New Moon Astrology, Tarot, and Maslow

...Using the esoteric arts to chart a course for development of the self
For an introduction to Tarotlogy, see ArkLetter 62

TAROT ARKLETTERS GUEST-AUTHOR ARTICLE

by Toni Gilbert, RN, MA, HN

The Innate Call to Development

Like all of Nature, humans develop according to universal patterns. Theoretically, physis, a Greek name given to an archetypal force, is one cosmic power behind the material world. We know physis as the urge toward growth. As complex material and spiritual beings that urge takes place, not only at the material level, as we grow into adulthood, but also at the mental and spiritual levels. To say it another way, growth of the mind, body and spirit is a natural unfolding of our potential.

There are many ways that our nature unfolds. Two cosmic forces that help us grow are the large archetypes of Chaos and Grace. The Grace archetype dominates when one commits to higher values in their living. The archetype of Grace gives us feelings of peace and harmony with our surroundings. If you are in a state of Grace, good things happen to you and you feel blessed. You notice that the flow of your life is easier and you may experience lucky events. Grace in our personality expresses itself with an easy style because we are comfortable with ourselves and we enjoy life. The Grace-filled life is healthy and satisfying.  

When you are out of sync with your natural growth pattern, you start noticing symptoms of one sort or another in your body and/or your environment. One symptom that shows up when the urge to grow is not heeded is chaos. The archetype of chaos happens when one doesn’t stay on the upper path or upper levels of the archetypal expression operating through you. The energy of chaos expresses itself as random events that are unpredictable and uncontrollable and people have difficulty navigating through this mixed up energy. Chaos in a personality may express itself with behaviors that are out of line with a higher code of behavior; confusion and depression may accompany it.  How many times have we witnessed primitive acts (i.e. cheating, stealing and negative thinking and behaviors) and then watch a fall from Grace?  When one gets out of synch with Graceful living, negative feelings and negative consequences or what may be termed negative karma usually follow. Many of us have seen the stumble-and-fall act so many times that we can predict the negative consequences that usually follow.

Each of us has the potential to recognize the mysteries buried in our soul and as we learn to clarify areas of our life into which we need to bring more psychological and spiritual understanding. Tools such as astrology, Tarot, guided imagery, and dream interpretation use archetypal psychology help us retrieve unconscious information and grant us insights on how to live our life more fully. With each new insight, the soul shines through a little more and we grow, each according to an innate timing known only to our earthly bodies and our spiritual Nature.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

In his 1954 book, Motivation and Personality, transpersonal psychologist Abraham Maslow studied what he called exemplary people such as Albert Einstein, Jane Addams, Eleanor Roosevelt and healthy college students rather than mentally ill or neurotic people. He claimed that the study of crippled, immature, and unhealthy specimens can yield only a cripple psychology and a crippled philosophy. He uncovered what humans needed in order to grow and develop. Then, he outlined those needs into a pyramidal shape, a five level model of humanity’s physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual needs.

At the bottom of the pyramid, the base is wider and the first three levels represent the material needs we must have in order to move to the next step of developing and grow into fully mature beings. At the first level are the literal requirements for survival: air, water, food, sex, sleep, homeostasis and excretion. This is what we need to be alive. After that the second level, safety needs take precedence and dominate our behavior. Safety needs include: security of the body, resources, morality, the family health and well-being. At the third level needs are social and involve feelings of Belongingness. This aspect of the hierarchy involves emotionally based relationships of friends, family and intimacy. According to Maslow, most people don’t develop beyond this level. At this level, people can be reasonably happy and so they become complacent and don’t heed the innate call towards growth.

The following upper two levels represent higher level needs as we develop our spiritual selves.

At the fourth level, everyone needs to be respected and to have self-esteem and self-respect. It is the normal human desire to be accepted and valued by others and many seek fame or glory, which is external and depends on others. At this level one comes to the realization that one must first accept and love themselves. Finally, at the fifth level you have all you need for self-actualization. This pertains to realizing what your full potential is and the mastery to materialize that potential. The requirement to attain this final step takes a strong personal commitment. Maslow describes this as the desire to become everything that one is capable of becoming.

