Astrology as a Therapeutic Art: Healing Human Relationships

Greg Bogart, Ph.D. MFT, is one of the astrology world’s most prolific exponents for integrating astrological counseling with professional psychotherapy. He calls what he does therapeutic astrology, and he’s written several previous books about it. In this new short volume, he gives examples of how he does this work because he wants to inspire others to work similarly to blend astrological and psychological counseling.

For those of us who rely on astrology as a healing modality, there’s an important distinction between astrologers– even the most astute of them–who read a chart versus those like Bogart who base their work on dialoguing with a client about their chart. A therapeutic astrology session may zero in on a client’s current, specific problem or behavior, not necessarily their whole life course, or where they’re headed in the future. A natal chart, per se, is a static snapshot of a birth, a moment in time. But the practice of astrology, as Bogart writes, “is the study of our continuing evolution over time.” Each moment in someone’s life is “a meaningful phase of a larger cycle and cycles of development.”

Bogart works extensively with astrological transits, the symbolic meanings of the ever-changing planetary alignments in relation to a natal chart. His astrology is grounded in what I’ll call here more “secular” psychological theories of human development such as those of Erik Erikson. What distinguishes Bogart’s work is that he has in his mindset and in his communications toolkit the wealth of astrological knowledge than a non-astrological therapist simply lacks. Developmental psychologists can generalize with people about various ages and phases of growth. Every child, for example, goes through a version of the “terrible two’s.” That’s a child’s first Mars transit, when the planetary force of assertive independence returns to the sign and degree it was at upon birth. There are infinite variations of two-year-olds’ behavior. But it can be infinitely more helpful if a therapist understands the uniqueness of a child’s Mars function, by house, sign, natal and transiting aspects, let alone in synastry with the charts of primary care-givers.

The book consists largely of dozens of vignettes from Bogart’s counseling trove, mostly in the realm of relationships. (He has written elsewhere at length about his occupational therapy and about astrology vis. dream work and spirituality.) Each counseling story highlights a client who’s working with a common human dilemma, from anger management to recovering from divorce and bereavement, reconciling with estranged family members, you name it. Bogart works with some of the clients just once or twice, some ongoingly. He tells each story with the kind of knowledgeable care I imagine he brings to the counseling sessions.

What I love most about this book is that here—and pardon the old 1960s slogan—the medium is the message. Between Bogart’s commitment to bringing astrological wisdom to psychotherapy, and vice-versa, to the plethora of case studies he delightfully summarizes, his message is that there’s an abundance of good work to be done by combining the fields of astrology and psychotherapy.

He concludes that a therapeutic paradigm is useful for any astrologer oriented toward “emotional and psychological healing,” and especially for astrologers who “get trained in counseling skills and learn about effective facilitation.” He’s an advocate for astrology organizations that offer counseling skills training because, ultimately, “astrology can play an infinitely creative role in society, fostering the growth of centered, sane, and spiritually awakened individuals living harmoniously with others in an interdependent world.”

Sara Diamond www.facingnorth.net

Though the focus of this book is on human relationships and how astrology enjoined with psychotherapy can be a tool of profound healing, the title does not feature synastry. Instead, Dr Bogart attends to individual nativities and the often- dysfunctional lives they express. It is always tempting as a reader to spectate with a certain relish at the problems of other people – as if these problems have little to do with oneself. “There but by the grace of God go I,” we snugly whisper to ourselves, as if a bullet has been dodged. Astrology as a Therapeutic Art implicitly does not encourage this response. It is as immersive as it is wise, and it reminds us that the horoscope is a curious looking glass that shows us more than literal reflection, if one is minded being enlightened. The case studies examined here could be our own looking glass, also.

