Conceptual tool for client sessions

[Kjell Pettersson]

I have earlier posted about a planetary sequence that I have "discovered", and which seems to me to be quite a useful one. I have lately been thinking about how this sequence could be translated into a process, and if such a process could be a useful tool for an astrologer in a session with a client. It seems to me it would, and so I am thinking of how a "conceptual tool" could be developed that is based upon the planetary sequence.

However, my actual hands-on experience of client sessions is not that big as my health does not allow *doing* sessions. I read, write and research astrology, but sessions are largely terra incognita to me. I do not know what makes a consultation "tick", or why not if it doesn't. I'd by happy to get feedback on this, as it may help me in developing the concept of using the planetary sequence in sessions.

The "conceptual tool" is simple as a concept, but I want to make some kind of concrete applications (the "tool" part) of it. The main idea is to structure the work with a client according to the basic planetary principles, and to do so in a particular order. I have posted about this sequence earlier in the group, but it never hurts to repeat oneself! :-)

The sequence of principles I propose is this:

Jupiter
Venus
Moon
Sun
Saturn
Mars
Mercury

Astrologers using the modern planets would add Neptune and Uranus after Mercury. Pluto, or the lunar nodes, depending upon the preference of the astrologer, would signify the process as such.

Translating the planetary principles into consultation work could look like this:

Jupiter -- working with finding a unifying and inspiring life vision
Venus -- combining and connecting the vision with one's longings
Moon -- identifying the needs the vision must meet
Sun -- identifying a concrete goal for implementation of the vision
Saturn -- looking at what constraints there are, so as to find out what this goal is not a current reality (strategy)
Mars -- finding the "critical path" for getting one's life in harmony with the overall vision ("tactics" in management lingo)
Mercury -- "exchange", which means living the vision

Neptune would be about diffusion, as in letting the inspirational vision take a larger part of one's life and also one's environment. Uranus would be at the end of the cycle, and signify that one recalibrates one's vision from the experiences it has given. Pluto and the nodes (and also eclipses, naturally) are about the continuity of rebirth that one would experience if consciously growing in this manner. As the moderns are often called "generational planets", it may depend upon how much the individual client has a vision that involves collective themes whether or not one wants to include these planets.

The above is very abstract, and probably more than what can be put in one session if held at the level of life vision. I do think, however, that as a generic template, the planetary principles, in this particular order, can be useful for individual sessions as well as astrological coaching over a longer time-frame. Actually, the idea of astrologers coaching over time seems to me one that would benefit both client and the professional astrologer, and I think this generic template would be excellent for that purpose.

One could start with vision work and go on from there, and when finally the vision is in implementation phase (Mercury), individual parts that are tricky could be lifted out and dealt with in the same manner as the vision itself was.

Besides using the planetary principles for structuring the session, they could also be used alongside each step. When working with the abstract vision, looking at the natal Jupiter, what it rules, how it is aspected, etc., will of course provide the astrologer with adequate information at that particular step in the process. And so on, for the other steps.

When it comes to the interpretations, I believe an astrologer interested in this process should apply the above according to their own interpretation and routines. My focus is upon formulating a tool that can be used to help an astrologer to explain the process and guide the client through it. If you have any thoughts on how I could make such a tool helpful for others than myself, I'd be happy to hear your ideas.

[CFA]

Post by Kjell Pettersson
I have earlier posted about a planetary sequence that I have
"discovered", and which seems to me to be quite a useful one.
I have lately been thinking about how this sequence could be
translated into a process, and if such a process could be a
useful tool for an astrologer in a session with a client. It seems
to me it would, and so I am thinking of how a "conceptual tool"
could be developed that is based upon the planetary sequence.

Yes, it could be a useful tool.

Post by Kjell Pettersson
However, my actual hands-on experience of client sessions is
not that big as my health does not allow *doing* sessions. I
read, write and research astrology, but sessions are largely
terra incognita to me. I do not know what makes a consultation
"tick", or why not if it doesn't. I'd by happy to get feedback on
this, as it may help me in developing the concept of using the
planetary sequence in sessions.