Although, there are no true lines marking the developmental stages or strict order of developmental events, essentially, people must satisfy basic needs like hunger and safety before they turn their attention to raising their consciousness to include beauty, truth, and the development of their higher potential and self-actualization.

Assessment for the Collective using New Moon Astrology, Tarot, and the Hierarchy of Needs Model

Archetypes are the basic patterns of people and things that can be found across time and in all cultures including the Cosmos. A complete discussion of the archetypes can be found in my book Gaining Archetypal Vision (2011). Studies of the complex or matrix of archetypal energy operating through us is made easier by reducing them into two broad levels of expression so that we can better understand what clients are expressing. This enables us to work more comprehensively with the archetypes present in their situation. 

In my first book, Messages from the Archetypes, I separated multiple aspects of the archetypes--or who we are energetically--into two categories: the upper refined personality and the lower primitive personality. (You may also think of the upper levels as light and the lower levels shadow.) We operate in both levels but chose one level predominately. This model will be used during my assessment below.

Because we have different archetypal levels of consciousness, the energies of the archetypes are available to us to use in a dynamic and complex way. They are the behaviors that we choose to express moment to moment. We choose these levels according to our development, mood, thoughts, values, and environmental circumstances.

With this assessment, we are: using the hierarchy of needs pyramid; assigning the personal planets to the pyramid; throwing Osho Zen Tarot cards; and performing a receptive meditation at the time of the Full moon starting February 3^rd, 2011 and ending on March 4^th of the same year.

The inner planets assigned to levels of the pyramid are:

1. Physiological = Saturn
2. Safety=Mars
3. Belonging=Jupiter
4. Esteem=Venus
5. Self-Actualization=Mercury

As I shuffled the Osho Zen deck, I removed my ego by stilling my mind and body, cut three times using the inside cut as I put them together and placed them in a vertical layout 1 at the bottom through 5 at the top. During this time, I was silently focused upon the question: “What do we (the collective) need to know to make our lives flow smoother?  Give us instruction on how can we live closer to your will.”

The Osho Zen Tarot cards were

1. Completion (XXI of the Major Arcana)
2. Patience (7 of Rainbows)
3. Experiencing (3 of Fire)
4. Playfullness (The Page of Fire)
5. Courage (VIII of the Major Arcana)

INTERPRETATION

Level 1, Physiological: 

Saturn was assigned this level of development because it represents the archetypes of structure, stability, and our traditional wisdom. We need certain physical requirements, like food and shelter, to stay alive.  Saturn is the masculine archetype of the father setting limits and restricting activities, thus protecting his children.

Osho Zen card: Completion XXI of the Major Arcana: This archetype represents the completion of a great inner work. This “great work” involves bringing together all parts of your psychological self into balance. This firm foundation promotes growth and development of your inner and outer resources. With this stabilizing archetype, our physical self grows healthier as we continue to develop our own philosophy on how to live life fully.

Refined/Light: Many of us are at a fork in the road considering which path to take.  We need to stop and build a plan to ensure the choices made in 2011 are the ones that will lead to the stability of your foundation at your feet (body) as well as the roof over your head (mind and spirit). We accept certain restrictions and limitations, on our time and money and do our part to make sure the family and friends are getting their basic needs met. We are in a flow because we feel that our doing also has meaning and benefits the whole.  In this flow, opportunities open up like magic.

Primitive/Shadow: Fear and anxiety are your constant companions. Your mind attaches itself to whatever is problematic, real or imaginary. There are many distractions that keep you from turning inward. There are constant physiological challenges as well as sickness and injury. The good news is that, at times like these, many feel the need to grow and learn. This may manifest as going back to school to become all you are capable of intellectually, a religious conversion, or as a strong personal choice to improve your life. All in all it is the balance of structure and discipline that are the foundation from which springs our growing and expanding awareness. The larger goal is to become home to yourself and know that you are a part of the All that Is.

