Astrology in Psychotherapy: Language for Deeper Understanding

You may know astrology as an arbitrary grouping of dates with qualities assigned to each “type”. There are people who write “horoscopes” each month for these groups. You may have fun reading these horoscopes, yet read them with some disbelief.
 
What is astrology anyways?
 
Astrology is the study of planetary and celestial movements and their influence of humanity and the natural world.
 
For the purposes of this blog post, the concepts and ideas discussed are very basic. If you would like to read more about any particular topic or have additional questions, please feel free to write me an email.
 
What are the origins of astrology?
 
Astrology has two different origins, one in the west (western) and one in southeast Asia (Vedic). Astrology pre-dates modern literacy and therefore it is hard to know any exact dates of its origins. It has evolved over time and has provided different approaches/focuses to examining planets, their positions and what/how this influences people and the natural world.

Photo by Farzad Mohsenvand on Unsplash

What if I don’t “believe” in astrology?
 
Astrology is not a religion. When engaging with astrology, it is not so much that if you are (for example) an Aries sun and Pisces moon, you must live this way or you will always behave a certain way. Astrology provides a language and perspective on engaging with life that can be profoundly validating and healing. Humans are meant to change in their lifetime and astrology can be a means of supporting this evolution.
 
Okay… so how do you use it in therapy?

First and foremost, if you are not comfortable with us using it in our work – then I will not. Consent is an important aspect in all relationships and just because I find astrology useful, doesn’t mean that I will require it as a part of our work.
If you are interested, we will have a conversation about how you currently feel about it, if you engage with it – how much? It is a dialogue so that we can move forward together.
If we decide to bring it into our work, I will ask you to send me your birth chart between sessions so I have time to look at it before we meet next to identify some stand out aspects (how planets interact with each other) and how this may help us to identify patterns and solutions to challenges you might be facing in your life. In this time, I will simultaneously translate the language and teach it to you over time. I may also bring up how transits (how the planets are moving currently) could be affecting you and which therapeutic and spiritual tools may be helpful for you.
 
Ultimately, astrology can give language to, validate and understand your trauma, suffering and other life experiences.
 
If this sounds interesting to you and you would like to learn more about how we might work together, please book a 15 minute complimentary phone consultation. Please see below for additional resources. If you have more questions, send me an email or give me a call.
 
Resources
Podcasts
If you would like to get an in depth oral history of western astrology I highly recommend episode 280 of the Astrology Podcast.
To learn more about Vedic astrology, check out episode 196 of the Astrology Podcast.
For spiritual and self-healing with astrology I recommend ghost of a podcast by Jessica Lanyadoo.
 
Instagram Pages
@chaninicholas
@jessica_lanyadoo
@astro_mama_
@astrology.psychotherapy
@astrologyvoices
@wildwitchofthewest
@stephyyogaselkie
 
Website to Cast a Chart
www.astro.com