Human biography and the relationship with the other and the self

This article emerged from demands on the therapeutic set where the theme of relationship manifested itself in different formats, situations, questions.

Romantic love is a life-changing experience full of potential and danger. It can be the most beautiful and intoxicating experience, and it can cause the most horrible pain. The experience of love can serve as a gateway to increased self-knowledge and more compassion and love for oneself and others. However, it demands that the joy and pain of love be understood as a reflection of our human condition.

What we intend to present here is the result of this reflection and its application where we combine Jungian Psychology, Anthroposophy and its biographical analysis and elements of astrology, which are revealed in the progressions.

The theory of setennes is one of the foundations of Anthroposophy, created by philosopher Rudolf Steiner. Within this thought, the idea is to see life in a cyclical way, from the observation of the rhythms of nature, and with the cosmos; divided into seven-year phases.

This framework was initially applied by Steiner for the development of Waldorf Pedagogy and developed by Dr. Gudrun, in his work with adults, which he called “biographical” that unfolds the path of evolution of the human being as a whole and later expanded for application in organizations, by Social Pedagogy.

The reference to Steiner and later to Dr. Gudrun, aged seven, is based on the rhythm of Saturn, the last planet we see with the naked eye, which is attributed the meaning of “limit”. It would correspond in our earthly vision to the horizon line that we see but we know that beyond, there is what transcends, that we can only “see” with another type of look. The studies of Dr. Gerardo A. Blanco, an anthroposophical physician and astrologer Lindbergh Pessoa, later included Uranus, which also has a seven-year rhythm, in addition to Neptune and Pluto.

In human relationships, especially in romantic relationships, such principles can also be observed and are the result of each individual’s biography.

From the perspective of Analytical Psychology (Jungian), describing the stages of development of the individual is difficult, as its productions present studies mainly of the adult phase.

But it is important to note that part of this gap has been filled by scholars linked to Jung, notably Michael Fordham in The Child as an Individual (2003) and Erich Neumann in The History of the Origin of Consciousness (2008) and The Child (1991).

In the initial stage (0 to 7 years old) Jung says: “And it goes on, the lack of awareness is what originated in the indifferentiation. The “I” clearly differentiated from the rest of things does not yet exist, but all that exists are events or occurrences, which can belong to me as well as to anyone else. ” (JUNG 1988, pg. 45)

The initial stage, before the birth of the ego, was described by Neumann as the Uroboru (serpent that swallows its own tail). Essa imagem descreve o Self primordial, de onde o ego individual emerge. This image depicts the primordial Self, from which the individual ego emerges. Gradually the ego differentiates itself from this totality and tends to an initial separation, to later relate to the Self again.

This reality is characteristic of the baby’s relationship with its mother. According to Neumann (1991), “the primal relationship is cosmic and transpersonal because the child has neither a stable ego nor a delimited body image” (p.13). It is a unitary reality in which the child is totally dependent on the mother who represents both the world and the Self.

For Steiner, this stage is described as the stage of the internal visceral connection with the mother, responsible for the interpretation and provision of the child’s physical and emotional needs. In this period, according to Steiner, the foundations are established for the development of the qualities of Interiority, Sensitivity, Expression of feelings, recognition of the being and self-esteem. If these qualities are properly developed, the child develops a quality of basic trust in the world. From the astrological point of view, then, we observe the lunar manifestations of the natal chart until the age of 2 delimited by its recognition in the mirror; and from then on to mercury, when he improves walking, speaking, hearing, touch, smell.

The phase from 7 to 14 years is defined at its beginning by the replacement of the “baby teeth” by the permanent teeth and in the final period, puberty has usually already manifested itself. It is not by chance that the first square of Saturn in transit with the Saturn of the natal chart occurs. The parent/teacher relationship acquires preponderance, according to Steiner, and they are the connection bridges with the external world. Parents and teachers are the providers of knowledge and material needs during this period. Here, the qualities of Initiative, clarity, objectivity, strength, perseverance and goals for the future are developed. If properly developed, the young person is able to discover the world through feeling.

It is only when the ego experiences itself as something distinct and different from the unconscious that the embryonic stage is overcome and only then can an autonomous and self-based system of consciousness form. (NEUMANN, 1995, pg. 52). According to Neumann (1995), the aim of life now is to become independent from the world, to stand out and have autonomy. In the child, although the ego and the conscience are mainly concerned with adaptation, it is possible to find the tendency to self-formation.