'Making it work' largely involves learning to speak the client's
language; to see the world through their values. From there, it means
eliciting their goal or goals and their challenge/s in fulfilling
those goals. Then a model for self-discovery, self-monitoring, and
inner change can be used. iow, then the client gets to listen, but not
until s/he has expressed these things. Ideally :-)

Post by Kjell Pettersson
The "conceptual tool" is simple as a concept, but I want to make
some kind of concrete applications (the "tool" part) of it. The
main idea is to structure the work with a client according to the
basic planetary principles, and to do so in a particular order. I
have posted about this sequence earlier in the group, but it
never hurts to repeat oneself! :-)
Jupiter
Venus
Moon
Sun
Saturn
Mars
Mercury
Astrologers using the modern planets would add Neptune and
Uranus after Mercury. Pluto, or the lunar nodes, depending
upon the preference of the astrologer, would signify the
process as such.
Jupiter -- working with finding a unifying and inspiring life vision
Venus -- combining and connecting the vision with one's longings
Moon -- identifying the needs the vision must meet
Sun -- identifying a concrete goal for implementation of the vision
Saturn -- looking at what constraints there are, so as to find out what
this goal is not a current reality (strategy)
Mars -- finding the "critical path" for getting one's life in harmony
with the overall vision ("tactics" in management lingo)
Mercury -- "exchange", which means living the vision

People have different needs. I could see it work in a way that rarely
follows the order listed above. Few people would need attention in all
areas- reminders, perhaps, but the speed bumps are usually not the
whole list.

Part of the coaching paradigm is hearing the pieces or places that
need attention- listening between the lines, so to speak.

Post by Kjell Pettersson
Neptune would be about diffusion, as in letting the inspirational vision
take a larger part of one's life and also one's environment. Uranus
would be at the end of the cycle, and signify that one recalibrates
one's vision from the experiences it has given. Pluto and the nodes
(and also eclipses, naturally) are about the continuity of rebirth that
one would experience if consciously growing in this manner.

I'm not sure there's a continuity. I'm not sure it's required.

Post by Kjell Pettersson
As the
moderns are often called "generational planets", it may depend upon
how much the individual client has a vision that involves collective
themes whether or not one wants to include these planets.

How can one sanely ignore those (outer planet) themes any more? The
internet killed any illusion of separateness, except for the most
destitute layers of civilization.

Post by Kjell Pettersson
The above is very abstract, and probably more than what can be put
in one session if held at the level of life vision.

At any level. If someone could accommodate all that information in an
hour conversation, they're probably your teacher.

Post by Kjell Pettersson
I do think, however, that
as a generic template, the planetary principles, in this particular order,
can be useful for individual sessions as well as astrological coaching over
a longer time-frame. Actually, the idea of astrologers coaching over time
seems to me one that would benefit both client and the professional
astrologer, and I think this generic template would be excellent for
that purpose.

It's a great starting point and training piece. Yes, most coaching
relationships are more or less long term. It just takes time to change
habits that are decades old. It's not about the information conveyed;
it's about the experience that gets integrated. That takes the most
time.

Post by Kjell Pettersson
One could start with vision work and go on from there, and when
finally the vision is in implementation phase (Mercury), individual
parts that are tricky could be lifted out and dealt with in the same
manner as the vision itself was.

My experience is that few people have that kind of patience or
commitment to go through the whole list (perhaps if that's the only
way it's 'sold', but that would tend to discourage some people).

They have a hot spot in their life, and they want to 'fix' that. Most
people do hear the idea that 'we can put out the fire, but it will
keep getting set until you know how you got here', and that will get
them to take a peek into the deeper layers. But few are emotional and
intellectual thrill-seekers in the same way most astrologers are.

Post by Kjell Pettersson
Besides using the planetary principles for structuring the session, they
could also be used alongside each step. When working with the abstract
vision, looking at the natal Jupiter, what it rules, how it is aspected, etc.,
will of course provide the astrologer with adequate information at that
particular step in the process. And so on, for the other steps.
When it comes to the interpretations, I believe an astrologer
interested in this process should apply the above according to their
own interpretation and routines. My focus is upon formulating a tool
that can be used to help an astrologer to explain the process and
guide the client through it. If you have any thoughts on how I could
make such a tool helpful for others than myself, I'd be happy to hear
your ideas.

Define it in separate, independent modules, too. That's how some
people will use it.

Ken

[Kjell Pettersson]

Thank you for your feedback!

It may well be that it is like you say, that not all (or many) will be interested in the whole concept. I do, however, feel that the tool as such should be so complete that it COULD be used at any level, from "easy" to "advanced".

Also, if I manage to really construct it in a good way, it may become a sales argument in itself, if it makes the process easier.

But it is a good point that you make, and it is highly related to another thought I have, which is that no matter what route I take with the specifics, it must not become overly complicated. For that reason, and also with regard to your point of view, I think that every part should be capable to function on a stand-alone basis, as a module. Then module can be chosen according to what fits the need of the situation and the wishes of the client.

