The Use of Archetypes in Prediction

Abridged Edition

By Robert Zoller

 

Ó        2002 Robert Zoller and New Library London. All rights reserved

 

Robert Zoller is the world’s leading proponent of Western Predictive Astrology, also known as Medieval Astrology. For the last 30 years, he has been engaged in intensive research, translation, and study, and in the process has resurrected many astrological techniques that had been lost to us. In July 2002, he was awarded the internationally renowned Regulus Award for excellence in research and innovation.

The following is an extract from his lesson – The Archetype - found in the Diploma Course of Medieval Astrology. In its writing, Robert has drawn on esoteric doctrine which, until this year, had remained unpublished and known to very few. Many of these esoteric doctrines provide the key to astrological conundrums, which we all have to grapple with if we are to see astrology re-established as a great Art.

 

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Introduction

Astrologers often debate which is the better Zodiac to use: the sidereal or the tropical. It is a complex debate that lies at that root of western astrological prediction. 

What  successful Western Predictive astrologers are now finding is that both have to be used together. From this combination they gain an understanding of the Immutable Archetype – that which never changes and the Mutable Archetype – that which is in constant change.

The Immutable unchanging Archetype is embodied in the sidereal Zodiac. However, it is also reflected in the tropical Zodiac. By placing the two in correct relationship to each other, we find a valuable tool that allows us to gauge more accurately the place of the individual, (the native whose horoscope we are examining), in the World.

 

Two Zodiacs - Two Archetypes

Both Zodiacs are invisible. Both are defined by numbers and proportion. The most basic are that signs are sextile to each other 12/6; square to each other 12/3; trine to each other 12/4 and opposed to each other 12/2. These fractions give us 2/1, 4/1, 3/1, 6/1. To this we add the conjunction: 12/1. Their reciprocals automatically come to mind: ½, ¼, 1/3, 1/6, 1/12.

Thus, we find that the Zodiacs are clearly associated with measuring and ratio. However, from this we can extend our understanding to reason, comparison, and order. 

The Zodiacs, by their numerical and geometrical relationships provide the first of two determinations by which the universal creative being, signified by the planets and luminaries, are specified and focussed. The second determination is by the houses. By the houses, the still rather universal influences of the planets in the signs are made specific to the native.

 

Measuring the Native Against the Archetype

When the astrologer reads the natal figure and commences to judge the mass of symbols, numbers, and lines that indicate the native's physique, health, motivation, personality, and destiny, s/he is at once confronted with a conundrum. For not only must the astrologer discover the individual's motivations and where they will lead in terms of the native's life, but also, s/he has to relate the native to all Mankind. This is to relate the individual to all individuals, indeed to the entire world. In short, we must place the individual in the Cosmos.

To do this we must firstly recognise that the twelve signs of the Zodiac (when expressing it in the singular I am addressing both the Zodiacs as a single collective of shared features) represent a twelve-fold differentiation of the Divine Will. This Will is the universal affirmation of being. It is the “I AM”. Thus, the question is: what is it? I AM what? The differentiation of the Divine Will by the Archetype answers this question. It provides the “What”. The Zodiac is a diagram of form and the activity of the zodiacal signs have to do with the focussing of the Divine Being into particular forms. Hence, when we speak of the operation of each of the zodiacal signs, we speak of the activity of the building up of these forms.

 

An Illustration: The Archetype and Making of a Living

When we study the Immutable Archetype, we see that there are behaviours, concepts, values that are neither time/age specific, nor culturally specific. They are universal and timeless.

Thus, Man (a male or female individual of the species homo sapien), is a being endowed with a natural need to eat and be sheltered from the elements; in short, to preserve one’s physical existence, taking initiative, or the behaviour of aggressively pursuing one's goals (Aries) to succeed. It is the same whether this forthright action be exercised in ancient Rome, the Stone Age, or the 21^st century. Moreover, this form of behaviour works in Canada, China, Britain, or Brazil.

