Astrology is a holistic science. The formula for holism is quite simple in its basic format: Earth (physical), Air (mental), Fire (spiritual) and Water (emotional) functioning as one whole and whereby the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. That is the basis of it. The whole has long been illustrated as a circle surrounding a square where the circle represents the ether. However, the more we probe into any one of the four ‘elements’, we not only come to a fuller understanding of the other, we also transcend in consciousness to at least appreciate, if not peer into and for some, enter into other dimensions. It may sound far out but as the ancient story goes, truth truly is stranger than fiction.

            Appreciating the holistic basis of Astrology is the key that unlocks the door to the art of interpretation. The study of Astrology not only opens the doors of perception to better appreciate the reality of the holism of nature, it actually reveals the intelligence, purpose, expression and intent of nature. This fact is readily available throughout nature. However, our current popular scientific bent of thinking with all its healthy skepticisms, at best, and fears and corruptions, at worst, leads us to require even further proof that life is intrinsically intelligent and functions on the basis of wholeness, otherwise interpreted as the holistic nature of reality. In other words, it is created and perpetuated and is founded upon evolutionary objectives from an internal, intelligent source.

            The reality that God is one was confounded by the simplistic, dogmatic and aggressively militant assertions that there is only one God. This rather impoverished perspective of reality has probably caused more pain and confusion that any other single factor in history. That it has served a definitive purpose is possible, yet it continues to be an underlying factor in the ecological predicament and evolutionary crisis of our times. Astrology has always operated from a holistic perspective, but due to the revolutionary, religious, conquest-based and consequently complicated and confusing reality of the history of Western civilization, this natural and organic perspective on reality has been greatly corrupted in the minds of the masses. Worse yet, controlling families have learned to make effective use of this mass imbalance and so, for the sake of perpetuating their grip on power and the influence of world affairs, make use of the confusion by adding to it. Perhaps this is the general state of affairs for humanity and if the tables were turned anyone of us might do the same. Blame is not the solution. However, coming to educate ourselves and understand this state of affairs and where it began and how it works and by cultivating our spiritual awareness and powers we may have something to do about it. Given the current state of affairs, we had better.

            While there are many ways one might go about demonstrating these facts, Astrology is perhaps one of the best means of observing this natural holistic and intelligent evolutionary process at work. Within just a few minutes with a qualified practitioner of Astrology, a person will quickly realize that it works on the basis of how well it can identify character traits, personal temperament and exact dates for themes and experiences from the past, which we can actually verify. Even a pop Astrology book can offer remarkably accurate insights into one’s character as can computer generated reports both of which are not slanted by interpretation. Of course, the depth of interpretation available by a seasoned practitioner is where most of the greater value of a personal Astrology reading can be obtained. When it comes to the future, the situation changes only in as much as the information given can allow us to make choices and so change what would otherwise constitute a probable outcome. This is a very important factor in both understanding the importance of how Astrology can best be utilized and in the degree to which free will is an operative factor. Much can be said about this fate verses free will theme. For now, I will remain focused on illustrating some of the ways Astrology can be understood to work, from a holistic perspective.

The basis of Astrology is the symbolic depiction of the following: the basic 4 or 5 elements, depending on which system you are using, the planets in our solar system, the Sun and Moon, the aspects or angles of relationship between the planets, the signs and houses which together illustrate the method of dividing a circle whether it is divided by 4 (seasonal) 8 (lunar phase) 12 (solar), 13 (lunar month), 20 (Mayan), 28 (lunar mansion) and so on and the fixed stars. The most common basis of all systems of Astrology is the planets and the luminaries – Sun and Moon. The other most important operative term mentioned above is symbols. Not only is every degree, point, planet, sign and so on illustrated by way of a symbol or a symbolic format, the entire chart itself as a whole is a symbol, a whole symbol and should therefore be considered as such. This is core feature of the philosophy of Astrology as expressed by Dane Rudhyar and is the basis if Humanistic Astrology. This is the branch of Astrology that was naturally attracted to when my studies first began and to which I employ in my professional work.

When I refer to Astrology, I am referring to virtually any and all systems that are based on sound logic and which have been tried and tested to offer reliable, consistent, accurate and therefore useful results. This is where the plot thickens. On one hand, there can be more than one system of Astrology. Further, each system can be based on what might appear to be radically divergent bases of logic. However, the closer one looks, the more one finds that what might at first appear to be radically different foundations actually share fundamental common denominators. To the extent that one approaches Astrology with a linear and/or belief based perspective, there may be great difficulty in appreciating how other systems work. Such dogmatic and narrow attitudes seem to be more prevalent than one might imagine. At this point, I simply want to say that having studied several systems of Astrology, each works from the standpoint of their respective foundations of logic. While these at first can appear radically opposed, they are not and in fact are very similar at their foundation.

