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Galactic Dimension of Astrology: The Sun Is Also a Star
Book by Rudhyar, Dane
- GenresAstrology
216 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1975
About the author
Dane Rudhyar
166 books85 followersFrench-American astrologer, one of the most noted and respected astrologers of the 20th century.
He was called a modern renaissance man for his ability to express himself in many fields; music, painting, poetry, philosophy and metaphysics.
He wrote for national magazines since the '30s and was the author of many books.
He was called a modern renaissance man for his ability to express himself in many fields; music, painting, poetry, philosophy and metaphysics.
He wrote for national magazines since the '30s and was the author of many books.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
October 9, 2025
When I was in high school I read a book called Paradigms Lost by John L. Casti, about paradigm shifts which do occur. I thought the title was so pun-derful as it implied that the previous paradigm was a paradise. Then what about a paradise, or paradigm gained? In this book, the shift of paradigms could lead to a gained galactic paradise of abundance where spiritual resources are ubiquitous. Here Rudhyar suggests that the shift from the heliocentric perspective of the cosmos to a galactic standpoint parallels the shift from ego to the self that is a participant in the universe, a keynote for the Aquarian Age that can liberate one from binding scarcity mindset. This is not an easy process though, but it is a worthy goal. What I like about this idea is that it is a shift, in the evolution of consciousness sense rather than a renunciation or discard of one system for another. It is inclusive rather than exclusionary of past paradigms, and transcultural rather than countercultural (p.174-175) in that it knits past ideas with new ones. It’s about bridging to the beyond without rebelling against one particular framework. The Sun is the center of our solar system, but is also a star. The ego is the “I” of a person and also a part of the entire Self. As we find ourselves in the transition between ages, it is natural for many shifts in perspectives and it is helpful to study how these build off each other.
Hence, Dane Rudhyar gives credence to the heliocentric model while also suggesting the possibility of the galactic approach. He writes, “the classical heliocentric world-picture was a projection upon the dome of the sky of the human need for an individual center within his personality- but a need which was inadequately formulated and which made of the “I am” center of man’s total person an autocratic, proud, jealous and warlike ego.” (p.21) The heliocentric model served a previous time, but also brought about the tendency to have one solar kinglike individual with planetary minions circling him or her.
The Sun is the dominant power in the solar system but in terms of consciousness it is not the only “ego” or star out there and can be seen in two roles- as a center of a solar system and a member of the galactic community just as man is both a center and one of many beings.
How do we bridge between heliocentric to galactic? Rudhyar suggests it is through the planets Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. Up until the bounds of Saturn, the Sun is the dominant force. Beyond that, the galaxy is dominant. Thus, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto’s “allegiance is to the galaxy” (p.25), though they still do circle the sun. Uranus, Neptune and Pluto have been discovered at the cusp between ages to help in the transition to the galactic mindset to act as agents for the galaxy (p. 36).
Each of these planets provides a test in the journey to galactic consciousness in a “three-pronged galactic challenge”(p.34). Uranus challenges Saturn, Neptune challenges Jupiter, and Pluto challenges mars. And these planets not only challenge the inner planets, they also can each have a shadow aspect. Uranian shadow is staying in exalted state of awakening, Neptune temptation of glamour, pluto temptation of power over others, all must be passed through in order to reach galactic consciousness.
These tests are slow, as the planets are slow-moving compared to the inner planets. Have realized that’s why the transpersonal path could make one feel separate; these planets are slow and outside the sun-saturn orbit. It is slow, grinding and can feel painful to the ego, but eventually can result in transcendence of past difficulties.
A more appealing metaphor Rudhyar offers is describing the activity of Uranus, Neptune and Pluto as a waltz, where the dancers “ have to whirl repeatedly into falling into each others arms and accomplish what they intended to do at the start” (p.116). This helped me understand how Pluto is both the keynote and the finalizer. And these challenges are well worth it for the reward is a raising of vibrations and transcendence of previous obstacles. In the end, one can feel embraced by the galaxies arms.
As vibrations raise, more bridges become apparent in awesome inclusivity that doesn’t depend on any other excluding of the past or others in a different group. Increasing scope to the beyond allows astrophysics concepts to help make the link to galactic understanding, such as light being a universal ubiquitous source of energy not limited to the Sun, but also including the Sun. Inclusivity of all is a sign of expanded consciousness, though many times the challenge to this is our own inner planets that are still bound by past emotional entanglements.
The galactic view then becomes a symbol of the individual psychology that has transcended the Sun-saturn ego in their own astrology chart. Dane writes, “If the individualized Sun in the human being does realize that it is essentially a star, it gradually learns to find its place in the cosmic company of galactic stars, whose physical earthly reflection- alas, so often darkened by clouds or lured by mirages- is humanity” (p.209). This paradigm shift is a widening of the circumference of awareness of the beyond, that apparent differences in humans that have been deemed untouchable and rejectable by the establishment could actually be included in a larger organized view of the cosmos. The galaxy includes us even if the immediate environment doesn’t. The rejections could be just a reaction of others’ own attachments that resist the galactic approach. As we continue on the path to galactic consciousness these rejections are less and less upsetting.
