Hey all. 

I wanted to share some thoughts on astrology as it relates to Jung’s ideas. 

One note before I begin, though: I can respect that there may be people in this subreddit who are not in favor of astrology in any regard — as a means of divination, nor as a reflection of the psyche. However, I would gently remind them that astrology does fall under the umbrella of Jung’s work. From C.G. Jung on Astrology (a book that compiles all of Jung’s thoughts on astrology by Saffron Rossi and Keiron Le Grice) is a letter from Jung to B.V. Raman, one of many that confirms his interest in the practice:

“Since you want to know my opinion about astrology I can tell you that I’ve been interested in this particular activity of the human mind for more than 30 years. As I am a psychologist I’m chiefly interested in the particular light the horoscope sheds on certain complications in the character. In cases of difficult psychological diagnosis I usually get a horoscope in order to have a further point of view from an entirely different angle. I must say that I very often found that the astrological data elucidated certain points which I otherwise would have been unable to understand. From such experiences I formed the opinion that astrology is of particular interest to the psychologist, since it contains a sort of psychological experience which we call “projected” – this means that we find the psychological facts as it were in the constellations. This originally gave rise to the idea that these factors derive from the stars, whereas they are merely in a relation of synchronicity with them. I admit that this is a very curious fact which throws a peculiar light on the structure of the human mind.” (p. 26).

There are many more treasures just like that one in this book. However, the fact remains obvious that Jung incorporated astrology into his work, and granted it credence. So, all of that being said, the reason why I wrote this post:

As an avid student of astrology, I have come to appreciate the study as a means of mapping the psyche. The Hermetic principle, “As above, so below; as within, so without” holds true with the study of the heavens as it relates to the soul.

I’d quite specifically like to comment on the natal chart as containing portraits of both Jung’s Anima and Animus, represented by the Moon and Sun respectively. These luminaries — the lights — are known to represent the primary feminine and masculine forces of the psyche. When exploring one’s natal chart, one can examine the placement and aspects of both bodies to determine the way in which the Anima and Animus will present themselves in life. 

In an Animus/Sun-dominant man, one would expect the significant women in his life to embody the Moon on his natal chart, complete with the archetypes fused with the Moon — again, through placement and aspect. The inverse is true with the typical Anima/Moon-dominant woman in the significant men she may attract in her life. 

Examining one’s chart, then, can grant a roadmap for the specific themes one may need to work with in fully integrating the whole of their psyche. 

For example, one broad theme in my own chart is that my feminine planets (largely the Moon, but also Venus) are in strong, significant aspects to Saturn. This would mean that my personal Anima holds the traits of Saturn, and that all of the significant women I attract in my life — dominantly my own mother and serious romantic partners — tend to strongly embody Saturnian themes. 

This would suggest that I then tend to project my own Saturnian Anima onto them — and also that my road to wholeness and integrating the Anima also necessarily means integrating the themes of Saturn. (In case you were curious, Saturn as an archetype can be spoken about practically forever, but it represents such things as seriousness, ambition, work ethic, conservatism, restrictions, rules, limits, bounds, consequences, et cetera.)

My point of this post? Perhaps consider dabbling with astrology to get a personal and unique look into your own psyche and potentially the way your Anima and Animus present themselves. This can grant hints, clues, and even concrete steps for how to move towards integration of the whole and total psyche, and thus individuation. 

Thanks!