            In other words and metaphorically speaking, life is more like English class than math. This does not mean that mathematics is not significant. It certainly is just as is geometry and all fields of science for that matter. However these more logical approaches or ways of interpreting reality should not be seen to have final authority, as staunch proponents of science traditionally asserts. Not surprisingly, modern advances in science, especially quantum physics and neuroscience both demonstrate that there is much more to reality than linear logic. Consequently, we can say that the matter has come full circle. This is actually where the revolution of our times is raging. The holistic model is challenging the mechanistic. That the holistic world view is a more accurate representation of the great achievements of cultures all over the world since pre-historic times is where the issue becomes political. The current power structures are not so much founded on this holistic world view as they are upon the mechanistic. Further, the so-called New Age movement might be better deemed the New Ancient because it more accurately upholds the cross cultural truths and understandings of the world’s cultures beyond that of the Western World and the influence of Europe since the age of exploration, conquest and the scientific and industrial revolutions began to assert global dominance just over 4 centuries ago.

            Astrology is an art and a science and this too can seem contradictory from the perspective of linear logic. Can it actually be said to be both at once. Yes! And the same can be said of other sciences, like sacred geometry for example. In this respect, Astrology might also be approached a language. Astrology has and continues to be interpreted as a language of the soul by many practitioners. Just like the various alphabets and types of spelling and grammar etcetera that different languages represent, each functions on the basis of its own logic. This can be seen to be quite confusing and it certainly is complex. This is where symbols that are commonly recognized can serve to both establish commonality, agreement and mutual understanding, not to mention serving as a point of departure into much deeper recesses of consciousness. So the geometrical shape of symbols can be seen to comprise something of a sacred language, especially in as much as they can actually be understood to measure cycles and other complex yet natural processes. (The wondrous phenomenon of crop circles is another example of the means of communicating profound truths by way of symbolic images functioning to communicate by way of language.) This is why the symbols of Astrology serve to provide the basis of cross cultural language, and it does. In turn, cycles are fundamental to the nature of reality just as are their counterparts, circles and spirals and are accepted and recognized cross culturally as presenting an easily shared and mutual understanding, unlike the confusion created by divergent languages with their various dialects, colloquialisms and so on. So, let us look at how language and geometry and other naturally occurring phenomena function together as whole processes.

            The wholeness of circles, a two dimensional depiction of spheres, is commonly accepted. A ‘natural’ circle is without beginning or end and therefore is symbolic of spirit, eternity and divinity. When we consider a circle or sphere in motion, like a planet in orbit around a Sun/star for example, we can begin to understand the nature of a spiral. The same might be said of protons and neutrons orbiting the nucleus of an atom in molecules which can be seen to be in motion. Spirals can basically be understood to move upward or downward and actually share a correspondence with the waxing and waning Moon. When we overlap two circles, what is called a Vesica Pisces is created and this is the basis of the science of the Flower of Life, and of Sacred Geometry. When we see a spiral in motion we can see a cone vortices or tornado like structure which itself is the basis of what is a Torus. A Torus illustrates rather complex processes which are the basis of spheres and which also demonstrate a natural recycling and regenerative process of nature. Our planet and all planets, as I understand it, exist by virtue of the reality of the processes of energy creating a donut like circulation.  The main point is circles, spirals, spheres and circulating energy is perhaps the most fundamental feature of the holistic nature of reality and these are found existing and operating throughout nature here on earth, in the microcosm of molecules and throughout the cosmos as illustrated in the formation and function of moons, planets, stars and whole galaxies.

            The wholeness of the holistic nature of reality recognizes that all apparent parts, though they may function as wholes unto themselves, are also intrinsically connected to all other things and ultimately comprise wholes within wholes. From whole molecules and their minute constituent parts, to whole cells to whole people, families, neighborhoods, communities, cities, districts, counties, countries, continents, planets, solar systems, galaxies, universes and even dimensions we can easily and quickly recognize the intrinsic wholeness or oneness of each and all. To the extent that this perspective is not clear, even evident, is where psychology and neuroscience (how the brain and perception function to co-create reality) provide ample evidence of the tendency of the brain to be programmed and or to function along the lines of selective perspective. In other words, the wholeness of reality and the holistic nature of reality as a grand continuum of conscious and organic wholes within wholes exist and that it exists is readily demonstrable. However, due to slanted perspectives subject to politics and social/cultural programming which effectively persuade perceptions, this obvious and evident reality may not be recognized. Remarkably, what might appear to be objective perception is invariably slanted by ones ego personality. While this fact is ever a significant factor, we can come to common understandings and agreements upon even some of the deeper implications of the nature of reality. The other important question is will we come to appreciate the intrinsic wholeness of reality of a holistic universe in time before our fragmented and distorted world view on reality that is founded on unsustainable thinking and action leads us to our own destruction? Astrology is one of the timeless systems of understanding which, beyond all relative types and levels of interpretation and means by which the information given will be effectively used by individual persons, is proof that nature functions as an intelligent and purposefully operative whole.