by C. Ravin, Esq.
Reprinted from Horns & Crescent, Lammas 2001
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I am looking into astrology, which seems indispensable
for a proper understanding of mythology. There are
strange and wondrous things in these lands of darkness.
Please don’t worry about my wanderings in these infinitudes.
I shall return laden with rich booty for our knowledge
of the human psyche. For a while, I must intoxicate myself
on magic perfumes in order to fathom the secrets that lie
hidden in the abysses of the unconscious. ~ Carl Jung, in a letter to Sigmund Freud |
As Pagans, we have contemplated a profound understanding of mythology and archetype, generally more than the average bear. Chances are we have seen our lives become intimately interwoven with one or more pantheons. Perhaps we've experimented with various trads, or have been dedicated, degreed, or otherwise devoted to a particular patron god or matron goddess. Through this deeper relationship with mythology and archetype, Pagans of all stripes are in a unique position to further this familiarity with Astrology. That is to say that the longer you continue to walk the Pagan Path, the more you will see that Astrology is a natural form of Pagan divination, and the easier it will be to comprehend and to learn. Hopefully the Astrology Bug bites you and you even undertake your study of Astrology further, even seeing yourself as a “student of Astrology” for years to come. Yes, Astrology was a Pagan form of divination in ancient times. Within our community today, it can and should remain a most helpful divining tool. Do I imply that it runs the risk of misinterpretation, even by those gentle pagani who know and plainly discuss with others the present condition of The Big Three – their Sun sign, Moon sign, and Rising sign? Or by others who have studied their natal chart even more closely than that, and may even regularly plan or avoid events based on certain celestial moments, such as New Moons or retrograde periods? Do I mean to say that Goddess-centered Astrology can be or has been encroached upon by other interpretations of astrology? 
Yes, I do. What we know today as “Modern Astrology” tends to pay tight-lipped service to the true Pagan divinatory roots of Astrology. I say “tend” because there are folks within the Pagan community and within the astrological community who are working on shifting the paradigm back to Goddess-centered Astrology. Yet any Pagan who correlates Astrology with witchy things that relate – gems, herbs, symbols, magic, the body, numerology, color, geometry, dreams, the elements, the lunar cycles, feminism, God and Goddess archetypes – will necessarily gain deeper and truer astrological insights than a Pagan who does not, or a non-Pagan. In other words, Astrology devoid of a deep, solemn, and long-held bow to the everlovin’ Goddess will remain flat and one-sided. “Modern” astrologers who do not nor will not acknowledge this principle are basically the ones who will continue to hear about it from this dweller on the heath. And if I have to snatch the soul of Astrology from the cold, dead hands of Modern Astrology, I will do so, write its requiem, and then dance on its grave. I ask only that my Pagan brothers and sisters be aware of this struggle, and to insist that Astrology remain Goddess-centered and reflect it’s Pagan roots as best it can. 
You see, until recent efforts, Modern Astrology had conspicuously coopted the Pagan roots of Astrology. How? Most “modern” astrology emanates from the West Coast, and basically stands for the premise that if you do enough hatha, wear a pyramid on your head, or engage in any number of introspective activities, and thus embark on a path of inner healing first, then confronting the meaning of the Planets in our lives will more harmoniously follow. Oh, it sounds all nice and marshmallowy, yet I am here to tell you that it is bunk. The Planets, in fact, will continue to move through the heavens, imparting us with enough karmic karate chops throughout our lifetimes, that we are wiser to realize this and to prepare and compensate for it by studying astrology (or at least by spending a few years understanding one’s own birth chart) first, rather than to think that a weekly crystal healing or rolfing or sandbox psychotherapy, while potentially therapeutic, will better prepare us to focus on ourselves and to decode the karmic imprint that we received at birth, the map of our soul’s journey in this lifetime, that wonderous blueprint called the natal chart.Yet there are signs that progress is being made. The June/July 2001 issue of The Mountain Astrologer reveals that certain Voltairean seeds are bearing fruit. When a darling of Modern Astrology such as Jeff Jawer writes in the lead article, |
See, it’s working! While this Modern Astrology voice still advocates an overall disconnect from astrology (thus freeing up more time and money for the next Chopra seminar), he has conceded that the archetypes are indeed the key. What are the archetypes? The Gods and Goddesses!!! Now if he could capitalize the “h” in “her”, and just for once say “The Goddess rocks!”, I would consider a permanent cease-fire. And don't think for a moment that in order to "facilitate access to the astrological archetypes", one needs to "disconnect from the natal chart." That is simply wimpy Modern Astrology's way of saying, "Sorry, we're still too chicken to accept the fact that Astrology is a Pagan form of divination. In order to reach the archetypes, one really needs to disconnect." Wrong again! The archetypes are in fact the essence of the natal chart and must be intricately interwoven or a natal chart is nothing more than a piece of paper with some funny symbols on it. The funny thing is, some who purport to be "modern" astrologers actually know this. They are simply too afraid to face it and say it. No matter, the Goddess is back. She is benevolent too.