 

If you follow the Zodiac through you can see the behaviour required by the Archetype all unfold in timeless form. Thus, persistence in work, and a knowledge of materials, methods and value (Taurus), joined to Arien initiative, sets one above others (no matter what the age or place) who fail to combine these two virtues (initiative plus persistent application of appropriate materials, and just value); or combines aggressiveness with slipshod methods, poor execution and incorrect value.

Advertising or communicating (Gemini) what you have to offer lets people know what you do and how to get your services. Providing we have something the community needs, if we emulate the wisdom of these three signs, we always survive. Indeed, if we act according to these three signs, we will find that we get enough work to justify hiring help, which leads us further into the Zodiac.  We will need to house our business and train our employees. We will need to take care of them like a family (Cancer).

This automatically makes us the leader, boss, authority, father figure (Leo). We are now providing a service (Virgo) to society. This brings us into contact with others, i.e. the public (Libra). It is now even more necessary than before to cultivate just relationships. Some of these relationships will involve financial partnerships (Scorpio) and your ethics and philosophy (Sagittarius) will be called upon. You will attain material success (Capricorn) and learn the laws regulating society (Aquarius). Finally, you must let it all go (Pisces).

These stages in the development of one’s professional life are universal in their application and illustrate the fundamental nature of the Immutable Archetype.  The more precisely you fulfil the requirements of each stage, the more certainly you succeed. Those who cannot, do not. If you cannot get out of bed in the morning, if you persist in turning out inferior workmanship, if you are inarticulate, if you cannot work with others, if you abuse your authority, refuse to serve society, are unjust in your relations with others, if you cannot negotiate your financial partnerships, etc, then, ultimately, you fail.  When you look at the native’s horoscope and compare it with the Archetype, it gives a better understanding of how the native will do in meeting the demands of embodied existence, demands that originate in the Archetype. For example, unless the qualities enumerated above (initiative, knowledge of materials, methods and value, and so on) are found in the chart of the native, whether s/he seeks to be a highflying merchant banker, or to open a corner shop, then s/he will fail.

 

What does The Archetype tell us of the Nature of Things?

There are basic patterns that will remain immutable until the end of time. Simultaneously, different aspects of the Archetype  appear Age after Age superimposed upon, and obscuring, the Immutable Archetype. This is the reflected Mutable Archetype, which we largely measure using the tropical Zodiac. These mutable aspects of the Archetype are superimposed upon the underlying pattern and we recognise them as markers of an Era – changes in customs and social mores, pre-occupations of differing Eras, etc.

You can take virtually any human activity and see the difference between the Immutable and the Mutable Archetypes. For example, if we consider war:  at the base of warfare is the survival of the solider coupled with other Immutable qualities, such as that the ultimate weapon of the solider is his/her own life force (i.e. what s/he is). Those who embody Mars/Aries exhibit that aspect of the unchanging Immutable Archetype. In contrast to this we find that the nature of weapons and armour changes, the development of new strategies and devices used from Age to Age differ. These are mutable. Equally so are the differing social and personal ties that have certain men fighting, but disallows others, or those which have excluded women and others from the armed forces, etc. 

In describing The Archetype, we are describing the world as it is, not as we would like it to be. We are describing the causes of the experience that we have everyday in the secular, phenomenal, ordinary, physical experience, not some rosy superimposition, or rationalisation for why things are the way they are. The Archetype describes the underlying enduring reality upon which the transient reality of a given Age (itself but a permutation of the enduring underlying Archetype) is temporarily superimposed.

For a clearer understanding of this, we can return to number. Ten is the number of completion, fulfilment, or realization. According to the Kabbalah, the creation of the entire cosmic system was produced in ten emanations. As each cause (sign) is realized in ten stages, the realization of any sign’s being is ten signs from it, in the order of the signs.[1]

Now, bearing this in mind, it can be seen that to be in harmony with the Archetype we must meet the world as though Aries were our Ascendant, that is, we must be cardinal, take initiative; go out from ourselves to act on the world. We must be fiery. Our motivation must be an energetic, conscious drive for freedom of action and for power. Aries is the exaltation of the Sun. The Great Man's primary motivation is one of will, reason, power, and authority, and, as Mars is the ruler of Aries, he employs aggressive, audacious, forthright, straightforward, idealistic methods. When necessary he wields the “sword” and cuts down all opposition. Capricorn is ten signs from Aries. Therefore, the realization of Aries is in Capricorn. What does this tell us?

