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Astrologer's Notes:
AstroDPsychology:A Synthesis |
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Five Criteria For
Interpreting Planets In Signs
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by Glenn Perry, Ph.D., MFT |
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In last month's column, we explored planet-sign interactions in terms of five grammatical rules: (1) As psychological functions, planets are described by sign complements -- nouns and adjectives -- that say something about the function; (2) As archetypal characters, planets are qualified by sign adjectives; (3) As psychological processes (verbs), planetary actions are modified by their sign positions, which function as adverbs or adverbial clauses, i.e., the sign answers the question, how, why, or in what manner does the planet perform its action? (4) As states of mind, planetary affects tend to manifest in the domain of the sign occupied; and (5) Signs function as complements by signifying the concrete, external circumstances through which planetary actions are expressed, i.e., signs answer the question what does the planet do?
The Five Entailments
Our five rules for interpreting planetary sign positions have certain entailments, which can be summarized thusly: (1) the psychological function of the planet should always be clarified; (2) the motivation behind the behavior should be explicated; (3) Planetary actions should be differentiated from their sign-styles; (4) planetary affect states should be related to the domain of their sign position; and (5) the empirical consequences of a planet’s actions should be related to a theme of its sign position. Let's examine each of these in turn.
Criterion #1: The psychological function of the planet needs to be clarified. Too many interpretations make the mistake of attributing qualities to the person without clarifying that the statement actually relates to a part of the person. When interpreting Moon in Gemini, for example, it is neither useful or accurate to state, “You are witty, talkative, and curious about people,” for such a description fails to account for the psychological function involved, e.g., the Moon symbolizes listening, caring, and understanding. If someone listens, cares, and understands by talking a blue streak, it obviously presents a conflict and places the behavior in a context that provides more information than merely listing Gemini traits.
The astrologer increases the risk of being wrong by making a statement about the person rather than the planet, for if the subject of the reading is dominated by other parts of her personality, e.g., she has the Ascendant, Sun, Mercury, and Venus in Taurus, which is radically different from Gemini (non-talkative, sensate focused, placid, dull, and reserved), then she is not likely to concur with the astrologers' statement, "You are witty, talkative, and curious about people." Accordingly, it would be more helpful for the astrologer to say,
You have your Moon in Gemini; the Moon signifies how we listen and respond to people in an attempt to convey caring. With the Moon in Gemini, you may do this by asking the other why they feel, think, or act the way they do -- or, by providing them with facts and data that you think are pertinent to their concerns. While this style of response is more intellectual than sympathetic, it is nevertheless your way of expressing caring even if other people do not always appreciate the effort.
This type of interpretation establishes that specific kinds of behavior are not necessarily characteristic of the whole person, but rather are motivated by specific needs related to a singular part of the personality. It also draws attention to the relative effectiveness of the behavioral style in satisfying its motivating need, e.g., a Moon Gemini response may be counterproductive in satisfying the Cancer-Moon need for sympathetic rapport; hence, pointing out the compatibility of function and style has the advantage of exposing potential tensions and conflicts in the personality.
Criterion #2: The motivation behind the behavior should be explicated. There is a common assumption among astrologers, which is then perpetrated by non-astrologers, that the cause of behavior resides in the planets. It is common to read, for example, that Saturn causes depression, or Mars makes people angry.
Any interpretation of a planet that does not make explicit that the causes of behavior originate in psychological drives -- i.e., human beings are intrinsically motivated and that every sign symbolizes a motive -- is perpetrating a myth that damages astrology’s credibility as a personality theory. It does so by implying that behavior is a product of impersonal, planetary forces that impinge upon the psyche and cause the person to react. Such deterministic interpretations are implicitly disempowering, for they suggest that one is merely a puppet of externally originating forces.
Conversely, by relating behavior to the psychological need that is symbolized by the sign the planet rules -- e.g., the Sun rules Leo/need for self-esteem -- the practitioner places resultant behavior in a context that is both meaningful and empowering. Rather than saying, "Your Sun is in Virgo and this makes you service-oriented and analytical, it would be more accurate to say, "The Sun is motivated by a need for validation and self-esteem (Leo). With your Sun in Virgo, you strive to satisfy these needs by being service-oriented and analytical."
The individual might already have known that he was analytical and service-oriented, but he might not have known why. By placing his behavior in a motivational context, rather than one that implies control by cosmic forces, he can gain useful insight into previously unconscious aspects of his personality. He discovers that these traits are not something over which he has no control, but are motivated from within by basic psychological needs that are endemic to being human. He may satisfy these needs in more or less effective ways, but they are part of him, not something imposed from without.
Criterion #3: The core action should be differentiated from the way the action is expressed. Perhaps the most obvious feature of a good interpretation is its behavioral dimension. Planets symbolize actions, ways of being that are modified by their sign positions. While signs provide a plethora of adverbs and adjectives to qualify the behavior of planets, the sign is always an adjunct to the action itself. Someone with Sun in Virgo, for example, may behave in a manner that is superficially similar to Moon in Virgo, yet the underlying action is critically different. The Sun expresses in an analytical, precise manner; the Moon cares in an analytical, precise manner. Any listing of Virgo traits must be supplemented by a proper understanding of the fundamental action symbolized by the planet.
