XII I

xii

XI xi L i II
K A
12 1
36 13
24 48 37 25
35 14
x 11 2 ii
J 47 60 49 38 B
23 26
X 59 61 50 III
34 72 62 15
84 73
10 83 74 3
46 71 63 39
58 51
22 82 75 27
ix I 70 64 C iii
33 81 76 16
57 52
45 69 65 40
9 80 77 4
79 78
21 68 66 28
IX 56 67 53 IV
32 17
H 44 55 54 41 D
viii 8 5 iv
20 29
31 43 42 18
19 30
7 6
G E

VIII vii F v V

vi

VII VI

A Cosmology of Self

Picturing The Personal Universe

and How It Works

Richard H. Geer
 Contents

Part I

“Never Feel Alone” – Poem 4

Introduction 5

Background 6

What is Star Journey 7

Ways to Enjoy This Book 9

a. As a Symbolic Journey 9

b. As a Model of the Mind 10

c. As a Tool for Insights & Decision-making 11

Experiencing Intuition and Synchronicity 13

Tapping Intuition With The Goal Journey 19

Levels of Living – The Inner Landscape of Star Journey 27

Continued


 Part II
The Cosmology
“The Light”– Poem 34

The One 35

The Two 36

The Four Directions - Cornerstones of the Cosmology 39

Symbolic Journey of the Self

1. The Stars Consciousness as Energy (Symbols A – L) 40

2. The States Consciousness Creating Form (1 – 12) 70

3. The Star-Crosses Consciousness Expressed in Being (13 – 36) 96

4. The Gifts Inherent Abilities of Consciousness (37 – 48) 152

5. The Keys Consciousness in Transition (49 – 60) 178

6. The Gates Postures of Consciousness (61 – 72) 212

7. The Signs Sources of Satisfaction (73 – 84) 238

Appendix
1. The Star Journey Circle Pattern 270
a. The Cycle of Growth 271
b. The Twelve Gateway Galleries 275
c. The Twelve Seas 289

2. What is a Cosmology? 303

3. The Simple Glimpse Game 305

4. Origins and Future Direction 307

5. For Further Information 311


 Background

Star Journey was published for the general market starting in 1979, and
was released as a series of titles under the trademark title STAR+GATE.
The basic components were the set of 96 Symbolic Cards, the Circle
Pattern showing the organization of the symbols, and a how-to book
Keys To The Kingdom. An earlier limited edition was published in 1969.
The STAR+GATE titles were sold in bookstores throughout the U.S. and
around the world through mail order.

Now nearly 40 years since initial conception, this unique cosmology and
game of insights are being re-launched as Star Journey. The content-rich,
3-dimensional and interactive environment of Second Life provides the
ideal format for presenting this tool.

This book, first drafted many years ago in 1986, is now updated and
released to coincide with the launch of Star Journey island. It is the most
comprehensive guide and source of information today about this dynamic
tool for insight.


 What Is Star Journey?

Star Journey is a tool for personal insight and decision-making. It consists

of 96 Symbols and a circular diagram (Circle Pattern) that show how
these symbols are organized into a pattern. Taken as a whole, the pattern
describes the many varied facets of the psyche, of the self. In that way, Star
Journey can be considered a cosmology, that is, a way to express the parts
of a whole in order to paint the picture of the complete person or even of
the universe.

There is much discussion, psychological, philosophical and religious, about

the relation of the individual to the greater whole, or source, or God. This
tool does not answer those questions of exact relationships between self
and God. But it does demonstrate that the universe and personal experi-
ence are intimately connected, that we affect what we experience in life. It
shows the reflective nature of reality and the universe, that inner states of
mind can appear as outer conditions or circumstances.

Most importantly, Star Journey shows how you are in control of shaping
many aspects of your life. When you can see more clearly how you become
involved in situations, you can make more informed choices which can
lead to a happier and more satisfying existence.


 Ways To Enjoy This Book

You can enjoy learning about Star Journey in several ways. Overall, what
you will encounter in this book is a framework for better understanding
the human psyche. The core of the book can be read as a story, it can be
considered as a model of the mind, or it can actually be utilized as a tool
for insights and practical decision-making.