In the next phase, from 14 to 21 years old, another square is formed again and the Saturn opposition is in transit, with Natal Saturn and the first return of the Lunar Node. Here Steiner informs that eroticism and interest in the other arise. The “I” manifests itself as a differentiated and unique expression. At this stage, according to Steiner, Education should focus on Education for truth, dialogue and freedom with responsibility, as the adolescent soul is open to ideals and universal love. In this phase, the great cycle of incarnation/receptive education ends and the next phase of “earthly fullness”, of “Fighting” or “Expansive” phase will begin. Here the bridge with the world is made.

According to Jung, the expression of Eros, linked to the female soul, also has its manifestation in the male Anima, and is also intrinsic, that is, the ability to see beyond the projected ego and to assimilate it into our conscious being. This is Eros, like “desire for perfection,” which is necessary for us to attune ourselves to our personality. Understanding “passionate love” and “desire for perfection” as “the psychic connection”, Jung also demonstrates that the desire for love is a desire for interconnection and interaction with other conscious or sentient beings. He points out “… An unconscious Eros always manifests in the form of power (CW 9/1 167). In this phase, the masculine and feminine principles seek integration, that is, they must generate the resultant of the Uroboric phase (childhood) and puberty. In astrology, it is about the closing of a first cycle, corresponding to the triplicity: cardinal (initial impulse, principle), fixed (incarnation, incorporation, materiality) and mutable (creativity, integration, flexibility, openness to the new that will emerge. ). This new phase would be the synthesis of the previous ones.

Jung says “Neither the mother principle nor the father principle can exist without their opposite, for both were one in the beginning and will become one in the end. Consciousness can only exist through the permanent recognition and respect of the unconscious: all life has to go through many deaths (CW 9/1 178).

In another passage, referring to Freud’s work, he offers his understanding: “It would be better to give what he has in mind, the name of “Eros”, resorting to the old philosophical conceptions of a “pan-eros” that permeates all of nature. live as creator and fertiliser”… “I therefore thought it appropriate to admit a hypothetical magnitude, an “energy”, as a principle of psychological explanation and to designate it as “libido”, in the classical sense of the word (impetuous desire), without making any statement about its substantiality. With this magnitude, dynamic processes can be explained easily and without the misrepresentation of an explanation based on a concrete motive” (CW 10/3 5, 7)

From 21 to 28 years of age, the phase of terrestrial plenitude begins, where, according to Steiner, psychic maturation must occur. It is an emotional phase, where there is a relationship of fusion with the world and, at the same time, of self-affirmation. Although a time of self-affirmation, here begins the search for the “other half” and fusion is also the impulse in love relationships. The search for the Erotic-affective relationship. Where the common phrase among lovers is “I will only go if you go”….

“Rudolf Steiner calls this phase the “earth maturation phase”, not simply sexual maturation, as this part is just one side. This step represents a threshold; until then, the human being was much more cosmic and spontaneously connected to nature. Now he is deeply connected to the earth and the earth’s gravity begins to take over his body; he becomes an “earthly citizen”, capable of acting in society, on Earth, and living his destiny. ”

“Establishing oneself in the world, severing the childhood ties that bind us to parents, finding a sexual partner and starting a new family constitute, for Jung, the individual’s task in the first half of life” (in MID-AGE, INDIVIDUATION AND ORGANIZATIONS Fernando C. Prestes Motta)

According to Jung: “Due to sexual maturation, there arises the possibility of a new personal participation mystique and, therefore, also the possibility of replacing that personal participation, which has been lost, of the identity with the parents. A new archetype is constellated: in man, the archetype of woman and, in woman, the archetype of man”… “For reasons that I will discuss later, I have given the name of the female archetype that is in men the anima and the masculine archetype that is in the woman the name of animus. (CW 10/3 71)

From 28 to 35 we have what is called by Steiner, as the rational phase. The adult Being starts to have a relationship of separation with the world, and from the Jungian point of view, he wants to break the “mirror” (projections) to overcome or make his shadows conscious and integrate the Anima and the animus. Jung says: “…as far as human logic reaches, the unification of opposites is equivalent to a state of unconsciousness, since the state of consciousness presupposes, at the same time, a differentiation and a relationship between the subject and the object. Where there is no “other” or has not yet come into existence, the possibility of becoming conscious ceases. (CW 9/2 301).

