by Robert Wilkinson
I’ve been asked over the years what planetary positions and configurations would make for a spiritual teacher. This is a profound question that doesn’t lend itself to a short answer.
There are several factors. First, I have to say it depends on which Wisdom School the Spiritual Teacher is in. A teacher in the Wisdom School of Art would have a different set of configurations than a teacher in the Wisdom School of Science or the Wisdom School of Philosophy. And because the specific teachings in each of these change across the centuries (even if the core lessons are the same), so different eras require different types of teaching.
Though the lessons are ultimately the same for all those on any path to Self-realization, obviously the circumstances differ radically between generations and across the centuries. The Jupiter of a spiritual teaching of a thousand years ago would express far differently than one in the 21st century. Still, the timeless Truths are just that, even if they are learned through different forms.
Second, I believe that many oppositions and squares would be a requirement, since a good teacher is aware of polarities and dualities in all situations, and knows how to resolve them with productivity and understanding. A true Master doesn’t lose their ability to respond just because a conflict happens. Any greater awareness arising due to oppositions would be released through squares, both in the life of the Teacher as well as the student, since the appearance of a spiritual teacher is certainly a turning of a corner on to Eternity Boulevard for potential students, regardless of whatever we thought we knew before that.
Third, any teacher will have a strong 9th house emphasis, or the ruler of the 9th prominent, even if that teacher is not a public figure. The search for Truth and a courageous openness to a philosophical-spiritual discussion is always a quality of any true spiritual teacher. I believe that a true teacher inspires their students to strive for an inclusive awareness of things outside their comfort zone.
The search for truth in the 9th house is a reaction to that which is bound in the collective values of the 8th house. Getting to the core of our relationship to other’s values and even societal values serves as an impetus to open to the broader truths and vision of the 9th. Then the social value finds its reference in the infinite.
A Spiritual teacher and a spiritual student will both have a strong Saturn, since Saturn is our ultimate Saturn: Spiritual Master, Spiritual Friend. We need Saturn to come to a structured understanding of the requirements of our self-discipline, as well as a sense of the boundaries to be transcended, and the boundaries which are necessary as a function of our “Ring Pass Not.” All of these are discussed at length in the book linked above.
Just about any position of Saturn could produce a very powerful spiritual teacher. That doesn’t mean Saturn or the ruler of the 9th or planets in the 9th are necessarily “unafflicted,” since the squares and oppositions allow the teacher to enter into polarized and conflicted circumstances and bring a higher view, regardless of whatever is going on. A teacher demonstrates the relatedness in things, so that the student can develop a holistic approach to similarities and differences in their discipline. The synastry of various planets between the teacher and student reveals everything about their dance.
I also think the Jupiter of the student would have a strong contact with some planet in the teacher’s chart, showing the expansive search for truth in the student would find resonance with that planetary quality of the teacher. And as most spiritual teachers understand the transitoriness of life and the Leela of human existence, we can state with confidence they will also possess certain traits like compassion, discipline, laser like clarity, a sense of humor and a healthy perspective, along with many other character qualities that make them "spiritual."
Based in all the charts of spiritual teachers I’ve studied, they all have a chart like anyone else born at that time, but their life experiences reveal a spiritual quest leading them to the realizations they teach. They have the same positions and aspects as others, but they will have transmuted their weaknesses into strengths, their lower karmas into skills that assist both karmic fulfillment and karmic resolution in their students, and have an ego that is the pure expression of their Soul/Spirit.
While there is always more to explore in this vast subject, this is a brief snapshot of things to look for in a spiritual teacher, or a student who wants to know your truths. As Jupiter closes in on Saturn and Pluto at the advent of The Grand Mutation, perhaps we’ll all “see the Light” in new ways, and find spiritual teachers and teachings in themes related to the greatest good for the greatest number. Perhaps the “spiritual materialism” of the past two centuries will yield to a new model of “spiritual synthesis” for those who seek a greater truth and connectedness in this century.
Again, the teachings are always adapted to the specific metaphors and forms of any given century, so it’s possible a new model of spiritual teaching and spiritual learning is going to come forth. Something about new wineskins for new wine springs to mind…..
© Copyright 2020 Robert Wilkinson
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