If you have been excluded in a way that feels unfair or inhumane, left behind by those who you would have included, then trust that the universe is inclusive in a way that eventually uncovers the truth. It may just mean that Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are performing their work that will bring you to the broader perspective in the precession of the equinoxes. Even Pluto was excluded from the planets by astronomers, and Rudhyar notes that “Pluto is the ultimate integrator” (p.77).
With cosmic inclusivity I dedicate the review to the whole community of goodreads, the book The Sun is also a Star is a star among a community of book-stars, each worlds of inspiring words.
Hence, Dane Rudhyar gives credence to the heliocentric model while also suggesting the possibility of the galactic approach. He writes, “the classical heliocentric world-picture was a projection upon the dome of the sky of the human need for an individual center within his personality- but a need which was inadequately formulated and which made of the “I am” center of man’s total person an autocratic, proud, jealous and warlike ego.” (p.21) The heliocentric model served a previous time, but also brought about the tendency to have one solar kinglike individual with planetary minions circling him or her.
The Sun is the dominant power in the solar system but in terms of consciousness it is not the only “ego” or star out there and can be seen in two roles- as a center of a solar system and a member of the galactic community just as man is both a center and one of many beings.
How do we bridge between heliocentric to galactic? Rudhyar suggests it is through the planets Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. Up until the bounds of Saturn, the Sun is the dominant force. Beyond that, the galaxy is dominant. Thus, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto’s “allegiance is to the galaxy” (p.25), though they still do circle the sun. Uranus, Neptune and Pluto have been discovered at the cusp between ages to help in the transition to the galactic mindset to act as agents for the galaxy (p. 36).
Each of these planets provides a test in the journey to galactic consciousness in a “three-pronged galactic challenge”(p.34). Uranus challenges Saturn, Neptune challenges Jupiter, and Pluto challenges mars. And these planets not only challenge the inner planets, they also can each have a shadow aspect. Uranian shadow is staying in exalted state of awakening, Neptune temptation of glamour, pluto temptation of power over others, all must be passed through in order to reach galactic consciousness.
These tests are slow, as the planets are slow-moving compared to the inner planets. Have realized that’s why the transpersonal path could make one feel separate; these planets are slow and outside the sun-saturn orbit. It is slow, grinding and can feel painful to the ego, but eventually can result in transcendence of past difficulties.
A more appealing metaphor Rudhyar offers is describing the activity of Uranus, Neptune and Pluto as a waltz, where the dancers “ have to whirl repeatedly into falling into each others arms and accomplish what they intended to do at the start” (p.116). This helped me understand how Pluto is both the keynote and the finalizer. And these challenges are well worth it for the reward is a raising of vibrations and transcendence of previous obstacles. In the end, one can feel embraced by the galaxies arms.
As vibrations raise, more bridges become apparent in awesome inclusivity that doesn’t depend on any other excluding of the past or others in a different group. Increasing scope to the beyond allows astrophysics concepts to help make the link to galactic understanding, such as light being a universal ubiquitous source of energy not limited to the Sun, but also including the Sun. Inclusivity of all is a sign of expanded consciousness, though many times the challenge to this is our own inner planets that are still bound by past emotional entanglements.
The galactic view then becomes a symbol of the individual psychology that has transcended the Sun-saturn ego in their own astrology chart. Dane writes, “If the individualized Sun in the human being does realize that it is essentially a star, it gradually learns to find its place in the cosmic company of galactic stars, whose physical earthly reflection- alas, so often darkened by clouds or lured by mirages- is humanity” (p.209). This paradigm shift is a widening of the circumference of awareness of the beyond, that apparent differences in humans that have been deemed untouchable and rejectable by the establishment could actually be included in a larger organized view of the cosmos. The galaxy includes us even if the immediate environment doesn’t. The rejections could be just a reaction of others’ own attachments that resist the galactic approach. As we continue on the path to galactic consciousness these rejections are less and less upsetting.
If you have been excluded in a way that feels unfair or inhumane, left behind by those who you would have included, then trust that the universe is inclusive in a way that eventually uncovers the truth. It may just mean that Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are performing their work that will bring you to the broader perspective in the precession of the equinoxes. Even Pluto was excluded from the planets by astronomers, and Rudhyar notes that “Pluto is the ultimate integrator” (p.77).
With cosmic inclusivity I dedicate the review to the whole community of goodreads, the book The Sun is also a Star is a star among a community of book-stars, each worlds of inspiring words.
Displaying 1 of 1 review