Barriers and Boundaries - The Horoscope and the Defences of the Personality

Liz Greene
This first volume of the CPA Press Seminar Series explores the fundamental issue of how we defend
ourselves against conflict and suffering through characteristic psychological mechanisms reflected in
the natal chart. Unless we understand our own defence mechanisms, we can create enormous problems
both for ourselves and for those with whom we are involved; and unless we understand the defence
mechanisms of others we may fail to comprehend their needs and feelings as well as their behaviour.
The pathological dimensions of defences and their creative contribution to the personality are carefully
examined, with an emphasis on the value of defences and their function as sustainers of psychological
and physical life.
Part One, The Psychology of Defences and Their Astrological Significators, begins with an assessment
of the classical psychoanalytic delineation of defence mechanisms - oral, anal and Oedipal - linking
these with particular elements and their characteristic behaviour patterns. Defences as expressed by
each zodiac sign are discussed, as well as the typical defence systems of the planets and planetary
aspects. The chart of Richard Burton provides material for an exploration of special defence patterns
such as violence and alcohol addiction, and example charts from the group generate further discussion
about the many ways in which we both protect and injure ourselves in the face of what we experience
as life's threatening force.
Part Two, Saturn and Chiron as Defence Mechanisms, uses these two complex planetary symbols to
explore all the experiences and feelings of denial and deprivation, wounding and damage, which make
us erect barriers against life and each other. The characteristic defences of Saturn - avoidance,
compensation, projection, scapegoating, envy, contempt - are discussed, as well as the positive and
constructive function of Saturnian defences if we can bring some consciousness to the operation of our
defence mechanisms. Chiron's meaning and expression are then explored, including the application of
myths about Chiron to human behavioural and emotional patterns and the complex issue of collective
wounding. Example charts from the group highlight specific configurations of both planets, leading to a
discussion of the creative ways in which we can approach what may initially seem like our greatest
failings.
Review by Robin Heath: Astrological Journal, July/August 1996
If you are one of those people who skips a review if the first sentence doesn't grab you, then let me
immediately tell you that this book is the nearest thing to attending one of Liz's seminars without
actually being there. A kind of virtual CPA reality, if you like.
The Centre for Psychological Astrology has boldly entered the publishing market with this first
volume, and if one read Charles Harvey's Notes in the last Journal, one would understand immediately
some of his prime reasons for wishing to see the standards of astrological publishing raised. I won't
repeat these here, suffice to state that in-depth astrological debate within the current publishing scene
is, in Charles' view, an endangered species. So, here is an alternative approach - a brave new venture
from CPA Press about the work of one of the most widely read astrologers. An exciting challenge for
any reviewer!

The book continues in the lineage of the earlier Development of the Personality series, begun under the
earlier Sasportas/Greene CPA partnership and published by various concerns. The layout and style will
therefore not surprise anyone who has copies of these earlier volumes. The contents page is much more
comprehensive, enabling rapid location of quite specific material within the seminars covered. The
book is split into two quite distinct halves; Part One, the Psychology of Defences and their Astrological
Significators and Part Two, Saturn and Chiron as Defence Mechanisms. Both parts are based on two
seminars given to CPA students in Autumn 1994, and thus represent very contemporary material.
As I began to read the book I became aware that something stylistically had changed from those earlier
seminar-driven works. There was a more relaxed feel to the interchanges between tutor and students.
There was far more humour and anecdotal material. There was a feeling that increased editorial
freedom was allowing a more complete shape to emerge. There was much more contact between the
described event, its atmosphere, its teacher and its purposes. Any reservations I had about the book
looking too much like a textbook quickly evaporated as astrological expertise was seen intertwined
with the psychological, mythological and historical material to weave an exciting and revealing texture.
One really learns about human life from such a synthesis of disciplines and expertise and, whether you
love or hate psychological astrology, here we have several real and previously unselected charts of
ordinary people (if there is such a thing) being discussed in-depth and we are not dealing with
abstracted concepts floating about in the air over the seminar - we are experiencing astrology in action.
Such treatment clearly reveals the meaning and value of Liz Greene's approach because the owners of
the charts, together with the rest of the student audience are clearly seen to respond to the interactive
nature of the dialogue. The charts of popular figures are also used to prove the general validity of the
material in question.
The book begins with a concise and snappy account of the "Holy Trinity" of oral, anal and Oedipal
stages of childhood. Freud's model is then integrated within Liz's unique style of delivery, complete
with astrological and anecdotal examples about human defence mechanisms. Each of these stages will
be projected into adult life and Liz discusses their likely manifestations, both useful and destructive,
and how to recognise defenses presented to the outside world, and most usefully, the astrologer. The
reader is then given a "defenses by element and sign" and then a "defenses by planet" treatment, with
fine examples and some quite dynamic interchanges within the the group.