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Within the field of astrology, evolutionary astrology is specifically dedicated to helping people define their spiritual purpose in life or their "soul mission." A second aspect is that it is centered in teaching us how to integrate our human personality with this special soul mission.
Evolutionary astrology is not primarily centered in being predictive. Predictive astrologers are concerned with calculating the day, for example, that a person could meet the "love of their life." Predictive astrology implies that outside factors take action upon us and that we do not make choices. Events are simply "fated" to happen to us.
On the other hand, evolutionary astrology is creative in that it is concerned with helping people make choices and "create" their own lives to fulfill their inner spiritual needs. A person who is consciously trying to learn to create their own life learns to take responsibility and trust in creating life’s circumstances despite the ups and downs it will inevitably bring.
As human beings confronting key issues in our lives, lovers, friends and problematic people will gravitate toward us whenever the experience they represent is needed. The reason that person is attracted, is in order for both of us to work out key issues in our spiritual lives. This karmic aspect of the relationship will take place whether we, the key players, are conscious of it, or not! Sometimes issues are resolved and healed and sometimes they perpetuate old patterns of hurt and distrust. Each individual’s spiritual learning or loss is determined by the way he or she chooses to interact in the relationship.
The term "karma" refers to the fact that any new cycle of existence is always related to a previous cycle. The new cycle inherits some old unfinished business that needs to be dealt with but also inherits some achievements. In the West we often use the term "bad karma" almost exclusively, but it is important to remember that "good karma" exists in our lives too!
In evolutionary astrology, we believe that we have "soul contracts," or issues to work out with the most important people in our lives (primarily our parents, siblings, lovers and children). Similarly, we have lesser contracts to work out with friends, acquaintances and people we encounter in our day to day experiences. If karmic issues between people are successfully worked out during this lifetime, these people may also become "soul mates." A common misperception is that soul mates are our greatest lovers. While soul mates may, in fact, be lovers, the primary definition of soul mates is those who support and actively help us on our life’s journey. These are people whom we enjoy supporting and helping to learn. Oftentimes a powerful experience with a soul mate will actually lead us to conceive of and begin to follow our life’s mission.
Where Do I Start?
In order to begin to consciously follow one’s soul mission, a person must hold certain beliefs in himself and the universe. These beliefs are succinctly defined by authors Steven Forrest and Jeffrey Wolf Green in their definition of "evolutionary astrology." Their new book Measuring The Night: Evolutionary Astrology and the Keys to the Soul outlines many of the basic concepts of soul growth through a series of workshops they taught together in 1998.
According to Forrest and Green, the soul can evolve over a series of lifetimes to become progressively more spiritual. A person following an evolutionary spiritual path can be recognized by an acceptance and belief in the following core perceptions:
1) An acceptance of the fact that human beings incarnate in a succession of lifetimes.
2) An acceptance of the fact that the birthchart reflects the evolutionary condition of the soul at the moment of incarnation.
3) An acceptance of the fact that the birthchart reflects the evolutionary intentions of the soul for the present life.
4) An acceptance of the fact that the circumstances of the present life, both materially and psychologically, do not arise randomly, but rather reflect the evolutionary intentions and necessities of the soul.
5) An acceptance of the fact that human beings interact creatively and unpredictably with their birthcharts; that all astrological symbols are multi-dimensional and are modulated into material and psychic expression by the consciousness of the individual.
6) An acceptance of the fact that human beings are responsible for the realities they experience, both internally and externally.
Finally, if the person involved is also an astrologer, the following seventh belief would also hold true for them:
7) An respectful intention to accept and support a person seeking astrological help, no matter the evolutionary state in which such an individual finds himself or herself.
Copyright 2000, Steven Forrest and Jeffrey Wolf Green. Order their book Measuring the Night: Evolutionary Astrology and the Keys to the Soul, Steven Forrest and Jeffrey Wolf Green, Seven Paws Press, 2000, at: http://www.stevenforrest.com. You will also find the complete definition of evolutionary astrology on Steven’s website.
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