Carl Jung and Astrology

It is interesting to notice the cycles of thought and predjudices around the science and art of astrology.

Ancient astrologers such as Galileo, Nostradamus and others have in turn been revered, put to death, or incarcerated for their beliefs.

Prominent scientists such as Sir Isaac Newton have studied astrology, even though it seems he dismissed it and prior to his death owned only four books on the subject. (http://www.phys.uu.nl/~vgent/astrology/newton.htm)

In modern times there seems to be a mixture of thought on the subject depending on who you talk to. The church still appears to be teaching that astrology is evil and "against God" and the New Age movement is all for it.

In a letter written to Hindu astrologer, B.V. Raman, September 6th 1947 - Dr. Jung wrote: "Since you want to know my opinion about astrology I can tell you that I've been interested in this particular activity of the human mind since more than 30 years. As I am a psychologist, I am chiefly interested in the particular light the horoscope sheds on certain complications in the character. In cases of difficult psychological diagnosis I usually get a horoscope in order to have a further point of view from an entirely different angle. I must say that I very often found that the astrological data elucidated certain points which I otherwise would have been unable to understand. From such experiences I formed the opinion that astrology is of particular interest to the psychologist, since it contains a sort of psychological experience which we call 'projected' - this means that we find the psychological facts as it were in the constellations."
(http://thezodiac.com/astrojung2.htm)

Personally, I am an advocate of Carl Jung's ideas and incorporate the useful techniques offered by astrology with counselling as a methodolgy to help people better understand themselves and how they relate to others.