Oh yes, looking up your post again I see you write precisely that in the last sentence! :) Yes, that idea is one I -- obviously :) -- completely agree with!

With regards to "continuity" I think that it exists in terms of the steps following one another and being logical extensions of one another, but as long as one is "within" a step, the rest of the steps are not present, meaning continuity does not exist in the moment, only in the momentum of the process as such.

/K

Post by CFA

Post by Kjell Pettersson
I have earlier posted about a planetary sequence that I have
"discovered", and which seems to me to be quite a useful one.
I have lately been thinking about how this sequence could be
translated into a process, and if such a process could be a
useful tool for an astrologer in a session with a client. It seems
to me it would, and so I am thinking of how a "conceptual tool"
could be developed that is based upon the planetary sequence.

Yes, it could be a useful tool.

Post by Kjell Pettersson
However, my actual hands-on experience of client sessions is
not that big as my health does not allow *doing* sessions. I
read, write and research astrology, but sessions are largely
terra incognita to me. I do not know what makes a consultation
"tick", or why not if it doesn't. I'd by happy to get feedback on
this, as it may help me in developing the concept of using the
planetary sequence in sessions.

'Making it work' largely involves learning to speak the client's
language; to see the world through their values. From there, it means
eliciting their goal or goals and their challenge/s in fulfilling
those goals. Then a model for self-discovery, self-monitoring, and
inner change can be used. iow, then the client gets to listen, but not
until s/he has expressed these things. Ideally :-)

Post by Kjell Pettersson
The "conceptual tool" is simple as a concept, but I want to make
some kind of concrete applications (the "tool" part) of it. The
main idea is to structure the work with a client according to the
basic planetary principles, and to do so in a particular order. I
have posted about this sequence earlier in the group, but it
never hurts to repeat oneself! :-)
Jupiter
Venus
Moon
Sun
Saturn
Mars
Mercury
Astrologers using the modern planets would add Neptune and
Uranus after Mercury. Pluto, or the lunar nodes, depending
upon the preference of the astrologer, would signify the
process as such.
Jupiter -- working with finding a unifying and inspiring life vision
Venus -- combining and connecting the vision with one's longings
Moon -- identifying the needs the vision must meet
Sun -- identifying a concrete goal for implementation of the vision
Saturn -- looking at what constraints there are, so as to find out what
this goal is not a current reality (strategy)
Mars -- finding the "critical path" for getting one's life in harmony
with the overall vision ("tactics" in management lingo)
Mercury -- "exchange", which means living the vision

People have different needs. I could see it work in a way that rarely
follows the order listed above. Few people would need attention in all
areas- reminders, perhaps, but the speed bumps are usually not the
whole list.
Part of the coaching paradigm is hearing the pieces or places that
need attention- listening between the lines, so to speak.

Post by Kjell Pettersson
Neptune would be about diffusion, as in letting the inspirational vision
take a larger part of one's life and also one's environment. Uranus
would be at the end of the cycle, and signify that one recalibrates
one's vision from the experiences it has given. Pluto and the nodes
(and also eclipses, naturally) are about the continuity of rebirth that
one would experience if consciously growing in this manner.

I'm not sure there's a continuity. I'm not sure it's required.

Post by Kjell Pettersson
As the
moderns are often called "generational planets", it may depend upon
how much the individual client has a vision that involves collective
themes whether or not one wants to include these planets.

How can one sanely ignore those (outer planet) themes any more? The
internet killed any illusion of separateness, except for the most
destitute layers of civilization.

Post by Kjell Pettersson
The above is very abstract, and probably more than what can be put
in one session if held at the level of life vision.

At any level. If someone could accommodate all that information in an
hour conversation, they're probably your teacher.

Post by Kjell Pettersson
I do think, however, that
as a generic template, the planetary principles, in this particular order,
can be useful for individual sessions as well as astrological coaching over
a longer time-frame. Actually, the idea of astrologers coaching over time
seems to me one that would benefit both client and the professional
astrologer, and I think this generic template would be excellent for
that purpose.

It's a great starting point and training piece. Yes, most coaching
relationships are more or less long term. It just takes time to change
habits that are decades old. It's not about the information conveyed;
it's about the experience that gets integrated. That takes the most
time.

Post by Kjell Pettersson
One could start with vision work and go on from there, and when
finally the vision is in implementation phase (Mercury), individual
parts that are tricky could be lifted out and dealt with in the same
manner as the vision itself was.

