THE COLOR OF NIRVANA

By Adel Ather

In a day and age where most are familiar with Astrology through sun sign horoscopes; Exciting times lie ahead for modern astrology.

The age of information has allowed for a strong exchange of information. Allowing ideas from a variety of cultures and time periods to converge. Providing fertile ground for intellectual matters to expand to greater heights.

Astrology has also benefited from the resourceful abundance. Combining with foreign theoretical models and forming into a new thesis. The greatest advancement has been the rise of Humanistic Astrology. Humanistic Astrology is the marriage of Astrology and Psychology. Using Astrology as a roadmap for the progression of the psyche and soul. Moving away from fatalistic fortune telling. And entering into a profound philosophy of Spiritual thought.

To an accurate degree, Humanistic Astrology is able to articulate profound changes that occur on a psychological level. At various levels, all human beings are subjected to circumstances which cause them to grow and mature. A strong example is the transit of the Saturn return. Closely mirroring the common stage adults reach near the age of 30. This occurs when the planet of maturity (Saturn) returns to its original position (Saturn Return). Often signifying a difficult period. As the individual re-evaluates their accomplishments. Serving as an internal testing period for ones self worth.

Classical Astrology leans toward the bottom line answer. In contrast, Humanistic Astrology is a process-oriented art. Showing an individual in a constant state of flux and process of evolution. Allowing us to embrace life in a colorful viewpoint. Allowing us to be one with universal force in life. Whatever label we wish to give it – The Tao, God, Allah, Buddha. To see that all in life has it’s designed purpose. Reaching for a higher state of bliss, a personal Nirvana. Becoming one with all that surrounds us.

In traditional Astrology the terms Malefic and Benefic are common. The words are implicit of situations which are inherently good or bad. Malefic aspects we’re often frowned upon. While benefic's were welcomed. The term Malefic and Benefic are defined by Webster’s Dictionary as follows :


MALIFIC: Etymology: Latin maleficus wicked, mischievous, from male + -ficus -fic 1 : having malignant influence : BALEFUL 2 : MALICIOUS


BENEFIC Etymology: Latin beneficus, from bene + facere : BENEFICENT


In the scenario of a Traditional Astrologer: The client would approach the astrologer “Will Bob the IV marry me?”. The Astrologer would then create a time sensitive star chart. This was known as a horary reading. After a careful analysis, the Astrologer may determine the answer is “No, Bob will not marry you. In fact he is cheating on you”. As a result, the client breaks out in tears. The bottom line black and white answer is provided. Once again the Astrologer rejoices in his accuracy.

Yet the client is frustrated since this is the 5th prospect she has consulted advice from the Astrologer. She cannot fathom why she is stuck in a recurring loop of dead end relationships. How can being a good old bacherlorette daughter of a sheep catcher be anything but negative?

We can’t all be winners in life. At best, not at all times. If anything, life often goes as unplanned. Which is part of the reason people seek Astrologers. To find comfort in an unpredictable world. Yet the life working against us is reflected within the chart. As the ‘malefic’ influences far outweigh the benefic.

An aspect to Venus or Jupiter considered benefic. Yet, it has to contend with the vast array of malefic conditions such as Via Combusta, Besiegement, Fixed Stars(Vindemetrix, Algol), and Refrenations. The stars do reflect that often the odds are against us.

But is life really designed to allow us to fail?

All events whether appearing negative have purpose within the spiritual plane. Yet our ego, which yearns and desires is attracted to circumstances considered favorable or unfavorable. It is natural, as the egotistical mind divides and categorizes events into ‘good’ and ‘bad’.

Modern Astrology helps move away from bottom line reality. The black and white picture of positive and negative circumstances. Good situations and Bad. Malefic and Benefic.

Modern Humanistic Astrologers recognizes the inherent positive value to every Astrological aspect. Viewing conditions from a holistic process. Saturn may be difficult for the human ego to handle. Since it acts as a strong dose of reality. Weighing us down and limiting us by placing roadblocks. Yet, it also is the process which helps purify the ego through humility. It disciplines us, making us put forth our most concentrated effort. Helping us to devise realistic and concrete plans.

