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Astrologer's Notes:
AstroDPsychology:A Synthesis |
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Modulating Planetary States
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by Glenn Perry, Ph.D., MFT |
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In last month's column, we discussed how a person's chronic states are manifestations of his or her character structure, which is reflected in the way specific planets are constellated in the birthchart and the degree to which they are integrated. In this month's column, we further explore the concept of integration by examining the difference between undermodulated, well-modulated, and overmodulated planetary functions.
A state can be defined as a recurrent pattern of experience as reflected in mood, attitude, internal dialogue, and observable behavior (Horowitz, 1987). For example, if a person feels optimistic, has a positive attitude, says to himself, "everything works out for the best," and makes a choice to expand his field of operations, we can safely say the person is experiencing a Jupiterian state.
To modulate a state means to regulate and control its expression, just as one controls the tone and amplitude of one's voice. The "impulse voices" of sign-planet motivational systems can similarly be regulated. Planetary states occur along a continuum from positive to negative. Where on the continuum a person's experience falls is a function of how that planet is modulated. Well-modulated states are spontaneous, openly expressive, and congruent in verbal and nonverbal communications. Impulses are well contained and controlled, and there is a sense of being "in tune" with oneself.
All of this comes under the heading of integration. To integrate a planetary function is to make it a part of oneself. If one is conscious and accepting of a planet's "impulse voice," it comes under volitional control. There is flexibility and freedom of choice in expressing behavior appropriate to that function. One can turn it on, tone it down, or turn it off, as the situation requires. For example, if one is experiencing a Jupiter impulse, one might say, "Okay, don't get carried away and overextend yourself." In other words, one can modulate the Jupiterian impulse to expand.
Conversely, if a function is unintegrated, it may be overmodulated, undermodulated, or vacillate back and forth. Undermodulated planets involve experience and behavior that is not well controlled. The person tends to overfunction and express that quality to excess. Often, there is a sense of something "taking over" the person; behavior is characterized by intrusive moods and memories, irrational outbursts, and regressive immaturity. Feelings may "leak out" in the form of inappropriate comments or behavior. Because the planetary function tends to operate outside of volitional control (and often outside of awareness), it tends to be expressed in a primitive, impulsive manner.
Overmodulated states, on the other hand, seem to have rigid control features, sometimes leading to a sense of contrivance or pretense as well as restraint over expression of that function. The person tends to underfunction in this area and appears uncomfortable with the motivating impulse. Because the function is repressed, behavior seems phony; the person acts "as if" they had the right emotion or attitude, but it appears ingenuine.
Consider, for example, the function of Mars. A well-modulated Mars is evidenced by a joyful mood, positive attitude, enthusiasm, spontaneity, vitality, and capacity to assert. However, if Mars is undermodulated, these same qualities will turn excessive and tend to dominate the personality when the person is in a Mars' state. An angry mood, hostile attitude, impatience, belligerence, selfishness, impulsivity, and unmitigated aggression would be likely. Conversely, if Mars is overmodulated, then we can expect to see some traces of Martian behavior when situations call for this function, but it will manifest in a weak, inhibited manner. Passive anger, hidden resentments, covert aggression, acting "as if" strong and bold while actually feeling scared are common expressions of an overmodulated Mars.
Again, an unintegrated planet will tend to function in an overmodulated or undermodulated way. In fact, it's likely to flip from one to the other, thus expressing both tendencies. Someone with an unintegrated Moon, for example, may appear emotionally distant at one point, then suddenly become emotionally effusive or grief-stricken in response to what appears to be a relatively minor incident. This is because a repressed function builds up a charge and pushes against the defenses that oppress it. An archetype has its own autonomy and cannot be denied forever. When it finally breaks through, there is an excessive, irrational quality to its expression -- like a damn breaking -- and the person seems "flooded" with the planet's energy.
Difficulties with modulation are likely to occur if a planet is under stress from a hard aspect. The more hard aspects a planet receives, the greater the likelihood it will function in an under or overmodulated way. This will be especially apparent in relation to planets to which it is in square or quincunx, because these aspects tend naturally to be repressive. For example, if Mars and Venus are in square, a woman may repress (overmodulate) her Mars so as to not interfere with her Venusian needs for affection and intimacy. "Keeping the peace" wins out over "getting one's way". In situations that require assertiveness, boldness, or autonomy, she may act "as if" she has these qualities, but it will be a poor imitation of the real thing.
It is worth noting that this woman's overmodulated Mars may show up as undermodulated in her partner, i.e., he may express Martian attributes to an extreme, even to the point of becoming abusive. Eventually this may trigger her own pent-up, repressed aggression, at which point her Mars explodes in an out-of-control way; her psyche does a flip-flop and suddenly she's the one with the undermodulated Mars. When planetary functions are unintegrated, these kinds of interpersonal conflicts and rapid, unstable shifts of energy are commonplace.
