I have posted many times about the nature of reality. Here we find again
the ideas I have proposed of the idea of reality being created not only
individually, but collectively as well. The horoscope defines our
definitions about reality and must be read against the backdrop of the
collectivity and their beliefs. This is a must. It therefore behooves
each astrologer to acquaint themselves with much that is offered in the
way of understanding different realities-here again I offer current
academia in reinforcement of the nature of reality. Hopefully the
readers have learned to discern that the reality that we once thought so
fixed and impermeable is rapidly being discerned as the flexible clay
that it is. These posts are offered in the spirit of the recognition
that you have the power to create the life you prefer. The horoscope
helps us understand our definitions in a more expanded way-what we do
with this awareness is reflected in our understanding of selves, our
fellow man/woman and our actions-the conviction of belief. Physicality
always reflects symbolically the beliefs of its creator-you (us).
Astrology is just one way to read this writing on the 360 degree screen
around us called reality.
"Despite the, belief by some that science provides a windowpane of clear
glass that gives an undistorted view of nature as it really is, there is
a growing awareness that the values and beliefs of the scientists'
culture can shape their own perceptions (Gergen, 1985; Gusfield, 1976;
Sampson, 1977).
The values and beliefs of any culture are subsumed under a larger social
construction called an ideology. An ideology is a set of beliefs and
values held by the members of a social group, which explains its culture
both to itself and to other groups. These beliefs and values produce a
psychological reality that promotes a particular way of life within the
culture (Giddens, 1981; Hogan & Emler, 1978; Mannheim, 1936). Put more
simply, an ideology is the theory that a social group has about itself.
Thus, just as individuals have a theory about themselves (self-concept)
that guides their behavior, so too does a society (ideology).
Although homogeneous societies have only one ideology, societies
containing diverse subcultures contain multiple ideologies. In Canada,
for example, there is the dominant culture of the English-speaking
provinces, as well as the subcultures of French-speaking Quebec and the
Native American tribes. Although the dominant ideology within a
multicultural society will be that of the most powerful social group (in
Canada's case, it is that of the English speaking culture), the other
subcultures' views of reality will also significantly influence social
life within the society. In the United States, social psychologist
Joseph Baldwin (1986) has investigated how African-American and European
American ideologies differ. Yet despite the influence that a subordinate
group's view of reality may have on its members, the dominant ideology
of the society will ultimately impose the greatest structure on social
behavior.
Ideologies within any given society, especially the dominant ideology,
will help to provide a shape and a focus to people's perceptions of
their world. This ideology, which is internalized by individuals at a
very young age, becomes so much a part of their perspective on reality
that people think of the beliefs and values making up the ideology as
natural, universal, and unchanging. Immersed within this particular
world view, it becomes difficult for one to entertain an alternative
perspective. Employing an analogy, if you are a fish you probably do not
realize you're wet. Wet is all you know. There is no alternative state
that you could possibly consider yourself to be in. If a cat asked you
what it's like to be wet all the time, you would likely tell your fellow
fish about this strange creature who asked you an equally strange
question. It would be the very rare fish indeed who could comprehend
what the cat was asking. Perhaps a flying fish who has briefly
experienced an alternative reality could entertain the dual realities of
wet and dry. Perhaps. But most likely a cat would have to teach the fish
about the dry world view." Social Psychology, Stephen L. Franzoi,
Marquette University, 1996.
--
Edmond H. Wollmann P.M.A.F.A.
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