The Seven Principles by Steven Forrest.
Steven Forrest, one of the most prominent astrologers that use Evolutionary Astrology described seven rules/principles that may help any astrology enthusiasts.
In this article, I will refer to his principles to give you a better understanding of the astrological practice.
Because astrology is a language of universal energy and has tremendous potential for self-growth, it is good to keep this rules at the back of the head if we want to achieve positive outcome out of this Divine Knowledge.
1. Astrological symbols are neutral. There are no good ones no bad ones.
When we look at the astrology chart and see a planet in a sign that is a detriment to it, or a planet in a sign in which it is exiled we may easily come to the conclusion that there is “less” or “more” energy in the particular astrology chart. The idea that some planets like to be in certain signs and some doesn't is, in my opinion, inaccurate because it creates the potential for judgment.
Astrology is an alphabet that helps to describe the energy and timing of planetary cycles which are naturally neutral. It is best to deal with planetary symbols just like we see them, without exaltations and debilitations, to prevent ourselves from projections and assumptions. Energy is neutral. Good and bad karma is only a matter of our perspective. So are the planets.
2. Individuals are responsible for the way they embody their birthcharts.
Looking at the chart from the Evolutionary perspective, we know that birthchart is a moment of potential growth. We are more than bones and flesh, our spirit is led by a higher intelligence that knows what do we need in order to achieve perfection. It takes time to strive for the best, but growth doesn't happen automatically. We are equipped in a powerful virtue that is our willpower. The astrological chart doesn't guarantee prescribed success or damnation. As a human being, we have the power to create our lives and the power of taking responsibility for our lives. Planets are only channels for our energy of willpower and they can amplify our own efforts spent on growth and self-discovery.
3. No astrologer can determine a person's level of response to his birthchart from that birthchart alone.
Evolutionary Astrology is an astrological paradigm based on the esoteric trinity – past, present, future. Looking at the life around us we see that there is some kind of order and repetitive pattern. Some cycles are shorter, some are longer. Humanly life on Earth is a part of a cycle that repeats itself, but each time we are showing up with more knowledge and wisdom coming from our previous experiences. It is impossible to determine how advanced is a person looking at the chart only. Astrology is a science of observation-correlation, and only by correlating chart to the client experiences we are able to see how archetypes play out in an individual life.
4. The birthchart is a blueprint for the happiest, most fulfilling, most spiritually creative path of growth available to the individual.
Once you know what are the planetary energies in your birthchart, you can see where are your potentials and opportunities for growth. Whenever you see planets in your birthchart you are not guaranteed automatically with energies that they symbolize. According to Rudolf Steiner, when we see a planet in a particular constellation, it stands between human and energy rays coming out of this constellation. It is a happy and fulfilling challenge to awaken planetary forces within us because each birthchart is an energetical blueprint that may be activated and consciously spiritualized by the rising awareness of our own potential.
5. All deviations from the ideal growth pattern symbolized by the birthchart are unstable states, usually accompanied by a sense of aimlessness, emptiness and anxiety.
Just like a Sun is shedding a light on what we are able to perceive, the light is also able to create the shadow. Whenever we feel upsetting emotions and atmosphere in our psyche, we are probably out of the tune with our true energetical Self that is pictured and described by astrological birthchart. At the moment of birth, we are imprinted with the universal energy that is led by God. Creation of the human being serves the Gods higher plan and is truly positive and blissful. There is no place for emptiness and anxiety when we are attuned to our plan because we are following a path given to us by God.
6. Astrology recognizes only two absolutes: the irreducible mystery of life and the uniqueness of each individual viewpoint on that mystery.
We all share life on this planet together. We have presented a realm of Saturn, reality that is common and equal for everyone. This reality is a harsh, material and tangible physical world that can be perceived by our senses. This world is a mystery and will remain mystery simply because all of us are totally different and unique. We will never be able to come to one undeniable conclusion and explanation of life. Different perspectives, cultures, nations, races – the world is full of diversity and having one answer to the mystery of life would only cut off our great potential as a human race. However, by observing and understanding a birthchart we are able to step into the shoes of another, and at least partly experience perception of the world through the eyes of another individual. It is possible to share the same experience externally, but internally we all have different ways of processing it. And this is what makes this life beautiful.
7. Astrology suffers when wedded too closely to any philosophy or religion. Nothing in the system matters except the intensification of a person's self-awareness.
Astrology does not follow any particular philosophy or religion. It is a simple language of energy and human experiences. Nowadays we do not associate languages with ideologies or religions, why should we do that with astrology? It is not a matter of believing in astrology, it is a matter of knowing it or not, the same as knowing English, Polish or Chinese language. Conversation with someone who knows and speaks in the astrological language is magical because thanks to it, it is possible to relate to another one on a totally different level. Astrology is based on the timeless archetypes, that are alive in the psyche of each of us. Knowing how it operates we can compare life experiences, and also compare our understanding of the world. We can relate to the transits happening at the moment, or we can share wisdom coming out of our individual birth charts – we grow with them and observe how they evolve. Wisdom gained through the years can be shared and compared – this is what makes archetypes alive.
As we can see astrology is not only the predictive tool, it is a measurement of the current energies and possible future outcome. Used wisely it may serve as a great tool for personal developement and spiritual growth.
Rules taken from the book "The Inner Sky" by Steven Forrest.
Bart Ptolemy
Comments