Entering the Mystery: A Journey Through Mythology and Astrology

Understanding Our Existence

Who are we? Where do we come from? Where are we going? These fundamental questions of existence often leave us puzzled. The reality is that we may never fully know the answers. During my academic journey, I gravitated toward religious studies. I was not drawn to one religion over another; rather, I was fascinated by humanity's attempts to understand our existence.

What I learned confirmed my reluctance to label any religion as the ultimate truth. Instead, I realized that all religions are mythological. They serve as guides to navigate the incredible diversity, blessings, and challenges of life.

The Wisdom of Indigenous Perspectives

At the end of my four-year journey studying various religions, I encountered a profound perspective. In a Native American studies course, a Lakota elder shared her wisdom. She said, “In our culture, we do not look for an absolute truth in understanding our place in the world. We refer to the divine as Wanka Tanka, meaning the Great Mystery.” This moment shifted my understanding. It became clear that we are not meant to know the core of the mystery. Instead, we should live in reverence, awe, and respect for it.

No religion or scientist can answer the questions of existence with total certainty. We must accept that some mysteries are beyond human comprehension.

The Role of Mythology

Mythology attempts to make sense of our human experience. It teaches us valuable lessons, honors our challenges, and helps us comprehend our place in the world. Joseph Campbell, a prominent voice in mythology, taught that we use myths to harmonize with nature and the divine. The divine remains a mystery that human thought cannot fully grasp.

Navigating Our Lives with Mythology

If we cannot know the ultimate truths, how do we navigate our lives? We must choose our mythologies wisely. Are they life-affirming, or do they undermine our self-confidence? Outdated myths can perpetuate stories of domination and limit our understanding of the divine.

This realization led me to explore sacred archetypes. An archetype serves as a teacher, a map, or a story that reflects deep aspects of our being. Archetypes exist outside of time and space, residing in our unconscious. By working with them, we enter the mystery of our divinity.

Understanding Archetypes

Archetypes are universal symbols that belong to humanity's collective experience. For instance, in religion, a common archetype is the loving father—a parental figure who knows us but does not belong to us individually. We share this archetype with all of humanity.

In astrology, Mars represents a fierce warrior. This archetype embodies raw power and the ability to overcome obstacles. Some sacred archetypical maps that illuminate our existence include Tarot, Mandalas, the Medicine Wheel, and Astrology.

Astrology as a Map to the Great Mystery

Astrology has existed as long as the stars and planets. We are interconnected beings, and once we accept this, we cannot deny the influence of celestial bodies on our lives. We are light beings, water beings, and fundamentally dependent on the elements of earth, air, fire, and water. These elements are the structural archetypes of astrology, allowing us to live.

I began studying astrology at thirteen when my best friend Carla gifted me Linda Goodman’s Sun Signs. I was captivated by how accurately she portrayed my family members, despite never having met them. This sparked a journey of intrigue, study, and awe. The insights gained from astrology are consistent and profound, revealing the language of archetypes.

The Connection Between Astrology and Psychology

Carl Jung's concept of archetypes connects deeply with astrology. He viewed archetypes as universal and timeless patterns of human experience. Jung believed that astrology reflects these archetypal patterns, offering symbolic representations of the collective unconscious. Astrology serves as a counterpart to psychology, seeking insights into the unseen realms of consciousness.

In my astrological readings, I have observed that healing often progresses faster than in traditional counseling. The Great Mystery has an intimate relationship with us, and it is our responsibility to cultivate this connection.

Overcoming Self-Judgment

One significant barrier to this engagement is our addiction to self-judgment. The inner voice that criticizes our worthiness can be overwhelming. However, I have witnessed astrological insights dissolve these misconceptions. Realizing that our experiences are part of an evolutionary journey can lead to self-acceptance and healing.

In those moments, my clients and I enter the Mystery of our divinity. With quiet acceptance of our fate, healing occurs. New choices and lessons emerge, fostering continuous growth toward self-actualization. This process transcends generations of limitations and lack.

Conclusion: Embracing the Mystery

In conclusion, the journey through mythology and astrology reveals profound insights into our existence. We may never fully understand the Great Mystery, but we can cultivate a relationship with it. By choosing life-affirming myths and embracing the wisdom of archetypes, we can navigate our lives with greater understanding and purpose.

Let us honor the mystery and live in harmony with it, for it is in this reverence that we find our true selves.

---wix---