The relevance of each of these ways are explained below.

STAR JOURNEY AS...

A SYMBOLIC JOURNEY
First, as a story it tells of the course of the self in human form. Not that
it could duplicate the unique experience of human life, but the material
describes facets of real life of which we are all aware at some level. The
cosmology is a journey in successive steps through various levels of
experience. The path begins at the building blocks of archetypal energies
and leads ultimately to signposts of personal fulfillment.

Not all people live their lives in exactly the same order. And we do many
things at once; living never seems to be as simple as a straight line. The
cosmology is symbolic. It touches upon and describes many significant
parts of living, but it does not pretend to capture everything one can be
or feel.

In reading the Star Journey Cosmology, the symbols can be considered as

a series of steps along a path, one following the other. Each new step is a
development, building on prior progress and advancing one to the new
levels of experience.

The cosmology contains seven Levels of Living, marking significant

layers of personal experience. These range from expansive, exterior
qualities sensed as moods or energies to inner, more deeply experienced


aspects, such as those involving satisfaction. Each of the levels has twelve
parts, reflecting an overall twelve-part Cycle of Growth.

Although the course of the journey is based on a circular pattern, experi-

encing it may seem more like a spiral. You may also see connections
between the “head” and “tail” of the series and other ways the symbols
link together. All this is part of assimilating what the cosmology is and
making it meaningful for yourself.

STAR JOURNEY AS...

A MODEL OF THE MIND
As an organized system that brings together many attributes of being a
person, the Star Journey cosmology can also be considered as a model of
the mind, of personality, and human development.

Each symbol or step in the cosmology depicts an aspect of the self. As you
become familiar with Star Journey, you will be able to pinpoint aspects of
yourself when certain situations occur and evolve. For instance, you may
feel a condition you are in is just like the symbol “mud”, or that you had to
become a “knight” to make something happen, or that in a certain instance
the desire to have your “cake” has grown into wanting something deeper.

These reference points can be an aid in the overall understanding of a

situation, where it is leading, or what might be done to improve it. This
is based on seeing the various parts, the symbols, within the context of
a whole.

Star Journey is a valid model of the mind, not so much for being utterly
accurate but more for its ability to serve as an accessible matrix for plotting
the evolving knowledge of who we are. This is a vantage point for the self
that cuts across many categories of knowledge, allowing many disciplines
to converge and allowing many people to be a part of the process.

In general, this may be the system’s best long-term function – as a frame-

work which you consider over the course of time, in the interest of having

10
 A

Star of Impulse

44
 25

Star of Impulse
The Doer: Experiencing

Within the arc of a starry sky appears the shape of a black cabinet; upon
its darkened face a door. Without sound, a faint edge appears, then a
glow which widens. Light streams forth, filling space and vision with
The Wanderer
spectacular strength. It moves, it dances, it excites, it...is.

This is the light and the energy of The Doer, the universal impulse to go
forth, to be, to do. In its presence, you and those around you are stimulated
to action.

Fly, exhibit, ride. Act. The burst is the initial vitality, the impulse that truly
IS. Before anything more can occur. First is the spark, else there can be no
fire. Experience this vitality and bring new energy into your life.

GATEWAY GALLERIES:
I. The First Cause II. The Matrix

POSSIBLE INTERPRETATIONS:
As a Goal: Exhilaration: Fun
As a Problem: Lack of Direction
As You Now: Enthusiasm

45
 13

Magician

Tubs.dsptt

98
 13

Magician
The Expression of Adeptness

Keywords: ADEPT, TRANSFORMER, MANIPULATOR, INGENIOUS

“There is no situation
that cannot be handled.
Place it before me,
and I shall work with it,
maneuver it, and if need be
overcome it.

I have dwelt with dreams

and now I stand
in the lighted world of reality.
An instrument of mind blended with matter,
I have seen what can be done
and am prepared to bring those dreams
into being
through my action.”

When the Magician comes forth, the adept and confident side of you,
anything can be accomplished. With a direct and forthright style, the
moment is addressed and whatever is at hand is dealt with. Many tasks
can be handled at once, and without great effort.

