Brad Kochunas’ reflections on astrology, soul, myth and imagination are gathered together in his latest book Dark Skies.
Thought-provoking and mystical in approach, his insights and attitudes are informed by his work for three decades in prison mental health. He puts forward the idea of ‘therapeutic astrology’ rather than psychological astrology which latter he says is about “striving for personal growth, self-improvement, actualization of potential and/or making out lives better.” He does not do predictions at all and says the focus should be not what we want out of life but what life wants of us.
‘Therapeutic astrology dedicated to exploring and discovering what psyche and soul desire, rather than ego, brings us to a different understanding of what is means to be human.”
I struggle with some of his concepts and outlook but what made sense on second reading was his notion of sitting with the darkness – in prison with men guilty of horrific crimes for whom there was no redemptive healing and no future as we understand it bar an acceptance of soul. Which he relates in ordinary life to a state in which ‘each carry the underworld as a constant companion.’ And quotes Jung as saying: “The serious problems in life are never fully solved. — The meaning and purpose of a problem seem to lie not in its solution but in our working at it incessantly.”
While it can sound nihilistic, especially as he points out in an American culture so geared towards optimism, sitting under a dark sky and being with the shadow can feel strangely reassuring. He quotes Thomas Moore in the Dark Nights of the Soul, “Many people claim to have integrated their shadow sides but that effort is itself a work against the dark. The real task is to live in, and with, the darkness, appreciating its unredeemed value and loving its irreversible qualities.”
And W.B. Yeats: “Who can distinguish darkness from the soul?”
He regards the 4th, 8th and 12th house as the carriers of the shadow with the houses that follow being the houses of identity – 1st, 5th, 9th.
There are chart examples and interpretations of prison inmates and their counsellors, of the latter many have Pluto in the 12th. As well as of Christopher Reeve and Michael Fox struck down by physical disabilities; David Bowie and other creative celebrities as well as notable criminals; and Ralph Waldo Emerson.
In troubled times where there is no escape from anxiety, uncertainty and fear, a zen-like attitude can be helpful. It is also true in his words that “Reluctance to engage darkness, silence and emptiness are symptoms of a diminished cultural soul and an arid spirituality.”
My Earth, Air, Cardinal and Jupiterian temperament baulks at the passivity of some of his ideas if taken to extreme. But it is a constructive antidote to a striving, got-to-get-better approach. When you can’t fix it, sit with it.
One other perceptive insight on Neptune which has been degraded in recent times by conspiracy theories, delusions and the like.
‘In Neptune’s association with Pisces, we can never overlook that Pisces is the matrix out of which something new arises to birth. It is the fecund chaos present at the creation of the world. It is the massa confuse of alchemy. The Piscean moment before manifestation, before birth, is the ultimate uncertainty and it is potent.”
Published by the Wessex Astrologer.
As someone who had a big run of Neptune transits to personals coinciding with 12th house transits a few years ago, I concluded that the modern world is a difficult place for Pisces/Neptune “acceptance” energy. You’re not allowed to just drift along, you have to be pushing towards goals or going the extra mile and acquiring stuff etc, etc.
Child psychologist Melanie Klein ‘Depressive position’ is a key concept in all of this and she regarded it as central to the child’s development. It is repeatedly revisited and refined throughout early childhood, and intermittently throughout life. Maturation is closely linked to the ability to process loss and mourning and not shut it out.
Those who cannot face and work through this task, defend against depression with manic and obsessional defences and by retreat into splitting and paranoia.
A very interesting post, thank you Marjorie. When I find myself needing to sit with the darkness I like to listen to Paul McCartney’s song Let It Be. There are some many times in life when the best thing to do is just Let It Be!
My mother is the one who often asks me ,”don’t u get bored in darkness?” ..Pluto in 12th …darkness is a healer…the silence of the night and coolness…till sunrise,it’s all clam and serene…time to let the soul come out, introspect,plan, regret.
I was asked often by psychiatrists to do counselling for their patients and I did for mental institution addicts.
