Astrological Types and the Psychological Development of Human Character
By Roberto Assagioli
The Beacon, December 1931
Editorial Note:
In this article Roberto Assagioli explores the relationship between astrology and psychology, outlining a series of astro-psychological types corresponding to planetary principles and zodiacal signs. Each type expresses particular psychological tendencies, virtues, and challenges that shape human character and development. The subtitle, abstract, and cross-sections have been added by the editor for clarity and navigational purposes. The original wording of the text has been preserved.
Abstract
In this early essay, Roberto Assagioli presents an astro-psychological interpretation of human character based on planetary principles and zodiacal types. Each astrological influence is understood as representing specific psychological tendencies and evolutionary tasks within the individual. Assagioli describes the psychological characteristics, strengths, weaknesses, and spiritual development paths associated with different zodiacal types including Leo, Cancer, Aries, Scorpio, Taurus, Libra, Sagittarius, Gemini, Virgo, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. While acknowledging the complexity of human personality and the interplay of multiple influences within the horoscope, he emphasizes that the study of astro-psychology can deepen self-knowledge, improve psychological understanding, and contribute to more effective education, psychotherapy, and social cooperation.
Astrology and Psychological Typology
In the best works on Astrology we find a detailed description of human types according to the predominating planetary influence ruling them, and to the Zodiacal signs with which they are connected. It is very interesting to compare these astrological descriptions with the psychological delineations and classifications which we have examined in our previous articles.[1]
The Sun–Leo Type
The physical Sun has been called in the Secret Doctrine; “the lowest manifestation of the highest principle of our system”. It is the body of the Logos Who has created and rules the system. We can consider it under two aspects. In the higher it represents in us the Higher Self, the Centre of our microcosm, the inner Sun round which all personal and individual elements gravitate. In its lower aspect it is the reflection of the universal life, the vitality which makes physical life possible. They are called respectively, in oriental terminology, Atma and Prana.
The Sun represents the creative power, the positive and masculine aspect of Deity: God the Father, and in humanity the personal father. The zodiacal sign ruled by the Sun is Leo.
Leo is a fiery and a fixed (tamasic) sign. Its physical correspondent is the heart. Leo individuals manifest these fundamental characteristics of the sign in various psychological qualities and peculiarities. The more advanced types have a definite royal quality in them, which gives them a nobility of mien and behavior. They have an inner and outward dignity, a power and courage which makes them born rulers. They are generous, loving but maintain always certain restraint and distance. They are firm, constant and faithful, optimistic and trusting.
In the lower and undeveloped types we find the perversion or caricature of these qualities. They are proud, despotic and overpowering to suit their own ends. They are apt to be impulsive and quick-tempered but generally their anger is of short duration and they do not nourish resentment. They are often self-indulgent, extravagant and sensual, but even in their excesses they are not coarse nor perverted.
Leo individuals lack plasticity, and are not quick to grasp mentally and are generally poor psychologists; therefore they are easily mistaken in their judgments of others and are liable to be deceived.
A definite Leo type is easy to recognize and to deal with, while it is often difficult for Leo types to live with or to cooperate with each other. Their over-positiveness, fiery temper and lack of pliability are apt to create friction and clashes. The same is true to a certain extent of their relationship with other positive and fiery types such as the Aries, and the Sagittarius.
The Moon–Cancer Type
The moon represents astrologically the feminine principle, both in its cosmic and in its human aspects. It represents matter, the mother aspect and fruitfulness; the matrix which receives, protects and nourishes the divine germ. Its spiritual quality and dharma is self-sacrifice.
The good qualities of the lunar type are plasticity, adaptability, understanding, sympathy, purity and intuition, refinement and poetical sense. Mythologically the higher aspect of the moon is represented by Diana, the sister of Apollo. The lower characteristics are negativeness, weakness, passivity, the lower forms of psychism, uncontrolled imagination, mutability, waywardness, curiosity, and a romantic sentimentality.
Cancer is a watery but a cardinal or Rajasic Sign. This adds to the purely lunar qualities an element of force which manifests as ambition, persistence through cyclic changes, and idealism.
Cancer types, owing to the dual qualities of the sign, often show baffling contradictions. They are attached to their home and family, and to the past and thus conservatives, but on the other hand—they like novelty and change, journeys and excitement. They are rather indifferent and indolent on one side, but impatient and irritable on the other. They appear to yield easily, but deep down they remain independent and make unexpected acts of rebellion. Fundamentally they are centred in themselves, introspective and therefore introverts, but superficially they are open to influences and therefore passive extraverts.
The Aries Type
We have said that the Solar principle represents the spirit, the creative power, the Life which pervades the universe. In the process of manifestation this power enters further and further into matter and differentiates in an infinite multiplicity. The purpose of evolution required this division of the One into the many, this differentiation of planes, kingdoms, hierarchies, beings of all kinds.
In order that these separate beings may exist and evolve, they must be animated by the thirst to five and to grow, by the instinct of self- preservation. In man, this instinct develops into a conscious will to power, in a strong urge to assert and accentuate his own separate self against everything and everybody. It is a necessary stage of the great evolutionary process, which must precede that of conscious group formation and loving union.
