The solar eclipses of June 1^st and July 1^st 2011 are token of the rather rare phenomenon of 2 solar eclipses within a month time. This occurs on average every nine years.

The reason of this is the position of the lunar nodes being at about 11 degrees distance from the position of Sun and Moon at the moment of the eclipse. For this reason the eclipses will only be partial this time.

As, during a lunar eclipse we get cut off from our emotional feed, a solar eclipse gives us the feeling of being cut off from ourselves and being reactive more emotionally.

Bernadette Brady has studied the phenomena of eclipses and published her ideas in her book “Predictive Astrology: the eagle and the lark”. She makes differences between the potential effect of eclipses and categorizes them into Saros series.

The eclipse of June 1^st on the 12^th degree Gemini is categorized in Saros series 13 Old South and that of July 1^st (on 10^th degree of Cancer) in Saros series 13 New South.

The 12^th degree of Gemini is symbolized in the astrological mandala by Dane Rudhyar as “a negro girl fights for her independence in the city”. This symbolizes the need for liberation from injustice and also the need to get rid of all prejudices and inequalities between people.

The 10^th degree of Cancer is symbolized as “a large diamond in the first stages of the cutting process”. It symbolizes the need for important operations to grow to acquire social value.

As these two eclipses occur subsequently and within the same eclipse period (also the lunar eclipse of June 15^th on Gemini Sagittarius 25^th is part of it), the message of the 1^st eclipse need to be fulfilled thru the second one. It gives us a view on the need to liberate all suppressed individuals or groups in whatever situation. The current struggle for freedom in Islamic countries can be seen as a token of these.

Those people whose personal horoscope make aspects to the degrees of the eclipses will especially be the ones to deal with the challenges of the eclipses.

In general this are all people born on June 1^st or 2^nd, September 3^rd or 4^th, December 3^rd or 4^th and March 1^st or 2^nd for the eclipse of June 1^st and for the eclipse of July 1^st all those people born on July 1^st or 2^nd, October 2^nd or 3^rd, December 30^th or 31th and March 30^th and 31^st. But also other persons could be effected, especially those having MC or AC on the 10^th degree of a cardinal sign (Capricorn, Aries, Cancer, Libra) for the eclipse of July 1^st or having MC or AC on the 12^th degree of a moveable sign (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius or Pisces) for the eclipse of June 1^st.

On a global level probably the eclipse of July 1^st will be most recognizable, as it will be part of a square configuration in the cardinal signs (Sun and Moon in Cancer) with Saturn (in Libra) Pluto (in Capricorn) and Uranus (in Aries). For this reason it can be accompanied by earthquakes, plane accidents and nuclear accidents, but also with terrorist attacks.

The real reason for the eclipse is to transform and internalize the energies, where we around the lunar eclipse can get rid of our emotional behavior and make contact to the galactic center of Light, and Uranus can help to initialize changes from fixed thoughts and patterns, and Pluto can purify our thoughts in new systems for mankind and Saturn can help to stabilize them in an equalized way.

Introduction

The word “inventure” has been chosen by me to address the real meaning of a secondary direction: the inside adventure.

About 6 years ago, during a short holiday, I arrived incidentally in the “Achterhoek” a region in the Netherlands known for beautiful nature, houses and rest. By then I happened to visit Slangenburg Castle and the chapel of its related Benedictine Abbey. I was struck by the fine warm atmosphere in the chapel and immediately decided to return whenever I should feel the need for a journey inside.

 A New Moon according to secondary directions

A couple of months ago, when I discovered the fact of the upcoming New Moon according to secondary directions (further to indicate as NM pr. in this article), I immediately remembered the chapel and decided to plan a retreat at Slangenburg for this event. I made a short search for the website and a telephone call and the visit was arranged. The NM pr occurs about every 30 year in somebodies life. It is the moment when Sun and Moon in their secondary directions will meet at the same degree of the zodiac according to the principle “a day for a year”. Astrologists use secondary directions and transits to understand the influences of planets on life of individuals at a certain moment in time.

In his book dealing with Pluto Jeff Green explains the difference between these techniques as follows:

–          Transits lead to changing circumstances and afterwards they will influence the inner

–          Secondary directions the inner change happens first and afterwards the person will express this in the outside world.

During secondary directions the soul is prepared to future changes and they will be effectuated later in the real world e.g. as a result of a transit. The last time I had this NM pr. was 30 years ago, the year when our youngest child was born. We experienced this by then and still do as a big gift from heaven. The degree for the NM pr. gives directions for the following stage in life. A New Moon always indicates the beginning of a period and the NM pr. indicates a new beginning from a strong experienced feeling of the soul.

The 21^st degree of Taurus.

The 21^st degree of Taurus for this NM pr. is represented in several archetypical systems.

For this article I will use the systems of Janduz and the Sabian system according to Rudhyar and Jones. According to Mr. and Mrs. Koppejan in their book “Beeldengids van de dierenriem” the symbols of Janduz should be regarded at the etheric Moon plane (the external symbol) and the Sabian symbols as an influence on the inner astral level of chakra’s and energy centers (the internal symbol). There is a direct relation between these archetypical meanings and the psychology of Jung.

The archetypical symbol according to Janduz is: “An owl, sitting high in a tree, watches a snake, rolled around a branch. Underneath a wild bear comes out of the bush. He turns his head and shows his teeth”. This degree is indicated as a degree of alertness. The growth of consciousness shows a big potential when somebody can find inner peace. A nice challenge when somebody is in a period with heavy transits from Pluto opposed to Saturn and square Neptune.

