the-astrology-book

planet that is placed in the sign of its exaltation is also regarded as being extremely
favorably placed and strong by virtue of this placement.
Sources:
Brau, Jean-Louis, Helen Weaver, and Allan Edmands. Larousse Encyclopedia of Astrology. New
York: New American Library, 1980.
DeVore, Nicholas. Encyclopedia of Astrology. New York: Philosophical Library, 1947.
Experiential Astrology
EXECUTIVE TYPE
Executive type refers to the determination of those natives born when the Sun was in
one of the fixed signs—Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, or Aquarius.
EXPERIENTIAL ASTROLOGY
Experiential astrology succinctly includes any technique that puts people into direct
contact with their horoscopes. Its purpose is to place soul instead of prediction at the
center of its inquiry. The horoscope need not remain a static, one-dimensional wheel
of planetary glyphs and signs, but can become a field of planetary action that is interactive,
imaginative, and vibrantly alive. Techniques include astrodrama (acting out
the horoscope), group dynamics and process, in-depth therapeutic methods, artistic
mandalas, contemplation of images, creating rituals and talismans, dramatic mythic
storytelling, dreamwork, journaling, flower essences, and more. Many of these techniques
are described in Barbara Schermer’s Astrology Alive: Experiential Astrology and
the Healing Arts.
The history of experiential astrology finds its roots 500 years ago with Marsilio
Ficino, the first experiential astrologer. Ficino was the translator of the Hermetic writings,
the principle translator of Plato, and the founder (under the enlightened patronage
of the Medici family) of the Platonic Academy in Florence during the height of
the Italian Renaissance. He was also a physician, psychotherapist, Christian theologian,
musician, and astrologer. He developed a polytheistic psychology that integrated
the astrological archetypes with imagination, art, music, ritual, talismans, and acts of
deep contemplation.
Ficino’s contemporary influence is especially felt in archetypal psychology,
developed on a foundation of Jungian psychology, by James Hillman and his followers.
At the core of archetypal psychology is Ficino’s Neoplatonic philosophy, and Hillman
acknowledges this direct influence on his thinking. An evolving archetypal psychology
demonstrates room for an evolving psychological astrology. Further developments
along this path have been taken by psychologist Thomas Moore, author of the bestselling
Care of the Soul, who also wrote The Planets Within.
The recent history of experiential astrology includes a number of committed
astrological professionals who are hard at work on its development, including Jeff
Jawer, Kelley Hunter, Barbara Schermer, Wendy Ashley, Dale O’Brien, Steven Mac-
Fadden, and Susie Cox. One example is the Roots Conferences organized by Kelley
Hunter of the Virgin Islands. “Roots” was a series of experiential conferences held for
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