Humanistic Astrology and the "Peak Experience"

by Gary P. Caton

Since the phrase, "Humanistic Astrology", was first coined by the Great Dane Rudyhar, Astrologers have increasingly embarked on a new odyssey, a quest to plumb psychological depths and practice the arts of counselling. Modern torchbearers such as Stephen Arroyo have spoken at length of the need to turn away from outer event-oriented "predictive" technique and instead focus on the inner life, to which a language of symbol naturally lends itself. Though the public persona of astrology still retains the tinge of the ever-popular sun sign columns, Astrologers as a group have gained and grown much from new perspectives.

In many ways, Astrology and Humanistic Theory are a perfect match. It is a marriage of opposites. Humanistic Theory is often criticized for being too abstract, with no concrete model that is precise and useful. Astrologers, on the other hand, are said to be able to rationalize anything by delving into complicated chart factors. It’s like Jack Sprat and his wife –together the platter is cleaned. Actually, though each has fundamentally opposite mechanics, the two share a common starting point –the individual.

Humanists, as the term implies, believe in people. People are seen as inherently creative. This creative force is called self-actualization. We become truly, and wholly ourselves. Abraham Maslow saw this process as occurring in a series of steps or stages. Fulfilling more complex needs and attaining higher consciousness at each level, the self- actualized individual reaches "peak experiences" where his/her understanding of self and relationship to the universe are wholly realized, infusing life with meaning and inspiration.

Astrology too, begins with the individual. The chart is an entirely unique map of the heavens at a specific point in space and time –the birth of a person.

This map is seen as a blueprint of how the individual manifests and relates to universal energies symbolized through a progression of signs, planets and houses, which build upon each other in steps and stages of cyclical growth. Unlike Humanistic Theory, which eschews specific standards or types for unencumbered purity of attitude and approach, Astrology is replete with standard "cookbook" typologies because it is a symbolic language, and inherently more complex. This "cookbook" approach is largely being abandoned by the modern Humanistic Astrologer, because it has no root in the individual. Such discourse on isolated elements of a language really only amounts to talk for the sake of talk. The Humanistic Astrologer has much loftier goals –the infusion of meaning into an individual person’s life, and the realization of the essence of this individual and his/her path toward self-actualization.

Where then do we find this Force, these "peak experiences" that will liberate us from our flat cookbook world and turn us into Jedi Knights, ready to merge with the Cosmos itself? It would be easy to pick one point in the chart and hold it up to be revered, extolling its virtues in an endless cacophony of meaningless drivel. The Midheaven: Your Gateway to Self-Actualization. Or even better, pick a much maligned member of the cast and pretend to know THE TRUTH that so many others have tripped right over. Saturn & Self- Actualization: A Goat’s Eye View. With enough hobnobbing, manufactured credentials, the right marketing approach, and a little talent (in turning a phrase), I guarantee these titles could be big sellers, regardless of content. And when the excited consumer (what a condescending term) gets it home and pores over its pages feverishly, they will find their enthusiasm start to dwindle. The book will last a couple days or so, only to wind up on the shelf, never fully read because it contains not answers, but confusion. It has nothing to do with them as a person. It is about a point on a chart that doesn’t even exist. Yet this same person will buy the second title, hoping in vain that it contains some gem of truth that they missed in the first. Why? -Because people want someone to believe in them. The Self-Actualization principle is Real, and they are hungry for it.

It might make sense at first to look for peak experience at the apex of the chart, or in the more mystical elements such as Neptune or the 8th house, and we may even find them there. But such a fractured approach could never hope to reveal the total pattern or structure of our existence. It is by nature isolating and does not lend itself to adaptation in other areas of life.

An equally useless, though more true, answer to our question is that the chart as a whole is the self-actualization principle. It is. The nativity is an exact blueprint of how the individual manifests and/or relates to The Universe. So just sit yourself down, meditate on your chart as your personal mandala… -Hey, it may work for somebody.

If we seek refuge from our confusion by returning to Humanistic Theory for reference, we will remember the aphorism "start where the person is". The human experience is our anchor. I can remember my own peak experience.

In my early twenties, disillusioned, out of money, and without desire to accumulate a mountain of debt, I left school to "see the world". I came to know, and love, the freedom of the open road. Travelling the West, with only my guitar and a blanket for possessions I came to trust my instincts, resourcefulness, and the Universe in a deep, profound way. I can remember the thrill of spending my last dollar, exhilarated by the chance to watch the universe unfold just for me. I was young and strong, I would find my way.