This principle of separation, individualization, of self-assertion and combativity is represented astrologically by Mars. We must add that besides the urge to self-assertion or as an expansion of it, Mars represents also the creative instinct, the urge to produce other beings, similar to oneself in which to expand and perpetuate one´s life. It corresponds therefore fundamentally to the two basic instincts we find in nature, the instinct of self-preservation and that of reproduction. In man, it manifests also in more various and differentiated ways owing to the richness and complication of human nature.
These various human manifestations of the Mars principle can be grouped into two types which correspond to the characteristics attributed by Astrologers to the Zodiacal signs of Aries and Scorpio.
Aries which is the first sign of the Zodiac, represents the first stage of every manifestation, the beginning of each cycle, microcosmic or macrocosmic. It corresponds to the new life impulse which pervades nature at each spring, as well as to childhood and youth which are the spring of human life.
Thus we find in the Aries type the specific tendency to initiate new activities and new enterprises, to stimulate, to stir up, to promote and to command. Aries types are the pioneers, the founders of towns and kingdoms, the inventors.
Astrologically, Aries belongs to the fire element and to the Rajasic Guna. In the physical body it corresponds to the head and to the cerebrospinal nervous system with its motor and sensory nerves. One may be surprised at first that the sensory nerves have any connection with this type but in reality the Aries individual is not only active but also reactive. He re-acts intensely to the external stimuli because he feels them strongly therefore, he is much influenced by external conditions, he is not free and independent from them. Thus the Aries type is typically extroverted, both actively and passively. One of its peculiarities is that it lives only in the present. In the Aries individual the knowledge element is scarcely developed; he never ponders over problems, he does not reflect, he merely goes ahead.
Oscar Schmitz, a German writer, friend and co-worker of Keyserling, who has written an interesting book on “The Spirit of Astrology”, acutely remarks that the Aries individual “has no understanding or love for what is different from himself, but one can direct him without his knowledge; he goes in the direction pointed out to him which he takes for his own. This is due to the fact that at the bottom he does not care about the direction, as the mediaeval knight who passed without much hesitation from one camp to its opponent because all he cared for was really to fight.”[2]
From what precedes it is easy to enumerate the lower and the higher characteristics of the Aries type. The primitive individual is impulsive, rough, violent, imprudent and indiscreet. He has no understanding and little sympathy for others and therefore is apt to be cruel, not deliberately, but from the lack of realization of the other person’s suffering. The man who demonstrates the higher qualities of this type is strong, courageous, sincere and optimistic. He is a pioneer, an idealist full of enthusiasm, generous and self-sacrificing for the cause which he has at heart.
Nations as well as individuals have a definite psychological character. Thus we find many of the qualities of the Aries type in the ancient Romans and in the English, the nations which have created the greatest empires.
The dharma of the Aries type is synthetically that of the transformation and the sublimation of his creative and combative energies. His line of spiritual progress is that of purifying and refining the motives, the fields and the weapons of his fight. He has to put his creative and combative energies to the service of ideal, impersonal and beneficent causes.
For the rather undeveloped Aries type, the safest path is to follow the beaten track, to be restrained and directed by established rules and an external code of honor. For instance, an army career is quite suited to them. Others who are more developed and original can serve the race through their inventions, progressive initiative and their pioneer work in all fields of human endeavor. The correcting influences for this type are chiefly the development of self-control and self-restraint; the development of the knowledge aspect, the appreciation and cultivation of the inner life and of the love element.
The Scorpio Type
While Aries represents the initial phase of the action of the Mars principle, Scorpio represents its development and its final result. The creative energy descends into the depths of matter and there the decisive struggle takes place. If matter prevails and enslaves the power, the result is extreme separateness and egoism; if the power of the spirit conquers, it redeems matter and we have the purified and re-generated individuality. In the first case the symbol of the sign is well adapted: we have the scorpion, an earthly insect which stings and poisons; in the second case the convenient symbol is that used by some of the ancient astrologers for this sign: an eagle which rises in its powerful flight towards the throne of Jove and stops at its steps.
Another very significant symbol for this sign employed in the past was the serpent. It recalls the biblical serpent which tempts Adam and Eve out of the earthly paradise of unconscious purity, but which promises that they will become as Gods, knowers of good an evil. It also recalls the serpentine power, kundalini.
Scorpio is a fixed or Tamasic sign and this fact gives it a conservative and possessive quality. It is a watery sign and from this it acquires the power of transformation. In the physical body it corresponds to the generative organs.
The martial characteristics in this sign are introverted and concentrated. The Scorpio types are often extreme in good or evil. They demonstrate excessive pride and Lucifer’s words in Milton’s ‘Paradise Lost’: “Better to reign in hell than serve in Heaven” well defines some of them.
The lower types show some of the darkest characteristics of humanity; hate, cruelty, vindictiveness, destructiveness, jealousy, materialism, sensuality and cynicism.
The higher Scorpio type has, on the other hand, some of the greatest moral and spiritual qualities: self-mastery, a strong will, great power of concentration, a conscious courage, a stern asceticism, and the determination “to mount upon one’s slain self”.
The Scorpio types are attracted by magic and often have the power to use it.