The archetypical symbol according to the Sabian symbols is “A finger pointing to a line in an open book”. It is about the learning to discern what in one’s culture and religion is meaningful. It symbolizes the finger of God indicating the stage of growth in somebodies life and the way understanding for this can be developed to become seed for the knowledge of future generations.

Slangenburg castle

When I entered the castle at the beginning of the retreat I was received by a friendly host that explained me many things about the history of the castle and the modus operandi for the guests. Since the midst of last century the castle is used as a retreat. People from various destinations have been visiting it and still do. The common thing is there need to withdraw in themselves for a while in a quiet surroundings, the individual  reasons are various ranging from the remembrance of a moment of personal grief to the need for inspiration to be creative. There is plenty of opportunity to withdraw in the own chamber, library on a walk through the forest or in the chapel of the abbey. About 75% of all guests during my stay had visited the retreat more than once. There is a possibility to attend religious ceremonies but participation is fully optional. During my 3 day stay I attended a number of religious ceremonies, a managed meditation and made withdrew every day for some time in the chapel of the abbey. The warm serene atmosphere had caught me and the relaxation was experience thoroughly. An ideal place for meditation on the symbolism of the 21^st degree of Taurus. I also read a lot. I brought some neo theosophist material with me from Alice Baily explaining the relation between illness and the construction of our body and a book from Prof. Stoop a Dutch doctor about the theme “Darwin, love and God”. The last book discusses the official ideas of the Roman Catholic Church in relation to modern scientific insights about the story of creation from Genesis and the celibately rules.

 The experience

The NM pr. Was on the last day of my stay. I made a walk to the chapel and experienced a real flow. When I reached the chapel I  saw a number of burning candles almost forming a complete circle. By lighting 2 additional candles I could make visible the Omega symbol Ω. Rudhyar, the man who wrote about seed man, once indicated the “Omega state” as a ultimate state of consciousness. A beautiful symbolism to meditate on. Once having entered the chapel the feeling of flow remained and the ideas about the lines of expected contribution to society became clear to me. A contribution from the idea of collective interest looking for the places where seed will be received in fertile soil.

Introduction

It is not evident that each man or woman will go through a period with Neptune in Pisces. The most important reason for this is the length of the orbit of Neptune around the Sun. Every orbit will take Neptune approx. 165 years. Neptune is the 8^th planet in our solar system.

Neptune for first time  has been signalized by Galilei somewhere in 1612-1613, but the real discovery is dedicated to John Galle and Heinrich d’Arrest on September 23^rd 1846 when Neptune was signalized at 25:53 Aquarius. It took Neptune until February 7^th 2010 to reach position again. When Neptune was discovered in 1846 Saturn was on the same degree of Aquarius, remarkable because at the moment of “discovery” by Galilei, the other big planet in our solar system, Jupiter was on the same degree as Neptune.  This year Neptune will make the transit to Pisces on April 4^th. Neptune stays in Pisces until August 5^th, when it returns to Aquarius until  February 3^rd 2012 as a result of the retrograde motion. After that Neptune will stay in Pisces until March 30^th 2025.

Neptune energy

Neptune is known for the quality of making things unlimited. Visions and dreams for a perfect society are also related. Neptune represents the need for total perfectness but can also result in disillusion. In addition Neptune represents pictorial expressiveness, pictures, photography, movies, art, fashion and glamour, but Neptune also represents selfhood, self-esteem, self-deception and scandals.

Significance

The effect of a Neptune transit in Pisces is not a very simple issue. The one and only experience before, mankind being aware of the existence of Neptune and its influence, has taken place about 160 years ago. In addition it is not very simple to analyze the influence of a transit of Neptune through a star sign, because the effects do not result in the most eye catching events. Where a transit of Pluto results in thorough revolutions and a transit of Uranus gives innovative and sudden and unexpected incidents, a transit of Neptune has influences on ideals, pictorial expressions and the fading of restrictions and these are issues that can’t be expressed very clear. It also corresponds to one of the known influence of Neptune, namely dissolution and making things unrestrictive and invisible. Beside the mutual aspects between the mystery planets Uranus, Neptune and Pluto play an important role, while they are of predominant influence on the mutual exchange of energy. Where Uranus discovers and brings awareness, Neptune brings the divine dimension and Pluto takes care the whole will be purified thoroughly.

According to Rudhyar (in his book “The sun is also a star”) Neptune is the universal solvent. Solvent in the ancient alchemistic mystical meaning. The ancient alchemists searched for gold in more than one meaning. An important cover for them has been the search for a chemical formula to derive pure from base metals. In reality they tried to understand the source that connects all. Although not striking and in accordance with the qualities of Neptune this process takes place in an inner-world. Important is the fact that Neptune is in Pisces in the own sign, there where the expression and influence of its qualities can be most effective. These effects can be 2way, the dissolution of structures from the past and the creation of issues in an, as it might be, other reality. The perceiving through different eyes, a filtering by a diffuse number of factors. Furthermore we should encounter and differentiate between the effects on the image of time when Neptune is in its own sign Pisces and on the personal qualities of people born with Neptune in Pisces. In the coming years the influence of the transit of Neptune in Pisces in the years 2011-2025 will become clear. The effects of the presence of Neptune in Pisces in the natal horoscopes of people born in these years will become evident later. Especially from the moment these people had their first Saturn return (about the age of 29) and start to make projections of the inner-world, they have been developing in the first part of their lives, on the outer world of people around them, this will become evident. So in the period 2040 up to 2055 we will see the effects of this.

