The Planets Within: The Astrological Psychology of Marsilio Ficino

by Thomas Moore

The Planets Within centers on one of the most psychological movements of the prescientific Renaissance Italy, where a group of inner Columbuses charted territories that still give us today a much- needed sense of who we are and where we have come from, and the right routes to take toward fertile and unexplored places. Chief among these masters of the interior life was Marsilio Ficino, presiding genius of the Florentine Academy, who taught that all things exist in soul and must be lived in its light. This study of Ficino broadens and deepens our understanding of psyche, for Ficino was a doctor of soul, and his insights teach us the care and nurture of soul.

Genres: Astrology, Psychology, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Spirituality, Research, Occult

Paperback

First published September 1, 1982

About the author

Thomas Moore is the author of the bestselling book, Care of the Soul, Ageless Soul, and fifteen other books on deepening spirituality and cultivating soul in every aspect of life. He has been a monk, a musician, a university professor, and a psychotherapist, and today he lectures widely on holistic medicine, spirituality, psychotherapy, and the arts. He lectures frequently in Ireland and has a special love of Irish culture. He has Ph.D. in religion from Syracuse University and has won several awards for his work, including an honorary doctorate from Lesley University and the Humanitarian Award from Einstein Medical School of Yeshiva University. He also has a B.A. in music from DePaul University, an M.A. in musicology from the University of Michigan, and an M.A. in theology from the University of Windsor. He also writes fiction and music and often works with his wife, artist and yoga instructor, Hari Kirin. He writes regular columns for Resurgence and Spirituality & Health.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Brodolomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knjiga je zapravo prerada Murove doktorske disertacije. Ujedno je i njegov književni prvenac, napisan u periodu pre nego što je postao nju ejdž self help autor. U njoj se astrološki zapisi i renesansni neoplatonizam Marsilija Fičina tretiraju kao psihološko učenje, a astrološke planete kao arhetipi (kocepcija arhetipa je kod Mura bliža Hilmanovoj reviziji, nego prvobitnoj zamisli Junga). Tretirana na ovaj način, astrologija postaje pokazitelj određene fantazije i mogući poligon za dublje razumevanje sopstvene psihe. Planete u nama predstavljaju dubinske obrasce i težišta psihičkog života, umesto metafizičkih entiteta kako to nalaže tradicionalno shvaćena astrologija; zodijaci i planete ne utiču spolja, već iznutra. Tako se pod kretanjem unutrašnjih planeta podrazumevaju oni pokreti iznutra koje nije iniciralo naše „Ja”, niti ih ono u potpunosti kontroliše.

Sa tim nevoljnim pokretima u našoj psihi, valja se uskladiti, a za to može da posluži Fičinijeva astrologija kao neka vrsta simboloičkog imaginativnog sistema. Mur ne pravi zaokružen sistem, niti se zadržava samo na Fičinu, već uključuje i srednjovekovnu alhemiju, renesansna čitanja Platona, dvadesetovekovnu poeziju, religiju, mitove, avangardnu muziku, magiju, hermetizam, umetnost i sve ono što ima fantazijski kvalitet i ono što može da bude odblesak psihološkog lumena-a.

Da li je Mur na nivou Junga i Hilmana? Mislim da nije. Ali mi je knjiga baš legla, posebno jer nisam uopšte bio svestan da mi toliko nedostaju Jung i sva ta svita ispala iz njegovog šinjela (Mislim da se od srednje škole nisam hvatao u kolo sa njima). Za razliku od danas sveprisutne scientističke psihologije, koja teži procesima sužavanja i rigidnog uterivanja u red, jungovska psihologija je više nalik širenju paunovog repa i otkrivanju lepote mnogostrukosti. A ja sam uvek pre za širine i šarene iracionalnosti.

Pohvala za izdavačku kuću Fedon, jer je prevod načinio Noel Putnik, neko ko se razume u renesansni ezoterizam, a redakciju prevoda je načinila Mirjana Sovrović, kako bi tekst bio u skladu sa ustaljenom psihološkom terminologijom na našem jeziku. Volim kada izdavačke kuće daju da prevode oni koji se razumeju u oblast koju prevode.

[Pernille Vagtholm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the book that moved me from slightly interested, to a student of astrology...

[Kenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The tone of this book was much more scholarly and in-depth than the other Thomas Moore books I've read so far. I liked that. His insight into Renaissance religion/psychology/alchemy is fascinating. This book definitely helps me understand what he is describing in his more popular books.
I read this expecting it to mostly be about the different planets/gods, but it is also about the bigger ideas of tempering one's life through the multiplicity of the planets. The ideas here aren't as easily livable as in some of Moore's other books, but they are equally inspiring. I have certainly caught an interest in Ficino and his ability to blend a variety of traditions and concerns into a holistic philosophy of living.

[John B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The modern world connects spirit (motivating force or intent) with body directly in the quest to define a successful life. But the author points out that what has been passed over in this pathway is the vital element of soul itself. Soul-less success, one might say. In the Renaissance this was not so. Rather, the effort was to tune a "well tempered life" with the disharmonic of a "necessary madness," to arrive at a life whose center is the soul.

[Angelo Montinovo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bellissima introduzione sul pensiero e la sfera d’azione di Marsilio Ficino. Un testo imperdibile per chiunque fosse interessato alla filosofia rinascimentale, all’astrologia, alla musica, al Rinascimento, al politeismo e all’evoluzione.

[Felicia Romano · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books of all time. This was my introduction to Ficino, and I've now spent much more time studying his work. Really awesome intersections between physics, philosophy, psychology and music.

[Susannewilliamson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Currently reading
Interesting ideas about Marsilio Ficino in 15th century Florence
But a lot of interpretation and extra words

[Acquafortis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not sure what to say.
I started with great enthusiasm as if finally finding someone that spoke the same language but then it felt as if the effect was slowly the diminishing.
Sometimes I got lost in what the author wanted actually to say.
Now I am utterly curious to read directly Marsilio Ficino.
However, it was a great introduction to something I was already feeling and practising in my life and with my clients.

[Black Ink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moore does a great job making Ficino’s sometimes confusing ideas feel understandable and relevant today. He explains how Ficino’s thoughts on imagination, the mind, and caring for the soul can still matter in our modern world. The mix of history and creative interpretation makes this book more than just a lesson on the Renaissance, it also feels like a reminder to pay attention to the deeper, more meaningful parts of our own lives.

[Gabriel Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite a marvellous book. Of interest to anyone interested in depth psychology or Renaissance esotericism but also an inspiring, challenging read.

[Myra✧₊⁺ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

[Hella]

Zoals alle boeken van Thomas Moore een inspirerend geheel, over de vroeg-renaissance 'psychologie' van Marsilio Ficino. Fijn boek voor de verbeeldingskracht.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an interesting book! I need to re-read as a lot of it went over my head. But the links between Ficino and Jungian archetypes were engrossing.