Level 2, Safety:

Mars is conjunct the sun and moon in the mystical sign of Pisces. Because Saturn is retrograde in the balancing sign of Libra, and because it is trine the current Mars sun (masculine) and moon (feminine) conjunctions, we are being asked to hold our extra masculine energy (Mars) and direct it in pursuit of the more feminine aspects of living. This does not mean for you to be passive, you can still be productive in the sense of getting in touch with feelings and visions. At this time, the combination of energies plays out as the archetypal pattern of receptivity; the feminine energy in the receptive tide that has been expressive for months and now needs to relax back into itself for a period. For now, be receptive to the energies present because they are providing a time of inner communion, active discussion and exchange of ideas, planning, and then a time of waiting for an opening before taking action. The goal is to be like the Boy Scout….prepared.

Osho Zen card: Patience, the art of waiting for the future to open like a bud; ever so slowly, teasingly opening to your future. It is a time to contemplate the wonders of life, hold communion with others and deepen or feeling of oneness with all that surrounds us. It is at times like these that we learn to surrender to a higher power, a key ingredient to developing a strong inner sense of Self.

Refined/Light: For those walking the higher path, there is stability, and freedom from survival issues. There is no fear waiting for the “new” to begin. You are planning to catch the wave when the time feels right. This is a good time to re-write your resume and make contacts for that new job. It is also a good time to tend to neglected spiritual issues.

Primitive/Shadow: Fear of failure or the fear of success is plaguing you. You feel held back, limited. The reality is that there is a small shadow is upon your greater field of vision. You don’t yet see that you have an opportunity to move through old habits and patterns that hold you back. Know that the outer state of our world is a reflection of our inner state. Begin a steady regimen of prayer, whereby you ask for directions and meditation when you wait to receive answers.

Level 3, Belongingness:

Jupiter moves into the fiery and active sign of Aries. Since Jupiter’s archetypal principles are about expansiveness, luck and opportunity, this bodes well for relationships—friends, family and lovers.  This level of the pyramid is about the necessary social connections and the interaction of the archetypes that define who we are…mother, sister, brother and neighbor. Because Jupiter enhances our feelings and is trine a retrograde Saturn, our actions will be of the more contemplative type. In relationships we may find ourselves doing things like reading together; discussing the ideal human state; and sharing your contemplation upon our connection to all that surrounds us. The goal is to understand that there are many perspectives in our community and to find common ground.

Osho Zen card: Experiencing or Three of Fire is the archetype of integrity and virtue. We have integrity when our heart’s desire matches our thinking and our actions. The card’s image shows a woman in communion with Nature. The woman is in deep relationship with the tree, she is receptive to the energy of the life force of all things and to what it has to teach her. Three is the numeric archetype of newly creative forces springing to life from the stillness of the two. Not quite at full speed ahead, this card also bodes well for gathering friends and family together for sharing quiet dinners and conversation.

Refined/Light: Jupiter gives relationships a boost during this time. Relationships are our greatest teachers and give us plenty of opportunities for growth internally and externally. At this level, if your social goals are frustrated, don’t waste time, set a new set of goals or plan a new form of activity. You know that there are many directions of thought and don’t take things personally. At this level, you don’t waste precious time on turmoil.

Primitive/Shadow: You may feel cut off from people and the natural world. You want to be with others but feel awkward when you are. At this time, many will realize that they really do not know how to be in relationship. You may reach the bottom, close to death itself, but you still cannot get to harmony rather than despair. During times like these it is good to go for walks in Nature with the intention of getting in touch with who you really are and what you want. Look at the world with the eyes of a child and rekindle your relationship with the All that Is. Make no mistake, because you exist, you are important.

Level 4, Self-Esteem

 Because she is the archetypal energy of the mother, Venus is not only our nurturer but our teacher. What did the relationship with your mother and grandmother tell you about who you are? How do you express this same energetic pattern in your life? It is at this level, that we hone our talents to become masters of our world. During this leg of the journey, we gain recognition and respect. Our material needs are met and loving our self, is the gateway to higher consciousness.  The basic goal is to correct negative inner talk so that you do not feel bad about yourself.

Osho Zen card: Page of Fire is the archetypal principle of mastery over emotional and mental blockages. The image on the card reminds us to play like a child and not take life so seriously. As Venus moves into earthy Capricorn, she brings her Sagittarian philosophical ideas to tackle our growth and development challenges.  Her loving energy is square Neptune, Uranus and Jupiter, which means that there is plenty of differing perspectives available to incorporate into your inner work, with plenty of emotional energy and intellectual vision as you go about the task of refining your life’s story.

