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• A map toward personality integration and transcendence
One of the great applications of a personality typography such as the Enneagram is allow one to see patterns of stuck or fixated behaviors and to ultimately facilitate a client's transcendence (and inclusion) of one's early conditioning. The astrological birth chart can be used in a similar vein. The birth chart can identify fear points, compulsions, and blocks that ultimately need to be translated in a new, healthier form if the full potentials of the personality are to manifest.
• An empirical-psychodynamic map of the unfolding self
One of the great advantages of astrology is that it claims to be able to record and illuminate archetypal patternings as they unfold in the unique personality over time. Remarkable work has been done in psychology to illuminate universal stages of individual development over time through the theories of Erik Erikson and Alfred Adler or more popular authors such as Gail Sheehy. However, as crisis, growth, and development occurs generically at certain time periods, it can also strike at any time during the developmental continuum; the lightning strikes of major death-rebirth cycles, for instance, can happen to everyone of us at unique times of our own unfolding. Astrology purports to clarify these times through the use of predictive techniques.
• A theory of libido canalization
In a similar fashion, astrology can be seen as being an accurate indicator of where libido is flowing in one's life. Although differing in many ways, the terms "libido" (Jung), "prana" (India), "chi" (China), and "vital energy" (homeopathy), all connote something we all intuit but is very difficult to capture and measure-the belief that a dynamic, psychical or psychic energy is influencing and permeating our being. Astrology suggests that it can map out current and future directions of where, how long, and to what intensity libido, or psychic force, is flowing and shifting in lives.
Questions and further concerns
Due to the mercurial nature of astrology, to grasp and contain its potential gold for others is a formidable task; it is quicksilver that isn't consistently harnessed for others benefit. The real question and apprehension about astrology concerns its real value in making sustained personality shifts for individuals, and, frankly, I don't believe that it can do this. However, I do believe that astrology can be a valid and applicable tool for a psychotherapist that can be used alongside other theories, methods, and strategies that can uncover-very rapidly-archetypal states of transformation, struggle, stasis, and illumination in client and therapist alike. This, in my opinion, beside providing the momentary "aha" experience over the fact that a divine intelligence is operative in the universe in our individual lives, is tremendously beneficial to the psychotherapist as he or she navigates the struggles and difficulties of the interpersonal dynamic in therapy.
(1)This is articulated well by transpersonal theorist Gerry Goddard when he states: "What is most remarkable and philosophically significant about astrology is that its symbolism is grounded in a time/space map and not simply projected upon the physical world." http://mars.ark.com/%7Egero/metarch.html
(2)Perry, Glen, ed. Anthology of the Journal of Astro-Psychology. 1997. San Francisco, CA: The Association for Astrological Psychology.
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