Astrology's Present Moment by Barry D. Cowger - HTML preview

Astrology's Awakening

All astrological signs brim with their spiritual potential or present-moment nature. The observer realizes this potential in experience, recognizing that no single sign, such as Aries, can be tasked with this independently on its own. The "here and now" astrology for all signs has been overlooked or not seriously considered for as long as astrology has been recorded or practiced. Ponder that for a moment. Any desire, thought, feeling, sensation, emotion or inspiration of any sign has their origin in the present moment. However, the present moment is essentially transcendent because it happens on more levels than one, or that time is not what it seems. The signs, celestial bodies, and aspects used or implied throughout this work are familiar, but how they are applied to birth chart interpretation and guidance is unique. As of this writing, I'm not aware of any other publication in which present-moment astrology is consistently applied to awakening realization experience. Perhaps astrology's awakening is at hand.

Astrology's Present Moment Thread

Every moment of any past or future "begins" as the transcendent present moment. For those assembling a view of astrology to be applied in practice, "Astrology's Present Moment" offers a different perspective. Traditional astrology emphasizes event or forecasting perspectives, whereas modern astrology focuses on past and current conditioned mental, emotional, or psychological states. Oddly enough, a workable or functional application of astrology in terms of the only thing that ever happens has been largely excluded or unrecognized. The astrologer's present-moment awareness is the ideal environment or setting for a reading. It sets the stage for how various states that often drive behaviors can be "made" more conscious or resolved within it. As professionals, many astrologers have witnessed a client's sudden insight or resolution of a problem or issue as if it is being seen for the first time. The present moment is not a state of mental activity, emotional intensity or hidden psychological influence. It includes of all of them without being any single one of them. Generally speaking, more awareness equals better choices, whereas less awareness equals poorer choices or outcomes. With little emphasis or focus beyond any sign's immediate present(ing) moment or issue, "Astrology's Present Moment" represents a clear departure from traditional and modern perspectives. It allows the astrologer to approach and define a practice based on direct experience and to "hold" that awareness throughout a reading in terms of the sign/issue under consideration. Consciousness, not materialist circumstances, are the prime movers of events even though their momentum, complexity and history often accompany presenting questions or issues. Events are largely expressions or outcomes of states, and little else, for better or worse. The implicit thread running throughout "Astrology's Present Moment" is that increased awareness greatly undermines the states, karma or fate of any sign "towards" awakening potential, whether in life or in practice.

The Graphic's Awakening Potential

Before we begin, understanding the construction, or what the circle graphic is made from, is paramount. It's like the teacher who reminded students that the process by which an answer is derived is the point, not that "miracles" appearing as answers on the page are impossible before lunch period. In Philosophy 101, we were also reminded that a view or philosophy of life experience is the yoga, not so much that we get to the end of it, even though we have to answer for it. The astrological perspectives offered here are unique and do not emphasize the intermediary of states. As a first task, I encourage the reader to contemplate or apprehend the graphic in awareness before the finite mind state entirely seizes it and imposes a definition. The graphic, when apprehended in contemplation or meditation, has an inherent quality or beauty that may catalyze inspiration or an awakening realization experience.

Pace and Rhythm

Please read slowly and take your time. Read sentences or entire paragraphs more than once. Give present-moment awareness more space and time to find its way on more than one level, not less. This work's titled paragraph format encourages a setting of awareness, pause and reflection. To support this attitude, we will review and consolidate at the beginning of some chapters. While sitting or meditating is implied and recommended in each chapter, it is neither emphasized nor required. A word or phrase at the right moment in awareness can have an outsized impact because the conditions were already in place or spiritually familiar. I support the idea that anyone, no matter where they are or what they are doing, can awaken at anytime. Nowadays, it seems that awakening is occurring more frequently, or is being shared more openly. In all sincerity, please take what you need and leave the rest.