Before Bogart turns to his examples, he sets out his professional approach to astrology and mental health care. Life is evolutionary in nature, he writes, and astrology can be a “potent antidepressant”. The coming Pluto in tropical Aquarius age could very well augur a marriage of astrology and psychotherapy that’s practised ubiquitously. He contrasts astrological consultations as a “psychic reading” to his own approach which he describes, among other things, as “dialogical”: interaction between the client and astro-therapist over a horoscope is a crucial part of client development and healing or transformation. I do not see this contrast as controversial in the least. One of the great strengths of astrology is its capacity to ‘work’ no matter the tradition or cultural trend, ‘magically’, psychotherapeutically, whatever. The common currency of all these approaches is divinatory symbolism. Even the most scientific of astrologers cannot get away from the ancient deity worship that conceived the symbols in the first place.

The case studies are well told and analysed. In the case of Mary, she is facing the trauma of her husband’s cancer diagnosis. Bogart does not make a death forecast but instead helps her deal in the moment with an “existential threat”. In another case, a couple must negotiate fundamental differences in life approach: his Scorpio Moon elevates his basic need for sex while her Virgo Moon fixates her on tidiness and fussiness – to his discomfort. Greater self-understanding helps enable them to turn a marriage of tension and fractiousness into something “enlivening”. But first, they both had to want to look at themselves systematically. Without that intention, the process cannot work.

I strongly commend this book to practitioners of astrology – whether you’re modern or classical. Much can be learned from Bogart’s compassionate but rigorous approach to the people who consult us. Many bad habits of thought can be unlearned. He does make one forecast: “Astrotherapeutic work is going to become increasingly popular in the future”. I think he’s right.

Victor Olliver – The Astrological Journal

“Straight up, I believe Greg Bogart’s book should be on the reading list of every practicing astrologer. Not only does he expertly present the relationship between therapy and astrology, but he emphasizes an ongoing concern, expressed by many, about the study and use of astrology. That is, it’s not the astrology itself, or even the knowing it reveals, but it’s what you do with it that really matters. What I particularly like is the clear potential demonstrated by the combination of astrology and therapy. It needn’t be an “either/or” scenario. And further, it underscores that in many cases neither practice on its own is ‘enough’.

Bogart suggests that we are at a critical juncture in human history. The need to ‘transform consciousness and behaviour in the relationship sphere’, has become incredibly real. In fact, it is essential! In this regard, the Preface provides a cautiously optimistic view of what might be possible when using both disciplines in tandem. The first chapter elaborates on this as Bogart provides background and a firm foundation to establish the synergies between astrology and psychotherapy. Importantly, he also shares a little of his own experience stating, ‘with the understanding astrology provided, I was able to cross a threshold in my life and come through it feeling whole, centered, and psychologically organized.’ A statement which deeply resonated with me, and I suspect it will with many others.

Using real client examples, Bogart weaves together key details of individual stories highlighting natal chart aspects, transits, solar arc directions, and progressions which reflect and support his consultative approach. In many cases, he goes even further to provide a summary of the outcome for the client, and the benefits ultimately experienced by the individual(s), giving a complete picture of what is possible using an astro-therapeutic process. He does all of this clearly and concisely, allowing the non-therapeutic practitioner to consider the material with the potential of relating it to examples within one’s own sphere of influence and experience. In brief, astrology allows the therapist to quickly get to the heart of the matter, while counselling (or consulting) skills facilitate what might be the constructive and effective next steps.

Early in the book Bogart states his main purpose is to ‘demonstrate how astrology can help us evolve a deeper understanding of our human relationships.’  To do that effectively, I believe a practitioner must deeply reflect a sense of humanity. This quality is clearly evidenced by Bogart through the description of his practice and the examples he shares. In my view, he successfully demonstrates the benefits of Astrology as a Therapeutic Art, in a way that both astrologers and therapists will appreciate. At the very least, he has offered a way for others to more clearly understand that ‘It’s within our power to make intelligent behavioural shifts’ to positively impact our lives and our evolution as Souls. Whether and how we choose to do that is completely up to us. I think this book will be broadly beneficial.”

Jayne Logan www.astrobookclub.com

“Greg Bogart’s newest publication is a treat for the professional and upcoming astrological consultant and an important contribution to our field.”
Frank Clifford, Principal of the London School of Astrology