| The Stonetalker |
|
Empathic Astrology...
Even though not everyone is born into this life as an empath, we all feel our way through our Earthwalk. We sense atmospheres between people. We get hunches and premonitions regarding upcoming situations. We experience life as a lead role, participating in every moment of it. A great part of that participation is the way we relate to and act upon our feelings. Empathic Astrology draws on many disciplines of astrology, and then blends them into an experiential map as the spirit travels through this Earthwalk. It looks at the soul's journey as a whole; what we have brought into this incarnation, and how we are likely to feel about those talents and lessons. Empathic Astrology has little to do with signs and houses, and more to do with the archetypal characters of the planets and other Lights (the Moon and the Sun) as they inter-relate with each other while we Dance the Wheel of Life. Empathic Astrology is more a tool of understanding rather than a tool of prediction, for one of the tenets it embraces is that we are all co-creators of our own reality. What we bring into this Earthwalk is our gift from the Divine. What we do with it is our gift to the Divine. Having studied Cherokee Astrology for nearly a decade, the Earth influences of this Venus based technique play a large part in Empathic Astrology. We look to see where Venus, or the Morning Star (su na le i no kwsi) is placed as she dances the Wheel, and how she relates to the other planets. Grandmother Moon (nv da u sv hi) and Grandfather Sun (nv da i ga e hi) also feature strongly, both in natal interpretations and in the returns they make to various points on the chart. A long history of working with Western Astrology is also employed to see how the planets dance around the Wheel together. Is the dance harmonious or contrary? We look at the aspects and aspect patterns of Western Astrology to interpret the steps and the tempo of this dance. The outer planets are on the whole not interpreted, as they cannot be seen with the naked eye, and are assumed to have generational influences for the most part. There are exceptions to this rule, however, for it is understood and accepted that everything is in a constant state of change and evolution. A lesser known form of astrology is used to understand the archetypal meanings of the planets. We have already mentioned Grandmother Moon and Grandfather Sun; their very names will reveal indications about how their archetypes and their influences. The other planets also have archetypes which are examined in Empathic Astrology, so that we can better understand how we feel about our relationship with them. In Empathic Astrology there are also elements of Shamanism used. As the astrologer, it is my task to emphatically synthesize all of this into a meaningful experience. Sometimes this will include storytelling or meditation. Sometimes it will include interpreting what rocks or plants can assist us as we further embrace our Earthwalk and deepen our relationship with All That Is. The Grandfathers teach us that all things are in all things, each with their own sense of timing, and that there is no separation. Everthing is connected. An Empathic Astrology reading helps us to understand how we are connected. It helps us to feel that connection. It helps us all to joyfully dance the Dance of Life. When calculating a chart for interpretation, I use Astrolcalc software to cast the chart and give me a visual at which I can look, but I use no electronic interpretation devices. Empathic Astrology readings are not based on the 'cookbook' interpretations, but rather they synthesize the entire chart. Empathic Astrology uses the Sidereal Zodiac as opposed to the Tropical Zodiac. The difference? Tropical is based on the path the Sun appears to take across the sky during the year. The first point is always the position of the Sun at the Spring Equinox, which is calculated as the beginning of the sign of Aries. it is more a mathematical system rather than physical observations of the constellations in the sky. The Sidereal Zodiac is based on the actual positions of the stars and planets in the sky as we actually view them in the night sky. The difference can have dramatic effects on the placing of the planets and lights when casting a chart. Unlike Western Astrology, the chart is read from East to West, starting with the Spring, and the element of Fire, as we take incarnation. We travel around the Wheel in the same manner we travel around the seasons; Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter. The Ascendant is treated as our life's paradox, what we were envisioning when we took incarnation and how it challenges us throughout our Earthwalk. The Midheaven is treated as our potential, the probable area of greatest growth in this lifetime. The Nodes are treated as doorways into other lifetimes. There is a lot of focus on the Moon in Empathic Astrology, too. Grandmother Moon probably influences life on Earth more than the Sun, yet she would be nothing without Grandfather Sun's light to shine upon her face. Empathic Astrology looks at the changing faces of Grandmother Moon, and how they relate to our personality and the steps of our dance. And the planets are interpreted as archetypal figures who dance the Wheel with us; Grandfather, Grandmother, The Corn Mother, The Storyteller, The Warrior, The Medicine Person, and The Record Keeper. All of these figures have their own personality, and they all dance their own dances. How were they dancing with each other when we were born? How do their steps intertwine with ours? Empathic Astrology synthesizes both scenarios into a unique and enlightening iinterpretation of our challenges and talents as we join with All Things in the Dance of Life. For a great article about the differences between Tropical and Sidereal Zodiacs, follow this link: http://members.aol.com/discord23/astrol.htm Remember nothing is ever permanent when interpreting a birth chart. We were all born with free will and the gift of choice. The meanings of the symbols of our charts will change and evolve as we change and evolve; meaning one thing when we are in earlier phases of our lives, and something different when we are in later phases. This is why I call the interpretation of any astrology which I have studied -- Western, Earth, Shamanic, Karmic, Cherokee, or Empathic -- a dance. The steps and the pace change with the seasons of the year and the seasons of our lives. This is the fascinating beauty of interpreting a chart. As the planets and lights dance through the heavens, we mirror that dance in our Earthwalk, for all things are in all things... |
|||
|
The image below shows a birthchart cast using the Equal House system and The Tropical Zodiac. While Empathic Astrology will bring up a fairly typical looking chart, it is the method of interpreting the chart that makes Empathic Astrology unique. The image to the left is of athe same chart cast using the Placidus House system and the Sidereal Zodiac. See the differences? This method of casting a chart uses the planets and constellations as we see them in the sky, complete with their orbital wobbles and the variations in perception depending on location. |
||
|
|
|
||