling planet, Jupiter, suggest an orator, a teacher, a man of words, with a message that rings with both compassion and forgiveness. With Uranus also present in the cluster, and Aquarius ruling the 3rd house, we get a glimpse of how revolutionary and innovatory Jesus’ message really was, especially in context of the world that he lived in.
In the late 70’s I attended a lecture at the Scottish Astrological Association, by an astronomer, who tackled the question of the Star of Bethlehem, from an astronomical perspective. His search for a viable “Star” brought him to the same year as Jacobs, and a focus on the ongoing conjunction between Jupiter and Saturn that had been unfolding in the months before Christ’s birth. In 7 BC these two planets were the two outermost that had been discovered, and had long been associated with the births and deaths of kings. This is the same pair of planets that has been implicated in the extraordinary series of deaths of American Presidents who were elected in the year of a Jupiter/Saturn conjunction. So it’s likely that the Magi, who were of course astrologers, would have been on the lookout for the birth of the Jewish Messiah, for some time previously. The astronomer also spoke of a phenomenon called the “zodiacal lights”, a hazy light extending in the skies from the horizon, usually in the shape of a triangle or a pyramid. He speculated that the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn may have appeared along with this phenomenon, and may have even seemed to “point the way” to Bethlehem, when the Magi were in nearby Jerusalem.
I decided to post the Jesus chart mostly to share this extraordinary horoscope with you all, but also to elicit some comments from those who are more familiar with his life and Christian teachings than I am. This chart certainly seems to speak to the Golden Rule, “love thy neighbor as thyself” and “turn the other cheek” with all its Neptunian/Piscean symbolism, and of course the victim/redeemer themes that are an integral part of his story.
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Welcome to the new and revamped astropotential.com! This is my very first blog post, and I’m not sure how things will proceed from here, but I do have a few articles that I ‘m looking to polish up and post here, and I’m looking forward to interacting with many of you.
It has been almost a full four months since I climbed aboard the big bird and flew across the atlantic ocean, back to my homeland after 32 years in the US. I left Sedona, Arizona, my hometown for the past 19 years, with a mixture of excitement and trepidation, anticipating that my return would be to a country rather foreign to the one that I left so long ago.
I had been feeling the need to return to Scotland for the past several years, and in the end my decision was precipitated by the death of my beloved siamese cats Eros and Buddha in 2012, and then by the rapid deterioration of my right ear. I’m still waiting for a full diagnosis from an EN&T specialist, but the symptoms I have seem to be “Hyperacusis”, and I appear to have a sub-set of that called “Recruitment”, which meant I was suddenly unable to teach classes or workshops because of my acute sensitivity to sound. After several months of watching my life and my finances draining away, I reached out to my circle of friends for assistance, and raised enough money to get myself and my most treasured belongings over the great pond.
Thankfully the UK has universal health care, and so ever since I arrived here, I have been addressing all of the health issues that had been neglected over the past 3 decades due to health care being prohibitively expensive in the US. I have also been reunited with my dear old Mother who has welcomed me into her home after such a long absence. Needless to say we have been enjoying catching up with the lost years and sparking all kinds of old memories.
The past few weeks have been spent designing and creating the new website which launched on Thursday November 26. I chose to publish the new site on Thanksgiving day in the US, partly because I liked the astrology of the day, and also as a symbolic thank-you to all of the Americans who have taken classes from me, had consultations with me and have welcomed me into their hearts and their homes over the past 32 years. I came to the US as an eager young astrologer, and it is through my experiences with all of you that I return to my homeland, a seasoned astrologer with a lifetime of experience. In particular I want to thank all of the angelic beings that made donations to my immigration fund, bought my excess possessions and booked last-minute readings in an effort to help me reach my goal. Thanks to all of you, and to all of those who supported my vision in a myriad of other ways, I am now settled into a new life, living in a moist and cool climate, after so many years in the dryness and warmth of the high desert. Surprisingly, I find Dumfriesshire relatively unchanged in the years that I have been absent, and the countryside looks much the same as it has for the last several decades. I have been enjoying lots of long walks with my Mother’s lovely black labrador, Sable, as I adjust to a different world.
When I started this post I thought I’d talk some astrology, but on reflection I’ll leave that mostly for another day. What I will mention though, is the continuing and ongoing square alignment between Pluto and Uranus, that is still grinding away on both collective and personal levels, exposing out-of-date forms and demanding change at profound levels, both personally and globally. The world is changing faster than our ability to keep up with it, and I fully expect the next year or two to accelerate this process. In one sense these may seem like scary times, but I am confident that where we’re headed will make all of our current discomfort worthwhile. In the meantime, hold onto your hats, keep your compass pointing to “T” for Truth, and enjoy the ride!
many blessings
Gavin
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