We see once again the cardinal sign indicating a centrifugal movement, that is, moving out and acting on the world. Here, however, we find an earth sign, a feminine sign, and like Aries, ruled by a malefic planet; in this case, Saturn. Thus, here we find that the sign Capricorn and all it entails ought to characterize our actions if we are to be successful in the world. Hence, we must be industrious, attentive to detail, capable of sacrificing all our immediate sensual desires in favour of our intended long-range goals.

We must have awareness of the law, careful to a fault as to who we let into our confidence, prudent in our actions, reticent, speaking only to our closest associates as to our true intentions.  In fact, we must measure our success in terms of tangible possessions, physical and financial security. We must not make efforts in a direction, which appears to have no prospects of producing such tangible results. We must be aggressive in the pursuit of our goals, (Capricorn, you will remember is the exaltation of Mars). Thus, in Capricornian situations, or entities such as “the corporation”, we find the most aggressive behaviour in nature, not mere bullying, but ruthless, heartless, precise, measured, successful use of force for a specific goal.

The Sun has no honour in Capricorn, thus what we are dealing with in the archetypal 10^th house has nothing to do with “My ego”. The force used is not self-serving. It is a tool, a well-sharpened sword, and it is used for specific goals. It is used to realize tangible, measurable, physical security. It is impersonal. Were the Sun involved, the proper poise would be impossible. Note too, that Mars has only honour of triplicity in Leo. It is exalted in Capricorn. In Capricorn, Mars serves Saturn. The lesser malefic, Mars, serves the greater one, Saturn.

So, we can see here that the 10^th house is the place where the 1^st house is realized. Aries seeks power and authority. The 10^th sign from Aries, Capricorn, shows that the realization of that drive, and the behaviour intended to realise that drive in our action, must not be egotistical. We must be practical, attentive to detail, cold, calculating, aggressive, prudent, and careful of the law. Must ego be sacrificed because of moral considerations? Capricorn, the Goat answers, “No!” The sacrifice of egocentricity is necessary if success is to be had, because one gets in one's own way otherwise and creates obstacles for oneself. Egotism is impractical. The ego is sacrificed because this approach works. Now continues Capricorn; we adopt a moral façade for our behaviour, if to do so will make us seem more acceptable in the eyes of those who value such things. But, we cannot be duped by the methods we use to realize our goals. In the end expedience is the rule; the end justifies the means.

Now, this is quite a different picture than the one that we are generally given as to how one ought to act. Our upbringing, whether by our parents, or, (for those in mainstream society in the Free World), by the secular, bureaucratic educational system, or by a protestant or catholic Christian code, has not encouraged this kind of behaviour. Indeed, we may find it shocking and offensive that it is so clearly set forth here. Nevertheless, this should remind us that as astrologers we cannot afford to be subjective or judgmental. In astrology, we have to deal in reality or we deal in nothing.

 

We should be able to recognise the Archetype in its Immutable timeless form (as expressed through number and ratio) and in its Mutable form (the customs and mores that shape a given society at any given time). To apprehend enduring reality is our goal. That is why we must understand the timeless nature of things and why and how they change – both in the natal chart and in mundane charts. The answers are all there for the astrologer to find.

The Zodiac is not an indicator of lofty, spiritual impulses. It is far more an indicator of worldly and material influences that shape things and shape forms that come into the world. Many Gnostics regarded the Zodiac and the planets as jailers and prison guards.

