This week, we explore a system that connects personal evolution with astrological practice through an excerpt from my book Astrology as a Spiritual Path, slightly condensed. As we learn to recognize life’s inherent programming and challenge our inherited beliefs, we begin to unlock new levels of self-discovery and growth. We’ll also be unpacking Capricorn symbolism with insights by Kimberly Maxwell. Enjoy!

Stages in the Process of Evolution

Building of an “Ego”

When we are born, we enter into an already existing world, into a body with its own genetics and into a family with its own characteristics, personalities, economics, language, religion or no religion, etc. This family exists within a community, a group, culture and nation, and these groups have certain rituals that develop certain kinds of patterns of living, including a language. Language is an extremely important factor because the way one talks reflects the way one thinks. One’s consciousness as an individual is determined by the collective nature of the language one speaks.

Given these factors, we see we have not yet developed any sense of personal individualism. From an astrological perspective, we often see a set of potential characteristics in harmony with our birth circumstances, yet there are qualities which represent the roots of our future individuality. These are often not consistent with or supported by the conditions we are born into.

Essentially, we are being programmed by parents, family, education, religion, etc., and all our experiences shape our beliefs, values, thoughts, etc., which are primarily unconscious. There is, of course, an emergence of individual traits, abilities, proclivities and values, much of which astrology reveals. Our job in our early years is to develop a good sense of self with the ability to function successfully in the world, to support oneself and perhaps a family, and to learn the values that are necessary in order to become good citizens and members of our society.

For now, the term ego can be used to describe this state. Ego is used to denote the fact that we are building a psychological structure that is learning how to conform to the rules of the society in which we live so we can survive and succeed within it. This is an important phase of development as we are building a foundation for our future independence in the world. We are developing a ground in the world from which we can reach a sense of self-fulfillment and become a fully functioning member of our society or culture. This is the beginning of personhood in potential, but there is much more to discover about life if we are to grow and expand further.

Emerging into Selfhood

As we grow into adulthood, there are many opposing forces we are confronting. On one hand are the pressures of conditioning, both from one’s early childhood and from the adult world we are beginning to enter. We tend to repeat what we are taught or, more accurately, what is modeled for us, no matter how negative or dysfunctional it is.

Programming at this level is primarily unconscious. We may feel we are different from our parents and family, yet don’t see how we are repeating the same patterns and continue to believe the same things. The more a person seeks to break free and think for themselves, the more they will come across varying degrees of pressure to conform to that state of consciousness or set of viewpoints of that conditioning.

Astrology has been demeaned and trivialized by the mainstream, knowing full well that its critics do not study it at all. The tendency to dismiss ideas outside accepted ones is not unique to astrology. Sincere explorers in other fields are often ignored when they suggest we do not see reality as it is or that consciousness itself is a priori to the material universe.

However, a few brilliant physicists, neuroscientists and others have since emerged who are suggesting that space-time is doomed as an explanation for our reality, although the vast majority of physicists still ignore the entire topic. The same thing is happening in biology, where studies have shown that we can change our genetics by changing our considerations or viewpoints.

Only the reader can know for themselves if they feel a call towards truly questioning their beliefs and programming. Emergence into selfhood begins with the willingness to question one’s own programming and even fear of change, and then become passionate about discovering what might be possible if we open to new understandings and experiences.

Confronting Programming

There is an obvious question now we must ask. How can we begin to become aware of our programming and beliefs if they are unconscious? This is no easy task, but it begins simply by making an effort to observe one’s thoughts impartially.

Observing one’s thoughts impartially is done by paying attention without judgment to the thoughts that arise in the mind. There is no attempt to stop the mind from thinking or to evaluate the thoughts, only to notice the thoughts and how the mind works. In doing so, the mind reveals to the observer one’s internal conflicts and paradoxes that often cause them to feel overwhelmed simply because they are unaware of them. The only effort that has to be made is to observe the thoughts. Once one starts to notice the programming, one can begin to make conscious choices about whether or not to abide by it.

One of the things one discovers during impartial observation is how reactive the mind is. In fact, reactivity, which is uncontrolled emotion, is the primary clue that indicates one is operating from programming, which goes against our deeper knowing of how we should be in the world. It takes a tremendous effort to become truly impartial because we are so conditioned to judge our behavior and that of others.