Neptune in Pisces (1847-1862)

The preceding time Neptune made a transit in Pisces took place, as mentioned before, in the years 1847 up to 1862. At the moment Neptune entered Pisces Uranus and Pluto where in Aries. On April 4^th this year, Uranus will be in Aries too, Pluto in the contrary is in Capricorn. With Neptune in Pisces the dreams for  political systems representing a perfect society will be strived and we will see reforms in health care, prison systems and arts. The pictorial capacities of these people will be phenomenal.

Examples of people born with Neptune in Pisces are:

• Karl Marx, founder of the communist ideology was born in 1848;
• Vincent van Gogh, the famous painter and founder of the neo-impressionism was born on March 30^th 1853.
• Sigmund Freud, psychologist and “inventor” of the idea mankind has something like an under-consciousness, was born on May 6^th 1856.

Examples of social initiatives or striking incidents during the Neptune in Pisces transit period are:

• The discovery by Florence Nightingale during the “Krim”war 1853-1856 that most soldiers were not killed on the battlefield but as a result of the lack of good healthcare when they were wounded. After her return in London she founded a nurse school in the St Thomas hospital, one of the first educations in this area and with the most influence. In 1859 she wrote “Notes on Nursing, What it is and what it is not”, the first modern handbook for nursing. Her opinion that health not only is the absence of illness, but also a situation where mankind can deploy all his or her talents, has been of big importance for the foundation of the World Health Organization (WHO). (Source: Wikipedia).
• The battle of Solferino in the Austrian French war with many casualties and cruelties gave rise to the founding of the Red Cross organization by Henri Dunant.

Neptune is also related to viruses, epidemics and bacteriology. The discoveries by Louis Pasteur of pasteurization as a means for the preservation of food in 1862 and by David Semmelweiss of bacteria’s being the reason for puerperal fever fit very well in this picture.

What can be expected from the coming transit of Neptune through Pisces

The years before Neptune will enter Pisces we experienced another particular fact, namely that in the years 2004-2011 Uranus and Neptune were in each others sun sign (Neptune in Aquarius and Uranus in Pisces). We indicate this as mutual reception. In such a period  the energies of planets are as effective as they were in their own sign. This also gives rise to big expectations for children born between 2004 (when the mutual reception started) and 2025 (when Neptune enters Aries). We can expect a generation with a fantastic pictorial intelligence and capability. So we can be prepared for breakthroughs in pictorial art, photography and movies.

In the coming years we also can expect initiatives for improvements or revolutions in societal systems where all individuals will have equal chances. As Pluto makes a transit in Capricorn all these years and Pluto has the objective of purification we can envisage thorough changes in systems, associated with power struggles.

We can also expect breakthroughs and new discoveries in health care with a revolutionary impact enabling a different, more patient focused, organization of care. There will be discussions about the organization of healthcare and prison systems related to the issue of societal justification. In institutions for healthcare there will be more attention for the care itself (attention for the patient, quality of care, quality of life). The current boundaries will dissolve and care will be given less in big scale organizations but more in specialized clinics as well as at home. The role for the patient will be more important and he will have more influence and decisive power.

Also prison systems will change as they need to. The environment where people serve their imprisonment will become more in line with the character of the offences they were imprisoned for. This to further the experience of imprisoned to their reason of punishment.

Finally the process of de-christianization will be stopped in this meaning that a religion will become more important for the individual and the notion that we all serve the same God will become more and more accepted. However in this process we can expect power struggles initiated by people trying to defend the privileges of the current situation.

by Jan C. Weber:

Introduction

For certain it is not simple to answer all questions raised with respect to the validity of astrology. The most simple to recognize is the relation between astronomical facts and astrology. However it is a little more complicated than can be derived from the simple statement that the cause of movement of planets is nothing else than gravitation. For sure there are powers we are not aware of. From dawn of existence of mankind we always had, and in most cases with big stubbornness, to adapt our beliefs and knowledge. With every new discovery we approached the truth more than before. This also became clear for most of the former dissentients. Up to now, every commonly accepted awareness of truth turned out to be temporary and so “the truth” varied from time to time. No doubt this tendency will carry on in the future. Only when mankind succeeds to oversee the whole of creation in one view and together in all dimensions and dynamic, the possibility of a never changing truth might exist. However this would only be possible when mankind is not part of the whole of existence, but could go beyond this, like we expect from a God. Only when we are prepared to change our views with the discovery of new facts, we will have the possibility to come closer to the divine truth and be able to understand the objectives of creation and possibly we will change our attitude of destruction in an attitude of love for creation.

Why do some people believe in astrology?

Most people believe in astrology for the reason it helps them to understand what happens in their lives. They use astrology to try to get answers for what cannot be explained simple. Astrology managed to give these answers during many centuries. By researching many mysterious occurrences astrologically, numerous of more or less incidental occasions could be explained with the movement of planets. Also the results and influence of these movements in society and individual lives could be explained. People consult an astrologer because they are interested to know what could happen in their lives and what sudden influences have to be dealt with in the future. Thus people can benefit from this knowledge and be able to more easy deal with sudden upcoming challenges in their lives. Horoscopes published in e.g. newspapers or weekly magazines never can be used individually. Here, only general tendencies are presented, more or less valid for people sharing the Sun in the same Sun sign. The influence for the life of an individual can only be derived from a personal horoscope and only when the time of birth is more or less exact known.

Dynamics in our solar system

Astrology is based on the energies related to the movement of planets in our solar system. Some of these planets have one or more Moons orbiting this planet. It is known that all orbits of planets around the Sun are more or less in the same plane. The intersection of this plane with the stellar systems around we call the ecliptic or zodiac. All orbits of planets have an elliptic form. The characteristic of an elliptic orbit is that the distance between orbit and the 2 focal points (in one of them the Sun) is everywhere different. According to physical law the orbit speed of planets is in every position of the orbit different and depends on the distance to the focal points (i.e. the Sun). These differences in speed are accompanied by differences in planetary pull and therefore in energy. This energy is of influence to all life exposed to it.

