July/August 1999
Articles on the theme "Lifestyles"
A Look Back
by Dr. Audrey Craft Davis
Reflections on lifestyles when the
writer was a child and how they contrast with today's.
Design Your Own Lifestyle
by Edwina H. Holloway
How to customize your unique lifestyle
to fit your authentic self.
The Spirit of Caring
by Lisa Raphael
The spiritual component of lifestyle.
Comments on Managed Care vs. true caring.
Is Lifestyle Predictable?
by Magzcha Westerman
How numerologically to find the number
that represents your Life Lesson and how that number relates to lifestyle.
The Yogic Lifestyle
by Charlotte Rudeau and Piers Anthony
How yoga can help one achieve a better
lifestyle.
Exploring Your Style of Life
by Elizabeth Fenton and Renée Gillombardo
Developing a lifestyle. How one views
oneself and the world around one. Passion and the authentic self.
A Lifestyle of Love
by Rev. Pat Cross
Creating a lifestyle that is an expression
of the spirit of God within us.
Life's Stylus
by Bob Gonzalez
The connection between 'stylus,' style
and lifestyle. Our unique mark on life. Purpose and universal love.
The Victimization Lifestyle
by Cydné Battreall
What causes the victim mindset and
how to change it.
A Lifestyle of Grace
by Cheryl Smeed
Of going with the flow to achieve a
positive lifestyle.
Other Feature Articles
Natural Health Q & A
by Karen L. Mutter D.O.
Of cholesterol and various approaches
to lowering cholesterol levels.
2000 and Beyond!
by David Findlay/ Werner Huemer & Micah
Rubenstein
What is . . . Astrology?
by JoAnne Gregory
Some notes on the history of astrology
and some of the people who have used astrology. What the Sun signs, the
Moon and the planets tell us.
Mineral Kingdom
by Judy Power
Featured stones for July and August:
Zincite and Kyanite.
What is . . . Astrology?
JoAnne Gregory
Astrology has been with us since before recorded history. Many extraordinary people have contributedto its development. From Pythagoras and Isaac Newton to contemporary physicists such as David Bohm and Will Keepin. The accumulation of knowledge and ancient wisdom that makes up what we know about astrology has come from some of Planet Earth's greatest thinkers. The orderly and meaningful way that this knowledge comes together is the art of astrology!
The birth chart, also known as the horoscope, is a blueprint of the potential and characteristics that we bring with us into our new life; it is a picture of the heavens at the moment of our first breath. It clearly shows our strengths alongside our weaknesses with an objectivity that can easily be elusive without the aide of an impartial reflection.
As we grow and make progress throughout our lives, the horoscope takes on new meaning. Astrology is not stagnant and it is always building on the experiences of the individual. The symbolic language of astrology is not limited to a single layer of interpretation. Many levels of analysis color the birth chart and there are many ways that the horoscope can be of service.
Some astrologers specialize in financial astrology - usually stock brokers who want a really powerful edge in predicting market cycles. The 19th century financier J. P. Morgan used astrology for business timing purposes. He said, "Millionaires don't use astrology, billionaires do!"
Many psychologists use astrology to help them uncover sensitive issues that patients find difficult to access. Thomas Moore the author and therapist who wrote The Care of the Soul, calls astrology a sacred science. He strongly urges his colleagues to employ astrology as a tool for psychological analysis. Carl Jung, the famous Swiss psychiatrist, examined the birth chart of every new patient prior to his initial consultation. He wrote in a letter to Sigmund Freud, "My evenings are taken up very largely with astrology. I make horoscopic calculations in order to find a clue to the core of psychological truth."
Nostrodamus based his predictions on astrological calculations. In addition to predicting the atomic bomb and both World Wars 400 years ahead of time, he predicted that there would be 1000 years of peace at the millennium.
Most people are aware that Nancy Reagan used an astrologer to plan events after an assassination attempt was made on her husband's life. What most people don't know is that Ronald Reagan was the first president since Jefferson to be elected in a year ending in "0" that did not die in office. Nancy may be on to something!
So much of what is known about astrology by most people is based on the daily newspaper horoscope: the astrology of Sun signs. Your Sun sign is certainly a valid part of your personality and a daily horoscope prediction can be helpful, but your Sun sign is only the beginning of astrology.
Just as the Sun depicts your personality's basic energy, the other heavenly bodies play important roles as well. The Moon's powerful symbolism is not to be overlooked. The Moon is our nurturing mother, the divine feminine. The mystery and the mythology that have been associated with the Moon throughout time translates in the horoscope as our deepest psychological needs. When both the Sun and the Moon are interpreted together, your astrological profile gains dimension. If your Sun is in Virgo and your Moon is in Pisces, for example, the highly discriminating energy of a Virgo Sun may gain an unexpected sensitivity and insight from the compassionate Moon in Pisces.
The planets describe needs and characteristics that are less fundamental than the Sun and the Moon, but are still really important to complete the picture. Mercury's symbolism is concerned with communication and the thought process, the way we need to think in order to manage the expectations of the Sun and the Moon. Venus will suggest social needs and the sort of things that a person will desire from relationships. Mars is the way that people expend energy; Mars in Libra is peaceful, non-confrontational, while Mars in Aries will be energetic and aggressive. Jupiter, "the Great Benefic," symbolizes growth, benefit and reward, and once in a while, too much of a good thing. Saturn represents boundaries and discipline, it is sometimes called "the Great Malefic." Saturn is also a father symbol and a symbol of time. Uranus is the revolutionary of the zodiac. Uranus will show you what it is about you that is unique. Sudden events, eccentricities and humanitarian causes are all the realm of Uranian energy. Neptune can suggest either inspiration or delusion . . . a very tricky planet. Neptune's location in your horoscope will show you where your challenges are. Pluto's role is a lot like the Hindu god Shiva, the destroyer, who clears away what is no longer needed in order to make way for the new. Pluto brings perspective whether we want it or not.
Okay. So your beginning to think that there might be more to astrology than you thought. You're right! Given the time, date and place of your birth, astrology creates a unique portrait that can help you to understand your life's purpose, and point the way to your path of greatest growth and evolution. Beneath the surface there is a vast expanse of cosmic wisdom. It is ancient and contemporary; sacred and mundane. If used to its full potential, it can be awe inspiring.
JoAnne Gregory is founder of the Celestial Research Company,
dedicated to excellence in astrological research. She is a Minister of Spiritual
Science, a certified intuitive counselor and a reiki master. Astrological
reports are available by mail and consultations by phone or in person (813)
920-2631.
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