It’s the way to look at things…it’s not dark as outside world thinks. Once I got my aunt to visit them and she was shocked that there was nothing shocking or to fear about the iinmates as outsiders believe. They have a day routine with vocational training and jobs which pay. Last week, an inmate I read in news finally got free after decades and half for murdering his wife and his 14yrs collected pay was huge.. which paid for his bail and early release by few months and yet he had enough to stand up again in new place in world ..very encouraging.
Inmates counsel and support new ones and many end up having educational degrees when they come out.
But at times, it feels that darkness is better than daily struggle in toxic relationships
This really resonates with me too. I seem to go through a very dark period every 14 years or so. I have found over the years that actively challenging it does not work for me. It’s better for me to live with the darkness, accept it however long it lasts, and wait. Eventually something leads me out of the darkness onto a new and unexpected path. I have my sun in the 12th and Neptune in the 4th.
I accept this approach doesn’t work for everyone though!
What an interesting post Marjorie – especially considering the current global happenings and the imminent March planetary pile-up, NN and eclipse in Pisces…
Here is an article about Bradley Wayne Kochunas, which includes birth data
https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Kochunas%2c+Bradley+Wayne
Thanks for that. Helpful. On what he said about his Moon 12th and Pluto 6th exact opposition and Jupiter in 12th I reckon 10pm is about it.
Thanks, Martha, I was curious about his chart and appreciate the link.
Interesting that his natal Jupiter in Pisces is retrograde, perhaps emphasizing the pursuit of a soulful philosophy with compassion and understanding shared with others.
What a timely post.
“Reluctance to engage darkness, silence and emptiness are symptoms of a diminished cultural soul and an arid spirituality.”Wonderful …also in the immortal words of Doris Day que sera sera.
Thanks Marjorie. Very much resonates as someone with Pluto, Uranus, BML, Psyche, PoF and North Node in the 12th conjunct Ascendant and a most interesting article. Currently Pluto in Aquarius is squaring my Moon and it’s tough.
this resonates deeply with my sinking feeling vis-a-vis our political landscapes (wars & all) at present. “sitting with the darkness” and not being obsessed with fixing it.
This post speaks to me as well. Transiting Uranus is now square natal Pluto in the 8th at 26 Leo. Transiting Neptune is now sextile natal Chiron at 28 Cap and in a yod conjunct natal Mars with the Moon at 28 Leo in the 9th and Neptune at 28 Libra square Chiron. Transiting Chiron is now square the Sun at 20 Capricorn and will square a number of planets in the next few years. Spiritual alchemy is under way. I have had a number of memorable dreams and psychic experiences lately.
Sitting with darkness is what brought me to Tibetan Buddhism. The light is found by plunging in the dark tunnel within. Also, ancient Taoists knew that vigilant non-action is the most powerful form of action. Wait for it until you know. Then you will come back to where you started and know it for the first time. Then you’ll be ready to act externally and spontaneously without anguish or doubt.
I love the ancient Tibetan ceremnoy of Chöd. it is about the contemplation of one’s own fears and mortality. It used to be practiced in cemeteries while watching corpses being cut up and given to the vultures. Frighteming wisdom deities bring you down into your darkness to free you from it and to lead you to inner peace. This therapeutic technique was invented long before Jung, who showed the unconscious West that darkness is ultimately our friend. We must learn to feed our demons by giving them spiritual purpose until they share their profound teaching.
What is true individually is also true of our time.
I love this post Andre and welcome back.
My husband practices Buddhist meditation, including the contemplation on the 9 stages of the decomposition of a corpse. He is very fond of the Rumi quote; ‘The wound is the place where the light enters you.’
Wow, the “But it is a constructive antidote to a striving, got-to-get-better approach. When you can’t fix it, sit with it.” resonates a lot for me.
Ooooo. I love this post. There are times in one’s life when nothing works. Nothing. Life falls apart. Sitting with it doesn’t necessarily mean being still (kids, work, illness, whatever) but it can mean accepting, as best you can, ‘what is’, while some inner force? greater force? unknowable energy? works through you. One is changed over time. It may not be the life you want, but it’s the one you got.