The distances of the orbits of the different planets in our solar system to the Sun differ widely, for this reason the time needed for every planet to make an orbit around the Sun is different. In addition, there is a big difference in the mass of planets (Jupiter, the biggest planet in our solar system approx. has the same mass as all other planets together). For Mercury it takes 88 days to complete an orbit around the Sun. Venus needs 225 days, Mars 687 days, Jupiter almost 12 years, Saturn 29,6 years, Uranus 84 years, Neptune 165 years and Pluto needs 247 year to accomplish an orbit. It may be evident that the energies caused by these movements will differ strongly and that the influence of all these energy on all life will differ substantially. In addition it can be stated that the chance, that all planets in our solar system, simultaneously will be in the same position as once before, is not existing. Especially for all planets in an orbit outside the earth orbit, it can be stated that, when a planet is in a  particular part of the orbit represented by a star sign of the ecliptic, it is the same part of this orbit as every time before. And it is also true that, in that part of the orbit, the distance to the Sun is the same as all other times the planet was in this position. Every time again the same energy pattern will occur.

What does history of science learn us?

Since its origin, mankind has been forced to change, and many times with reluctance, its ideas about the world and the solar system.  Sometimes even, people in power tried to efface evidence of new insights by threatening with deadly penitention. However, truth always came through and mankind approached the truth of existence every time a little bit more. All ideas about the truth turned to be besides truth every time again.  This tendency for sure will continue to the future. Only when mankind could manage to understand the divine complexity in all its dimensions and dynamics, truth could become transparent. And for that reason, mankind will always turn out to be too limited in knowledge, whatever they will be able to discover. The only situation, where mankind can be supposed to understand all, is when the all is inside the individual human. As mankind consist of many more than one human, this is a contradictio interminis. As long as mankind is prepared to adapt knowledge to new insights, we will more and more approach to understand the real meaning of creation.

From science we have a number of insights we could use to understand.

In the first place there is the general theory  of relativity developed by Albert Einstein. In this theory it is assumed that both mass and energy curves space/time. Einstein states there is no difference between a constant acceleration and a constant gravitation. With the help of this theory Einstein e.g. has been able to explain disturbances in the orbit of Mercury. Einstein was not always very certain about the validity of his theories. Many times he has thought his theories were not correct until again they could be proven as true.

In the second place there are the theories of Gödel. He was a brilliant mathematician and a.o. known from the incompleteness theorem.  This theorem told us the following:

1. If a system is consistent it can’t be complete
2. The consistency of axioms cannot be proven within a system

All systems are defined in a restricted way, to be able to study the relatedness of variables defined as the most important. All systems use external defined axioms to research its validity within the system. As a result of our scientific method we know all our systems are limited, so they will not be applicable to prove the validity of everything existing.

Next I would like to refer to the philosopher of science, Karl Popper. He is known from the scientific method of empiric falsification and states, the knowledge we have about a certain subject improves when we can prove this knowledge is false in certain circumstances. Based on insights we had on forehand, we are able to expand our knowledge and renew the theory behind. In the development of our society and especially in the knowledge society this insight of Popper is crucial.

In many cases our science builds on simplified models of reality, where less relevant factors have been left out. This approach can be easily adopted in many fields without problems. However researchers should always be aware of this potential pitfall. This awareness should keep us away from too dogmatic opinions and a doubtful approach of really new ideas. It should trigger us every time again to search in wonder to new insights. Another reason to adopt the falsification theory, lies in the dynamics of everything around us. Mankind always tries to explain everything existing in fixed structures, however history has proven nothing is fixed and mankind always had to adapt to important changes in whatever circumstance. Everything in the universe, from black holes and related milky ways up to the smallest gene can change. Einstein’s law of mass energy equivalence, learns us that all dynamic is of influence of the surroundings and will have influence of it.

Fritjof Capra has used these ideas in his books “the Unity of life” and “the Web of life” and has given us insight in the relation between the ideas of Einstein and the history of development of life on our planet.

Above scientific examples show us that knowledge is temporarily and will change according to the dynamics of life around. However the most relevant dynamic, the movement in our solar system and beyond, is not taken into account. Wouldn’t it be the right moment to be prepared to take into account the energies of geocosmic phenomena and the influence it might have on all life, including mankind. It is the astrology studying these relationships since many centuries. Before the advent of modern science, astrology was called the king of sciences. Why shouldn’t we use this knowledge in the advantage of mankind making them more aware of their ties to galactic influences.

How can astrology contribute?

Astrology can contribute to find answers on questions we have in our lives, but due to the complexity of energies we are influenced by, it will not be applicable for everything.  The difficulty lies in the complexity of the universe and the human search for simple explaining mechanisms.  Due to the dynamics in the universe, situations representing the same energetic situation will not occur. From the moment we are born we have our objectives in life, either form ourselves or influenced by our social surrounding. Only one thing we know for sure, one day we will pass away and leave the body we are incarnated in.  We look for certainness and stability in our lives and keep as far as possible away from death. However life goes about awareness, and awareness can only grow when we have to cope with circumstances we never met before. These help us to challenge us to a growing awareness. And a accumulation of all awareness’s lead to fulfilment. And it is astrology that can help us to understand events and why they came on our path and thus helping us to grow to fulfilment.

The astrological mandala

Introduction

One of the subjects where the French musician and philosopher Dane Rudhyar has contributed to astrology is the Astrological mandala.