In Aries, as stated above, we find the exaltation of the Sun and the exaltation of the “I Am”, of the conscious self producing idealism and enthusiasm in the fiery, cardinal sign of the malefic planet Mars. Thus, the benefic qualities of the Sun are mingled with the malefic Mars, the producer of woe and misery. Moreover, these same qualities are exalted in Capricorn, the earthy sign ruled by the malefic Saturn. 

So, here is the shocking revelation of The Archetype: the selfless source of life, light and heat, the Sun, is crucified in this world on a cross under the domination of the malefics. This life is one in which love and joy, Venus and Jupiter, alternate with misery and strife, Saturn and Mars; but, the latter two dominate the embodying Archetype.

If we are to succeed in this world, we must accept the characteristics of the governors of the world – forces inherently destructive – which by themselves would cause the world to come to a quick end, were it not for the continual support of Creation, by the life-preserving benefics.

This drives to the heart of the esoteric doctrine, that is, that the recognition of, and confrontation with the destructive forces leads us eventually to turn toward the good.

The signs relate to form. They are the outer realities and they give rise to material species with an allotted time. The Self is eternal but, the forms of Creation are measured. The malefics ruling the angles destroy, and in destroying, they cause change. The power of the world consists in producing living forms and in the effective destruction of those living forms. The destruction of living forms is the dissolution of their material vehicle. 

We exist embodied in a harsh, and for many, an often miserable world, the nature of which is destructive. If we are to achieve eternal happiness, it cannot be outside in the world, but only within, in the direction of The Self. It is possible, by means of the dialectical model mentioned above, to turn the destructive influences surrounding us to spiritual benefit. 

The realization of this “Man of Eternal Substance” in us is the subject of subsequent books in the Corpus Hermeticum and has been the central interest of esotericism for Aeons. Few people know that within them dwells a god-like being that is immortal, free, omniscient and happy.

It remains (if the person is aware of it at all) merely an idea, an opinion. In order for it to be made real, certain things must be done, which are not part of one’s ordinary daily routine. Fuller discussion of this is found in the Diploma Orientation lecture [2].

The Archetype permits us to analyse our temporal existence and to perceive the order behind the apparent chaos. This does not contradict what has been said previously of success in the world. To achieve temporal success, we must conform our actions to the Archetype. To achieve eternal happiness we must go beyond the Archetype.

 

The Ages of the World

The Immutable Archetype and the Mutable Archetype like the Zodiacs are both invisible. Due to precession, the Vernal Point (the point of intersection of the Ecliptic and the Equator) drifts backwards in the sidereal Zodiac at the rate of very nearly 1°  degree in 72 years. This presents a different sign to the Equinox every 2160 years, and a full cycle in 25,920 years. This Zodiac brings mutation in the world and in the customs, laws and bodies of mankind, and while it never entirely counteracts the Immutable Archetype, it can hide it from those who do not look beyond the superficial appearances of the time in which they live.

 

The Age of Pisces

Let us begin by looking at the current Age, the Piscean Age[3]. Though this Age is still upon us I will treat of it in a historical sense as it is largely over.

In the Age of Pisces, the Vernal Point was in the sidereal sign of Pisces. Taking this as the 1^st house, during the Piscean Age the people (1^st house) were Piscean. They would be, therefore, emotional, mystical dreamers, highly ambitious (Jupiter), motivated by a desire for emotional security. Their emotional mysticism was expressed in their natural 9th house (Scorpio), as a rigorous, devotional religion requiring absolute submission, and demanding forms of religious exercise, sexual abstinence, fasting, pilgrimages, vigils and even self-flagellation in the more extreme forms. These are common characteristics of Scorpio in a religious (9^th house) genre.

Both Christianity and Islam, as well as several Gnostic forms of religion, sprang up at this time. All of them incorporated a radical dualism, which is in keeping with both Pisces and Scorpio. In Islam, we find the concept of religious war, a Scorpio concept, endorsed in the scriptures of that religion, the Koran. In Christianity, this was given expression during the Crusades. Judaism, Christianity, Gnosticism, and Islam promise an ultimate blessed state, characterized by a collection of solar characteristics,

 

the celestial kingdom, eternal life, and enlightenment. They talk of the “Body of Light” and the “Divine Will”. This is the exoteric description of Heaven, and we find it, as a result, ten signs away from Scorpio in the natural order, in Leo.