The Magician’s actions are often acknowledged as ingenious, artful,

although some may wonder if he is manipulating people or is caught up
in his own ego. Yet he performs many feats, focused on his tasks, and
tackling the seeming impossible with ease.

Continued

99
 The Circle Pattern

XII I

xii

XI xi L i II
K A
12 1
36 13
24 48 37 25
35 14
x 11 2 ii
J 47 60 49 38 B
23 26
X 59 61 50 III
34 72 62 15
84 73
10 83 74 3
46 71 63 39
58 51
22 82 75 27
ix I 70 64 C iii
33 81 76 16
57 52
45 69 65 40
9 80 77 4
79 78
21 68 66 28
IX 56 67 53 IV
32 17
H 44 55 54 41 D
viii 8 5 iv
20 29
31 43 42 18
19 30
7 6
G E

VIII vii F v V

vi

VII VI

270
 Symbols as Part of a Timeless
Cycle of Growth

The symbols in Star Journey take on additional dimension and meaning

when viewed against the backdrop of the system’s Circle Pattern. The
Pattern, as shown here, provides the visual context or arrangement of
Star Journey, while the symbols themselves create the content.

Symbols, for example those obtained for the Goal Journey, can be located
within the Circle Pattern and their placement and other relative positions
considered. This will enhance your understanding of the symbols and
of Star Journey in general. With the information provided here on the
Gateway Galleries and Seas of Star Journey, individual symbols can be
seen as part of a classic cycle of growth, development and change.

In the preceding cosmology section, symbols were arranged according to

the Star Journey’s seven Levels of Living. Within each level were twelve
sequential steps, depicted by symbols. Now the same symbols are viewed
from a different perspective. Each group of symbols denotes a particular
repeating pattern.

Visually, the sum of the various parts of Star Journey is the Circle Pattern
diagram shown on the facing page. This shows how the parts – primarily
the symbols – are grouped together and interrelated into the whole. The
location of each symbol on the Circle is found by its corresponding number
or letter from symbol pages in the text.

The Circle Pattern’s perimeter has twelve divisions, as shown by Roman

numerals around the Circle’s edge. These indicate pie-like sections of the
overall Circle, which in Star Journey are called Gateway Galleries.

The simple concept of these Gateway Galleries and their progression

around the circle reveals a timeless, recurring Cycle of Growth. This cycle
reflects certain stages of the self, stages that all things go through, from a
beginning to ultimate completion. The cycle applies to the development of

271
 Hbufxbz!Hbmmfsz
V

The Spirit Incarnate

Uif!Hbsefo!pg!ÓJ!QSPKFDUÔ

The preceding four Gateway Gallerys (or stages) have established a basis for the self,
which is now enlivened by spirit, projecting energy and essence into the world through
the individual personality. The symbols of this area therefore describe initial steps
involved in the self’s quest for expression, for showing creativity, and for receiving
validation and praise.

LEVEL: Symbols in The Spirit Incarnate

STARS: D. Star of Inwardness E. Star of Laugh
STATE: 5. Fire
STAR-CROSS: 17. Moon 29. Duck
GIFT: 41. Circle
KEY: 53. Chain
GATES: 65. Hole 66. Sword
SIGN: 77. Star

Astrological
Association: Leo, fifth house
280
 Hbufxbz!Hbmmfsz
Hbufxbz!Hbmmfsz
VI

The Grand Plan

Uif!Hbsefo!pg!ÓJ!CFDPNFÔ

This Gateway Gallery is involved with refining one’s self expression, determining
howenergy will be put to use. The self has awareness and feedback about the universe
as well as discovering its own strengths and style. Now the individual learns both how
to better itself and perform meaningful service in the world.

LEVEL: Symbols in The Grand Plan

STARS: E. Star of Laugh F. Star of Bowing
STATE: 6. Water
STAR-CROSS: 18. Jester 30. Leaf
GIFT: 42. Chair
KEY: 54. Robe
GATES: 66. Sword 67. Token
SIGN: 78. Lamp

Astrological
Association: Virgo, sixth house

281
 iii

Sea of Birth

Uif!Fofshz!pg!BEKVTUJOH!

Here, the Star of Change brings forth new things. “The Mover” acts. The energy of
adjusting makes way for new emergence. This is the East, where dawn always brings
new opportunity, new outlook.