In this article I give a short description about the structure of the astrological mandala and about the way it might be used by astrologers in daily practice.

Birth chart

At the moment we are born, we start the great journey to awakening of our soul. The birth chart shows us a picture of energies we have to cope with and to use for our personal growth. A birth chart (both for individuals and institutions) show the energies we have to take as a starting point.

During our lives we become ourselves exposed to energies of the cyclic processes, related to the movement of planets around the Sun and their mutual interactions in a never ending variety of effects. These energies are at an arbitrary moment the almost the same for everybody in a limited area. The difference in effect on individuals is related to the sequence, moment and contents it affects elements in an individual birth chart and the way psychological processes are influenced. In this way developments in the individual journey of awakening can be foreseen, as the sequence and timeframe of these energies are fixed. Astrological techniques can be used as an important help for explanation.

In this article I will explain the potential role of the astrological mandala in our journey of awakening. How the message of the astrological mandala is of influence of all elements within an institution is explained with the use of a birth chart of an institution.

The astrological mandala

The astrological mandala is a method where every degree of the zodiac is represented by an archetypical picture (Sabian symbol). The pictures for these symbols were received channelled by Elsie Wheeler in 1925 and systematically recorded by Marc Edmund Jones.

The word Sabian refers to a tribe in the Middle East (Turkey/Syria) forming the cradle for the filosophical tradition based on Hermes Trismegistus. Jones was founder of the Sabian Assembly (for further information see www.sabianassembly.org), a society striving to practice astrology based on the ideas of Pythagoras.

Dane Rudhyar, who was a friend of Jones, decided to investigate the meaning of the astrological mandala in relation with his holistic astrological approach and discovered that every symbol reveals an archetypical significance of a fundamental phase in human existence. These 360 archetypical symbols show mutual a cyclic character. Dane Rudhyar published his findings in the book “An Astrological Mandala” ISBN 0-394-71992-1.

The 360 degrees of the zodiac are grouped in 2 hemicycles of 180 degrees the  process of individualization (Aries 1 to Virgo 30) and the process of collectivization (Libra 1 to Pisces 30). The process of individualization should lead to the development of a well balanced self, the process of collectivization focuses on the development of the individual in relation to the environment.

Each hemicycle  consists of 2 acts (differentiation: Aries 1 to Gemini 30, stabilization: Cancer 1 to Virgo 30,  group integration: Libra 1 to Sagittarius 30, capitalization: Capricorn 1 to Pisces 30).

Each act has 6 scenes (in total 24 for the complete zodiac). Each scene is subdivided in 3  levels (Actional – Emotional cultural – Individual mental – Group performance). Each level has 5 phases.

Each degree of the zodiac is represented in an archetypical symbol, a keynote (a short first psychological interpretation of the symbol) and a further explanation in relation to the cyclic processes.

A symbol gives a representation of something rational and objective and shows the relation between a specific human need and the capability to fulfill this need. The symbolized archetypical picture leaves space for interpretation in different contexts.

The significance of the four angles in the horoscope

A horoscope shows on the one side the position of the astrological factors (Sun, Moon and planets) at a certain moment, on the other side it gives a description of the potency of the unique self. In a horoscope the angels (Ascendant, Descendant, Nadir and Mid Heaven) have a special significance. For instance the assignment an individual or organism received at creation can be clarified.

The degree of the ascendant (AC) shows the nature and the meaning, to WHAT it is leading. The degree of the descendant (DC) shows the WHERETO, to what is it leading. The degree of the nadir (IC) shows how the awareness of the own socio cultural environment best can be used and integrated in the process of realization (HOW) and the degree of the Mid Heaven (MC) indicates the ultimate meaning of this incarnation or creation and the ultimate culmination the individual or organism can achieve as a result of the whole cycle of proceedings (the WHY).

It seems a simple whole, however one can immediately object the zodiac has a limited number of degrees of 360 and lots of people and institutions start with the same assignment, indicating how the unique self can be fulfilled. However in reality it is much more complex and this is elaborated in the following paragraph.

The cyclic character of human experience.

The archetypical meaning of the degrees of the zodiac represented in the angles of the horoscope show the what, the Whereto, the how and the why of the assignment. angels show The number of combinations of angels seems limited, however when we consider the how we understand that the socio cultural context for every individual differs as well as for an institution. As a result the influence on the process of life will differ accordingly.

A further refinement is caused by the position of Sun, Moon and planets. Every one of these factors will contribute to the realisation of life’s assignment. The archetype for the degree of the Sun in the zodiac, e.g. indicate the source of power to feed the individual in its development, the degree of the Moon indicates the capability to adapt to the environment and circumstances, and the ability to transfer the solar energy.

The degree for Mercury indicate the means and way of communicating, the degree for Venus indicates the value of what should be achieved, the degree of Mars how the organism will mobilize its energies, the degree of Jupiter indicates the capability to develop and the degree of Saturn indicates the structure that should be maintained. This already appears more complex and making unique, however there are more mechanism explaining the cyclic process of the roadmap from birth (the WHAT) to fulfilment (the WHY). Examples of representations of such cyclic processes are the lunar return and the solar return.

In a lunar return the horoscope is made at the moment the Moon returns to its birth position. In a lunar return chart the emotional blueprint of the coming period of 29 days is depicted. The position of angles in a lunar return give information about the way an individual will adapt to its surroundings and will transfer solar energy in the coming period of 29 days.

In a solar return, the moment once a year when the Sun returns to its exact position in the birth chart, in far most cases only the Sun is in its position as in the birth chart. The position of the angles and planets in a solar return give information about the assignment for the coming year for the individual within the context of the assignment of the birth chart and especially how the source of life power can contribute to the awakening of the soul.

