Longterm Counselling

Long Term Counselling

by Gary P. Caton

I tend to depart somewhat from the Humanist school in terms of development, only because I see other theories that more fully agree with the astrological framework. I tend to agree with models such as that put forth by Bruce Scofield, (xii) which tie human development to the planetary cycles –what I call "seasons of becoming." The psychologist that most closely relates to this type of progression was the Neo-Freudian Erik Erikson.(xiii)

At birth, the human personality is Lunar – reflective, dependant, and need-based. The infant is unaware of anything but its own needs and inability to satisfy them. In Astrology, the Moon symbolizes needs and as a satellite –dependency. We experience thirteen Lunar returns before any other planet makes its return. Thus the first year is symbolized by the Moon. The moon also symbolizes emotional security in Astrology. Similarly, Erikson saw the first year as critical to developing a sense of either basic Trust versus Mistrust. (xiv) Conjunctions or hard angles to the Moon from malefics (for our purposes here Mars, Saturn and all outer planets) can suggest developmental difficulty at this stage. However, it is going to take long-term sessions for the astrologer-client relationship to begin to explore this level of awareness.

At one year, a developmental barrage begins to take place. The personality becomes self-aware as an individual identity. Attempts at communication and locomotion begin. One’s need to relate to other individuals in greeting/farewell and play begins to form. Not surprisingly, this correlates to the return of the Sun, Mercury, and Venus to their natal positions after one year. The Sun symbolizes the autonomous Self in astrology. Mercury rules language and locomotion. Venus symbolizes the need to relate. Similarly Erikson saw the period between the first and second years as crucial to forming a sense of Autonomy versus Shame and Doubt. (xv) Conjunctions or hard angles to the Sun, Mercury, or Venus from malefics and/or retrogression (by the planet or a planet it is in angle to) can signify developmental difficulty at this stage. Of course, self-esteem issues are going to take long-term sessions to address as well.

At two years, Mars –the ancient god of war-returns. No wonder they call it the terrible two’s! At this point the personality is consumed with self-reliance, the right to say NO! -and energetic expression. In Astrology, Mars symbolizes energy, action, and assertiveness. Similarly, Erikson saw this stage as a time to develop a sense of Initiative versus Guilt. (xvi) Conjunctions or hard angles to Mars from malefics and/or retrogression can signify developmental difficulty at this stage.

Of course, there is a continuum on which these functions develop. Normal healthy initiative can become over-functioning aggression. However those who fail to develop initiative, ambition, and purpose are left with feelings of guilt and resignation. This is why it is extremely important to show patience as a parent and let a developmental phase play out somewhat as "just a phase" and not be too eager to suppress behaviors before it is time –that is until the next phase calls for new development. These phases do build upon one another. It is necessary to have a sense of trust in order to relate, and it is necessary to be able to relate in order to develop healthy initiative, and so on.(xvii)

Now the next planetary return does not occur until Jupiter completes a twelve year cycle. Does this mean that Astrology assumes no development takes place between two and twelve, or that development is "latent" -a la Freud? Hardly! In order to continue our examination of development, we must remember that each cycle can be divided quarterly. Thus Jupiter’s twelve year cycle can be seen to take place in four, three-year quarters, with the return (New) and opposition (Full) phases taking on special significance.

So the period between three and six years of age can be seen to correlate to the waxing toward full functioning of the Jupiter principle. In Astrology, Jupiter is the expansion principle. Whereas Mars represents only a call to action, Jupiter represents the achievement of that action’s goal. Larger than all other planetary bodies combined, radiating its own energy, and holding many moons, Jupiter symbolizes systems –language systems, school systems, and knowledge systems or theories. Thus these years can be seen to be the beginnings of socialization –fitting in to the social system. Interestingly enough, it is at five or six years that children enter the public school system and begin to develop objective self-awareness. Similarly, the early school days were seen by Erikson as necessary to experience feelings of success and competence. In contrast, if these experiences are limited either by authority figures or circumstance, the resulting failures can lead to feelings of inadequacy. Erikson called this Industry versus Inferiority. (xviii) Conjunctions or hard angles to Jupiter from malefics and/or retrogression can signify developmental difficulty at this stage.

Jupiter’s return at twelve years roughly coincides with the onset of puberty. This is a time of great expansion as the physical body develops secondary sexual characteristics and the hormones run wild. This necessitates an expanded world-view, including the opposite sex and a desire for intimacy. But the process unfolds in fits and starts because of the overlapping and overlaying of contrary developmental principles, and it is not until the second Jupiter return at 24 that we are truly able to develop lasting intimacy.