Physically they are magnetic and can become good healers. We find many doctors with an intuitive gift for diagnosis and good surgeons among them.
Emotionally they are passionate, intense in their feelings and they despise all soft sentimentality.
Mentally they have firm ideas, a critical and often sarcastic attitude, a curious interest for the mysterious and obscure sides of life; the subconscious, death, and hell. This is well exemplified in Goethe’s Faust. (Goethe has Scorpio in the ascendant.)
The dharma of this type is transmutation through mystical death and resurrection.
The Scorpio individual develops by transforming criticism of others into self-criticism; the desire to rule into self-mastery; the attachment to personal possessions into the desire for those possessions which “belong to the pure soul only, and are possessed therefore by all pure souls equally” (Light on the Path, 1.16).
The most difficult and essential achievement for them is to lose “the power to wound”.
The Venus Principle in Human Development
The principle of separation, of differentiation and struggle represented by Mars, is followed and balanced in evolution by the principle of attraction, of combination and reunion of the separate elements and beings, which is represented by Venus. It is the principle of affinity and love in its widest sense.
These two principles are complementary, and thus are mutually attractive. This is symbolized in Greek mythology by the love between the God Mars and the Goddess Venus, and it is continually demonstrated by the strong attraction which the human Mars and Venus types feel for each other. In a general sense it can be said that Mars represents the masculine principle and Venus the feminine. But it must be noted that Venus does not represent the primordial feminine principle, the undifferentiated substance, the cosmic Mother, that, as we have seen, is symbolized by the Moon.
Venus corresponds instead to the differentiated individualized and active feminine principle; it is the feminine ‘psyche’, with its special characteristics and tendencies. Its chief function is that of love, the desire for completion through union with a complementary being; the desire of self-surrender, or losing and finding oneself in another being. Venus manifests also another divine attribute, that of beauty: beauty which is order, ‘cosmos’ proportion, harmony, the revelation of the divine Life.
This Venus influence is embodied in humanity in two types, each of which represents a different side and differentiation: The Taurus and the Libra types.
The Taurus Type
Taurus is an earthy and fixed sign. In Taurus the Cosmic principle of Venus is merged into matter; it works in matter and is bound by it. This gives us the key to the recognition and the understanding of this type. Its characteristic is production, fecundity, incarnation now and here in this world. In this sense it corresponds to productive and fruitful nature, to Mother Earth and the deities which represent it: Ceres and Demeter.
The Taurus type is fundamentally a builder, one who wants to complete or to perfect things.
In the physical sphere this type has a special ability to handle and to mould matter. Among his chief activities are architecture and sculpture, in which the quality of Beauty and the sense of proportion of Venus becomes visible in matter. This type is also good at agriculture. Usually they are patient and persistent manual works but rather slow and inclined to laziness; they like comfort and appreciates the pleasures of the senses.
Physically they are generally robust and full of vital force, which makes them good healers. The voice is rich and powerful and they often become good singers.
Emotionally they are passionate, but in a concentrated and intense manner. The lower types are very attached to possessions and eager to accumulate; they are also jealous.
Ordinarily they are calm and patient, but when roused their anger bursts forth in a violent and destructive form: and they behave like the proverbial ‘bull’. The better types are loyal and humble.
Mentally they are poised, rather optimistic, but prudent and conservative. They are not brilliant, but very solid, making good administrators and mathematicians. They are obstinate and sometimes narrow and dogmatic. In religion they like to incarnate principles in concrete forms; liking symbols, images, music and ritual.
Synthetically we can say that when the Taurus type is at the primitive stage, when matter prevails over the descending force, the result is materialism and inertia in their various aspects.
Instead, in the progressed type, in which the life rules matter, the ideal incarnates triumphantly in the real.
This shows the special way of development and the dharma of this type: to learn how to descend into matter without letting oneself be absorbed and dominated by it, but to dominate, to mould and make it obedient to the power of the spirit.
The Libra Type
Libra is an airy and dynamic sign, and the principle of Venus is here manifested in its purity and in its more refined aspects. The Libra type is active and creative chiefly on the mental plane. It is an idealistic, ethereal, unearthy type, which has often a great charm. Poets, imaginative writers, and musicians often belong to this type.
Another characteristic of this type is the tendency to unite with others, to commune generally, manifesting thus the unifying and loving side of Venus. Their greatest joy is to give and to give themselves.
Physically they are generally sensitive and refined. Their manners are kind and gracious and their typical expression is the smile. The traditional courtesy of the Japanese is characteristic of Libra.
Emotionally they are very alive and full of feeling. They make good husbands and wives. Libra women are not very motherly: in marriage they look chiefly for union and completion.
Mentally they are quick, plastic and versatile. They are often more interested in the ideas and feelings of other people than in their own; they like to follow others, “to espouse the good causes”, to spread the ideas and the ideals to which they give themselves.
Their intuition is very developed and they are inclined to ideal communion and mystical love.
They express themselves most easily through music.
From these characteristics it is easy to enumerate their faults and their good qualities. Thus they are apt to be weak, too easily influenced, undecided, vacillating like the scales. Their weakness and their need of completion makes them lacking in self-reliance, too dependent on others and incapable of saying ‘No’.