In the relationship that in the previous phase was erotic and affective, a partnership relationship is now required. In this phase, the individual has in his natal chart for transits and progression, the return of the progressed moon that offers the possibility of greater emotional maturity and the return of saturn that represents the closing of the cycle with a greater maturation and “centering”.

Here the love relationship should evolve towards greater companionship and the division of tasks would take place in a harmonious and natural way.

“I do the grocery and you do the dinner.

From 35 to 42, according to Steiner, we are in search of the essence. We ask ourselves what meaning a certain lifestyle has for each of us, if it is good for both of us, what needs to change to be better?

“There comes a time in your life when you know the life you lived is over and you have no idea who you are becoming.” Marion Woodman

According to Jung, it is the beginning of Metanoia. In this trajectory from 35 to 42, astrologically we have many challenging aspects such as progressed moon opposition, saturn opposition, Uranus transiting Natal Uranus opposition, 2nd moonlight Node return, squaring Neptune transiting natal Neptune, all these aspects, according to astrology, demand that the individual be reborn from himself, from his own truth. Now the union undergoes scrutiny and often due to the inability to adapt and evolve it ends. Some reach the threshold and choose the partner, now with another perception. I now realize and honor the conscious, loving choice for a partner. The relationship evolves into companionship.

“I am more me because I am with you”

From 42 to 49 comes the loss of physical beauty and the discovery of the inner world. New values are developed. A relationship of communion is established, according to Steiner.

In analytical psychology, in the development of the individuation process from Metanoia, it is no longer about what you want, but about what you are willing to give. There’s a date. This refers to a meeting and exchange between two people. The difference between a date and a relationship is that a date is a conscious choice – both parties choose to be involved. There is a meeting between my essence and your essence. I must be in a relationship to experience a date. It is important to have dates in our relationships. It is the highest level of connection.
This experience of being present with the “we” allows both parties to be seen and to see the other. If there is dialogue and encounter, the relationship can change. If one of the partners is blocked, there is no chance of change

The relationship allows me to have opinions that differ in principle, and I allow my partner to be different. Our relationship cultivates diversity and appreciation for one another. This difference between us allows for a dialogue that enriches both of us. My partner and I can address each other’s issues and habits that trouble us, and dialogue can bring about a healthy correction. I can correct my partner and my partner can correct me, but we also make up for each other’s weaknesses. In this moment “I help you to achieve”

From 49 to 55, the individuation process continues. But what does individuation process mean? Carl Jung (1991) says that: “This process makes the man wise and the human being starts to teach those who need it, there is a more cooperative attitude, as it develops the perception of interdependence. ” And he still complements highlighting at another time an important aspect…” Persona is an obstacle to individual development. The dissolution of the persona is therefore an indispensable condition for individuation” (CW 7/2 pg. 168). This analysis of the phase in question is perfectly in sync with the demand of the planetary transits that occur in this period.

Communion deepens, and the expression becomes, “You first. I am together”

And after 56 to 63, the consolidation of ‘communion’ develops and a new expression of love is defined. This is the second Saturn return,
Uranus trigone transiting natal Uranus, Neptune transiting natal Neptune. If the transitions of each cycle are developed with love, then they are happy and sow happiness around. Light radiates from the inside out. And life and the world make sense. Now one is at the service of the general good The Expression in this period and from then on becomes:

“The important thing is that you are well.” To mature in this sense would help the development of the individuality of the other. Support your individuation process

Jung tells us: “Each and every one is a stranger among strangers. Kinship libido, which in early Christian communities still created a heart-satisfying bond, lost its purpose long ago. But as she is an instinct, no substitute satisfies her. What she wants is the human bond. This is exactly the core of the transference phenomenon, which is impossible to eliminate, since the relationship with the Self is at the same time the relationship with the next. And no one bonds with the other, if he doesn’t bond with himself first. The conscious realization of inner unification is inseparable from the human relationship, which is an indispensable condition, because without the link with others, consciously recognized and accepted, the synthesis of the personality simply does not take place. (CW 16/2 4443.445)

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