Planets are forces in the universe or cosmos.
In astrology, there are a specific set of planets and an individual's chart carry unique placement (in different 'houses' of the chart) of each one of them.
In 'Sacred Contracts', archetypes are universal forces just like the planets are in astrology.
For each individual and thereby for his chart, a unique set of twelve archetypes are available.
It is similar to a common set of nine planets in Vedic/sidereal astrology or that of ten planets in Western/'solar' astrology.
Although in astrology there are certain number of planets which are commonly used for everyone, in 'Sacred Contracts' there is a vast resource of archetypes from which the primary set of twelve could be derived for each individual.
Four patterns, called the survival archetypes - Victim, Saboteur, Prostitute and Child - are said to be commonly present in every individual.
Choosing the other eight archetypes from the countless archetypes available, form one of the foremost steps of the process toward using this tool.
One's own intuition is a reliable source used in choosing one's personal set of archetypes.
Caroline Myss teaches that the individual is often right when connecting himself to certain archetypes, which become included in his primary set of twelve.
Several methods are provided in the book 'Sacred Contracts: Awakening Your Divine Potential' as guidance for the process of choosing the archetypes.
They are, 'Interview with an Archetype', 'Letters to Your Archetype' or another self-examination process, 'Asking the Questions' (historical, personal, energetic and intuitive, and spiritual).
Just like the Planets in astrology, which when placed in a chart (dictated by the time of his birth) become indicative of the individual's 'map of consciousness', so too the archetypes of the universal consciousness, when chosen for an individual, resonate with the individual's core psychology/psyche.
"Although archetypes are impersonal patterns of influence that are both ancient and universal, they become personalized when they are a part of your individual psyche," says Myss.
After the lengthy but rewarding process of selecting the set of twelve archetypes, the next step is toward casting the individual's 'chart of origin'.
The 'chart of origin' is similar in nature to the astrological wheel in that it has twelve houses, covering all the areas of your life, and aligning with the zodiac signs.
The number of planets can be one or more or none when placed in each of the twelve houses of the astrological wheel.
But each archetype in the archetypal wheel is seen paired with each of the twelve astrological houses.
That is, unlike the archetypal wheel the astrological wheel can be with houses with no planets.
However, the archetypes in each of the houses are interpreted much like the planets in houses are interpreted in traditional astrological model.
The goal of working with the planets in astrology or archetypes is 'Sacred Contracts' "is not to fascinate people with endless proofs of their subtle kinship to this universe, but to take them from outward theory to inward practices.
" (Donald Walters) In their highest form, these tools are invariably called as the mystical sciences, seeking to give individuals the capacity "to guide their own destinies.
" Recommended Reading: 'Sacred Contracts: Awakening Your Divine Potential', book by Caroline Myss 'Your Sun Sign as a Spiritual Guide', book by J.
Donald Walters (Swami Kriyananda)