Additionally, Venus is the harmonious force which unites, loves and bonds. It also the force that indulges, falsely flatters and reacts passively to adverse circumstances.

Every aspect has a reciprocal negative effect. Even though to our egos, some feel more favorable than others. Yet may do little good in nourishing our spiritual attitude toward life.

Therefore when a client is moving through a difficult transit. A modern humanistic Astrologer helps in the process of ‘reframing’ the situation. Shedding light on how the negative is indeed a positive as well. Revealing that the cup is indeed half full though it seems half empty. As it is part of the developmental purpose of the soul. In its quest to reach a greater level of wholeness. Even though the emotional stress placed upon the individual feels foreign.

As an example. The client may be battling a Neptune Transit. Neptune represents the planet of deception. Making perspectives extremely confusing, foggy and unclear. And this has expressed itself with varying outer events such as the loss of a job. To add to that, a the break up of a relationship has effected the client. Forming accumulating events which create the sense of fogginess and confusion.

While all the symptoms and effects may apparently feel negative. Neptune is meant to CLEAR up vague confusion and lack of clarity in ones direction in life. Despite its pessimistic disguise, a great opportunity for development exists. A reason beyond your apparent vision as to make you a stronger, better and whole person.

Astrology is the symbolic mirror image of the universal force. The universal force is given different names in varying religions. Some call it the Tao, Buddha, Allah, God or Brahman. It a reflection of the force that unites us.

The circle is representative of god’s perfection. And the circle of the zodiac is a mirror of that wholeness and perfection. With the universe striving for the next evolutionary stage. Achieved through birth and destruction. Love and Hate. Reality and Dreams. Action and Rest. Growth and Recession.

Astrology is the microism of the individual’s psyche subconsciously seeking perfection. As above, so is below. The matching rhythm of the universe in our minds.

It is the function of the ‘self-regulated psych’ as stated by Carl Jung. The unconscious drives which the soul seeks to ‘balance’ itself. Reaching towards its own Buddahood. Understanding the inherent beauty that god has created before our eyes. Away from the black and white picture to the kaleidoscope of truth.


"The psyche is a self-regulating system that maintains its equilibrium just as the body does. Every process that goes too far immediately and inevitably calls forth compensations, and without these there would be neither a normal metabolism nor a normal psyche. In this sense we can take the theory of compensation as a basic law of psychic behavior. Too little on one side results in too much on the other. Similarly, the relation between conscious and unconscious is compensatory. " – Carl Jung


Astrology is also a tool to develop a profound love and understanding for others. Bringing to attention that every characteristic has a inherent ‘good’ and bad’ associated with it. As an example, the Aries native may be quick, confident, fast thinking and to the point. Yet, they may be blunt and jump to conclusion due to the aggressiveness of their mind.

Contrary to what the Leo thinks, no sign is perfect. They are components of the circle of perfection. The Virgo while striving for excellence may be overly critical and pessimistic. Despite the Pisces compassion and sensitivity, they may be lazy, weak and unmotivated. Every sign has its reciprocal weakness. And its weakness and strength draw from the same source. The ugliness of that characteristic is uniformly their beauty. Just as when we fall in love with a person we are inundated with all their great qualities. As time progresses, those great qualities may viewed as negatives.

Astrology helps to articulate the colorful nature of people. Removing natural black and white criticism. As we often lean towards our own opinions as being right. It opens the perspective of varying behaviors from a holistic process.

In the movie “Tao of the Astrological Voyager” a metaphor is provided on the illusion of good and evil. The malefic forces battle the benefic. With the story taking place in a dream world. Both the malefic and benefic represent the subject’s own mind. Seeking balance in his own psyche. As truth is investigated the thin line between genius and insanity is walked upon.