Refined/Light: You know who you are on all levels of your being. You have learned your heart-lessons and you ready for action with a renewed agenda. You have the right balance of playfulness and clarity. You know that you are special but that life is a game to be played with a light heart. For the lively page, life does not become a burden.

 Taking yourself too seriously prevents you from participating at this level. You are burdened with ego concerns and may exhibit jealousy, passive aggressiveness and other immature behaviors. You do not know how to well play with others. Luckily, Venus has a compassionate side. She beseeches you to practice loving kindness toward yourself and others in daily meditations, rituals, and affirmations.

Level 5, Self-Actualization:

Mercury is just leaving Capricorn, where some hard work has been done, and this God of communication is ready to spread his wings and bring his lessons to Aquarius the archetype with a broad vision for the community. We bring our talents for communicating into a larger arena and your higher Self is showing you how to display your talents and gifts to the world. You may do this through music, writing, talking, singing and all manner of communications. You have achieved this level by having the strength and courage of your convictions to become all that you are capable of becoming. You have met the challenges put before you and are now bursting forth ripeness. People who are achieving this level are radiantly charismatic and creative.

Osho Zen card: Courage VIII of the Major Arcana is the archetype of overcoming your primitive nature and blossoming forth your innate gifts and talents. Like the flower in the image, you have made it; bursting forth from the earth in all your radiant strength. You are displaying your gifts for all to see and are not afraid to take the risks inherent in a life well lived.

Refined/Light: You are set to bring your communicating self and what you have learned into a larger audience--your family or your community. You know how to use strength and courage to your benefit. Life is easier for you now and you have faith in yourself.

Primitive/Shadow: You have not learned how to meet your challenges with strength and valor. You must continue working to develop and master these skills. Look to your family and friends for positive role models. Who among them has refined his/her basic nature, and then strive to be like them. Follow those whose strength of character gives them the courage to do what is right at all times.

Overall, this is a message of continued growth and development at the multi-dimensions of our Being and of the multi-perspectives of our world. It is a brief peek at the matrix of archetypes operating through us and how we can use them to catch the incoming waves for a good ride. It is also a reminder to take the more refined path in all our doing. Nature welcomes positive role models, peacemakers who show the way to live in harmony with our surroundings. Prosperity is ours to win or to lose; choose your path well moment to moment.

 

References:

Gilbert, T. (2004) Messages from the Archetypes: Using Tarot for healing and spiritual growth. Ashland, OR: White Cloud Press.

Gilbert, T. (2011) Gaining Archetypal Vision: Using the archetypes in personal growth and healing. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Books. (not on the market at this writing)

Payne Towler, C. (2007) http://www.tarotarkletters.com/2007/12/stoicheion-soma.html#more

 

Toni Gilbert, RN, MA, HN is a holistic nurse with a practice in transpersonal counseling. As a professional with a formal education in psychology, transpersonal studies, and certifications in wellness counseling, mind-body consciousness, guided imagery, the use of imagery in medicine and aromatherapy she offers clients an array of healing arts techniques to enhance wellness and prevent illness. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and art, including undergraduate classes in Jungian psychology. She continued her interest in art and its symbolism in a graduate art therapy school. She holds a master’s degree from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology.

Toni’s first book is entitled Messages from the Archetypes: Using Tarot for Healing and Spiritual Growth, published by White Cloud Press. Her second book, Gaining Archetypal Vision published by Schiffer Books is due out in 2011. She has written for national and local publication. You may contact her through a personal web site www.tonigilbert.com .

 

Images used with permission:

OSHO ZEN TAROT – The Transcendental Game of Zen, St. Martin’s Press, 1994
With permission of OSHO International
Also available for iPhone, iPad and Android

http://www.osho.com/mobile
iPad link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/osho-zen-tarot-hd/id415355542?mt=8

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ArkLetter 71
February 2, 2011
copyright christine payne-towler 2005-2011, all rights reserved

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