The indications from the birth chart can’t be realised in a straight way. Every time again the individual should adapt to the challenges created in the cyclic processes and represented by lunar return, solar return, transits and secondary progressions. This is true for every object or subject these processes have influence on, whether this is an organic individual or a company or another institution.

Introduction
When studying astrology I came upon the work of Dane Rudhyar several times, and every time again I was struck by his ideas. When I tried to get a deeper understanding of his work the following facts impressed me:

• The complex theoretical framework he uses to explain his ideas;

• The philosophical background of his ideas;

• The parallel with other developments and discoveries in science;

• The relative lack of people having adopted his ideas as a basis for their own work.

The first time I became aware of Rudhyar occurred when I studied astrology at he CHTA in the Netherlands, but by then I was not aware of the impact of his ideas.
Somewhat later I bought the astrological mandala a booklet about the 360 degrees of the zodiac, its symbolic phases and an explanation of the cyclic character of life.
Somewhat later I selected Dane Rudhyar to be the subject of a history essay, for his enormous impact on modern western astrology. I monthly meet some astrologers in a city nearby. We frequently have a discussion about the contribution of different approaches to astrology.
When studying astrology I came upon a number of books dealing with the humanistic approach on astrology a.o. from Alexander Ruperti and Raymond Merriman, and Joyce Hoen. All these astrologers follow the idea that a birth chart should be used as a cosmic path to destination, where individuals are subject to energies influencing them in their decisions and offering opportunities to learn during their life. It turned out all these books and authors were influenced by the idea’s of Dane Rudhyar and so I discovered his work. When I started preparing this essay, I was struck by the following remarkable coincidence. I use to consider these coincidences as a gift, showing me some guidance in what I am doing and leading me to relevant future decisions.
The coincidence I met, was related to the contents of one of Rudhyar’s books.
When I told a fellow astrologer about my plans for the history essay about Rhudyar, she told me she had one of Rudhyar’s books in her library and offered me to use it and when I had received it (it turned out to be “The Planetarisation of consciousness”) and tried to get a slight view on it by going through it at random, I was struck by the text on page 334;
“The word plenitude, well known in all European countries, has nearly the same meaning as “fullness”, but it is used almost exclusively with reference to an inner state of human or divine being and consciousness. The Greek term, pleroma, is related to it, and I have used this term, pleroma, to indicate a condition of existence in which the most complete plenitude of being and consciousness is experienced – a truly “divine” state, the omega state”.

I was struck by this text because I happened a couple of years earlier I gave the Management Consultancy company I established the name “Omega Management Consultants” and by then, I created my email address related to this company “omegahighlighter” unaware of the fact that I would once write a history essay, where I should explain the ideas of Rudhyar with respect to human life and the influence of the cosmic order, enabling mankind to reach the omega state.
As I use to consider this type of incidents as gifts with great value it became clear to me I had found an assignment for the future.
In this essay I will further summarize the mainstream of his idea’s and importance for modern western astrology.

Rudhyar’s work, idea’s and influence on modern astrology.

Personal background of Rudhyar
Dane Rudhyar was born in Paris on March 23, 1895 as Daniel Chenneviere.
Already when he was sixteen years old, he realized the cyclic behaviour of time and the influence on life and civilizations and all aspects of existence.
As he realised European civilisation was in the autumn of the cycle and therefore not expected to be able to adopt something of his new “seed” ideas, he looked for another environment, where the seed of new thoughts and visions might have a better possibility to get roots. For this reason he moved to the United States in 1916, where he adopted the name Rudhyar, after the Hindu God Rudra, known as the destroyer and the regenerator, and also as the transforming energy. In the first part of his life he mainly paid attention to artistic expressions, with an emphasis on composing music.
In his early years he was influenced by the idea’s of a.o. Blavatsky, Wadia, Jung and Smuts (holistic philosopher and founder of the systems approach).
During his further life he a.o. contributed to a number of astrological journals, where he was asked to publish and discuss his innovative ideas, and subsequently he wrote many books where he summarized his philosophy and idea’s about astrology.

Philosophy
Rudhyar’s philosophy is founded on some basic metaphysical ideas on which his picture of the universe and the galaxy are founded. (See a.o. his book “The Planetarization of consciousness”).
These ideas and theories are about a cyclic behaviour of time and wholeness, soul, mind and reincarnation.
He urges the need for a new society being aware of the availability of cosmic powers and able to use them, in stead of our current earth and universe polluting behaviour.
He also relates the changes in levels of consciousness during the centuries and the relation this had to astronomical insights of mankind as well as to the astrological concepts used.
With respect to this he explains the importance of modern scientists of Curie, Planck and Einstein, to arrive at a more dematerialised view of the whole universe and to look at it as a projection of human needs. A relation is made between the structure of atoms and galaxies as an example of the Hermetic Principle “As above, So below”.
He introduces new dimensions of reality, in a concept of hierarchy of levels of organisation. In this concept, defined entities (wholes) can be grouped together and form a bigger entity (a vaster whole). However this grouping requires a relationship between these entities. He defines this as a holistic approach and defines the word Interpenetration to explain the type of relationship between entities.
He also uses this concept to explain the relation between man and universe.
Mankind should feel himself a functional part of the universe and connected to the one and unique source of everything.
This implies the need for a ONE, a unique whole, with infinite potentiality necessary as a source for all activities to be performed by wholes, enabling each of them to fulfil their intrinsic potentials.