They often lack discrimination and prudence; they are light and easy going, superficial and vain, diffusive in speech and writing. Many social women display the faults of this type.
On the other hand, the higher types have many virtues. They are peaceful, broad, impartial, disinterested in material things; they are tactful, kind, affectionate and compassionate. Equilibrium which comes from Libra, is one of their pronounced qualities, but it does not exclude a strong aspiration towards perfection. The spirit of self-sacrifice can reach the height of self-immolation.
The easiest way of self-realization for them is through union with others, but they have also to learn the difficult lesson of self-reliance and to be sufficient unto themselves; to achieve self-mastery and to resist others when necessary. They have to learn to give themselves fruitfully, avoiding barren sacrifices.
Their victory consists in expressing themselves fully in actual life and not remaining hovering above it.
The Jupiter–Sagittarius Type
We have seen that the primordial cosmic energy represented by the Sun differentiates in an active creative principle (Mars) and in a principle MISSING TEXT
Now we will take into consideration another expression or that same primordial force: it is the LAW, which rules evolution. This is represented by Jupiter. It is an immanent force, that is, it does not rule from above, but it permeates, as it were, the evolutionary process. It is the Law of Wisdom and Harmony, which assigns to each being and each event its place, its time and function. When the individual obeys this Law, accepts his own allotted task, he feels in harmony with, the universe and is successful in his endeavors, being so to say, carried by the wave of evolution. For this reason Jupiter has been considered as a beneficent influence, the dispenser of health, success, glory and happiness.
Jupiter types are harmonious and optimistic. They do not feel the tragic side of life or concern themselves with difficult problems. Their optimism is due to the fact that they have a more or less clear intuition that everything has its reason and justification; that all tends towards good, that evil and suffering are passing phases and not ultimate realities. They have faith in the final triumph of good and justice.
They are religious, devoted and respect authority and law; they are kindly, generous, philanthropical, and above all they are just. The highest representatives are sages and prophets. The average individuals of this type make good Sovereigns, high magistrates and officials, high dignitaries of the churches and bankers.
In politics they are neither reactionary nor revolutionary, but liberal. or ‘illuminated’ conservatives.
Their faults are the perversion of the good qualities. The dignity becomes arrogance and presumptuousness; the liberality becomes dissipation; religiousness degenerates into dogmatism and worship of form; and justice into the formalities of human law.
Their optimism becomes shallow and fosters indolence, supineness and the tendency to compromise.
The dharma of this type is clearly indicated in the ‘Voice of the Silence’ by. the words “Help Nature and work on with her; and Nature will regard thee as one of her creators and make obeisance. And She will open wide for thee the portals of Her secret chambers, lay bare before thy gaze the treasures hidden in the very depths of Her pure, virgin bosom”.
The Jupiter principle manifests itself through the sign of Sagittarius. This is a sattvic and fiery sign.
The Sagittarian combines love for order and law with a just sense of liberty; he is intuitive and prophetic. He usually hits the mark with his ‘arrow’; he is a good instructor (in Greek mythology a wise centaur is the teacher of Ulysses).
In the physical sphere, the Sagittarians are active, fond of sports and particularly of horse-riding.
Emotionally they are rather impulsive, and fiery; they give vent freely to their feelings. Their emotions are not complicated and they are generally easy to understand. They are broad in their sympathies, which are determined by real affinities; thus, they are apt to be detached from their family if they do not feel the inner bond.
Mentally they are inquisitive and even curious, original, logical and independent; sometimes they are a little skeptical. They like to probe things and are very fond of discussion. This makes them good lawyers. In the higher aspect this is demonstrated by the Socratic method of reaching Truth by questioning.
The Sagittarians are generally religious and intuitive. They have faith in the power of prayer, the promise ‘ask and ye shall receive’ appeals to them, and some of them are attracted by New Thought.
The common faults and lower aspects are pride, impulsiveness, restlessness, rebelliousness and the ‘power to wound’ especially with the tongue; also lack of understanding of others and lack of charity for their weaknesses.
The higher type instead is a very lovable individual: sincere, frank, loyal, just; he makes a good staunch friend; he is generally cheerful and optimistic, and full of high aspirations. The highest representatives of this type are seers and sages.
On the whole they are markedly extraverts, often of the emotional intuitive type.
The function of this type is the harmonization with the cosmic laws, and the ensuing wisdom, and its highest line of service is to teach this wisdom to others.
Mercury and the Development of Human Intelligence
Mercury has a particular position and function among the planetary principles, a function which is of special interest to us as human beings.
Mercury has been called “the winged Messenger of the Gods” and this poetical phrase gives us a hint of His nature. He differs from the other Planetary Spirits, or “gods”, in so far as He does not possess a specialized and well-defined vital quality like the others. He creates the link between all the others; he brings to each the message, quality and vibrations of his brothers. He understands them all, connects himself with all, but does not bind himself with any.
Yet, in a certain sense, he too has a note of his own. He has been called the “Knower, the Thinker”. Mercury is the representative of knowledge and wisdom, a mental and conscious knowledge which is very different from the vital spontaneous, intuitive wisdom of Jupiter.
