Astrology And Intuition © 2002 Charles Kipp

After getting some remarkable insights into the structure of one's personality by looking at, or being shown, one's natal horoscope (hopefully, one's complete birthchart properly configured), one soon encounters a barrier to further understanding, and there are very few who have found a way to go beyond that barrier. Most of what goes on in the discussion and practice of astrology is limited to the shy side of that barrier and thereby proves less than satisfactory at best and downright silly in many instances. Very few are even aware that such a barrier exists. Astrology is therefore largely perceived as something not to be taken too seriously or pursued too diligently.

The barrier that must be broken down (pierced, transformed, or surpassed by whatever means) is the ego paradox as it pertains to the practice of astrology. Here's the paradox in a nutshell: The purpose for doing astrology is to take advantage of knowledge of the movements of the solar-planetary system as references to the complex formative wave patterns that move to determine evolving life forms and processes to preserve the vitality and integrity of all life on Earth. Through astrology, one is able to study the meanings of those patterns in specifically comprehensible terms and thereby adjust one's conscious orientation toward accommodating those patterns. At first, this must be a totally feminine, that is, receptive, orientation. One must "tune in" before one can "turn on" (astrologically, that is).

Before doing this, the conscious ego has its own haphazard agenda, concocted from various experiences and beliefs without the benefit of the holistic conception afforded only by astrology. At first encounter with astrology, such an ego orientation is brought to bear, and its immediate concerns must, of necessity, determine the issues brought to the application of astrology. The paradox is that the very objective of astrology is to transform and expand one's conscious orientation, not necessarily to confirm or facilitate ego agendas. When doing astrology, the ego must take a back seat in order to facilitate resonance with the greater whole. Such resonance ultimately empowers the ego unto meaningful growth and extended scope, but usually not according to any plan that the ego would have originally envisioned.

This, of course, is the acknowledged objective of all spiritual discipline, magickal ritual, and paths to mystical illumination. The ego paradox barrier to the apprehension of astrology serves as a ready gauge for one's capacity authentically to pursue the path of illumination. The "New Age" movement has spawned myriad teachers of enlightenment and cult systems of belief and practice, many of which pay nominal homage to planetary archetypes, without in-depth study of astrology. This lack or deficiency of astrological perspective is due largely to the ego paradox barrier. It's easier to talk about illuminating the ego than it is to subject it to the acid test of astrology.

The attempt to harness astrology to the fulfillment of short-sighted ego agendas is like trying to drive an automobile around inside your house. Yet this is usually what is asked of an astrologer when approached for a consultation. The greater pity is that most astrologers accept such parameters as imposed by the misguided expectations of those seeking astrological insights into their lives, and most astrological literature is geared accordingly so as to appeal to a wider market.

Would-be astrologers cannot even pretend to do astrology without recognizing this misapplication, whereby they attempt to conceal their inability to satisfy their clients with ambiguous generalities and soft-soaping techniques, thus confirming the low opinion of astrology held by those who would expect something better.

The truth of the matter is that the application of astrology for an individual requires cumulative study over a period of time sufficient to get a sense for oneself of how it really works in one's life, instead of looking at it as some kind of short-cut for attaining "success," wealth or great relationships. And here we are back again to the ego paradox. This accounts for the vast disinterest or merely casual interest in astrology, even among most aspiring new agers, channelers, mystics, magicians and pagans. Many simply haven't yet gotten a good glimpse of how astrology really works, due to unfamiliarity with the subject and the ego-paradox barrier.

Astrology is a magnificent instrument for sorting out the affairs of one's life and the affairs of the world in terms that are beyond the possibility of manipulation by any bias other than that of looking at the solar-planetary system itself. This poses a challenge to any who would read the "writing in the stars," but the perspectives to be gained thereby are well worth the effort.