The self-expressions (Star-crosses) are the Egg and the Chest. The challenges (Keys) are
in the Powder and the Serpent. The Gate to birth is the Stone, providing entry through
the attitude of integrity and exit by way of the posture of steadfastness.

The Sea of Birth lies between the Gardens of III. The Motion and IV. The Pure Water.

292
 vi

Sea of Kings

Uif!Fofshz!pg!JOUFHSBUJOH

In the Southerly position reigns “Majesty” the Star of Bowing. The energy of
integrating calls for our best, seeking the blend of inner and outer urges and a
glimpse of our transcendent nature. We see the promise of personal fulfillment in
the light of a collective heritage.

The self-expressions (Star-crosses) are the Leaf and the Maiden. The challenges (Keys)
are in the Robe and the Gate. The Gate to Kings is through the attitudes found in the
Token. Entry comes from appreciating others, exit from expressing intent.

The Sea of Kings lies between the Gardens of VI. The Grand Plan and VII. The
Perfect Union.

295
 Star Journey’s Origin and Future Direction

Is Star Journey the product of a gifted seer, was it found in a cave

somewhere, where did it come from?

Although the questions have some mystery attached to them, the answers
are not very mysterious. It has been a very interesting personal journey,
though, and it started many years ago. I wanted a tool like this, and I
couldn’t find what I wanted among the things that existed. So I decided
to make something for myself - something that had the qualities I was
looking for. That might sound easy, but things don’t always turn out
so simple.

I didn’t have any particular qualifications for getting into work like this.
My background is art and writing. It was a personal search that led me
into Star Journey, and once it started, I realized it would become a major
commitment, a life’s work. And that’s what is has been, in one way or
another, since the system was first conceived in 1968.

When it started, I was finishing college. Many questions loomed before me

about the future, my work, the rest of my life. I wanted a tool to help deal
with these questions, one that would allow me see beyond where I was,
something that would cut through the obvious circumstances and tell me
as much as possible - both in relation to immediate concerns and to longer
range, or deeper, purposes.

Most importantly, I wanted a tool that would help me reach within myself,
to gain understanding and insights, to draw upon deep inner conscious-
ness with which I feel we are all connected.

As I looked all around me for existing tools, I realized there really wasn’t
much available that was oriented to the Western mind or to recent think-
ing and research about the nature of reality. It seemed to me that we have
much potential as human beings and more capacity for understanding the

307
processes of life than we normally use. People hold much truth and
creativity, yet have few tools for tapping these in concrete ways.

Certainly, systems like the I Ching and Tarot had their validity, but it
seemed something else was out there that didn’t exist yet. And of course,
whatever it was, that was what I wanted.

Consequently, I became embroiled in both an inner, soul search and an out-

er, world search to clarify and find what I was looking for. Soon I had two
major pieces of my solution – and as it turned out, the basis of Star Journey.

One was a simple diagram, something I gleaned by chance from astrology.

It was nothing more than a circle overlaid with four equal triangles. The
other part was a list of symbols. I wrote down the names of about a
hundred things from the everyday world - water, a rose, lightning, cup,
eye, etc. These were things that people had imbued with a great deal of
meaning over time, although each was basic and widely known.

The diagram was relatively simple too. What I saw in it seemed plausible
and appropriate to the search. The triangles in the circle divided it into 12
parts, signifying signs of the zodiac (which we also think of as personality
types). The triangles showed a relationship between the signs in terms of
the physical elements - earth, water, fire and air. These are considered
symbolically, one birth sign as a fiery nature, another watery, and so on.
The diagram’s triangles simply joined signs related to the same element.

There were two simple parts – a diagram and a list. Inside I had a feeling
that there was something to this - something that had not been done before
- and it was going to come out, be revealed, if it would just be pursued.

To me, the diagram was a fascinating table of elements, one that related
to people and their nature. It also reminded me of the periodic table of
elements from science and chemistry classes in school. I was incredibly
intrigued by the similarity of the two tables. The contents of the table I
contemplated were simple, yet powerful things that were all around us,
symbols sprinkled through everyday life. Could this be the crux of a
cosmic explanation of things?

308