In his book “The Sun is also a star” Rudhyar defines a 5th dimensional cosmic order. In this order we see the 3 dimensions we recognise from our solar systems and also from all other galaxies and universes. In addition a 4th dimension is named Relatedness implying Form at both the physical and mental level, and also a 5th dimension named Space is postulated as the will to be at the root of all Forms of existence. At the level of Space there is nothing but Motion and this Motion is categorised in a cosmogenic (creative) process and a catacosmic process (of inhalation), drawing everything back to a near dimensionless point.
This cosmogenic process is represented by the white hole (where new universes are created) and the catacosmic process is represented by the black hole where universes and galaxies end up their existence. The creative drive is represented as the Yang, while the catacosmic pull is represented by the Yin.
Both the cosmogenic and catacosmic processes are repeated without limitation as can be seen in every birth and death on a biological level, but also with the creation of new ideas and old once becoming obsolete.
Our solar system is, together with all other stars, universes and galaxies, part and subject of this whole and as such everything existing is integrated in a harmonic interplay.
The idea of wholes existing of smaller wholes and at the same time with other wholes being part of a bigger whole, together representing an endless order of wholes being all connected is derived from this philosophy.
In his book “Astrology of personality” (preface to the 3rd edition page xiv) Rudhyar clarifies the role of mankind with respect to his understanding of personality in the following sentences:
After he explains his use of the word personality as the philosopher Jan Smuts (his idea’s about “holism and evolution”) and Carl Jung use it he states:
“Personality, in the largest sense, is the organic whole in which the psychological and psycho mental natures of man are progressively integrated. Therefore it represents the wholeness of the human being as a microcosm; man as a whole solar system operating on the background of, and in constant relationship to the zodiac or the galaxy”.

Rudhyar considers astrology as a symbolic language representing the potential to bring individuals in line with cosmic cycles.
In the same preface he states:
“Astrology … is an art of life interpretation and it provides us with a technique for the development and fulfilment of personality. Its aim is to transform chaotic human nature into a microcosm” and further on: “The goal of astrology is the alchemy of the personality. It is to transform chaos into cosmos, collective human nature into individual and creative personality”.
According to his views, the birth chart is representing the potentials of the individual created at a unique location and time. An individual human being is seen as a whole but also part of vaster entities, as e.g. the family, a nation, a generation and in this way subject to the ONE infinite source of potentiality. Rudhyar thus developed the idea that individuals born on earth are not only subject to influences from our Sun, the Moon and the nearby planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn) making their orbit, but also from outside of our solar system.
He explains that the trans-Saturnine planets (Uranus, Neptune and Pluto) are representing these cosmic influences and are contributing to our growing awareness of the universe and galaxies, apart from our i-sol-ated vision on a heliocentric life to a true unified galactic life, full of awareness of being part of vaster entities or in Rudhyar’s terminology “wholes”.

The influence of his ideas / changing paradigms in astrology / his vision on the functioning of trans Saturnine planets
When Rudhyar developed his idea’s the application of astrology was still based on the heliocentric principle of our solar system and the elements to be valid for astrological interpretation to take into account were limited to the Sun, Moon and planets visible from earth with the bare eye.
He seeded the ideas for a truly humanistic astrology based upon evolutionary cycles and the birth chart being a route chart for this evolutionary process and to guide us to realise the immanent and not very easily to be understood purpose, that can be derived of it. His book “The astrology of personality”, first published in 1936, is considered as his major contribution to the renewal of modern western astrology.
Where in classical astrology the individual was subject to good (benefics) and bad (malefics) forces acting out of his control and inevitable not possible to escape from, Rudhyar denies the existence of good and bad influences. He postulates all elements in a birth chart have to contribute to the realisation of the full potential of the individual life as presented in a birth chart. Sometimes these elements play a constructive role, building on what already has been achieved. At other times and especially when the achievements so far are not in line with the potentiality and purpose of a life, it can happen that things, persons, idea’s have to be removed in order to facilitate further growth to the given purpose.

In his book “The galactic dimension of astrology” Rudhyar called these planets the planets of organic functioning. Uranus, Neptune and Pluto have the role to dematerialise the fortified citadel (by Saturn) of the human ego and to act as agents for transformation.
Rudhyar also redefined the roles of the classical planets in astrology based on his vision of the cyclic behaviour of time.
He identified Mars, Jupiter and Saturn to regulate the relation of the organism with other organisms within the same whole and Sun, Mercury and Venus referring to internal functions of the organism,
Uranus, Neptune and Pluto refer to the influence from outside our solar system (the galaxy).
Each of these planets contribute to transformation and transcendence of the ego. The basic challenge offered by Uranus, Neptune and Pluto is of an opposite (away from Sun) kind of gravitation exerted by the galactic centre. This requires a change of loyalties from the Sun (ego) to the galaxy (unification of everything). For this experience it is not necessary to travel in space, it is sufficient to be aware of galactic energies and to allow them to have influence.
In astrological terms this means that the presence of Uranus, Neptune and Pluto in the natal chart refers to life processes and events to be regarded as either constructive challenges to transformation or through drastically upsetting the “limited behaviour” in all of us.
In the natal chart these transformational challenges can be analysed.