Next, we look at the forms of temporal government which existed during the Piscean Age. We note that the natural 9^th house, Sagittarius, was the 10^th house in the Piscean Age, hence we should expect to find hierarchical, aristocratic forms of government in which a kind of combination occurs between the purely secular and the purely spiritual. This is because the natural 10^th house in the Immutable Archetype underlies the superimposed Sagittarius of the Age.

Here we begin to see what was referred to earlier on, namely, that we are never without the influence of the Immutable Archetype. The superimposition of the Age adds something to the basic pattern, but it never entirely obliterates it. 

This is one reason why social engineers today, struggling so hard to totally alter society and mankind's basic nature, are always frustrated, and why their work is never complete. They can never alter the Immutable Archetype, and though they may not be aware of it, they cannot help acting in accordance with it. I am reminded of Plato's admonition to the effect that: no matter how perfect the State you create, it will mutate in three generations (The Republic, Book VIII. 546).

In the Piscean Age, religious institutions were conflated with secular power and governments, and Sagittarius overlay Capricorn, the natural 10^th house, and the government in Mundane astrology. That religion suffered and became more temporal and secular, rather than raising up government, as many in the Catholic Church thought it would, is proof of the superiority of the Archetype. For were the Mutable Archetype able to overcome Immutable Archetype, the Piscean Age should have been a Golden Age with the institutions of government reflecting perfectly the Divine Will issuing perfectly through the religious institutions. Exactly the reverse took place.

The Christian Church, for instance, once recognized as the only lawful religious body in the Roman Empire by Constantine, grew quickly into the most extensive and powerful secular political organization in the West after the fall of the Empire. There can be no doubt that had this not been so, Western learning and civilization would have been snuffed out by the Pagan Germans, Slavs, Huns, Vikings, Saracens, Tartars, and Turks. Still religion suffered as the result of its fall into the realm of politics and much of the political and social upheaval of the present day is in reality, the playing out of the shockwaves set up by that fall.

What was the result of this coincidence of Sagittarius with Capricorn? Look to the diagram above: the Immutable Archetype at the centre, with Aries in the 1^st house, and the Mutable Archetype on the outside, with Pisces in the 1^st house. You will see that, as usual, the 10^th is realized in the 7^th. Thus, the Church brought bureaucracy, (Virgo) to the public, 7^th house. The cleric, who was essentially a bureaucrat, was trained in the hierarchy and was the only person in the community who could read and write, arrange marriages, witness contracts, regulate trade; all 7^th house affairs. In addition, we have to ask ourselves what resulted from the growth of the Church-led bureaucracy?

Ten signs away in the natural order, we find Gemini on the 4^th, thus learning, Gemini, 3^rd sign, entered the public buildings, 4^th house of The Archetype. During the Piscean Age, we see the growth of the universities and schools and museums and libraries.

Alexander the Great founded Alexandria around 332 BC. It became the capital of the Ptolemies from 304 BC to 30 BC, and was the largest city in the West. During the 1^st century BC, Alexandria became the centre of Hellenistic and Jewish culture; later of Christian culture as well, and the centre of learning. Its library was unrivalled and contained “all” the knowledge known to Man. Prior to the Piscean Age, learning and wisdom were, for the most part, maintained by small collections of teachers and wise men, in other words, in private hands. One might object that in Egypt and Babylon great libraries existed, but in Babylon, they were the King's, for his and his government’s exclusive use. While in Egypt they were part of the temple and for the exclusive use of the priests. In Alexandria, we find more access to knowledge than ever before. But what were the ideas of the Age regarding knowledge? Knowledge we will take as the 3^rd house, for during the Piscean Age, 9^th house knowledge was religious devotion. The 3^rd house in the Piscean Age was Taurus. Hence, knowledge was, first of all, practical.

