About Evolutionary Astrology

“Evolutionary Astrology” describes a style of astrology that understands each person’s birth chart as a map of the soul’s evolution. The term is used by many astrologers and has a complicated history. My use of it lines up with the way it is presented by Steven Forrest. Steven’s as well as my use of the term is one that celebrates the diversity of the field. Steven Forrest is my primary teacher in evolutionary astrology, and I am grateful for his work, wisdom, and heart. I hold his style, teachings, perspective, and contribution to the field of astrology in the highest regard. His book about the underpinnings of his technique, “Yesterday’s Sky” offers more information about the rich meanings and underpinning of the term if you are curious.

My own approach assumes that each of us is able to work with the astrological forces, not simply directed by them. Coming from the core belief that there is a larger, transpersonal meaning to our lives, evolutionary astrology can be used to help us live in harmony with that higher purpose. Thus, an evolutionary astrology reading is never “predictive” in a rigid or fatalistic sense. An evolutionary astrologer will talk about the questions you’ll face but will not spell out your answers to them. It’s up to you how you interact with the field and create your own answers. The archetypal field is rich both with meaning and with possibility. And it’s the possibility and potential that an evolutionary astrologer strives to celebrate. This is also one of the main aspects that distinguishes evolutionary astrology from the many other styles of astrology.

There is a paragraph in the introduction of “Yesterday’s Sky” in which Steven Forrest says it in a way I can’t find better words for myself:

“I value psychological astrology very highly – in fact, one could define Evolutionary Astrology quite succinctly as a form of psychological astrology which is integrated with metaphysics. Where a twentieth century psychological astrologer might focus on the dynamics of childhood, the evolutionary astrologer focuses on the childhood of the soul – prior life times, and the issues unresolved from them. It is a sacred psychology in other words. But it is also a demonstrable one, grounded in observable, present-life realities. There is nothing flakey here…”

This small paragraph does not just perfectly reflect my own view and experience. It also describes why this style of astrology continues to be the one I chose to work in and study. And the modality I choose for myself to offer support to others, after extensive psychological, creative, and spiritual education and training.