| Astrology |
|---|
 |
| Background |
| Traditions |
| Branches |
| Astrological signs |
| Symbols |
| New Age beliefs List of New Age topics |
|---|
 |
Psychological astrology, orastropsychology, is the result of the cross-fertilisation of the fields ofastrology withdepth psychology,humanistic psychology andtranspersonal psychology. There are several methods of analyzing the horoscope in the contemporary psychological astrology: thehoroscope can be analysed through thearchetypes within astrology (as is characteristic forJungian approach in astrology) or the analyses can be rooted in the psychologicalneed and motivational theories. No methodologically sound scientific studies exist that show a benefit or detriment in using psychological astrology. Psychological astrology, or astropsychology is apseudoscience.[citation needed]
In the twentieth century, the western esoteric tradition inspired the Swiss psychiatrist and founder ofanalytical psychology,Carl Jung to formulate hisarchetypal hypothesis, influenced by Plato'stheory of ideas or forms.[1] In his research into the symbolic meaning of his patient's dreams, conversations and paintings, Jung observed recurring mythical themes or archetypes. He proposed that these universal and timeless archetypes channel experiences and emotions, resulting in recognizable and typical patterns of behavior with certain probable outcomes.[2][better source needed] Jung observed a correlation between these archetypal images and the astrological themes or traditional 'gods' associated with theplanets and signs of the zodiac. He concluded that the symbolic heavenly figures described by the constellations were originally inspired by projections of images created by thecollective unconscious.[3][4] Jung wrote "Astrology represents the sum of all the psychological knowledge of antiquity".[5]
In collaboration with pioneertheoretical physicist (andNobel laureate)Wolfgang Pauli, Jung developed the theory ofsynchronicity.[6] This theory, which Jung compared to Aristotle'sformal causation, poses that "whatever is born or done at this particular moment of time, has the quality of this moment of time".[5] Correlations between the position of heavenly bodies at the time of birth and an individual's development were defined by Jung as beingacausal and not directly caused by the planets.[7]
Several astrologers as well as psychologists pursued Jung's theories in their writings, teachings and practice. One of the first astrologers to combine Jungian psychology with astrology wasDane Rudhyar and his protégé, Alexander Ruperti.[8] Rudhyar termed it "humanistic astrology," the subject of his monumental volume,The Astrology of Personality, published in 1936.[9] Psychological astrology, however became firmly established in the late 20th century with the books and lectures ofLiz Greene[4][10] andStephen Arroyo[11] who were both strongly influenced by the Jungian model.[12] In 1983, Liz Greene and Howard Sasportas, a psychosynthesis psychotherapist, founded the Centre for Psychological Astrology in London.[13][better source needed]
Meanwhile, in Switzerland,Bruno and Louise Huber also developed their own method of astrological psychology, referred to as the Huber Method which was influenced byRoberto Assagioli's work withpsychosynthesis. In 1962, the Hubers founded the Huber School of Astrology and their work is now taught at the Astrological Psychology Association.[14][better source needed]
Back in the 1970s, in the twelve-volume series,The Principles and Practice of Astrology (Llewellyn 1975),Noel Tyl has alliedMaslow's hierarchy of needs theory with astrological symbolism. This analytical blend is developed fully in his bookHolistic Astrology: The Analysis of Inner and Outer Environment (1980).[15] In the light of the psychological need theory, he interprets the horoscope "as a process of lifelong conditioning, where individuals are predisposed to present individualized needs to the environment. [...] This process identifies how we act, who we are, and how we fit into the world. Fulfilling destiny, in modern terms, is fulfilling needs."[16] Later authors have acknowledged the inability of horoscopes to determine personality but have argued that astrological symbolism is an ancient heuristic which has projectively represented basic human drives, needs and personality factors.[17]
Psychological astrology has been criticized forconfirmation bias and astrology is widely considered apseudoscience by the scientific community.[citation needed] Inpsychology andcognitive science, confirmation bias is a tendency to search for or interpret new information in a way that confirms one's preconceptions and avoids information and interpretations that contradict prior beliefs.[18]
A definitive scientific test study of the claims of astrology was published byShawn Carlson inNature. Twenty-eight professional astrologers agreed to participate, including several who were strongly influenced by the Jungian model. Carlson concluded that the astrologers were unable to match horoscopes with profiles compiled using theCalifornia Psychological Inventory (CPI) in blind tests any better than chance.[19]