The Circle Graphic or Mandala's Construction

We begin with a circle, like most birth charts. We know where to place the first dot at the center as the origin of the circle itself. We introduce the golden ratio to determine the placement of the second dot within the circle at 0.618 of the distance, or slightly more than half the distance from the center to circumference. The golden ratio is derived from the infinite geometric sequence of its consecutive terms known as the Fibonacci sequence. With a compass, anchor one point at the center, and place the other point on the golden ratio dot, and then draw a smaller circle. Write a "0" on the left side of the original larger circle and a "7" on the right side. In order to bring our graphic mandala to life from its humble beginnings, add a longer golden ratio length of 1.618 times the distance of our original line. These two quantities are the negative and positive ratios of the golden ratio, known as Yin and Yang respectively. This line's repetition, beginning at "0" and again at slightly greater than "7" for a total of fourteen lines will complete the graphic mandala pattern and will accurately place the thirteen chapters around the circle. The number of assigned points as chapters mirror one of nature's preferred or patterned expressions. Reflect on that for a moment. The points on the mandala are the golden ratio in its Yin and Yang, or semi-septile expressions. In a counter-clockwise direction, beginning at "0" this line will terminate at the lower right-hand side of the circle of Chapter 4. Duplicate this process from "4" to "8" to locate Chapter 8, and so on. This sequence is, 0-4-8-12-2-6-10 and returning to "0." Repeat this sequence on the opposite side of the circle, beginning at greater than "7" as, 7-11-1-5-9-13-3 and returning to it. We finish by placing the Seven Harmonies as seven dots between the "0" and the "1" as shown, because they are fractions of the base unit of the septile. How the harmonies are defined and interpreted is given in the first half of Chapter 1. From a strict astrological standpoint, any celestial body in any septile aspect phase or corresponding sensitive degrees of any sign, as well as any celestial body in a harmony phase or corresponding sensitive degrees of Aries, are referred to in any part of a birth chart as the constellation for brevity.

Four Access Points or Portals to Awareness and Awakening

The mandala is a symbol of nature's expression that we use astrologically in relation to different qualities of awareness. Qualitative differences are indicated at each point, chapter or sign, but as a whole they all point to the "beginning" of awakening realization experience. Septiles are a family of aspects, defined from here on as septile aspect portals, and interpreted within the context of phases. To start, in reference to the subtitle of this work, the birth chart provides four pathways to awareness or awakening. The first pathway is phase-related, in which any two celestial bodies may be separated by 51.42 degrees, 102.85 degrees, or 257.14 degrees, and so on throughout the 360-degree circle. The second pathway is relative to sensitive degree points, that correspond to 21.42 Taurus, 12.85 Cancer, or 17.14 Sagittarius, etc. These two pathways represent the points, whether by phase or sign, of the mandala. The third and fourth pathways define the Seven Harmonies. The third pathway is phase-related, in which any two celestial bodies may be separated by 5.71, 6.42, 7.34, 8.57, 10.28, 12.85, or 17.14 degrees that correspond to harmonies 9-3. The fourth pathway is a celestial body located at specific sensitive degree points, but only in the sign of Aries at 5.71, 6.42, 7.34, 8.57, 10.28, 12.85, or 17.14 degrees. All four of these are potentially meaningful access points that are nested within any sign, either as a phase or as sensitive degrees. As the entire constellation, they are displayed in the table below.

Programming Limitations Regarding Aspects as Phases

Due to current programming limitations, astrologers respectfully request professional-grade updates that recognize aspect portals from a 360-degree phase-related perspective taking into account the average speed of celestial bodies. In the meantime, I'm using my DIY phase-friendly Septile Aspect Portal Finder. With a hard copy of a birth chart printed without aspect lines, it is easier to identify the semi-septile, septile, bi-septile, or tri-septile relationships between any celestial bodies. Then I manually draw those aspect lines on the birth chart with the correct 1-13 phase designation. And when harmonies are present, I note them separately below the birth chart because they are usually too close to one another within the circle to be clearly identified. Although it is obviously manual, it is currently the best way to quickly identify any part of the constellation. Contact me or other phase-friendly astrologers to bypass or remedy this software limitation. Without a 360-degree phase-related perspective the constellation is not easily accessible and turns into a repetitive uphill battle with every birth chart casting. An individual's awakening potential which could have been easily defined becomes unnecessarily time-consuming and impractical when preparing charts. The sooner this issue is resolved and a consensus is reached the better.