In last month's column, we examined an undermodulated Saturn in hard aspect to the Sun. Such a person is characterized by indiscriminate ambition, unrealistic goals, a driven attitude, excessive self-criticism, and compulsive perfectionism. Possessed with a need to be successful, yet unable to regulate his ambition in a balanced way, Saturn is expressed in an extreme, out-of-control manner. In response to failure or defeat, the person is likely to overreact and collapse into depression, loss of conviction, gloom, and self-deprecation. In such instances, the Sun's capacity for play, creativity, and self-esteem is more or less eclipsed.
Conversely, when Saturn is overmodulated in square to the Sun, the person tends to avoid experiences that would lead to success. Such avoidance would be for the sake of the Sun. Not wanting to jeopardize self-esteem (solar need) with the risk of failure, hard work and ambition is inhibited. While the person may want to be successful, and may give an outward appearance of success, it is more pretense than real. There is an inclination to procrastinate, resist authority, reject limits, and avoid the planning and hard work that is necessary to achieve long-term goals. Again, all of this is in the service of maintaining self-esteem, i.e., for the sake of the Sun. Such a strategy, however, is maladaptive, for eventually Saturn will appear in the guise of a ruthless, oppressive superior (boss, manager) who is excessively critical, thus leading to a loss of self-esteem. So long as aspects remain unintegrated, one can't win!
Like any other planet, an unintegrated Saturn can be undermodulated and overmodulated at different times. By comparison, a well-modulated Saturn would entail a serious mood, a realistic attitude, and an internal dialogue that reflects a sober, responsible approach to achievable ends. Goals would be well planned and plans would be well executed, leading to eventual success, pride, and self-fulfillment. In such instances, the Sun and Saturn are operating to mutual advantage. It's important to note here that the decisive factor in a planet's expression is not the nature of the aspect, but the degree to which the aspect is integrated. An integrated Sun-Saturn square is well-modulated and conducive of both happiness and success.
In my book, Introduction to AstroPsychology (Perry, 1998), I provide a list of states for each planet in accord with the three categories: undermodulated, well modulated, and overmodulated. There are several advantages to categorizing states. By labeling a state, one derives a name for a kind of experience that correlates to a specific planet. The label suffices to refer to all the patterns that cohere to form that state of mind -- mood, attitude, posture, self-talk, and behavior. Delineating states allows for greater self-awareness and enables people to understand what triggers specific states. It makes clear their various features, circumstances associated with them, and what can be done to maximize the occurrence of states that are desired and minimize the occurrence of states that are dreaded. In other words, recognition of states increases efficacy and control.
For example, if a person becomes aware that his Mars is undermodulated as evidenced by a chronically angry mood, hostile attitude, belligerent posture, and an inflammatory internal dialogue, e.g., "I'm going to kill that guy," his awareness allows him to reflect on why he is expressing his Mars in this manner. Introspection may lead to insights that pertain to his need for survival. For example, he may discover that he believes that other people have hostile intentions toward him. This belief, in turn, may derive from formative childhood experiences where he was repeatedly abused by an older sibling. Realizing that he is projecting past images of his brother onto people in his current life may help him to become less hostile and more trusting. This example serves to illustrate the importance of becoming conscious of states, developing awareness of what they are, what triggers them, their early prototypes, and how they can be better controlled.
To summarize, a psychological state is a recurrent pattern of experience as reflected in mood, attitude, self-talk, and verbal and nonverbal behavior. Each planet is associated with a continuum of psychological states ranging from well-modulated to over or undermodulated.
When a planet is well-modulated, its function is openly expressed, relatively well controlled, and positively experienced. The underlying motive that fuels that planet's states tends to be readily satisfied.
If a planet is undermodulated, it functions in an immature, impulsive, and primitive manner, as if the person is unable to control its expression or satisfy its motive.
An overmodulated planet, on the other hand, tends to be too controlled, as if its expression were going to cause trouble or embarrassment. The motivation behind the planet's expression evokes anxiety and is not easily satisfied due to excessive behavioral restraints.
Categorizing states increases conscious awareness of their nature, allows for more choice and control, and enables the individual to maximize the occurrence of states that are desired.
References
Horowitz, M.J. (1987). States of mind: Configurational analysis of individual psychology. New York: Plenum Medical Book Company.
Perry, G. (1998) Introduction to AstroPsychology. San Rafael, CA: APA Press (Available only through www.aaperry.com).
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"Astrology is a religion inasmuch as it reveals the anatomy and psychology of God."
~ Manly Palmer Hall
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Glenn Perry,
Ph.D., MFT
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Glenn Perry, Ph.D., MFT
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Director of the Association for Psychological Astrology
Board Member of the International Society of Astrological Research
Glenn Perry lectures and conducts workshops throughout the world on the application of astrology to the fields of counseling and psychotherapy.
He has written six books, including "Essays In Psychological Astrology".
Dr. Perry is the founder and president of the Academy of AstroPsychology, a masters and doctoral degree program.
For more information:
www.astropsychology.org
Information on Glenn's books, tapes, and on-line mentorship program can be obtained at:
www.aaperry.com.
E-mail: glenn@aaperry.com
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