The next planetary body, Saturn, orbits to return in about 29 years. Saturn’s quarterly cycles occur roughly every seven years. Saturn is the symbolic opposite of Jupiter. Saturn is the contraction principle. Saturn makes concrete Jupiter’s expansions. Saturn’s rings remind that one victory does not make a war. Real success depends on repeated, sustained efforts. Saturn’s rings also symbolize limits and authority figures who impose limits on over-expanded, out-of –bounds energies. The period between seven and fourteen can be seen to correlate to the waxing toward full-functioning of the Saturn principle. It is at fourteen that children enter High-School and are assumed to be capable of the self-discipline required to become an active member (albeit supervised) of the community.

In the teen years, Erikson saw the struggle between Identity versus Role confusion. (xix) Young people seek to find out who they are by joining groups, trying different jobs, friends etc. If they have manoeuvred the previous stages successfully, chances are that they will eventually settle into a role they feel comfortable with. If not, the resulting role confusion can be incredibly disruptive during the opening square of Uranus at 21 with the restless and often reckless energies that are unleashed. Worse, it could threaten the eventual ability to develop genuine intimacy in early adulthood.

Erikson saw early adulthood as a process of Intimacy versus Isolation. (xx) A failure to develop intimacy can retard emotional growth and personal satisfaction. This is the basic struggle for all people as they move through the second Jupiter and first Saturn returns at 24 and 29. Thus we can define these cycles as Seasons of Becoming –becoming a fully functioning human being. Conjunctions or hard angles to Jupiter or Saturn from malefics and/or retrogression can signify developmental difficulty at this stage.

The third Jupiter return at 36 often finds the individual again growing. There may be new family members –children or grand-children-as well as new influence in the world of affairs. People, especially children, may respect and seek one’s opinion. Erikson saw this stage as one of Generativity versus Stagnation. (xxi) We develop a concern for the next generation and find our lives enriched by our influence and interactions with them. If we ignore or redirect these inner promptings we may stagnate and suffer boredom or depression. This is where the individual responsibility to search for meaning is most crucial. If we do not find it, the resulting "bad faith" and angst can be very disruptive at mid-life. Conjunctions or hard angles to Jupiter from malefics and/or retrogression can signify developmental difficulty at this stage.

This is followed shortly by the mid-point of Uranus’ 84 year cycle. At roughly 42 years Uranus is opposite its natal place or in its Full phase. Uranus in Astrology is associated with freedom, because it is beyond the confines of the ancient planets that could be seen with the naked eye –and thus represents freedom from the known. In individuals that have developed a sense of generativity, this may result in works of genius where something extraordinary is passed on. This liberating urge can be destructive in stagnating individuals living in "bad faith" who experience the mid-life crisis as a "second adolescence" when their children have left the home, or may perhaps result in a second career more in tune with their inner promptings.

The second Saturn return of 58-60 coincides with the fifth Jupiter return. We find our lives winding down and ready for the retirement years. We reap the rewards of any disciplined savings we may have accumulated, and have time for reflection. Our life course is pretty well determined, and if we are lucky we can be content. Erikson saw this stage as one of Integrity versus Despair. (xxii) If we have successfully completed most of the stages and can look back on our lives with satisfaction then we will have a sense of Integrity. If we missed the mark too widely and failed to make amends we may experience despair at not being able to find satisfaction with our life’s course. Conjunctions or hard angles to Jupiter or Saturn from malefics and/or retrogression can signify developmental difficulty at this stage.

After approximately seven Jupiter cycles, and three Saturn cycles, if we have continued physical vitality along with psychological integrity -we have lived to see our final cycle –the Uranus return at 84 years. Uranus represents true Enlightenment and Self-Actualization –the sense that the whole of one’s life is more than the sum of its parts –and that somehow it has all been well worth it. There is an obvious twinkle in the eye of anyone who has achieved this state and we would do well to seek their counsel.

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xii Bruce Scofield, "Planetary Circuits: An Astro-Biological Model of Human Development" The Mountain Astrologer Issue # 101 Feb/Mar 2002.
(xiii) See for instance Erikson, Erik (1963). Childhood and Society. (2nd ed.) New York: Norton -or Erikson, Erik (1968). Identity: Youth and Crisis. New York: Norton.
(xiv) Ibid.
(xv) Ibid.
(xvi) Ibid.
(xvii) Ibid.
(xviii) Ibid.
(xix) Ibid.
(xx) Ibid.
(xxi) Ibid.
(xxii) Ibid.