My experience is that few people have that kind of patience or
commitment to go through the whole list (perhaps if that's the only
way it's 'sold', but that would tend to discourage some people).
They have a hot spot in their life, and they want to 'fix' that. Most
people do hear the idea that 'we can put out the fire, but it will
keep getting set until you know how you got here', and that will get
them to take a peek into the deeper layers. But few are emotional and
intellectual thrill-seekers in the same way most astrologers are.

Post by Kjell Pettersson
Besides using the planetary principles for structuring the session, they
could also be used alongside each step. When working with the abstract
vision, looking at the natal Jupiter, what it rules, how it is aspected, etc.,
will of course provide the astrologer with adequate information at that
particular step in the process. And so on, for the other steps.
When it comes to the interpretations, I believe an astrologer
interested in this process should apply the above according to their
own interpretation and routines. My focus is upon formulating a tool
that can be used to help an astrologer to explain the process and
guide the client through it. If you have any thoughts on how I could
make such a tool helpful for others than myself, I'd be happy to hear
your ideas.

Define it in separate, independent modules, too. That's how some
people will use it.
Ken
--
cfa at alt dot net

[Kjell Pettersson]

I shall describe the process without pointers on how to do interpretation, and I do this for two reasons. First, there are so many kinds of astrology that going beyond the absolute basics may make this unusable to some — and the more accessible it is, the better.

Secondly, the process can be used without reference to the individual birth chart but still be helpful. For some astrologers, using this astrological process without explicit use of astrological birth charts may provide a possibility to branch out into coaching in general. I can think of no person better suited for this than an astrologer, who knows by heart a multitude of interpretations for each step of the process and is trained in thinking symbolically around the basic principles. In areas where astrology alone may not provide enough income, such a broadening of the professional practice may help the astrologer to be able to do what they love to do. Not that I would like to see astrologers leave astrology, but if broadening the practice could give them more clients, I am all for it.

In the beginning I tried this out with a friend and we went through the entire process, which worked fine, but the general outline here should work for lifting out separate parts as well.

Doing this for one particular topic which my friend wanted to investigate took us about one hour, so I do not think that this process MUST take a lot of time.
  
  
INTRODUCTION

It is probably helpful to introduce the session with a few words about the general idea, also by this opening up for feedback from the client. A visual table showing the steps may be put on paper and placed in sight. Not only does the process guide the transition from one step to the next, it is also helpful now and then when on a particular step. For this reason, each step could be illustrated with a word cloud around each planetary principle. (”Strategy”, for instance, does not necessarily activate much specific thinking, but words like ”limits”, ”requirements” and ”constraints” are likely to do so.)
  
  
PART I – Doing the right thing

There are two major parts to the process. The first one is about ensuring that one is focusing upon the right thing – as opposed to trying to fix something that is not truly important.
  
  
1. JUPITER
The vision that inspires would correspond with Jupiter in the natal chart. How easy or hard it is for them to access this capacity according to the information given in the chart should give information relevant to this step.

a) Naming the vision
Let the client state the vision that they want to see come true in their life.

The process here is about exploration so they may change the wording later on if they need to. But they need a reference point when they start out, and so a ”vision statement” is needed. The actual words are not important, the important thing is that they feel that it captures something that inspires them. Note the word ”feel” here!

b) ”Vision particles”
Let the client jot down on pieces of paper (sticky notes like Post-It for instance) the thoughts that occur to them when they think of the vision. The more the thoughts are like affirmations, the better. Each thought gets its own paper. If they get stuck they can look at the visual process table. How does their vision relate to ”Limits”? What benefits do they want to derive? Etc. This is a bit like creating a puzzle, but the pieces are based on thoughts and not visual images.

Thoughts like ”I do not deserve to get what I want” should be rephrased so that they match the vision. Spotting such thought particles is the responsibility of the facilitator. However, they should not be pointed out until after the client feels finished producing thoughts relating to the vision, so as not to disturb or distract from their mind processes. After having converted these thoughts into a vision-compatible format, next point is about relating them to one another.
  
  
2. VENUS

a) Bonding the particles
Let the client imagine each particular thought as a single in search of marriage (or whatever metaphor best suits your style, the one of thoughts as pieces in a puzzle has been mentioned as an alternative) and then combine the thoughts according to a best match-principle. ”I have a wonderful workplace” should be combined with a thought that suits it well, which may (perhaps) rather be ”I want to be well educated” rather than ”I want a new home”. The combination should be according to the unifying principle of the vision and according to what the two particular thoughts have in common.

If there is an odd particle left over, a suitable partner should be created for it.
  