The Roman Empire was the Piscean political institution in the West. Rome came into its own after the Punic wars, the first of which was 264BC to 241BC, although the Empire did not begin until the reign of Augustus 42BC to 14AD. The Roman Empire in the west lasted until 476AD. Rome set the tone with regards to how knowledge was to be used. Contrary to the speculative genius of the Greeks, the Roman mind was earth bound.

Engineering was Rome's contribution to the world. Thus we see that, for the Piscean Age, knowledge was above all a practical item, for the most part employed in raising great edifices, the building of aqueducts, the building of walled fortifications, temples, later cathedrals, cities, sewage systems, and so forth.

In the Middle Ages, knowledge was directed toward the 9^th house and the salvation of the soul. Nevertheless, whether knowledge was employed for salvation or for building, it was a possession, (Taurus), and as such, jealously guarded and kept secret. This is a Taurean characteristic. 

To what did this view of knowledge lead? Ten signs from Taurus takes us to Aquarius in the 12^th house, thus, practical, secret, earthy, Taurean knowledge led to occult science; occult because the 12^th house is secrets, and science because of Aquarius. With what did this hidden science deal? The answer is “with Man”, because Aquarius is a human sign. And to what did it lead? To the 9^th house Scorpio, spiritual regeneration. From there, we go to Leo and find that ultimately, power and glory were the result: spiritual realization and omnipotence if the work was complete; occult magical power, if not. Note that Leo is here on the 6^th house of the Archetype. The 6^th is the tenth from the 9^th and is, therefore, the realization of the 9^th.

In the Archetype, we can see Virgo there. Thus, the realization of the Archetypal, prophetic, hierarchical religion is service, Virgo. In the Piscean Age, the realization of the transformative religion of the Age was a solar experience. If the transformation was complete, the Divine omnipotence was had; perhaps even magical powers, since magic is the action based on philosophic understanding. Piscean magic was solar. It led to secular power. Now, on the level of the individual, what occurs? The path for advancement is within one of the Theo-political hierarchies of the day: Sagittarius.

Thus, the man of the Piscean Age had to be religious and at the same time ambitious: Pisces and Jupiter. The dynamic power drive of the Archetype, Aries, had to be expressed in the 10^th house, Capricorn through Sagittarius. Thus, the fire of Aries became associated with the devotional mysticism of Pisces, and resulted in such things as the legend of the Holy Grail, King Arthur, and the Knights of the Round Table, etc.

Success in the Church leads to a position in the sacerdotal hierarchy and encourages a virtuous and industrious life of service: Virgo. This is particularly difficult to maintain, because the Archetype continually requires Man to exhibit the malefic qualities which rule the angles: Mars and Saturn. Moreover, in dealing with others as a virtuous cleric, the Venusian aspect of the archetypical 7^th house throws temptation after temptation in the way. The perfection of the cleric’s work is indicated ten signs away in Gemini. He preaches to them the doctrine of the Church and  hopefully  he makes mystics out them, ten signs away in Pisces. Not everyone was a cleric in the Piscean Age or even in the Middle Ages, but religious institutions were the order of the day, and set the tone for Piscean civilization, therefore this analysis holds as valuable. This was especially so during the Middle Ages, when many saw the monastic experience as the model for secular life. We are here viewing things from the Western perspective but, of course, this holds true for other societies – Tibet, China and Mesoamerican civilisations are well known examples outside the west.

In analysing the Archetype, we said that the only sufficient mediator in keeping a couple or a partnership together was the 9^th house. Let us see what became of the 9^th house in the Piscean Age. We see Scorpio on the 9^th. Thus, with regards to law and religion (9^th house), we see that feud and martial law were the forms that law took in the Piscean Age. Thus, feudalism had a legal basis with all its provisions for vassals and fiefdoms, as well as for rules for revenge, siege laws, etc. The laws regarding marriage were Scorpionic. The man had the right of life and death over the woman and over his children.