Free Will, Astrology, and Thinking In The Future - Predicting What's To Come, and What Could Be

by Robert Wilkinson

One of the blessings to Astrology is that it helps us plan in advance for conditions that are only in seed form on our horizon. Often by knowing the phases and stages of the evolution of a thing, a project, a corporation, a relationship or whatever, we can see which way the wind is blowing and plan accordingly. The points of shift can be seen by the aspects, which are the angular relationships between the planets. Over time these show beginnings, points of challenge, perhaps crisis, and always correction, if we know what is to come and plan accordingly. This is the challenge to "think in the future," which ensures our basic survival amidst the eternal changes in our world.

For example, conjunctions between the transiting planets in the sky from Mars out are important wherever they fall in our charts, since they fuse a point of significance that will be activated dozens of times in the year to follow by the various transits in aspect to that point. Many things can be known by studying which areas of our life the various conjunctions affect. The recent Mercury-Mars-Jupiter conjunction in early Sag will impact ALL of us in whatever house it fell for all of 2007, 2008, and into 2009.

By the squares and oppositions, as well as the sextiles and trines, we can understand the larger pulse of events in our lives within which we function. All the aspects describe a particular type of relationship between the various "lights" known as the planets, or inner and outer parts of our Being. We have natal aspects, we have progressed aspects showing us points of inner change relative to our birth tendencies, and ultimately we have the transiting aspects, showing how we are challenged to respond to on-going events.

It is why we instinctively know that Eclipses will be important in ending some of our life activities, since they involve both the conjunctions of the New Moon Solar Eclipses, as well as the Full Moon Lunar Eclipses. As you can surmise from the importance of Full Moons (which always involve an opposition of the Moon and Sun) oppositions are very important whenever they occur, whether the on-going Saturn opposed Neptune or an opposition in your Natal chart. A lot of these occur every year, so they all provide an opportunity to see something from complementary points of view. As an aside, I've always believed the opposition is the most powerful and productive aspect relationship, since it is capable of producing a Transcendent point of view through polarization and awareness of opposing energies.

All cycles show us times when we must end some things and embrace other things, since choice is everything in this world for us humans in physical forms learning how to express feelings and thoughts of a higher nature. I have found that human "free will" is often the primary determinant in how "karmic" events transpire. As you know if you've been reading this column for any length of time, my view is that nothing is "destined" other than a) to be born when and where we were, to the Souls we were born to, within an agreement that was made before any of us came into the body, and b) the timing on our choices.

We have far more power to alter the course of events than we think, with the condition that we are only as effective as we are fit for whatever goal we are trying to accomplish. And even if we have the requisite training, very few things are truly inevitable, since "free will" determines which path we take to Self-realization. Some who would be ineffective in one realm would be considered geniuses in another medium. That's why it's important to choose wisely, according to your experience and wisdom.

Even when we are in our Dharmic groove, some things are not inevitable, even though other things are. Even there free will operates with some degree of power. Yet not all things are permitted in our Dharma, and if we pursue those that are not in accord with our evolutionary plan, then it is inevitable that pattern of behavior will have to end.

We cannot act in discordance with our line of higher evolution or that behavior and our attitudes that perpetuate that behavior are toast. It's just that simple. Of course there are other times when we seem to be following a contrary path, and yet wind up in circumstances perfect for our wisdom to come forth. That's the miracle of Spirit.

So part of steering one's life toward one's greater good does involve "thinking in the future" and consciously choosing ways of doing your Being that neither overestimate nor underestimate the potential of the moment. Many things are possible if we don't lumber things down by excessive baggage of irrelevant considerations and limitations. Many allies and resources can come in "a New York Minute" that can propel us into our future, if we've done the thoughtforms and laid the groundwork for such a thing to manifest.

It's not all as magical as some movies and cheerleaders would have us believe, and yet, many things are possible, and a greater good attainable, if we just open our imaginations to our power to create thought forms that are True, Good, and Beautiful, one step at a time, for an unknown number of steps into our better future. It will be made manifest over time if it is true for us, and we clear our Being of undermining attitudes while understanding how to work with the world of form. And it helps to regard it all as an experiment in "Truth."

© Copyright 2007 Robert Wilkinson

Comments

[chris]

Hi Robert,
It is interesting you write of destiny! Thanks for posting things that are relevant to me on this day (how did you know?)--I just pondered 'what is destiny' less than one hour before I read your article, having come across a similar theme elsewhere. Though I realize that this must in turn mean that that the concept 'destiny' must be relevant to countless others...countless!
Anyway, it amuses me that you write 'nothing is destiny' except 'when and where we choose to be born' and 'timing on our choices.'

So, is everything destined? Aren't I just the sum of my birth and choices? Isn't this a life? My life? And what of all my other births and choices before?

Or, timing? Is timing a concept worth looking at more deeply?
I also appreciate your view on oppositions Illuminating they are!
I hope one day to achieve the level of wisdom you have! I very much look forward to aging, for there seems much to gain on this wild path life lays out before us.

Blessings and good vibes to you and all.

[Robert]

Hi chris - Many people wonder about how fate and free will interact in this impermanent reality. As for your questions, no, nothing is destined except our birth circumstances, which directly relate to when we will make certain choices (or as children, have them made for us by our parents' free will). We are more than the sum of our birth circumstances and choices, since we have a Dharma that continually unfolds pulling us into unknown regions of experience we might or might not agree to if we had any choice over what we are here to learn.

Of course, our choices lead us to inevitable consequences which beget more choices. However, we will ultmately find our way to our Higher Self, regardless of which path we take. For some, though, that may mean having to "go back to the factory" for re-tooling in order to remember we're not here to generate suffering, but alleviate it.

This column is very much about timing, and looking at the deeper implications of the transits to each other, and how that may impact our chart. As for aging, I prefer to regard it as "ripening" since we all start out "green" in this world. Also, I know people in their 80s who are and will be forever young, and know people in their 20s and 30s who are old and ossified. Aging alone won't make a being wise, but having a sense of humor and perspective will keep us from being old before our time! And Aum and blessings to you as well.

[Jennifer Pruden]

Hi Robert!
I know you have answered this question before but it obviously has not gotten through. When you refer to the word 'dharma' what do you mean. I realize you have been using it alot lately. To me, it was always used to indicate one's soul's purpose. Is that what you mean?

[Robert]

Hi Jennifer - I probably need to do an entire post on the subject, since it's a farily important thing, and cannot be described in a few words. And in a nutshell, yes to your question. In Sanskrit, it means approximately "true function" in the Highest sense of that.