  
3. THE MOON

a) Results; preliminary goals and needs
The next step is to let the combined thought particulars assist in formulation of ”pre-goals”. (That which we want to get out of our goal, the benefit it should offer us.) If the client combined ”I have a wonderful workplace” with ”I want a new home” they may come to the realization that ”I want to work from home” is a pre-goal of theirs, as it combines these two thoughts.

b) Mapping the results
The singular thought particles ”married” and begot children, so to speak. Now these children are in Kindergarten and each is looking for a best friend. Match the pre-goals that have a common center, two by two, similarly to how you matched the single vision thoughts.

c) Matching the results
Having matched all two-by-two, possibly with an odd one left out, then match pair-to-pair. (If you have an odd one, it now counts as a pair.) Match them so that you get ”best fit” between the ends. This means that the pairs should be joined so that the ”best friends” *between* the pairs are closest to one another.

Continue until you have matched all pairs into a single string of thought combinations.
  
  
4. THE SUN
a) Goal identification
The thought placed in the middle of the sequence is the pre-goal that is the central goal. The process automatically makes the most connected one end up in the center, and places the less important goals towards the periphery. This is because the pairs were joined in a way that reflected the idea of best-match. If you have an even number of pre-goals, there will be no precise center. If so, combine the two pre-goals in the center into a goal that incorporates both.
  
  
Part II – Doing things right

Having identified a motivating central goal, one surely wants to go about making it manifest in one's life in a professional and effective way. That is the focus of the second part.
  
  
5. SATURN

a) Goal definition (clarification)
Having identified the goal is one thing, but the client wants it as distinct as possible. For that, let them rephrase the wording of the pre-goal into a wording suitable for a major goal. For this the client can use triangulation versus a) closest neighbours and b) versus far ends of chain. And, of course, your knowledge of the client's birth chart.

b) Discarding the alternatives
The central goal is the goal that relates most to all other goals connected with the issue at hand, and it incorporates them to the extent that they are important. This means that the client should be able to exclude them as *independent* goals now and go for only the singular central goal. If they do not feel comfortable with this it means either the vision was not deep or unified enough or the ”particles” not many enough. If the goal is not important enough it cannot motivate and the process needs to be revisited, to incorporate missing particles or deepening of the vision.

c) Constraints
The client should identify all that interferes with carrying out the goal that has been identified. This may be done between two sessions, to get as complete a picture as possible.
  
  
6. MARS

Just as Venus is about bonding the good thoughts, Mars works to break into pieces the obstacles that stand in our way.

a) Breaking apart
Identify what needs to be done about the constraints. Each one needs to be dealt with individually, but this process needs not necessarily involve the astrologer. The astrologer can here be helpful in anchoring the client in reality assessment, through the astrologer's knowledge of the chart.
  
  
7. MERCURY

a) There are two parts to Mercury. Of course. The first one would deal with analysis of the pieces that result from the breaking apart. What actions seem most productive? What ways to deal with the constraints seem like a waste of time?

b) The last step would be a synthesis based upon the preceding steps. The previous steps, particularly Mars/Mercury, should have identified the alternatives available, and identified what actions are necessary to make the goal of one's vision a lived reality (the ”critical path”). Preference – and astrology! – can now help the client to make a fully informed decision about what route to choose.

c) The path forward identified, the astrologer can help the client with timing activities, to the extent that this is needed. When is one ”in the flow” and can take on tasks that need a high level of energy? What obstacles are likely to appear and need to be dealt with, given one's primary game plan? For now the puzzle is laid, and has transformed into a game plan.

- - -

I believe there must be some kind of general theory to which this specific planetary sequence and its analogue expressions can be translated. Perhaps there is a theory for any possible planetary sequence? However, I see no reason why such a theory would not be all-inclusive rather than the opposite. The major problem with theoretical frameworks in astrology seems to me to be that they often exclude a lot to make sense and I would prefer a theory doing the opposite. Reminded of the soon proverbial quote that

“There is nothing so practical as a good theory”*

I have come to the conclusion I should focus upon looking into the theory of this planetary sequence rather than focusing upon the puzzle-to-game-plan idea I have presented here. Perhaps it is I who have to formulate the theory I want to see, and it may be better to try that than to complain about the lack of it!

The sequence seems to have connections with some other fields of interest that I have, and perhaps a theory is a better tool than a ”conceptual tool” would be. Then again, perhaps a theory is precisely what a conceptual tool is! :)

__________
* Gestalt psychologist Kurt Lewin