|
Astrology
and Free Will
by
Kathryn L. Silverton
When discussing astrology, many often ask, “Where does free will
enter into the picture, especially if our lives are already written
in the stars?”
Astrologers are fond of saying – “The planets impel, but they
do not compel.” What does this mean?
 It
is thought that we each choose our time of birth, be it a natural childbirth
or induced. We also choose our parents and the circumstances under which
we are born, in order to set up a route for us to travel. The astrological
chart describes who we are and where we ultimately need to head in this
lifetime in order to progress. It tells us the lessons we're here to
learn, but how we choose to learn them is strictly up to us. The planets
impel us with certain potential strengths and weaknesses. But it is
up to us to decide how we're going to implement those strengths
or utilize those assets to the best of our ability, just as it's
up to us to decide how we're going to handle adversity. Do we kick
our heels and throw a temper tantrum, or do we recognize that there
is something to be learned from challenges and accept the lesson accordingly?
A very common analogy is weather forecasting. If it predicts rain and
you opt not to take an umbrella with you, that is your free will to
decide how to deal with the circumstances at hand. “Forewarned
is forearmed.”
From an astrologer's perspective you could say that astrology gives
us a lot to go on. Not only does our chart tell us why we're here,
but it also gives us warning signs so we know when to bring out the
cosmic umbrella for our protection. I personally view astrology as a
tool that explains the rules of the game of life. Everything in life,
after all, has rules or parameters that we must follow. For example,
living here on earth, we must accept certain laws, such as the law of
gravity. It is part of the rule of the game of life, part of the cosmic
cards that we are dealt. But does the fact that gravity exists determine
our future? No, it is simply one parameter of life that must be considered
as we go down the path.
Many of you are familiar with the cycle of Mercury retrograde, and are
aware that it tends not to be one of the best times to sign contracts
or make major decisions. Many moons ago I had a client who was desperate
to conduct a real estate transaction. She asked me for a good time to
move forward, and naturally I advised her to avoid the retrograde period.
I told her if she did try to finalize the contract during the time,
there was a greater chance of it falling through. Well she was not the
most patient sort and was new to astrology, so she ignored my advice
and entered into the contract anyway. As fate would have it, the contract
did fall through and she ended up losing money. Could she have avoided
this? Sure, if she had taken into account the cosmic weather forecast,
but she didn't and paid the price.
We see another classic example in the Clinton-Bush presidential campaign.
Some of you may recall the debate where both candidates were addressing
the impact of the recession on their lives. Clinton, in his classic
Libra-rising fashion, went into the audience and charmed them with his
sense of compassion, letting them know that he, indeed, did “feel
their pain.” Bush, on the other hand, showed very little understanding.
After all, he hadn't even been to the grocery store in years and
wasn't even familiar with how bar codes work. Political pundits
said this particular debate was a turning point in the campaign, because
it demonstrated who was truly reaching the people.
It just so happened that on this particular day a grand trine was being
created in Bush's chart. For those of you unfamiliar with this term,
it means that planets are aligned to create a triangle. Astrologically
speaking this is considered to be one of the most favorable configurations
one can have. It is the proverbial silver spoon influence. But, as my
dear brother was fond of saying, it only represents potential, and you
can't pay your rent on potential. Bush had a golden opportunity
handed to him on a sliver platter. He was the incumbent, so the election
was his to lose. But he didn't make the most of the assets on hand,
and we now know how history played out. Had he been able to demonstrate
his compassion as well as Clinton, perhaps the election may have gone
differently. But that was the choice that Bush made and Clinton seized
the moment.
So, the next time you encounter a glitch in life and feel tempted to
blame it on the stars, remember what Shakespeare said: “The fault,
dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings.”
– From Julius Caesar (I, ii, 140-141)
Astrologer
Kathryn L. Silverton may be contacted at 770.931.2577 or kls@planetaryperceptions.com.
|
Life
Spectrum
Synchronicity
Bookstore |
Astrology