Astrology Explained -papers published by Pamela Ashenden

First published in the Southern Spiritual Magazine 2010

"Throughout my search for information on life, love and happiness, I have heard many good stories about the benefits of using Astrology to better our lives and to understand ourselves. I have been lucky enough to meet one of the South’s leading Astrologers, in order to learn more about this ancient technique. In this article, Pamela Ashenden - a respected teacher and practitioner of Astrology – gives us an insight into the history of the subject and its application in the modern world."

Helen Withyman –editor Southern Spiritual Magazine

Astrology -Past & Present

To many people in modern society, Astrology is identified with the daily columns in newspapers, which are a bit of fun and not to be taken too seriously, as they are recognised as not being individually accurate.
Astrology is the art of using the signs of the zodiac and the movement of the planets through the solar system, to understand about our true nature, and to predict events both now and in the future. Astronomy is the scientific study of matter in outer space. Astrology is therefore used in conjunction with astronomy. To understand Astrology as a serious subject we need to look at its origins, as it represents an accumulation of many strands of experience and knowledge which inter-weave through the tapestry of civilization.
Astrology has a long and vital history which stretches back to ancient times, when tribes began to use solar cycles for measuring time during the day, seasons during the year, and ages throughout the lifetime. The cycles of the moon were necessary for planting and mating, for predicting the rise and fall of rivers and for scheduling festivals. As we learned more about the planets, we enlarged and diversified the characteristics of the gods and goddesses, by deriving them from the planetary colours and patterns whilst moving across the sky; from lengths of cycles and from their mutual relationships.
The establishment of the calendar and the origin of astrology were probably simultaneous - they coincided with the identification of the belt of fixed stars against which the sun, moon and planets moved; the zodiac. The first Babylonian calendars - around 2,500 B.C. - were also zodiacs whose images were the totem animals which represented the twelve important divisions of the year. From the beginning of the Egyptian dynasties, about 3,200 B.C., the connections between astrology-astronomy and the life of the people, were crystallized.
The laws of the planetary movements and the solar system were the same laws which governed man, and they believed that the closer the cosmic laws could be understood and followed, the more unified the entire civilization would be. They noticed that the geometry determining planetary positions was identical to the geometry which determined human proportion and they used the same geometry to determine the shape and proportion of their buildings, in order to bring them in line with the cosmic geometry. For example, the Pyramids of Giza are exactly geometrically aligned to the belt of Orion.
In ancient Greece, Pythagoras explored the connection between natural numbers and the structure of the mind and the Universe. Pythagoras derived his divine ideas from the tradition of astrology, which embodied them long before his time.
The most important astronomer-astrologer in antiquity was Ptolemy (100-178 A.D.) who was educated in Alexandria. His classic work on astrology brought together information and ideas of the Egyptians, Chaldeans, Babylonians, and the Greeks, Pythagoras and Plato. This is essentially a collection of “rules of thumb” which were used to make predictions at the time. Following the flowering of Christianity and the fall of the Roman Empire, all of the ideas we have presented so far entered a state of isolation.
By the time Nostradamus was born in 1503, he was forced to use his remarkable skills in secret. His visions of the future and his skills as an astrologer are well known even today, al-though he lived in a time when fear and ignorance caused difficulties in him being able to be open about his work.
John Dee was a very learned man who was both a mathematician and an astrologer. He drew up a chart for the coronation of Elizabeth I, and was fascinated by all things of a super-natural nature.
 William Lilly 1602-1681 was the best known English astrologer of his time and published „An Introduction to Astrology‟, which was the only valuable text on astrology until the end of the nineteenth century. He helped to trans-fer the source of astronomical information from observation to the tables of almanacs. This signalled the end of the direct contact of the astronomer-astrologer with the heavens themselves. After this, date observation was virtually non-existent for practising astrologers. Unfortunately, in modern times the two have become so separate that many astronomers today no longer believe in astrology. Lilly predicted the Great Fire of London in 1666 so accurately that he was brought to count and charged with complicity. He also correctly predicted the beheading of King Charles I. He advised the king to leave Lon-don, but unfortunately the advice was not taken.
Astrology lay mostly dormant until the foundation of the Theosophical Society, by a Rus-sian named Madame Blavatsky 1831-1891. The foremost astrologer of the Society was Alan Leo, who has been described as the „Father of Modern Astrology‟.
In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, psychology and astrology have often come together. Carl Jung and other modern psychologists followed astrology to understand its cosmic relationship to the human consciousness. Jung considered both psychology and astrology as natural sciences. In predictive astrology, the timing of events can manifest, and the directions of the planets can indicate specific quality and change of an event.
In modern times, the astrologer Margaret Home has written excellent text books that are still used today. She has successfully promoted the approach that underlines the positive and negative aspects to both the planetary energies and the characters of the signs. In doing so, she indicates that we can often learn more from the challenges that the negative expression takes than the easier, more positive expression that we find more comfortable.
In the past, the role of astrologer was seen openly in many of the courts of the Kings and Queens of many countries, and was respected as such. In today’s society however, astrologers often find the need to work behind the scenes.
In more recent times, Nancy Reagan - the wife of former US President Ronald Reagan - regularly consulted an astrologer, which made her open to much ridicule at the time. However, the relative success of his administration and particularly the timing of important meetings, were I am sure, due in part to the help he had from the astrologer be-hind the scenes. It was said at the time, that he was warned about a possible assassination attempt, which enabled his bodyguards to successfully thwart it.
Princess Diana regularly consulted an astrologer, and it is clear in her birth chart that there is danger indicated in travel overseas.
And so the accumulation of centuries of knowledge has been passed down and is now used in modern day language to help us to understand ourselves, to find where our strengths lie, and where our weaknesses lie. It also helps us to follow our true path-way in life.
In future publications, I hope to show you how astrology can help you to understand and deal with the different areas of your life.