Uranus refuses to accept the limitations imposed by Saturn and its main function is to keep the path to the galactic centre open.
Neptune represents the detachment from matter, demanded from everyone longing for a spiritual condition of existence.
Pluto requires every living nature to put aside everything that is not part of the own essential nature. Pluto purifies, but mostly not in a gentle manner. Uranus, Neptune and Pluto actualise what was latent in our nature.
Uranus can be related to vision and clairvoyance. It reveals the essence of the whole situation.
Neptune brings true compassion and holiness, enlarges consciousness and enables to accept all there is simply for what it is.
Uranus is seen as the planet of individuality, Neptune, in the contrary, represents the collective factor and mass movements.
Venus and Mars stress everyday individuality and Jupiter and Saturn stress collectivity,
Rudhyar has the opinion the process of transformation can be explained by the cyclic interactions of Uranus and Neptune, the relation between inspired individuals and the community. Pluto tends to finalise what Uranus begun, especially in the period when it comes closer to the Sun than Neptune.
Uranus helps to enable new insights and in order to make the divine possible we need to break our strong bonds with the solar gravitation and open up our minds for the silence of the Divine.
Neptune plays a paradoxical role, on one hand the role of decomposition, on the other hand of unifying to new wholeness. The first is inevitable for the second and allowing for transmutation in processes of higher order. Neptune refers to great dreams, dreams necessary for mankind to realise freer and more glorious tomorrows. Reality only changes after individuals have envisioned this previously.
Being freed by Uranus, man will be the agent of his Neptunian dream, he inevitably has to realise it. Pluto contributes to by purification. According to Rudhyar this is the way to plenitude and the omega-state.

In his work “An astrological Mandala”, he uses the Sabian symbols, produced by Marc Edmund Jones and Elsie Wheeler and relates it in a structured way to the process of awaking of individuals. This awaking is triggered by a life in consciousness trying to understand the meaning of everything happening in the route to fulfilment.
The position of individual elements in the birth chart in relation to these Sabian symbols tells us something about the challenges we will have to face on our route to “pleroma” and to reach the omega-state.
For Rudhyar self actualisation is the ultimate goal of any individual. He envisaged astrology to be possible helpful in this process in clarifying talents, purposes, strong points and difficulties and how potentially to deal with them.
With respect to this the astrologer plays a crucial role. He is supposed to be the facilitator, the enabler of all these immanent potentialities to be derived from the birth chart.
This also puts requirements on the manner an astrologer has to ply this role, avoiding to be predictive and emphasizing on the explanation of things happening and their value on the individuals path.

Conclusion
For me the idea’s of Rudhyar are very important, especially for the reason that his astrology is based on a metaphysical thinking about the purpose of our existence in relation to the whole of galaxies and universes. It gives sense to my life and helps me to understand the impact of things happening. They are guiding me the way to realisation of the potentiality in my birth chart. Sometimes we call these events serendipity. With respect to this I have discovered some additional remarkable issues.
Rudhyar explains the astrological mandala in relation to the birth chart can be seen as a representation of the purpose of life and the steps we have to go.
He also postulates that the Sabian symbolic representation of the degrees where we have factors in our birth chart, represent elements of the path we have to follow. The ascendant informs about the “what”, the descendant about the “whereto”, de IC about the “how” and the MC about the “why” of the purpose of a birth chart. The other factors should act serving according to the innate value’s to the answering of these questions.
With respect to this I was struck by a striking synergy factor between Rudhyar’s birth chart and mine.
My Moon is conjunct his AC, my Sun is conjunct his cusp 3, my Uranus is conjunct his Pluto, my Mercury is conjunct his North node, my Venus is conjunct his Venus.
The Sabian symbol of the 14th degree of Sagittarius, where Rudhyar’s AC and my Moon are positioned is symbolised by “Sfinx and pyramids stand remains of a glorious past”. This symbol is referring to “seed” people from previous cycles of existence, preserving archetypical knowledge at the dawn of new developments in the evolution (see [4]: Rudhyar “The astrology of personality page 296).
The Sabian symbol of the 17th degree Pisces is “Easter, rich and poor alike, display the best they own” symbolizing “high moments” in life when man challenges himself and renews his faith in circumstances. Self improvement. (see [4] Rudhyar: The astrology of personality page 303).
Rudhyar hoped that his idea’s might contribute to a better understanding of existence and with respect to mankind to a new insight with people in the world prepared to life according to cosmic principles, avoiding the waste of fossil energies like oil and coal with the pollutive effects and prepare to change society into a much less technocratic one, in a society attuned to the inexhaustible cosmic sources. He was afraid his idea’s would get lost, but fortunately already other important astrologers (as e.g. Ruperti, Merriman, Hoen, Fallon) have picked up his idea’s and gave additional content to them. As Ruperti says “Rudhyar has enriched my life and understanding, I hope others will also will receive the same inspiration”. (see [3] article about Rudhyar from Ruperti on website CHTA).
After studying the ideas of Rudhyar for a couple of years, I already can confirm the words of Ruperti and wherever I will have the opportunity, I will try to bring Rudhyar’s idea’s to the attention of people around me, and I will also apply his idea’s about the value of a birth chart and the role of the astrologer in practice. In fact I already do. This is not in the first place because of this synastry between his birth chart and mine, but because I am convinced many of Rudhyar’s idea’s will turn out to be of great value and I promised myself to get a deeper understanding of his work and as a consequence to communicate this wherever I will have the opportunity.

Bibliography
Hoen, Joyce (2004): Transits als spiritueel groeiproces
(in English: transists as a process of spiritual growth)
Merriman Raymond (1991): Evolutionary astrology, the journey of the soul through states of
consciousness
Rudhyar, Dane (1991) : The astrology of personality (first published in 1936)
Rudhyar, Dane (1970) : The Planetarization of consciousness
Rudhyar, Dane (1973) : An astrological mandala, the cycle of transformation
and its 360 symbolic phases
Rudhyar, Dane (1975) : The Galactic dimension of astrology, the sun is also a star
Ruperti, Alexander (1978) : Cosmic cycles of becoming
Whitfield,Peter (2001) : Astrology a history
Website Centre for Humanistic and Transpersonal Astrology (CHTA)