In man it manifests as that intermediate principle which is more specifically human, as the conscious centre which lies between spirit on the one side and matter on the other. It is manas, the thinking, knowing and discriminating self-consciousness, which has a most important function in human evolution. Mercury is the instrument through whose agency all the qualities of the other planetary principles become really humanized in us, and can be consciously known, assimilated, and made use of.
On the other hand, the Mercurial principle, when isolated, lacks vitality and substance and remains fruitless. This is shown by the barren intellectualism demonstrated by some individuals.
The fable of the lame and the blind man gives a simple but apt illustration of this fact. The blind man walks, but does not see where he is going, and the lame man sees the way but cannot proceed. Only when the blind man carries his lame brother on his shoulders can they both advance safely and in the right direction.
Indeed, one of our most important problems is that of establishing the right relationships and connections between our thought and our vital forces.
In the physical body Mercury corresponds to the brain and in general to the nervous system. Mercury in His higher aspect is the custodian and dispenser of esoteric wisdom. And from His Greek name “Hermes” are derived the words “hermetic” and “hermeticism”.
Two signs of the Zodaic manifest in different ways the influence of Mercury: Gemini and Virgo.
The Gemini Type
Gemini is an airy, sattvic and dual sign, and specifically mental. These connotations give the key to the understanding of the Gemini type.
Thus we shall not be surprised to find that the Gemini type has difficulty in expressing himself in the physical plane and has a dislike for it. His natural tendency is to skim over it or to soar altogether above it. He likes to change places and occupations and tends to leave things unfinished in order to start something new. Yet he is often capable, ingenious and quick in executing things. Physically, he is often delicate, impressionable and nervous.
His emotions are intense, but of short duration. He is timid, but often wears a mask of courage. There is a deep duality within him which makes him contradictory and therefore much misunderstood. He on the other hand, easily understands others and is sympathetic towards them. He sees both sides of every question. He makes friends easily and fraternizes broadly, ignoring differences of birth and caste, and is thus truly democratic. He likes to play and to enjoy things. A curious characteristic of this type is a comparative lack of moral sense. The lower representatives are either amoral or immoral, while the higher types are spiritually super-moral.
In the mental realm this type has its true life and expression. His mind is extremely active, quick, very open and versatile, reaching sometimes to the point of genius.
The Gemini makes a good speaker; he has always a ready retort. His style is vivid and artistic, but broken and full of digressions. He has an introspective intellect and with his qualities makes a good psychologist, novelist and teacher.
His intuition is quick to grasp especially abstract relationships and his sense of unity is also very developed, which makes him a socialist, pacifist and internationalist.
The faults of this type are superficiality, duplicity, fickleness, insincerity and servility. The undeveloped Gemini is childish, ever imitating others and may become a plagiarist and parasite.
The higher type on the other hand, is delightfully childlike and simple, bubbling with joy and sympathy. He is impersonal and universal and for him universal brotherhood is not a formula but a reality.
North Americans demonstrate I think, several of the Gemini characteristics, inasmuch as they are democratic, progressive, quick, optimistic and sympathetic.
The true function of this type is chiefly that of the unifier.
The Virgo Type
This type is rather difficult to understand. The Virgos complain that they are not understood, and often they do not even understand themselves.
One of the baffling features of the Virgo individual is that he appears to alternate from idealism to a certain materialism. This curious trait is demonstrated in two famous Virgo men, Goethe and Maeterlinck.
A study of the essential nature of this sign will give us the key to this and to its other characteristics. Cosmically, Virgo represents Mulaprakriti, the root of matter and of form. In systemic manifestation Virgo is said to be related to the atomic condition on each plane, the virgin matter which has not yet begotten the molecular differentiation of the six lower sub-planes. Thus, Virgo on one side is the principle of matter, but on the other, it represents matter in its purest and most spiritual aspect.
Virgo represents also the essence of form, and its aim and function to manifest the perfection of form. This accounts for the importance given to form by Virgo individuals and their tendency to cleanliness, hygiene, neatness, chastity, morality and purity. It has been said that the 6th beatitude applies especially to Virgos: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
In the physical sphere Virgos are very sensitive and apt to be nervous. They are much affected by atmospheric conditions and by poisons. They have little vitality and are generally negative.
Emotionally, they are timid, faithful, often despondent and easily worried.
Mentally, they are very critical and analytical; practical, ingenious, discriminative and clear thinkers. They can organize and handle details, and make good secretaries.
In the intuitive sphere the Virgo force manifests as spiritual discrimination between the real and the unreal, that which is called in Sanskrit “Viveka”. On the whole, it is rather an introvert type.
The lower manifestations of this type are egoism, self-centeredness, materialism, over-emphasis of the practical, aridity, coldness, criticism. Most of these are due to the tendency to give too much importance to form, considering it as an end in itself and forgetting that its value lies in being an instrument for the spirit.
The higher manifestations are purity, self-sacrifice, active service and a spiritual discrimination which establishes the right relationships between spirit and form.
The function of Virgo is to become a vehicle for a new life, and to form the individual centre of consciousness.
The Saturn–Capricorn Principle
Saturn like Mars represents a principle of separation, but in a different way: Mars creates dynamically the separation; Saturn maintains it in a static condition.
