Language, or symbol making, the realm of Mercury, allows us to think, to learn, to plan, and to co-ordinate. Language gives abstract, direct perceptions of the intelligence, form for the mind to manipulate. This helps the conscious mind learn to use the innate faculties of intelligence. Math doesn't make us smart so much as it helps us access part of our intelligence consciously. Most of the languages of the modern Western dominated world (English, Arithmetic...) are linear and serve the rational mind. Astrology, and other languages of divination, are non-linear, and serve the non-rational aspects of the mind, such as the intuition. The languages we learn and use affect the neural pathways formed in the brain. Learning the language of a culture makes it easier to understand that culture and its point of view, its way of seeing the world.

Most of the non-rational languages we share culturally are non-verbal, and so are sympathetic with the sub-conscious, art, music, story telling, body language and gesture. Systems of divination are symbolic languages the mind can use to manipulate abstract perceptions of intelligence as well, but the observations are intuitive no matter how rationally the system is approached. Where the rational mind learns by dissecting reality into its parts, the intuitive mind learns by recognizing the connections between the parts, the energies exchanged between the parts, their interdependence, thereby resolving the parts back into the whole. Using intuitive verbal languages such as astrology over an extended period of time, definitely develops the link between the conscious mind and the intuition. Since the over use of the rational mind has led us to create magnificent technologies without noticing the effects they have on the whole, reversing the imbalances of the modern era will require the intuitive intelligence of humanity to come forward collectively. Do your part. Learn and practice Astrology and other intuitive systems.

What is the Spiritual Path? Can we dispel the wu-woo that all too often drips from discussions of spirituality? Can we instead approach spirituality from a practical, common sense point of view and then see how astrology can serve the spiritual life when applied?

In this session we will define the Spiritual Path from both a long term and immediate short term perspective. We will develop 2 other models of the psyche along with astrology to get a clearer sense of what we are, what is going on here and what creativity is flowing through you and into the world. Astrology used as a system of self-observation, self-study, self-development and self-mastery is a higher calling than, but not incongruous with using astrology for prediction.

For the advancing karma yogis and yoginis, astrology, with its power to lay open an individual's karmic patterns, and the timing of karmic periods, makes astrology a powerful tool in the aspirant's practice.

2. Astrology and the Yoga of Intimacy: Compatibility and Commitment