Introduction: Between Past & Presence

A child throws a temper tantrum because the teacher didn't call on him. For no apparent reason, a woman suspects her companion is cheating on her. A tired gentleman yells at a harmless telemarketer, and a couch potato slowly lifts another chip to her mouth, completely unaware she's eaten the entire bag.

There are countless stories of how we behave unconsciously. Stuck on autopilot, we act instinctually or strategize for survival. Tethered to our past, we continually bump into our edges, our lessons, and reflections of ourselves in disguise. All of us have overreacted on occasion, letting what was previously submerged surface. In a moment of awareness, we understand how distanced we've become from what is actually occurring in the present moment.

Habitual and instinctual behaviors originate in the well of the unconscious. Like sponges, we absorb all of life-the good, the bad and, yes, some of the ugly. This material is assimilated and influences who and what we are. A whole catalogue of instinct, expectations, reactions and roles await our activation. Like faithful script readers, we play the parts. It has been said, "You may be done with the past, but the past isn't done with you."

Sometimes we respond to life in fresh and creative ways. The option is always available, but the entrance fee is acknowledgement of the unconscious using awareness and intention. When we do stretch ourselves into novel response-abilities, a whole set of potentials is opened. In order to move forward, we must arise from darkness and begin to take conscious steps. This is part of the bargain of the human condition-bridging the past with the present.

From Darkness to Light

The Moon reveals the hidden places in the soul, the whispers of ancient memories. She compels the desire for peaceful connection-great Luna speaks to our tenderness. In all her beautiful vulnerability, she sustains the purity of the heart. Concealed within a reservoir of drama, we gradually understand her depth. Encircling the Earth, she's a traveling companion as we emerge from unconsciousness.

The blazing fireball in the sky and commanding center of the solar system, the Sun's massive power is apparent to all. The radiant energy provides the light of awareness, the heat of vitality. We are emboldened by its strength, continually learning to fulfill its resplendent promise as we grow toward spiritual illumination.

Much has been written about the Moon and Sun, but still they remain mysterious. In the following pages we will explore the luminaries in a spiritual context which assumes we attain soul growth by learning lessons in successive lifetimes. To evolve is to simply grow out of the limitations of our earlier versions. The language of reincarnation is used here, but readers uncomfortable with this philosophy may substitute a genealogical, developmental or other understanding.

This perspective focuses on why we have the charts we do. It suggests that there are meaningful reasons based on the history of the soul. Astrology is commonly seen as a descriptive tool like a personality inventory. A soul-focused astrology reaches further back to reveal past life influences within a thematic context, thereby providing a lens through which to view the current lifetime.

An "evolutionary" or soul growth paradigm is relatively new to astrological thinking in the Western world. Billions of people on the planet believe in, have some personal experience of, or are philosophically open to the idea of reincarnation. However, Western astrology has tended to focus on personality and psychology while negating the transpersonal because it's seen as speculative territory. We are now integrating astrology further into a more inclusive and accessible understanding of soul development.

The opening chapter, Spiritual Photosynthesis, will describe the framework of the luminaries being presented. The Moon concerns the past: instinctual, protective, and largely unconscious needs and strategies designed for survival. The soul brings this well of emotional material to each successive lifetime. Spiritual growth concerns the integration of unconscious patterns through sharpened awareness. The Sun involves a process of becoming, which is contingent upon healing limiting tendencies. Successful development gives greater access to the love reposing in the lunar well, but concealed by our emotional coping patterns and scars.

Milk of the Moon covers chapters 2 through 5. Chapters 2 and 3 address the Moon itself-with an emphasis on understanding how a soul feels. Luna will be explored in each of the 12 signs. Discussion of house placement and aspects will be included along with general interpretive guidelines. Chapters 4 and 5 will be a discussion of the Nodes of the Moon, which chronicle the central lessons regarding the soul's past brought into the present for attention. The Lunar Nodes are often considered as being apart from the Moon itself. These chapters will bring the soul's innate feeling (Moon) into closer alignment with the central work or lessons (Lunar Nodes) being managed.

Chapters 6 through 8 comprise Seasons of the Sun. Chapters 6 and 7 discuss the Sun in a natal chart as the primary energy a soul intends to develop and radiate now. The Sun is a conscious, integrative principle that provides nurturing light and heat to the ancient spiritual history. The solar function is readily accessible, but mastery of its promise is a lifelong proposition. Here, we'll address the main variables regarding the Sun: sign, house, aspects. The connection between the Sun and spiritual growth will be further addressed in Chapter 8. The link between personal awareness (Sun) and the greater embrace of Spirit will be featured, as well as how the Sun's awareness teams with the Moon to develop consciousness.

The final 3 chapters fall under the heading Patterns of Light and will further unite the luminaries. These chapters address the dynamic interplay of the past (Moon) weaving around the energy of the present (Sun). Chapter 9 describes the lunar cycle, and Chapter 10 addresses eclipses. Chapter 11 brings all the information presented together in the analysis of several celebrity charts. Applying this method of chart analysis brings not only greater clarity to our interpretations, but also frames the chart in terms of spiritual growth.