Unless the core action of the planet is explicated, it's like describing one-half of a behavioral equation. The outer behavior is dissociated from its underlying context, which is the function the behavior serves. For example, any planet in Leo adds a certain playfulness and dramatic style to the personality. However, Mercury in Leo speaks in a dramatic style, Mars in Leo asserts in a dramatic way, and Venus in Leo relates in a dramatic fashion. The differing functions of communication (Mercury), assertion (Mars), and relatedness (Venus) each provide a separate context for understanding the various purposes that Leonian traits serve.
Criterion #4: A planetary affect state should be related to the domain of its sign position. While planets symbolize psychological functions that manifest as particular types of actions, they also express themselves affectively, i.e., through distinct feelings and mental states. These states tend to occur most noticeably in the domain of the planet's sign position. Jupiter in Libra, for example, is most likely to feel optimistic, philosophical, and expansive in the area of aesthetics and human relationships.
Planetary functions also have a tropism toward a specific goal state, e.g., Jupiter's target/goal is always to experience faith, hope, and a sense that life is meaningful regardless of the sign it occupies. Jupiter's sign position merely provides a vehicle through which that state is realized. Scorpio, for instance, provides an experiential domain of sex, death, and transformation for Jupiter to realize its target state. One might have faith in sacred sexuality as a path of transformation, or experience hope that death is but a portal to another dimension of life.
One way of determining a planet’s relative integration is by monitoring how it feels to the individual. If someone with Sun in Scorpio derives a sense of pride from his ability to transform corrupt conditions, this constitutes evidence that his Sun is well integrated. If, however, this same person feels shame and disempowerment in relation to impure conditions, this suggests that his Sun is not well functioning. The goal, again, is for the planet to attain its target state by expressing itself effectively within the domain of the sign it occupies.
In effect, states can reflect the degree of integration of their corresponding planetary function, especially if a particular state is more-or-less chronic. For example, if a Sun Capricorn individual consistently derives a sense of pride from his ability to organize his life and achieve career goals, we can presume that his Sun is well integrated. Conversely, if our Sun Capricorn person feels a chronic sense of shame due to his disorganized and unproductive life, we can assume that his Sun is not well integrated.
States can also provide information about a planets current level of satisfaction. For example, if our Sun Capricorn individual is only momentarily disorganized and thus temporarily embarrassed, this reflects not the planet's degree of integration, but its current level of satisfaction relative to the Sun's target state of pride and self-esteem. The current level of dissatisfaction serves as a catalyst for a corrective action that ideally returns the planet to its goal state, e.g., a Capricorn Sun person gets organized in order to restore a sense of pride.
Criterion #5: The empirical consequences of a planet’s actions should be related to a theme of its sign position. Every sign rules over its own area of experience, which constitutes the primary theme of that sign. These are the actual concrete experiences through which the need of the sign seeks satisfaction. Planetary actions take place within the domain of signs; that is, the intention of the planet is fulfilled through specific activities that are ruled by the sign it occupies. Signs, therefore, not only show how and why the planet is doing its thing; they show what that thing is. The interests, conditions, and outcomes of the sign complement the planet’s actions.
Consider, for example, Mars conjunct the Sun. One might interpret this to mean that the individual identifies (solar action) with being a warrior (Mars archetype) and thus tends to be assertive, adventurous, and combative. So far so good, but what does this individual assert? In what specific area of life is she adventurous? What is she combative about?
Since the sign-domain receives the thrust of the planet's action, it extends the meaning of the planet's expression, e.g., Mars in Gemini might assert for new books within the school system, regard learning as an adventure, and fight for the right to get a good education. Someone with Mars in Sagittarius may assert their religious convictions, seek adventure while traveling, and fight for justice.
Summary
By deconstructing meaning statements in the above manner, we can develop a systematic understanding of astrological grammar. Not only does this enable practitioners to understand the rules of astro-syntax, it also establishes criteria for good interpretations. Of these, we have noted five. The psychological function of the planet should always be clarified in order to establish that specific traits derive from particular parts of the personality, and that these traits may be more or less effective in satisfying their motivating need. The intrinsic motivation for a behavior should also be stated in order to establish that behavioral causes reside within the person and not in some mysterious, externally originating cosmic force. Not only does this stimulate self-insight, it also empowers the individual to assume control over previously unconscious impulses.
Planetary actions should be distinguished from their sign-styles in order to establish that specific traits are in the service of particular functions. This helps to elucidate the complexity of personality while also supporting processes of differentiation and integration. Planetary affects should be related to the domain of their sign position, which provides a vehicle for realizing that planet's target state. The extent to which a function achieves its target state provides a measure of that planet's relative integration and/or its current level of satisfaction. And finally, the empirical consequences of a planet’s actions should be related to a theme of its sign position. This establishes that planetary actions not only can be delineated in terms of why and how, but also of what.
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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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