Phases as Emergent Synergy or Power

Aspects only make sense within the phase in which they occur. Understanding aspects involves recognizing their phase potential, each one possessing a built-in synergistic layer. By analogy, we know the transformation that occurs when hydrogen and two oxygen atoms in their covalent bond as two paired gaseous atoms synergistically combine in a "leap" that creates the molecule of wetness or water. Speaking of water, wave dynamics also demonstrate the power levels present in that system, as the combined height of waves results in an output that surpasses the individual values of each wave. Septile aspect portals have momentum or awakening layered potential. An additional potential is implied when two celestial bodies in phase may also occur at sensitive degree points, which is not always the case. Houses may add another meaningful layer to a potential. These multi-layered configurations or potentials require acknowledgment and interpretation. For example, a celestial body at 4.28 Pisces in aspect to a faster one at 21.42 Taurus represents a phase as a twofold energy potential. Here, it is imperative to carefully and thoroughly read Chapter 3 because both the phase and the celestial bodies of the corresponding sign are repeating signatures. If the planet Mercury is one of those celestial bodies, the planet ruler of this phase, and located in the 3rd house, would point to this configuration's fourfold awakening potential. The awakening potential in this example would be huge. The power of recurring themes that shape and define perception and experience is well-known by astrologers. In relation to this interpretive model, the focus is on spiritual or wholistic human potential, rather than on survival biases that are relative, historical, or psychologically driven. These biases may be unconscious programs or strategies that are distinct from spiritual principles or perspectives. Phases, sensitive degrees, and other factors reveal the hidden or implicit layers or gems in birth chart interpretation. When layers are numerous, perhaps as many as six or seven, quantum synergy is intensely active, and interpretive accuracy is crucial relative to awakening. Like any system it seeks suitable outlets for expression. In other words, the key is to cooperate with appropriate outlets or expressions in contrast to the "discharging" of states, such as the fate or weight of circumstances that astrologers commonly forecast as events. Knowing where to look, or how to apply awareness within that system makes every difference. Nature knows a way or path, it's just a matter of deciphering where (house) and how (sign) to follow.

Whole Number Aspects vs. The Constellation

The immense, transcendent nature of the present moment cannot be captured or limited by the descriptive vocabulary that is inevitably associated with any discrete whole number aspect. By nature, conjunctions, sextiles, squares, etc., are often described as "challenging", "easy", "good" or "bad" which is expected. They are well-suited for historical or predictive contexts, relative to the mental, emotional, or psychological becoming process. Whole-number aspects, similar to any written or becoming program, can be seen as a closed looped system that more or less continues to repeat or rewrite itself with little or no iterations. However, when any part of the constellation is present, whether by phase or as a sign's sensitive degrees, or as harmonies, all point to an open system that does not loop, continually reiterate or reprogram itself because the constellation is open and non-repetitive. Septiles, as the base unit from which the constellation is defined, occur in every sign, relative to any one point, or degree, of origin. Reflect on that for a moment. This is how septiles are both unique and universal. The constellation present in any part of a birth chart represents the ubiquitous field or transcendent present-moment potential in every sign. When an individual becomes aware of present-moment awareness, or realizes it is happening, it can lead to resonant, profound, or non-dual experiences that are difficult to put into words. These experiences are etched, known and recalled in the memory of Consciousness, rather than in the becoming memory of the brain as an unprogrammed and unprogrammable non-becoming awakening experience.

A Caveat of Chapter 7's Aspect Overlap

The center line through the circle is not a whole number opposition aspect at 180.00 degrees. It is the 7 Semi-Septile at 180.0000000001 degrees, which is made up of 25.7142857143… degrees multiplied by seven. Because the 7 Semi-Septile occurs on this all-important horizontal line, accounting for orb, it divides Chapter 7 into its "Below the Horizon" and "Above the Horizon" parts listed in the table below. Even though it is only one septile, two interpretations are needed and provided. Making this distinction is analogous to the obvious difference between Virgo and Libra that no astrologer would overlook. This makes Chapter 7 an interesting "Virgo/Libra" hybrid relative to each of their awakening potentials, accounting for orbs.