Apparently Saturn represents evil, the resistance and the opposition to the spirit; the greatest involution into matter which takes place in the mineral kingdom. In this sense, it is called “Satan”. But from a higher and synthetic point of view, we must recognize the necessity and use of Saturn. Without resistance the spirit would not have a stable foundation for incarnating and individualizing.
As from the standpoint of space Saturn represents resistance, from the standpoint of time he represents persistence, duration. The Greeks called Him “Chronos”. This is the other aspect of the self-limitation of spirit : the Eternal, the Changeless, falls into the world of time and change.
This explains the apparent paradox that while Saturn produces the resistance and the persistence of forms and beings, it produces also their destruction. (In Greek mythology we have Cronos devouring his children.) Within time everything is relative and perishable. The very rigidity of forms brings about eventually their disintegration. Thus Saturn is the principle of conservation and destruction, of old age and death.
In man Saturn represents the lower mind, the separate self which is necessary in order to create self-consciousness and to reap experiences, but which at a certain point of evolution has to be transcended.
Spiritually, Saturn is the Reaper and the Tester. In the inner life of man it represents discipline, purification, spiritual introversion, self-examination, meditation and contemplation.
The Capricorn Type
Capricorn is an earthy and Rajasic sign. These two characteristics appear to be incongruous and rather contradictory, because the earth gives a quality of stability while Rajas has a dynamic and fiery quality. This explains the complexity of this type, which often shows much outward and practical activity and a marked, emotional and mental introversion.
The Rajasic element makes this type ambitious and this ambition often demonstrates as the tendency to dominate matter and the external world which represents his sphere of action. This is graphically shown MISSING TEXT on the side of a mountain climbing
MISSING TEXT The Saturnian element gives this type a great earnestness, and a strong sense of duty.
Emotionally, Capricorn individuals are rather undemonstrative and repressed.
Intellectually, they are keen and intelligent, with a sense of humor and a gift for abstract thought and metaphysics.
An outstanding characteristic of this type is the acute sense of hierarchical differences; they seldom feel comradeship and friendship on a basis of equality; their tendency is to respect and obey superiors and to command or help paternally their inferiors.
Morally, they are rather rigid and formal; in religion, they attach much importance to ceremonies and rites, especially those connected with the personal life—baptism, marriage and burial.
The lower manifestations of the Capricorn type are, egoism, coldness, hardness and avariciousness, a certain duplicity which leads them towards adulation and “diplomacy”, and sometimes amounts to falseness. These lower representatives can be at the same time servile and tyrannical ; often narrow minded, excessively traditional and conservative and opposed to new ideas and ways.
The more evolved Capricorns have many fine qualities: they arc active, persistent, precise, balanced, impartial and endowed with a strong %,,i ; they are loyal and faithful towards others, stern and exacting towards themselves and inclined to stoicism and asceticism. They desire and are able to depend entirely upon themselves. They are ready to sacrifice themselves and to serve, urged not primarily by love, but by a sense of responsibility and duty.
The complexity of this sign is demonstrated by the fact that it rules two nations as widely different as the Jews and the Hindus.
At first sight they seem to have very little in common psychologically, but a closer analysis shows that each demonstrates some typical Capricorn traits. In the Jews, we find the practical and active tendencies, materialism and concreteness a bent for avarice and pharisaism; but also a great moral integrity and passion and a stern idealism which is shown by their line of prophets and by a Spinoza.
In the Hindus, the lower qualities of the sign appear in the exaggerated ceremonialism, conservatism and exclusiveness of the priestly caste and in the servility of the pariahs, while we admire in them the highest expression of the
Capricorn qualities of philosophical depths, austerity and asceticism in its great schools of thought and Yoga.
Some of the chief functions of the Capricorn type are those of guide, adviser, interpreter, mediator between man and God, as priest and prophet.
The general line of development for the Capricorn is that of Karma-yoga, “renunciation of the fruits of action” and impersonal service.
We have still to examine two more astro-psychological types; the Uranus-Aquarius and the Neptune-Pisces.
These are more difficult to understand than all the others; because they have mysterious and occult aspects which are hard to grasp and define. This is due to the fact that they represent principles and vibrations which are only partially and imperfectly manifested at the present stage of the evolution of our planet and of humanity.
Yet the study of these forces is very important, particularly at the present time, for spiritual and occult students. The more evolved souls are often very receptive and sensitive to the finer and potent vibrations of Uranus and Neptune. And only through the knowledge of their qualities can we understand many exceptional artists, inventors, reformers, mystics and occultists. Also collectively those principles are beginning to have a widespread influence, acting as ferments which are bringing about the stirring and tension now demonstrated by the human masses. The deep crises which shake our civilizations, the radical changes which are rapidly going on under our eyes, are the first effects of the action of those ferments. And the knowledge of the true nature and function of these forces will enable us to understand these events, to appreciate their purposes, and thus foresee somewhat their consequences and future developments.
Uranus and the Aquarian Principle
According to Greek mythology, Uranus is the God of the higher heavens and the Father of Saturn or Chronos (Time). This gives us a clue to the understanding of its nature.
