When you hear the word astrology, your first thought might be your daily horoscope in the paper. But could psychological astrology be what you need to create multidimensional characters and real-world conflicts in your writing?
Described as a modern psychological astrologer, author Michele Finey is bringing this concept to life in her upcoming workshop Crafting Characters and Conflict with Astrology. She recently chatted with Writers Victoria’s Steph Duthie on how this divinatory practice can create character depth and authentic conflict scenarios.
I come from an eccentric family, that’s one thing. My grandfather [George Finey] was an artist, a caricaturist and a bit of a philosopher. When I was quite young, he used to say things like, ‘We’re born with a blueprint and go through life filling it in.’ He wasn’t an astrologer, but his way of thinking influenced me. Then, when I was about 9 or 10, Linda Goodman’s Sun Signs was published. Although my mother wasn’t into astrology, she bought a copy as it was popular at the time and I just got stuck into it. It just made so much sense to me. The more I learnt, the more I loved how it helped me figure out people and understand things.
Your latest book, Astrology for Storytellers, introduces such a unique take on character development and conflict building. How did it come about?
Astrology for Storytellers may be my fourth book, but it’s been a long time coming. Over 20 years in the making! It all started when I studied professional writing and editing 25 or more years ago. Part of that course involved a module called Myths and Symbols. I presented some of the concepts as one of the tasks, and I’ve been evolving and adapting it over the years at various talks and workshops. And from that the book was born! In the workshop, I’ll be taking everyone through a few key areas I cover in the book.
Many of us know common star sign traits – such as a Leo being confident or a Scorpio being passionate. But is applying astrological principles more than simply leaning into these star sign stereotypes?
Star signs are just the tip of the iceberg, really. There’s just so much more to astrology than Sun signs and horoscopes. Modern psychological astrology – which is what I focus on and what the workshop’s principles are based on – is more about offering guidance and understanding. Astrology is often used in personal development and as a counselling tool. But astrological principles give us insight into more than simple personality traits. Using astrology, writers can create multi-dimensional characters – uncovering motive, hidden agendas and emotions, desires and drivers. Also understand how they would interact, talk, or react to conflict.
Using astrology, writers can create multi-dimensional characters – uncovering motive, hidden agendas and emotions, desires and drivers. – Michele Finey
Some people may be a little sceptical about using astrology for characters or plot development. Do they need to understand or believe it to get value from this course?
Belief is the wrong word. It’s a symbolic language. You don’t have to believe in a symbolic language; you just must understand symbols and symbolism. I will be explaining the general basics of the elements and the qualities that go to make up each sign, and how they relate to one another. I’ll be simplifying it so people can easily draw on the symbols and make those connections. The workshop will be especially helpful for those who feel their characters need more depth, are struggling with motive, or if the dialogue in conflict situations isn’t quite working.
We’ve all read books where we find ourselves questioning character motives or storylines because it doesn’t ‘seem like something that person would do’. How does astrological principles help writers create real-feeling characters and conflict scenarios?
Using the Sun, Moon, Ascendant, for example, as three components of your character, you can have the Sun as being what’s obvious and apparent, sort of in the conscious state. The Moon sign is their emotional state, which might be completely different. And the Ascendant is like the persona – like the first impression you get of someone. So, if you’re creating a character. They might seem all sweetness and light on the surface, but underneath they’ve got these bubbling emotions. Astrological symbols can also be used as settings or locations and so much more. Because it’s symbolic, you can use it in so many ways as a writer. It’ll give people a good anchor to work from, a blueprint. It doesn’t matter if participants are currently working on something, if they’ve just got an idea, or they’re struggling with a particular aspect of their story. It’s applicable for writers at any level or stage of the writing process.
So, if you’re creating a character. They might seem all sweetness and light on the surface, but underneath they’ve got these bubbling emotions. – Michele Finey
What is the biggest misconception people have about astrology or when they meet you, a psychological astrologer?
People think it’s about the sun [Zodiac] signs and horoscopes in newspapers. There’s a lot of misinformation out there! But I hope at the end of this workshop people will see it’s not just ‘finding out what’s happening to me this week’. There’s a lot of science behind it and it’s simply the blueprint that helps us better understand ourselves, the world we live in and the people in it.
There’s a lot that will be covered in your half-day workshop. What are you looking forward to exploring the most with attendees?
I think how people can get an understanding of how they can use astrological archetypes to create conflict. There’s a couple of different conflict scenarios that we’ll be exploring – about three or four main ones. That will be one takeaway: how people can create, for example, a dialogue, or a multi-dimensional character using these principles. I also hope people leave with some understanding of what astrology really is and what it isn’t.
Ready to take your characters and conflict to new heights?
Join Michele for her course Crafting Characters and Conflict with Astrology.