Orbs

The final technical point is the discretionary question of aspect orbs. I recommend using 2.5-degree orbs for all thirteen septile aspect portals but they can be slightly widened in certain circumstances, especially with the Sun or Moon. Rather than listing the same 2.5-degree orbs for all chapters in the table, it's only listed for Chapter 7 as a reminder of its bifurcated novelty and for an overall cleaner look. In most cases, I recommend using 1.5-degree orbs for all harmonies between 9-3, such as 5.71, 6.42, 7.34, 8.57, 10.28, 12.85, and 17.14. This applies whether by phase in any sign or specifically as these degrees in Aries.

The Ascendant and Moon

Some children, starting as early as four and up to around twelve or thirteen, report one-time or ongoing extra-sensory experiences when their ascendant, its ruler and/or Moon are repeatedly aspected, aligned or constellated defined above. With an accurate birth time provided by their legal guardian, place the movable pointer of your DIY Septile Aspect Portal Finder on their ascendant and check for any septile aspects from other celestial bodies. They will almost certainly be there. It is not uncommon for their rising sign to occupy the sensitive degree points of any sign, taking into account orbs. For these children, a "normal" becoming or conditioning process is not the only thing that's happening. They remain open to the field of awareness information exchange through which spiritual realization experience often occurs as imagery or other sensory input. An unprogrammable portal has not closed and may remain actively robust until early adolescence. Second, move the pointer to their Moon and check for similar or supporting constellating aspects. It may be angular or at sensitive degrees as well. Known or unknown spiritual figures, in more or less defined humanized forms, can appear or be sensed as a familiar presence. Known or unknown deceased immediate or extended family members may also visit for various reasons or purposes. In some instances, children may define these experiences as their very real friends, and not necessarily as teachers or guides. The nodal axis of the Moon also needs to be considered, similar to the ascendant and the Moon in the charts of pre-adolescents who have reported extra-sensory experiences. Interpret the nodes as any celestial body, not as a phase potential, but as sensitive degree points or portals. I encourage the reader to review the birth charts and biographies of mystics, yogis, historical and contemporary spiritual guides, as well as spiritually inspired artists to understand how their childhood experiences have shaped and defined their self-image and worldview in positive ways as adults. This information is readily available in the public domain.

The Constellation as Phase-Related Septiles, Sensitive Degrees, and the Seven Harmonies

Chapter 1 "The 1 Semi-Septile" @ 25.71 degrees of separation, or 25.71 Aries, and the Seven Harmonies

Chapter 2 "The 2 Septile" @ 51.42 degrees of separation, or 21.42 Taurus

Chapter 3 "The 3 Semi-Septile" @ 77.14 degrees of separation, or 17.14 Gemini

Chapter 4 "The 4 Bi-Septile" @ 102.85 degrees of separation, or 12.85 Cancer

Chapter 5 "The 5 Semi-Septile" @ 128.57 degrees of separation, or 8.57 Leo

Chapter 6 "The 6 Tri-Septile" @ 154.28 degrees of separation, or 4.28 Virgo

Chapter 7 "The 7 Semi-Septile" Below The Horizon Orb @ 177.50-179.99 degrees of separation, or 27.50 to 29.99 Virgo

Chapter 7 "The 7 Semi-Septile" Above the Horizon Orb @ 180.0000000001-182.50 degrees of separation, or 00.01 to 2.50 Libra

Chapter 8 "The 8 Tri-Septile" @ 205.71 degrees of separation, or 25.71 Libra

Chapter 9 "The 9 Semi-Septile" @ 231.42 degrees of separation, or 21.42 Scorpio

Chapter 10 "The 10 Bi-Septile" @ 257.14 degrees of separation, or 17.14 Sagittarius

Chapter 11 "The 11 Semi-Septile" @ 282.85 degrees of separation, or 12.85 Capricorn