I would like to stress its not to say that traditional astrologers did not recognize the humanistic applications. Moreover, there is greater emphasis in the modern age. This is because modern Astrology has been strongly influenced by Eastern philosophy. Eastern philosophy has married into Modern Astrology. Helping to support its theoretical ideas and concepts..

Since its inception, the stars CAUSING events on earth was a commonly raised objection. As there was no visible or confirmed substance which acted as a medium for the causation. As the Webster’s dictionary definition of Astrology is as follows :


Etymology: Middle English astrologie, from Middle French, from Latin astrologia, from Greek, from astr- + -logia -logy 1 archaic : ASTRONOMY 2 : the divination of the supposed influences of the stars and planets on human affairs and terrestrial events by their positions and aspects


In the west, predominately we are recognized by our cause and effect system of Logic. That A=A and B=B. The definition of Astrology is from the viewpoint of a Western cause and effect model. Which views entities as separate components. Therefore, logically a 3rd intermediate component must exist which connects the stars and man.

Yet Eastern philosophers held a flexible viewpoint. Perceiving life on the concept of wholeness. A matching rhythm and co-relative movement. Moving away from explaining materialistic connections. Yet recognizing and observing the synchronistic patterns. This was achieved and applied through the Eastern arts of Yoga, Acupuncture, I ching, Fung Shui and Internal Martial arts(Aikido and Tai Chi). Arts which formed their thesis on the basis of a connection with the universe. Though this connection may not be seen or touched.

Eastern philosophies such as Taoism, Buddhism and Hinduism viewed the universe as a united entity. As the concept of Taoism doesn’t give a name or concrete description of ‘god’. Yet articulates it through the all-encompassing circle of the Tai Chi. Similar to the circle of the Zodiac.

To the Eastern philosopher, it is natural for the human mind to interpret ideas in black or white. It is either subject A or B, but not both. This was labeled as dualistic thinking. Yet if truth is followed to its greatest depth, it will ultimately lead to contradiction. The Eastern mind believed that all life was connected and intertwined. Even all-human minds were believed to be connected at a Universal Mind called the Tao(Buddha in Buddhism. Brahman in Hinduism). Even though reality was united, our individual minds created an illusion of separateness. It accomplished this by separating reality into opposites(Yin and the Yang). Through opposites, the mind could understand and grasp ideas. Without an understanding of high, the mind could not have a understanding of low. Other opposites are subject and object, good and evil, male and female . These oppositions were merely ways for the human mind to grasp reality even though the actual nature of reality remained whole.

The Tai Chi symbolizes wholeness. As the white circle is engrossed within the black space. And the black space within the white space. There is Yin within Yang and Yang within Ying. Just as the malefic astrological aspects is also benefic and vice-versa. Just as good can also be evil depending on the developmental perspective.

The Swiss psychologist Carl Jung was another prominent influence of marriage between Eastern Philosophy and Astrology. Jung was in great admiration of Eastern ideas. He also had studied Astrology. Astrology helped to develop his theory of synchronity. The Theory of Synchronity gave Astrology a theoretical model to support itself. As it indicated all events have a relationship. Though they may appear to be causal coincidences. An example of a ‘casual coincide’ would be meeting important people at an ideal time. Encounters which greatly alter the direction of our lives. Another occurrence is when thinking about a particular person and the phone rings. Being surprised to find it is the person on your mind who is calling. The theory of synchronity described life in a matching rhythm. Though varying entities may not have a material connection to each other.

I would like to note I am by no means against the value of traditional classical Astrology. As I am a proponent and student of it myself. However, I do have faith in the fresh cultural perspectives of today. Which has helped to progress Astrology. Providing a deeper value than predicting events on earth.

Astrology is the philosophy of change. Challenging us to break the confines of dualistic thinking. Away from the black and white point of view. And into the rich, diversified and colorful view of the world. Embracing the bad as the good and vice-versa. In essence, being in touch with the unconscious. Moving closer to a personal Nirvana. Liberating us from the raw one-sided mind.