Pamela Ashenden

First published in the Southern Spiritual Magazine 2010

"The human body is an amazing instrument; it enables us to do so many things. It also has in place an ability to constantly replace and renew cells and to heal itself. It warns us through pain or discomfort that something is out of balance. Everything in our world consists of energy, energy is never destroyed it merely changes; we can learn to understand how the energies in our bodies work and channel them in positive ways that help us to create balance and harmony in our body, mind and spirit."

Helen Withyman –editor Southern Spiritual Magazine

Astrology & Health

Astrology teaches us to look at the birth chart as a map of an individual’s life, and there are particular areas of the chart connected to health. Understanding our character and true nature enables us to know how to create a better balance in our lives. It also shows us how to deal with the difficulties that can affect us from time to time without upsetting that essential balance.
We can discover the cause of an illness, whether through an emotional trauma such as bereavement, divorce or the stress related to the loss of a job and financial concerns. How we react to these things depends on our nature and that’s where understanding the birth chart can help. Disease can manifest in the body if a person is in a state of unhappiness and stress, which is why our reactions to outside influences are very important. Negative thoughts and emotions are very destructive and can only impair our ability to heal.
The astrological signs are divided into groups connected to the elements of fire, earth, air and water. All the signs grouped under the different elements share certain traits. The fire signs of Aries, Leo and Sagittarius generally have plenty of
energy and approach life with courage and enthusiasm. Because they have plenty of energy they can tend to pack a lot of activity into their lives and so can overstretch themselves at times. But they do have tremendous resources to fight disease and to recuperate.
The earth signs of Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn tend to be practical and cautious by nature, therefore more likely to take care of their health, although they may not express the same amount of energy as the fire signs and are more prone to worry and anxiety.
The air signs of Gemini, Libra and Aquarius are the communicators of the zodiac being able to express themselves is essential to their well-being. Gemini and Aquarius tend to burn up a lot of nervous energy and when this is overstressed it can cause weakness. Libra is more stable but needs a partner in order to feel balanced.
The water signs of Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces are all emotional and sensitive by nature and are therefore more vulnerable to emotional upsets and to their environment. The need to find positive ways of expressing the feeling nature is essential to their well-being.
Astrologers also look at the balance in the chart of what is called qualities, these are described as providing first of all initiative and drive, secondly determination and thirdly flexibility. Ideally if we have a good balance in these qualities reflected in the birth chart, it enables us to deal with situations in our lives more easily. However, a lack of initiative and drive can make it hard for us to initiate the necessary change in our circumstances. Likewise, plenty of initiative and drive will enable us to get things started but if there is a lack of determination it can make it hard to bring these things to a state of completion. Plenty of determination can help in achievement but a lack of flexibility can cause difficulties in relationships with others as well as dealing with change. This information gives clues to astrologers as to how an individual deals with stress in their lives.