The higher heavens which are above the atmosphere indicate the ether. The fact that Uranus is the father of Chronos (Time) indicates that he is above time or more exactly above our time; that is, our present cycle of manifestation, thus representing something transcendent and still unmanifested. Other characteristics of Uranus are indicated by his relationships with the other planetary principles.
We find some points of resemblance with Saturn: both are cold and both mark the end of cycles, the dissolution of forms. With Mercury, Uranus has a still greater affinity; and it has been xxx its sublimation, the corresponding note on a higher plane. Xxx airy; Uranus is super-airy or etheric. Mercury represents knowledge, Uranus spiritual wisdom.
These points indicate the functions of Uranus: as we have said he is slayer of forms and he destroys in a more rapid and radical manner as Saturn or Mars; but He destroys them in order to free Life, a new impulse. Therefore, he is also a liberator, a re-creator. In this respect he has a close analogy with Shiva, the third aspect of the Hindu trimurti.
Uranus also accelerates, precipitates events, and stands for the new xxx. Its typical method is through explosion. Like dynamite, it xxx a powerful energy accumulated in an unstable equilibrium xxx certain moment it is suddenly released, producing violent out-rid xxx conflagrations.
Thus the influence of Uranus produces social and political revolutions which destroy an old order and begin a new one. It determines revolutions in customs, in science, in art. The same effects are demonstrated in individual lives in the form of sudden crises, rebellions, conversions and illuminations.
The method of Uranus is drastic, painful and sometimes terrible, through its rude shocks evolution is hastened, and sleeping, slothful souls are awakened and urged towards their higher destiny.
The Aquarian Type
The planetary principle of Uranus manifests in man in the Aquarius sign is generally a very partial and attenuated manifestation, because a few are able to receive and assimilate that principle.
Aquarius is an airy and a fixed sign. “If we combine the idea of xxx that of air writes Alan Leo we may deduce the fact that thoughts will be fixed and concentrated and thus become real.”
The fundamental quality of Aquarius is Humanity, whole, full and xxx. It represents man free from every bond, risen above churches and sects; man as master of matter, endowed with a xxx basis, independent.
The well known sayings apply particularly to the Aquarian: that latin poet: “Homo sum et nihil humanum a me alienum puto” xxx and nothing human is alien to me); this shows the universal and the understanding of the type. The other is “Non sit Xxx suus esse potest” (He should not belong to others who can belong to himself).[3]
This sounds the note of self-reliance and independence.
The Aquarian, like the Libra type, is not bound to matter, but unlike Libra, he does not feel discomfort in it or antagonism towards it, because he dominates it.
Aquarians are generally sincere, and faithful; they like solitude but can be good friends; they are broad-minded and impartial, but this sometimes makes them undecided. They are free from illusions, unconventional, original. Their intuition is very developed and they are good character readers, and sometimes clairvoyant.
They have great powers of concentration and make good inventors.
The lower types often cannot stand the intensity and quality of the vibration and are therefore afflicted with nervous and mental troubles. Other inferior characteristics of this type are pride, capriciousness, indecision. Some Aquarians have the power to fascinate, to hypnotize and this can tempt them to black magic. These like to play tricks and to cheat. Others are exaggeratedly lawless and anarchists.
The higher Aquarian demonstrates spiritual wisdom and power; has a strong individuality in the higher sense of the word; he is a truly free man.
Neptune and the Mystical Principle
Neptune, even more than Uranus, is far from the physical plane, and all manifestation. It represents esoterically the beginning and the end (alpha and omega): on one side primordial Chaos before manifestation, and on the other the mystical transcendence of all limitations and manifestations. In both cases its effect is that of detachment from the physical plane. This explains why the influence of Neptune has opposite effects on different individuals.
On the lesser evolved individuals, who have still experiences to make and lessons to learn here, the influence is maleficent. It means a return to primitive and chaotic stages, the evasion of the duties and the tasks of the present; it fosters mediumship and lower psychism; it induces to seek forgetfulness through alcohol and drugs.
On more evolved individuals the influence of Neptune awakens and fosters true mysticism: detachment from the world through devotion, through love of the ideal, of the Master and of God.
Exoterically, in its lower and concrete manifestation, Neptune corresponds to the astral plane and the emotions.
In Greek mythology Neptune is the brother of Jupiter and Plutus, and while Plutus governs the nether worlds (Scorpio) and Jupiter MISSING TEXT, Neptune is the God of xxx Neptune: it is formless and limitless, every breath of wind can ruffle its surface but nothing can touch it deeply or shake permanently’ Neither spear or fire have any power over it.
Neptune can be considered also as the higher octave of Venus, representing universal, unearthly love. Also music is connected with him and chiefly that of violin and cello; a music which enraptures and gives a longing for unearthly ethereal spheres.
The highest aspect is that of universal and divine compassion.
The line of development is through sublimation; the sublimation of love and all emotions.
The Pisces Type
Pisces is a watery, mutable (sattvic) and dual sign. It is mystical and mysterious, elusive and full of contradictions.
On one side it expresses the drama of the spirit, and its crucifixion into matter. It has therefore a tragic element. On the other hand it stands for the dissolution of matter and all personal elements in the ocean of spirit. This implies a mystical death.
