What makes us the unique individuals we are? Why do we have specific personality traits and attitudes towards life? What determines our aptitudes, predispositions and inclinations? Are we really born into this life as blank slates, so to speak, with our early experiences and relationships forming us and determining who we become?

In karmic astrology we see ourselves as spiritual beings having human experiences as we play the game of “Life.” In fact, we have had many human experiences throughout many lifetimes. The roles we play in our many lives, the skills, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors we develop, all leave an imprint on us. After an incarnation we review our experiences. We sort through our Soul’s intentions for us in that lifetime, and release experiences that are finished, complete and whole. Experiences that are not complete are set aside to be brought back into other life times. In this way, unresolved energy we create in the past is carried into subsequent lifetimes for further development or resolution.

Karma is our Soul’s intention for us to have a certain kind of experience in life. It could be to learn something, to heal something, to express something, or to complete something. Karma is not a judgment about us nor a punishment placed upon us for something we did. Karma is an opportunity to achieve balance, to expand our experience and to grow spiritually. Karma is not erased or cleared by external means. It is something we must experience.

Imagine you are on the other side, before coming into this life. You are in the “Cosmic Cafe” (Starbucks perhaps?) with your friends, making plans for your next lifetime. What kind of earthly experiences would enhance your spiritual growth? What lessons do you want to learn? What unresolved or incomplete issues from the past would you like to work on? What kind of relationships do you want to set up for that resolution or learning to take place? What kind of life conditions and environment would best help you achieve your goals? You turn to your fellow soul mates in the Cafe, asking some of them if they would be willing to take on certain roles in your next life time. Together you craft soul contracts that aid each of you on your own spiritual soul journeys.

In karmic astrology we view an astrological chart as a unique map or mandala that provides information about a person’s journey as a soul through many lives. Your birth chart is unique because no one else on earth, at least not for another 25,000 years, will have the same placement of planets and signs in the houses that is in your chart.

Your astrological chart reveals personality traits and skills, conscious and unconscious patterns of behavior, and themes that have been brought into this life for further development or resolution. It provides clues about past life scenarios that may manifest as shame or guilt in this life, and old wounds that have not yet healed. It tells us something about soul contracts you made with other people to assist you on your soul journey in this lifetime. It specifies your “soul mission”, the goal or destination your soul wishes you to strive for in this life, to expand your experience and assist in your personal evolution.

Sun sign astrology tends to focus on the sign of your Sun in your natal chart in a rather superficial manner. For example, your sun sign horoscope describes your likes and dislikes, the kind of mate you should have, and what kind of job you should look for. It feels static, deterministic or fatalistic. It does not recognize that people can grow and change.

In contrast, karmic astrology is spiritual and dynamic. When we look at your natal chart we see probabilities and possibilities. We recognize that we have control over our destiny by actively making conscious choices. When we become aware of our unconscious motivations and habits we can take responsibility for our karmic past and  break the cycle of repeating unproductive patterns of behavior. We work to heal past-life wounds, transform and transmute past life experiences into lessons, and live our lives with insight and gratitude. We strive to be conscious of the gifts and talents we have brought into this life so we can use them for the highest good. This is how we integrate our personality with our soul’s purpose in this lifetime and become empowered to actively create the life we choose.