Chapter 12 "The 12 Septile" @ 308.57 degrees of separation, or 8.57 Aquarius

Chapter 13 "The 13 Semi-Septile" @ 334.28 degrees of separation, or 4.28 Pisces

Progressive and Direct Paths

A path, often represented by a phase or sign, may be lengthy, meandering, challenging, unclear, or it may be direct and swift. Most prefer the latter because results are "better" when achieved sooner rather than later, even though that's not always true. The benefit of following the progressive path is that advancements are typically more secure, and one may not need to backtrack from what may be extraordinary spiritual claims. Individuals may also be attracted to a path or school of thought because it makes intuitive sense or feels right, such as paths of solitude, study, devotion, or fellowship. Strictly speaking, if the text resonates with you, or if you have had the experiences outlined in that chapter, -even if they are not directly indicated in your birth chart, then stick with it. I may have overlooked something, which is not infrequent. Additionally, the reader may not feel the need to formally sit or meditate if that doesn't feel right. As always, it's important to discover what works best and go from there. Chapter 9 briefly outlines an additional path that may be relevant to others.

Materialism, Panpsychism and Local Realism

Materialism is thankfully beginning to falter as a consensus worldview. It is far too inefficient. Materialism is incoherent, logically inconsistent, has no explanatory power, and is empirically inadequate. Panpsychism and fundamental Consciousness are aligned in that everything is made of Consciousness. However, since some versions of panpsychism align with materialism, it is not relevant or explored here. Fundamental Consciousness communicates through resonate frequencies that participate in coherent non-local fields. These fields define and are essential for awareness, social connection, physical and mental health, as well as overall well-being. Awakening realization experience occurs when fields "reach" coherent thresholds as an awareness of them. Local realism has, in one way or another, been proven false as the recently awarded Nobels testify. Astrologers can rejoice about this, or perhaps we knew it all along anyway, so we leave local realism, a cousin of materialism, behind as well. We will lovingly pound another nail or two into the coffin of bankrupt materialism in Chapter 11, pun intended. There are no accidents: chance or fate may not be only what they appear to be.

Source Consciousness as Love

Source consciousness can't be defined as an object or thing even though it's always present to some degree, even to the finite mind. The essential experiential quality of Source consciousness is unconditional love, which transcends spacetime and logic. Some have even claimed that unconditional love is a dimension that underpins and makes spacetime itself possible, or what it appears to be. Either way, love is often described as logically senseless, even though it's what we most often feel we don't have enough of. Source consciousness has also been experienced as non-visible light perceived without the use of eyes. So, just as love transcends the rational barrier, light in a spiritual context does the same as it reaches the depths of one's "inner" experience. Whether "lighted" or not, the everyday 4D spacetime dimension may be temporarily suspended or completely blown away in deeper levels of awareness or awakening as unconditional love.

Awareness and the Subtractive Learning Experience

Awareness is the essential element of present-moment experience. However, the thinking or finite mind may have other ideas. It wants to run the show, and it usually does. But regardless of how or what we learn, experience is the ultimate teacher. Consequently, we evolve: becoming better, stronger, smarter, or faster. But we also change and gain insight through spiritual subtraction. In other words, we can also realize or see what we were not, which can be a profound and sometimes shocking experience. And it may take some time to fully embody the result of some intense, subtractive learning experiences. For example, imagine an adult seeing their forearm for the first time, as if it were suddenly or magically appearing. If such a condition existed, awareness as a subtractive variable would remove their blindness or previous perceptual limitations to reveal their forearm that was always there but not seen. Subtractive learning experiences, as emphasized in Chapter 6 and elsewhere, can reveal or uncover liberating and amazing experiences, as well as those that are challenging or emotionally taxing. By its nature, awareness in a Chapter 6 Tri-Septile context, sees through, subtracts from, or deconstructs previous perceptions, or what is often felt as being missing, "towards" awakening.

Non-Telos

Finally, this introduction may resemble the view from an airplane in flight. If a mostly foreign or unfamiliar landscape of present-moment awareness or awakening through any sign has piqued your interest, sit upright, land the plane turn the page, and take the first steps into Chapter 1 and beyond. And even though we start there, it's not the beginning of the journey, just as there is no end at the last sign of the zodiac in Chapter 13. To neatly wrap up the introduction, it may be helpful to convey to the curious and spiritually minded that there isn't anywhere from which any coming has been, as well as to understand that there isn't anywhere to which any going could go. To leave it there and proceed from that awareness can be an awakening or liberating moment in itself.