The act of impartial observation is an important first step in making the unconscious conscious. It is the foundation upon which a person evolves and moves towards truly individuating. It is also quite liberating because it opens up within us more energetic bandwidth to live in a creative state. With sustained effort in applying this technique, we experience greater ease in being impartial and develop the ability to respond to whatever life presents to us with greater freedom, wisdom and spontaneity, and find we treat ourselves and others with greater respect and love.

Exploring New Ideas

Once we become aware of programming, we begin to see how limiting it is and that motivates us to expand beyond our boundaries and seek out new ideas. The very act of this form of seeking to expand in this way becomes a spiritual act and maybe a necessary one.

There are many ways to expand one’s knowledge and this process can be especially potent when it includes exploring areas with which we are completely unaware. We must also be open to learning about things we don’t like. Sometimes we must go out of our way to seek out information that disagrees with what we know, or more accurately, what we think we know and use only to support our present belief systems. Seeking information that only validates what we already know only crystalizes the ego structure of our mind.

This means that our approach to learning itself may need to change. The optimal attitude shifts towards always being a student with an open-minded skepticism. True skepticism is not suspicious or distrustful. It is simply having an attitude of openness to new thoughts and ideas that maybe are worth exploring, or maybe not, propelled by the aim of learning something new, something outside our present beliefs or knowing, without automatically buying into what is being expressed.

This approach urges us to value what we do not know, and if we find there is real interest in a subject, then we can consciously decide to explore those areas. Each time we do this kind of engaging with the unknown, we reinforce a new pattern that is able to resist the tendency to stay psychologically safe and hidden from any ideas or concerns that could threaten our comfortable reality. From here, we might even become open to investigating different models of reality.

Explore Self-Discovery with Astrology as a Spiritual Path

In case you haven’t yet purchased it, Astrology as a Spiritual Path offers a transformative approach to understanding astrology. This book invites readers to explore astrology as a profound journey of self-discovery and personal evolution, where the cosmos and the self intersect.

By exploring the meanings behind astrological symbols and planetary movements, the book reveals how astrology can serve as a powerful guide to uncovering unconscious patterns, embracing inner growth, and aligning with life’s natural cycles. Moving beyond predictions, it illuminates astrology as a tool for expanding consciousness and connecting with your authentic self.

Whether you’re a seasoned astrologer or new to the practice, Astrology as a Spiritual Path offers valuable insights. Discover how it can enrich your path to self-understanding, purpose, and transformation.

See the book website: astrologyasaspiritualpath.com.

Symbolism of Capricorn

By Kimberly Maxwell

In our continuing series exploring the symbols of the astrological signs, we now come to Capricorn, which is represented by the only mythological creature in the Zodiac, the Sea Goat. The most cited Sea Goat story is about the wilderness god Pan, who transforms from half man/half goat to half goat/half fish when he dives into water to escape a monster attack. The Sea Goat paradoxically evokes the independent earth-bound goat, leaping atop steep mountains, and the luminescent fish gliding through water, the element symbolizing the realm of consciousness and spirit. The Capricorn glyph is a highly stylized representation of the front half of the goat with its impressive horns and the tail of the fish that curls to form a circle, symbol of wholeness.

Archetypally related to the nature of Capricorn, the Sea Goat evokes the grounded and self-governing qualities of a goat, preferring high perches to better view its domain below, and the water-dwelling fish that suggests Capricorn’s deeply spiritual side. Capricorn is motivated to express its highest self in ways that are tangible and real. It is responsible, can organize large structures and systems of living, operates efficiently and practically, and works tirelessly to achieve its ambitions for society. Its serious demeanor is self-controlled and has firm boundaries. Rather than seeking personal gain, Capricorn focuses on what is best for the whole.

When Capricorn has not mastered this higher level of expression, it is vulnerable to personal ambitions and desire for power over others. The structures it creates can be overly standardized, imperialistic and dependent on outmoded traditions that operate with strict rulesets inhibiting free and independent self-expression. When a society becomes too mechanistic it loses its sense of humanity. The Transpersonal Astrology approach calls Capricorn to create structures that empower individuals to govern themselves with maturity and dignity, offering their unique contributions in service to the greater whole. Capricorn’s destiny is to realize a sense of personal integrity and responsibility that will infuse all forms of living with the animating power of spirit.

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