Soul Songs:
Astrology Music

by Bradley Spurr

Music based on astrology. The concept had never occurred to me. One night last year I was attending Christine Kratavil's master level psychic development class in Ventura County and was given a homework assignment: I was to compose short musical pieces for each of the other students in the class based upon their sun, moon and rising signs.

 The results of this homework assignment were profound. In a wonderful multi-dimensional way each piece of music matched the person it was written for. A musical description of their being. It was like a psychic reading but going much deeper than words can express.

 Ted Andrews writes in his book Sacred Sounds, ''To hear one's astrological chart played musically is at once eerie and awesome. Musically, it resonates deep within us. To meditate with it releases tremendous insight and results in the achievement of higher states of consciousness. It touches depths of the soul previously unrecognized. Its potential is as unlimited as we are unlimited.''

Pythagoras, the ancient mathematician, is said to have been able to hear the sound of the planets orbiting the sun-hence the term ''Music Of The Spheres.'' He developed a system of assigning musical notes to planets based on their relative distances. Capricorn corresponds to the note A, Aquarius is A#, Pisces is B, Aries is C, Taurus is C#, Gemini is D, Cancer is D#, Leo is E, Virgo is F, Libra is F#, Scorpio is G and Sagittarius is G#. Others have also devised tonal zodiac systems such as Ptolemy, Johannes Keppler and Rosicrucian teacher Max Heindel.

By determining your notes from your natal chart you can create your own song that you can play or sing. For example, if you play the flute, you could improvise melodies using your notes-Carlos Nakai as a form of personal meditation. Taken further, you could compose an full orchestral astro-symphony exploring the depths of your being.

The three most significant notes in your music will come from your sun, moon and ascendant (rising) signs. (Your natal chart can be downloaded from Astro Dienst at http://www.astro.com/.) If you have instances of multiple planets in one sign, you'll want to include those notes as well. However, you may not want to use every note on your chart. Pluto and Chiron may be of lesser importance. I recommend following your intuition and using the notes that feel best to you.

Intent plays the major role in the music's effectiveness. Before I begin to compose I like to meditate with the intention of opening myself to the highest inspiration and to infuse loving, healing energy into the music. I also want the music to be meaningful to the recipient and to inspire multiple listening.

For me, it's a delightful experience to make this music. Actually, I don't really feel it's me doing it and I don't remember much of how it comes about. I believe it's a form of channeling. Something else is working through me and I do my best to keep my left brain out of it.

To hear samples of Bradley Spurr's music visit www.bradleyspurr.com/trurez. For further information on astrology music read Sacred Sounds by Ted Andrews (Llewellyn Worldwide, LTD.), Healing Sounds by Jonathan Goldman (Element Books, Inc.), or Harmonies of Heaven and Earth by Joscelyn Godwin (Rochester: Traditions International).

Wishing on a Libra Moon:
October New Moon Astrology

On October 6 at 6:18 a.m. the new moon occurs in the sign of Libra. According to Jan Spiller, author of New Moon Astrology: Using New Moon Power Days to Change and Revitalize Your Life, the first 48 hours after a new moon are a powerful time for making wishes, with the first eight hours especially potent. Write your wishes down on a piece of paper, make sure they are clearly stated, and limit them to ten. This month's new moon is a powerful time to make your wishes known regarding marriage, harmony, teamwork, and healing codependency.

Libra rules marriage, including: partnerships, agreements, sharing, interdependence.

Sample wishes to inspire happiness in marriage: ''I want to attract and recognize the right marriage partner for me and begin a happy, healthy relationship with that person.'' ''I want to easily see and successfully follow the pathway to creating a happy marriage.''

Libra rules fairness, including: balance, equality, appreciation of opposite viewpoints, negotiation, counseling.

Sample wishes to promote fairness: ''I want to easily find myself putting myself in the other person's shoes in order to perceive them accurately.'' ''I want to feel internally balanced and peaceful.''

Libra rules teamwork, including giving and receiving support, collaboration, supportive relationships, cooperation and team identity.

Sample wishes to encourage teamwork: ''I want to consciously be aware that we are 'all in this together'' and easily lend my support to others.'' ''I want to easily find myself cooperating with others in a healthy, happy way.''

(New Moon Astrology: Using New Moon Power Days to Change and Revitalize Your Life by Jan Spiller, Bantam, $16.95.)