needs. Invariably, false beliefs are rooted in painful childhood relationships that offer
the first, and thus prototypical, relational experiences that will later be recreated in
adult life. These early formative experiences are the exteriorization of intrapsychic
patterns that are symbolized by the birth chart. In other words, the pathogenic beliefs
that develop in response to painful childhood experiences are symbolized by certain
planetary configurations.
Summary
Therapeutic astrology, or astrotherapy, is the application of astrological con-
cepts to clinical practice. It presents a complex, multidimensional theory of behavior
that depicts the psyche as a hierarchical structure comprised of archetypal needs, cog-
nitive structures, emergent thoughts and behaviors, and corresponding events. It is
also a powerful and flexible assessment device that allows the practitioner to discern
clues to the formative experiences of childhood, gain insight into the meaning of cur-
rent events, and target periods of future growth. Unlike traditional, event-oriented
astrology, astrotherapy is not concerned with superficial trait descriptions or the pre-
diction of future events. Rather, astrology is used to foster empathy for the client’s
internal world and thereby enhance the therapist’s ability to effectively treat psycho-
logical problems, modify or remove existing symptoms, and promote positive person-
ality growth and fulfillment. A birth chart accelerates the assessment phase of therapy
by assisting in the formation of hypotheses regarding the patient’s psychopathology.
As a diagnostic tool, it provides objective information that may confirm, disconfirm,
augment, or alter the therapist’s subjective perceptions of intrapsychic structure.
—Glenn Perry, Ph.D.Sources:
Perry, Glenn. Essays in Psychological Astrology: Theory & Practice.San Rafael, CA: Association
for Astrological Psychology Press, 1997.
———. Introduction to AstroPsychology: A Manual for Students & Teachers.San Rafael, CA:
Association for Astrological Psychology Press, 1998.
TIBETANASTROLOGY
The Tibetan system of astrology is a combination of Indian and Chinese methods, the
greater and most essential (spiritual) part derived from the Chinese, and the technical
element coming from the Indian system. The Indian or technical part (ephemerides,
lunar tables, etc.) is called Kar-Tsi, and the Chinese, or spiritual part, is called Jung-Tsi.
The Tibetans, who are short on calculation ability, borrowed whatever plane-
tary tables they use from the Indians, and do not depend upon these planetary
ephemerides for much of their system. They make great use of the 12-year cycle of the
animal signs plus the fivefold element sequence (wood, fire, earth, iron, and water) as
used in the various forms of Chinese astrology (Jung-Tsi). The Kar-Tsi came from the
Indian system, along with the Kalachakra system. The quintessential portion of the
Indian system of value to the Tibetans is the division of the lunar month into 30 equal
parts, called tithis in the Indian system.
THEASTROLOGYBOOK [661]
Tibetan Astrology