Charting the Soul is a synthesis of knowledge and understanding from the three fields of astrology, psychology and energy healing. The author is a professional astrologer, energy healer and process facilitator and she poses the idea that the three disciplines are three overlapping ways of engaging with a person's Human Energy Field.In the first place, Charting the Soul is based on Wilhelm Reich's psychological model of 'characterology'. Reich spoke of five distinct character types emerging from five stages of child development; the Schizoid, the Oral, the Masochist, the Psychopath and the Rigid. From this foundation, Charting the Soul goes on to make the link between characterology and astrology. The author describes the way in which specific planets are linked to each of the five character types. She shows how the pattern of the planets in the horoscope will indicate the balance of a person's characterology, illuminating both their childhood history and the character types they most identify with. Thus the traditional understanding of the character types is illuminated and expanded by the profound wisdom of astrology. From the spiritual view, this book takes us beyond the traditional psychological interpretation of the character types. Rebekah Hirsch recognises the impact of traumatic childhood experiences but she also sees the light of the divine essence of each living being eternally shining through from the core of all human experience. She suggests that the character types could be seen as five stages of the soul's journey into incarnation, each stage a necessary part of the creative process and bringing through essential gifts of genius, compassion, creativity, courage and wisdom. The main part of the book has been written so as to be understandable by non-astrologers. The focus is on an exploration of the archetypal nature, the core essence of each of the planets in the horoscope. The author also gives an overview of the energy structures of the human energy field. She describes how, using higher sense perception, each of the planets radiates qualities of light, shadow and movement - a distinct energy signature, appearing as a recognisable vibrational pattern in the human energy field.Staying with the theme of the five character types, the final section of the book compromises five case studies of Jimi Hendrix, Marilyn Monroe, Orson Welles, Frida Kahlo, and Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. This section is written for those with a more advanced understanding of astrology. Each case describes how the planets in the horoscope show the development of the character types through childhood as well as indicating the beautiful gifts and talents each soul brought into manifestation in the world of matter. Above all, this book is about awareness; about the divine nature of being alive and the power and beauty of each individual struggling to bring their own unique essence through into the world of matter.This book should be of interest to all students of astrology, particularly psychological astrology; also to a wide range of therapists and practitioners, particularly in the fields of Bio-Energetics, Core Energetics, Brennan Healing Science and Hakomi as well as to all individuals on a path of spiritual and emotional growth.