During our lifetime the planets move into different signs which reflects certain changes in our lives, and when these planets move across the original positions of the planets in the birth chart certain issues or difficulties are brought to the surface that need to be addressed, this can cause stress to the body mind or the emotions which can reflect on our health and well-being.
The signs are connected to certain parts of the body. Aries is connected to the head and the adrenal glands. Anger or energy caused by a rush of adrenalin to the system can cause headaches.
Taurus is connected to the throat and neck areas and the thyroid gland. Overweight may be due to malfunction of the thyroid gland; Tonsillitis and Laryngitis.
Gemini is connected to the arms, lungs, shoulders and the nervous system. Tendency to overstress the nervous system can lead to flu or viruses.
Cancer is connected to the stomach, chest and alimentary canal. An over tendency to worry can lead to ulcers, stomach complaints or indigestion.
Leo is connected to the heart, spine and back areas. A tendency to live it up too much can lead to overstrain; vulnerable to circulatory problems, heart and back problems.
Virgo is connected to the intestines and the nervous system. Nervous worry can lead to bowel and stomach problems and dietary difficulties.
Libra connects the kidneys and the bladder. Kidney upsets may be due to environmental disturbance. Headaches can be caused by kidney upsets.
Scorpio is connected to the reproductive systems and sexual organs. Repression of emotional expression and holding onto resentment from the past can cause problems in these areas. There can also be throat problems.
Sagittarius connects the liver, hips and thighs. Lack of physical or mental activity can lead to problems in these areas. There can be overweight on the hips or thighs.
Capricorn connects the knees, bones, teeth and skin. Anything that limits movement or upsets the security that is essential to Capricorns can cause rheumatism, orthopaedic or dental troubles.
Aquarius is connected to the shins, ankles, circulation and nervous system; vulnerable to cold weather effects. Aquarians can develop varicose veins, artery hardening or heart problems.
Pisces connects the feet and blood. Pisceans can suffer from blood and feet problems and sometimes sensitivity where certain medicines or drugs are concerned.
I have mentioned the parts of the body ruled by the zodiac signs, but this does not mean that you will necessarily develop problems in those areas of your body. If you are able to express your true character easily and harmoniously then illness will not affect that part of your body. Illness is more likely to develop in an area of your body related to an area of stress in your life, but if your sun sign is strong you are better able to overcome any illness.
Astrology also teaches us that the planets are connected to different parts of the body and also certain dietary needs are connected to the different zodiac signs. It is also possible to see if there is a vulnerability to accidents and how best to deal with these difficulties.
This article has given you a glimpse of how an astrologer looks at the chart in regard to an individual’s health. Every individual is different and each chart needs to be looked at accordingly. However understanding your true nature, your strengths and your weaknesses enables you to feel empowered to take control of your life. Understanding the causes of disease or illness at certain times in your life enables you to work on ways in which you can create a balance once more. Focusing on things that bring you happiness and joy and letting go of painful memories and negative emotions will ultimately bring healing to the body, mind and spirit.

Pamela Ashenden

To book an Astrology reading ring me on 023 9269 31 69, or text 07989-534673, for further enquiries e-mail me on enquiries@pamelaashenden.co.uk