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

by Liz Greene

This book explores the fundamental issues of how we defend ourselves against conflict and suffering through characteristic psychological mechanisms reflected in the natal chart. Both the pathological dimensions of defences and their creative contributions to the personality are carefully explored through the zodiac signs and through the multi-levelled planetary symbols Saturn and Chiron, to reveal the many ways in which we both protect and injure ourselves when confronted with what we experience as life's threatening face. The seminar format brings complex psychological material alive in an accessible way, and ample case material highlights characteristic human behaviour patterns. This volume is a profound revelation of the creative ways in which we can approach what may initially seem like our greatest failings.

Genres: Astrology, Psychology

235 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Liz Greene is held in high esteem by astrologers all over the world, professional and non-professional alike. She is a prolific author of books and various publications and has been instrumental in shaping modern psychological astrology.

She holds doctorate degrees in psychology and (as of 2010) in history and is a qualified Jungian analyst. She also holds a diploma in counselling from the Centre for Transpersonal Psychology in London, and a diploma from the Faculty of Astrological Studies, of which she is a lifetime Patron.

Reviews

[Avalon · Rating 5 out of 5]

”But when a person is dominated by defenses against childhood experiences, rather than living his or her own life, I think it is fair to say that such an individual has not yet separated from the family matrix…
Psychologically, I think you have not yet left your parents, or the emotional world which you inhabited as a child. You still relate to life in the same context.”

Barriers and Boundaries is another knock-your-socks-off psychological treasure by the queen of astrology herself, Liz Greene. She explores defense mechanisms and how they align with the four elements, the innate defenses of each zodiac sign, Saturn and Chiron- our deepest wounds and the nature of healing itself.

Like most of Greene’s other books, Barriers and Boundaries is essentially a transcript of a few psychological astrology seminars, which means there are audience interactions and example charts included. Some readers might object to the style, but I found it dynamic and engaging. The knowledge I gained within these pages is invaluable and gave me great insight. I cannot recommend it enough to anyone interested in expanding their psychological horizons or diving beneath the surface of the cosmos.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contains the transcripts of two seminars on psychological defenses as seen in the natal chart. The first seminar, "The Psychology of Defences and Their Astrological Significators," starts with an introduction to Freud's oral, anal, and Oedipal defenses, as well as disassociation. Greene correlates these defenses to the four elements and looks at how each sign has its own approach to "its" defense. In the second seminar, "Saturn and Chiron as Defence Mechanisms," Greene looks at the similarities and differences in how these two planets show deprivation and wounding in our lives, and how we use them to try to protect ourselves from further pain.

Generally I enjoy reading Greene's seminar transcripts and this was another fascinating read for me. It was a change of pace to see astrology through a Freudian lens rather than a Jungian one (Greene acknowledges that most psychological astrologers take a Jungian approach, but says that Freud did more work with defense mechanisms.) I had put off reading this book for a while because I thought the topic might be a bit heavy—"How to see how defensive and neurotic you are through your natal chart!"—but Greene states early on that defenses are a healthy part of the psyche and can stimulate creative responses to the challenges we face. Only when a defense mechanism becomes destructive may it need to be worked with. While I learned a lot from both seminars, I thought the material on Chiron was especially useful; Greene explained Chiron's function in a way that finally makes sense to me. Although I agree with her that many people will be uncomfortable that Chiron's myth isn't pretty, the wound isn't justly received, and—possibly hardest of all to accept—it cannot be healed.

A fine book and worth the read if you can find a copy. It's out of print in paper and at this writing, the used book prices are astronomical, but it's also available as an e-book.

[Hot Mess Sommelière ~ Caro · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is actually not a book but a transcript of two separate workshops Liz Greene held sometime in 1994. That's why there is a lot of interview-ish interaction with people at the workshop with no doubt a lot still left out. Thus, the information is neither comprised nor in order and there is a lot of repitition going on, which is unfortunate because the subject matter is very advanced and difficult to grasp. It would have been great if Greene had actually written a book about these important aspcts of the horoscope, because this transcript is spotty and incomplete and only gives a glimpse at the wealth of information Greene could have shared on the topic.

[Ruud · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interessant boek. In de eerste instantie worden de afweermechanismes vanuit Freudiaans perspectief uitgelegd en vervolgens vanuit de astrologie. Vooral dat eerste was voor mij nieuw en interessant. Verder is Liz Greene een interessante schrijfster. Het enige commentaar dat ik op haar boeken heb is dat het vaak transcripts zijn van lezingen die ze gegeven heeft, daar ben ik persoonlijk geen fan van.

[Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first part to explain Freud psychology about oral and anal defenses. She gives into her personal explanation of oral and anal defenses, linking from childhood phases into adulthood defense mechanisms. I think it's a bit complicated, might not be relatable with a lot of people, and lack of focus in real life examples, which make the part pretty abstract.

[leonore · Rating 5 out of 5]

impressive book here!!

The book is full of penetrating, insights that are deeply and also, practically useful to anyone seeking answers. These answers need not be 100% through astrology because Greene is also psychologically thorough and astute.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

there is literally nothing here that she hasn't said elsewhere. The astrology is basic and wrong.