What Is Evolutionary Astrology?
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What Is Evolutionary Astrology?
If you’re at that point in your life, where you’re asking questions about your life and its purpose, then learning about Evolutionary Astrology could be for you. This blog delves into the origins of this particular branch of Astrology, and how it deals with the steps needed to fulfil your purpose and find peace within.
To place things in context, there are various streams of Astrology. They can all be put under two main categories - Ancient Astrology and Modern Astrology. Under the Ancient category, you will find traditional schools of thought such as Vedic, Mayan, Celtic and Chinese.
Evolutionary Astrology, on the other hand, is from the family of Modern Astrology beliefs that is currently most popular in Western countries. Other modern areas include Psychological, Experiential and Esoteric. However, even though Evolutionary Astrology is considered to be modern in its approach, it combines contemporary psychological theories with ancient metaphysical ideas. These revolve around concepts such as the existence of soul and reincarnation.
In a nutshell, this method is used to describe a style of astrology that understands each person's birth chart as a map of the soul's evolution.
Read on for more information about this practice:
PLEASE NOTE: This is a guest post and does not necessarily reflect my own personal Astrological philosophy! I am a Traditional Astrologer and do not practice Evolutionary Astrology. If you would like to see my perspective, you can read through my other posts here.
When And How It Began
The concept of Evolutionary Astrology is relatively new, it was developed by Steven Forrest and Jeffrey Wolf Green in the 1980s.
Steven developed an interest in Astrology early in life and began examining it in his teens. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Religion and soon began practicing Astrology. His series of esoteric books namely, The Inner Sky, The Changing Sky, Skymates, The Night Speaks, and The Book of Pluto, discuss the credibility of Astrology and present his unique points of view. By his fifth publicised book, Forrest was known as a wise Astrologer.
It was then that he met Jeffrey and they both wrote two books together - Measuring the Night: Evolutionary Astrology and The Keys to the Soul. Steven Forrest wrote many more books and articles, but these two books and their research were the building blocks of Evolutionary Astrology being recognised as a modern branch, and cementing them as Evolutionary Astrologers.
Definition And Principles
Both founders defined Evolutionary Astrology as being a spiritual method that measures the evolution of the soul, as it moves from one life to the next. Unlike other branches, it focuses primarily on the planet Pluto and its relationship to the Moon. Pluto is known to govern and express the deepest intentions of our soul while the Moon is considered to control our past lives on earth, much like the South Node in other traditions.
To understand it better, these are the basic concepts of it:
Human beings incarnate in a course of multiple lifetimes
Our natal chart offers insight into how much our souls have evolved every time we incarnate or enter life on earth
Our birth charts also tell us our soul plan and intentions in every lifetime (similar to the North Node)
No event and circumstance in our lives is random
All creative and unpredictable interactions between humans are based on the information in our birth charts
All Astrological events are multidimensional and manifest physically, emotionally owing to human consciousness- every human being is responsible for the present life they are leading, internally or externally
Every individual should be offered Astrological guidance regardless of their level of understanding and evolutionary intentions
Evolutionary Astrology adopts an approach that involves philosophical ideas triggered by natural law rather than utilising any technical perspectives.
Chart Reading
According to Evolutionary Astrology, birth chart reading offers deep insight into an individual’s core and innate desires at the soul level. This enables us to analyse various aspects of an individual’s life.
It also gives us an idea of previous lifetimes that are currently affecting the present one. This offers a macro perspective that takes into account the wider picture that spans across lifetimes instead of traditional practices that only talk about the current lifetime. Evolutionary Astrology considers planetary positions with relation to the evolution of the soul. This is said to make it more efficient and effective.
The natal or birth chart reading is said to be a reflection of a person’s life so far, and future potential or possibilities that may occur. This often answers the question of ‘why am I here?’ - the key to human curiosity (again, similar to the lunar nodes).
If we go into detail, the movement of our birth charts through various progressions, transit periods, returns and solar arcs show us our innate potential for this life and our following lives. Relationship charts are another popular aspect as they can tell us why people meet and how to heal difficult relationships.
The Soul and 12 Zodiac Signs
Jeffrey Wolf Green states that:
“The desire to explore new relationships, knowledge and experience that may cause one to distance oneself from others, originate from the soul”
There is an innate desire to return to Source (of creation). This desire increases every time an individual accomplishes or satisfies a soul-driven desire.
Hence, all of life’s events, good or bad, triggered by desire or circumstance, are nothing more than the Soul unfolding itself and experiencing life. The 12 archetypes or Signs of the Zodiac represent all aspects of consciousness or life on earth, as desired by the soul.
How can it be applied to your life?
Since it gives us such a wide look into not just our lives but souls, it’s a deep, well-informed guide to our life purpose and soul journey.
The aspect that delves into soul intention and past soul experiences, is a unique characteristic of Evolutionary Astrology, that may resolve issues relating to blocks to happiness, fulfilling success, contentment, and sense of purpose. Often unfavourable patterns in our lives keep repeating and we wonder why. These may occur due to our inability to learn from them and often the way to overcome them is knowing where they originate. Another human tendency is to repeat events, even if they are negative, purely because they are familiar. Through this Astrological lens, we can understand the inner and outer workings going on to situations in our lives, and prepare for the future we desire.
Overall, Evolutionary Astrology can give us deep, detailed insights that can free us from the mistakes we make and result in realising our life purpose. Have you ever studied this branch before? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments section below! Or, let me know if you have any questions or suggestions to make :)
To learn more about soul destiny and vocation from the nodal axis, click here to read our post on Your North and South Node.
If you would like to deep-dive into your personal natal chart and uncover all the secrets the stars have for you, book in a Personalised Soul Reading with me!
If you would like a personalised session with me, book in a 1:1 Astro reading! I’d be honoured to guide you, I also have an offering specifically for students of Astrology. If you prefer to study Astrology alone instead, get our Cosmic Guidance: Traditional Astrology 101 Course or our Beginner’s Astrology + Birth Charts Guidebook.
Author’s Bio:
Rachel Torgerson is a Tarot reader, dream-worker, shamanic healer, and the author of tarostrology.net. With roots in Christian mysticism, she blends elements of dream interpretation, and sacred imagery into her spiritual practice and healing work. For many years, she has shared the magic of manifestation with thousands of clients by tapping into the transformational energy of color and Tarot to promote self-empowerment and problem-solving through retreats, lectures, workshops, and one-on-one services.