These characteristics manifest themselves in very different ways in the various individuals according to their stage of evolution and to the different planes.
Many Pisceans feel out of their element on the physical plane; they suffer in it, dislike it, are not interested in it, having no worldly ambitions, nor desire for material possessions. Therefore they try to evade it by various means. One of these is seclusion; they confine themselves in monasteries, in hospitals, or at least in their own house shutting themselves for instance, in their own study or library.
Others, turn to the sea which is very congenial to this type, and enjoy their solitude sailing or fishing.
Those who are less extreme are able to express themselves and be active in the world owing to their plasticity, versatility and readiness to obey. For instance, they make good actors, because they can penetrate and identify themselves with the various characters which they impersonate. They are like water which instantly takes the shape and the color of the vessel in which it is poured.
Also in life they like to recite: the lower types assume fictitious characters and cheat; the higher types have a keen sense of the human comedy; they consider the external world as a passing show and play, willingly but detachedly, their part in the performance.
Other Pisceans make good musicians and artists, though in these occupations they tend to be formless and chaotic; which is shown in some of the ultra-modern art and music. Other groups of Pisceans do well in institutions and collective enterprises where they fit in harmoniously and are devoted servers; for instance, in hospitals, educational institutions, in the navy, etc.
Emotionally they are very sensitive, impressionable, easily influenced by others and by general psychic currents. They can participate in the feelings of others as intensely as if they were their own, and even more. They are very sympathetic and compassionate. Their own emotions are diffused, mutable, chaotic; they are often a prey to despondency, worry and despair. They are fascinated by all that is mysterious, occult and obscure and are also attracted by narcotics.
Their subconsciousness is over-active and they dream both when asleep and awake.
They are apt to be afflicted by peculiar nervous and psychic troubles which have an- astral origin; somnambulism, obsessions, mental confusion, hallucinations and states of delirium. In their higher feelings they are very affectionate and full of devotion for individuals and to ideals.
Mentally, they are very broad minded: their tendency is to neglect differences and to see the common element. At their best they are synthetic and universal. At their worst they confuse and mix everything. A peculiar trait is their lack of appreciation and even of understanding of legal distinctions. In politics, they have sympathy for communism: not for the aggressive bolshevism but for an idealistic and utopian communism. They have no sense of property; they give generously all they have, but also accept freely and even take without scruple.
Intuitively they are often very developed. It is their own sphere.
Summing up this type, their chief faults are negativeness, weakness, indolence, servility, lack of sense of responsibility and diginity, insincerity and evasion of duty; it is not surprising that they are often pitiful failures in life. On the other hand, the more evolved individuals demonstrate kindness, generosity, detachment, understanding, compassion, self-sacrifice, true humility, willingness to serve, devotion and adoration. They are the best comforters and saviours; they can also be great contemplative mystics.
The Russian people as a whole exhibit typically the faults and virtues of this sign; we have only to think of Tolstoy’s social ideals, and of Dostoyevsky’s tragical, morbid and sublime characters.
The vital tasks for this type are for the less evolved, to become
alive and positive on the physical plane. MISSING TEXT.
H.P.B. in the Secret Doctrine referring to Pisces, says: “that constellation shines as a symbol of all the past, present and future Spiritual Saviours, who dispense light and dispel mental darkness”.[4]
The Complexity of Human Psychological Types
Before concluding this brief outline of Astro-Psychology it is well to note that while one may meet in reality some pure or almost pure representatives of each of the types we have delineated, we find more often individuals exhibiting traits of two or more of these types.
This is accounted for by the astrological fact that the ascendant, the moon and the sun are generally in different signs, not to speak of the influences which emanate from other plants.
Thus a horoscope is a very complicated thing to interpret, corresponding to the great complexity of the human being.
I have not the possibility, nor is it my purpose to deal with all this; but the first necessary step is to have a dear picture and understanding of the characteristics of each separate type.
We have now come to the end of our rapid survey of individual psychology. I am quite conscious of its incompleteness. Perhaps I might be excused by the fact that it is, as far as I know, the first attempt to present a composite picture of individual psychology from the psychological, the spiritual and the occult standpoint.
My chief purpose was to create an interest in this subject, showing its richness and possibilities, and thus induce others to cultivate it more thoroughly.
The Value of Individual Psychology
The scope and usefulness of individual psychology are indeed very great, both for the individual and for the race.
It gives us the means to reach true self-knowledge, to achieve self-control and helps us to discover which is our special line of self-development.
The knowledge of individual psychology will enable us to refine and to wisely adapt our methods of education and of psychotherapy to the different constitutions and types.
The data of individual psychology applied to human groups will give us a deeper comprehension of social classes, nations and races.
This new understanding of ourselves, of other individuals and of groups will lead to a better mutual appreciation, to greater harmony, to wiser aid, and more intelligent group work—all of which culminate in better service to humanity, and in a more efficient co-operation towards the fulfilment of the glorious Logoic Plan.
Notes:
[1] Beacon issue of October, 1930.
[2] O.A.H. Schmitz, Der Geist der Astrologie (München, Müller, 1922) pages 292-92.
[3] MISSING FOOTNOTE
[4] (S.D.I., p. 717.)