Along my way I met many people eager to help. They offered food, rides, work, but rarely advice. Many told me they admired me for doing something they had always dreamed of. Many spoke to me of deep personal experiences and seemed to believe that by dint of my experience, I would understand. I remember being humbled and honored by this, and it is these memories that eventually brought me to the counselling arts.

Eventually my travels brought me to a community and love at first sight. This, like the others, was a peak in and of itself. Looking into someone’s eyes that seem to speak to you and know you. She was eating ice cream and simply handed me the spoon, smiling. Unless you’ve been there it sounds absurd, but it is one of the most profound facets of being human I have experienced.

It was unrequited. She had another boyfriend, and although she didn’t really want to be with him, she couldn’t see running off with me either. I don’t blame her. She was right. She wanted a family. I was essentially a homeless vagabond, whose main source of income was street performing. That didn’t make it any easier. One day, desiring escape from the situation, I decided to climb one of the acclaimed 14,000 ft. mountains in the vicinity. I came to know the reason why they call it a "peak" experience. Up there it is tremendously quiet. Every sound is muffled by the thin air, yet profound in its singularity. The view was incredible, a magnificent panorama of endless peaks receding before me ablaze with fall color. It seemed as if I could see the curvature of the earth. As I looked down whence I came, I realized how small my personal problems were in the face of this totality of being that is planet Earth –small enough to face, small enough to accept.

Now that I am an Astrologer, I know that this period of time coincided with my second Jupiter return. Jupiter had completed two revolutions of the Sun and again returned to the spot he occupied at my birth. My particular experience did involve a Capricorn theme, as Jupiter is ruler of the Midheaven in my chart. Another part of my journey makes sense through the concept of exaltation. Each planet manifests itself most fully in one particular sign where it is said to be exalted. Sounds like a peak of experience. Jupiter is exalted in Cancer where her nurturing energies foster his expansion. Because of Cancer’s association with the Moon, this suggests an inner peak of experience. Indeed it is so. The inner sense of trust in the universe –even when it doesn’t turn out in your favor, is the most rewarding thing I took from this experience. It is also one of the foundations of Humanistic Theory.

The concept of exaltations makes sense in the case of Saturn returns as well. Saturn is exalted in Libra –the sign of partnerships, and indeed many people do chose to marry around this time in their life. Weddings are fun and definitely qualify for peak experience. Incidentally, though I was sidetracked by another failed relationship (she got the house –I got the dog) I did manage to fulfill Saturn’s quest on time. Saturn is the contraction principle. Saturn makes Jupiter’s expansions concrete. Only six years after standing on a mountain, penniless, with armloads of trust, I found THE ONE. We married and bought a house in 1999. The interest rates have been rising ever since. Whew! –made that one by the skin of my teeth.

Of course, there are a variety of paths winding through these two Gates to Adulthood. The "normal" expression of these energies is to pursue Jupiter’s expansive energies in the educational arena. Diploma in hand, one can then devote his/her nurturing energies to their career, and with luck Saturn will reward the individual with concrete establishment or advancement. Most writings don’t speak of Saturn in relation to rewards, yet one only has to look at the lives of the standouts in any field and it becomes evident. They paid Saturn’s toll in advance and the discipline and hard work paid off. Each planet (each Gate) has its price however, and if the "normal" individual neglects to integrate Jupiter’s expansive quest on an inner level, they may find themselves with "wild oats" to sow later in life. Saturn is not the only taskmaster, All deficits must be paid –and the Universe is a much more efficient collector than even the government! At any rate, the ages 22-24 and 28-30 usually become significant turning points in our lives.

As you can see, most people are in touch with and can talk about the arenas of experience denoted by the seven inner (visible) planets (the sun and moon becoming "planets" in geocentric or earth-centered Astrology). The concepts of planetary cycles and exaltations become a good way for us to look at peak experience with these "personal" planets. This is not what most people immediately think of as "peak experience", but it is a great place to start for the Humanistic Astrologer. The inner, personal planets are available in an immediate way to every individual, and they pave the way to the mystical peaks of the invisible, trans-personal planets.

Because the outer planets, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto do not complete a revolution of the Sun within any modern individual’s lifetime, they are said to be trans-personal or generational in influence. Due to the lack of cycle and clear rules for exaltation, our previous assumptions become muddled. Most individuals struggle with these outer influences, simply because they have not yet successfully integrated the seven inner lessons. Many times, as Humanistic Astrologers, the best we can do is to help the individual identify these deficits. Many times these will be indicated by the inner planet(s) being aspected by the outer planet(s) in transit and in the nativity. It doesn’t happen often, but if we can cleanse ourselves of these issues for a day or even a minute, we can become clear channels for a "peek experience" of the infinite Universe.

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