Astrology - A Suggestive Enquiry

Astrology a controversial subject! 

You only have to bring up the subject to the Scientist, non-believer or layperson and a fervent argument often pursues about its validity. 

When considering that it’s been around for decades what makes it such a touchy area of debate?  Mind you if I read the daily star signs frequently dished out by the media I have to admit I too would be a bit suspect.

Taking a closer look at what lies at its roots, origin, and history, I ask some critical questions to see what I discover and whether perhaps as a society we should adopt a different stance in our approach.  Not be so hard on how we view it, mainly ‘phoney’ fit only for light entertainment. 

What is its make-up?  Is Astrology Science?  Does it come under Astronomy and or Pseudoscience?  Has it played a significant role in the development of Mankind?  Could it possibly be an Art?  Should it be given credence?

For over thousands of years, dating as far back as the Babylonian times around 3,000 BC we have looked to the stars to make sense of our very existence, seeking answers to what is happening in the world, why, and for understanding the complexities of human nature.

The Babylonians, Ancient China, Ancient Egypt, Old India, Greeks, and Romans all used the stars as a calendar, compass, and as a way to measure something and or as a source of divine communication.

Astrologers believed the cosmos as having a supernatural, metaphysical, and divine essence that actively influences world events and the personal lives of people.  Put another way the position of the stars (planets) directly affect, if not determine, our personality and future.

So in effect, it could be said, or could it, that Astrology has played a significant role in creating the very foundation our world stands upon and has shaped our roots - our belief system and society today?

Whilst this is a train of thought for many Astrologers, Science today tends not to agree but this was not always the case.     

In an attempt to find answers to my questions, shed some light on the matter and have a better understanding of what Astrology is, I felt it pertinent to investigate whether any history existed between Astronomy (Science premise) and Astrology and what divides the two disciplines - core distinguishing characteristics (if any) and even the possibility that they could perhaps share the same backbone (or appear to so to speak).

A Lengthy Shared History - A brief overview

Before the 17th century, Astronomy and Astrology were archaically treated together.  In fact, during the latter part of the medieval period, Astronomy was treated as the foundation upon which Astrology could operate.  Also in pre-modern times, most cultures did not make a clear distinction between the two disciplines, putting them both together as one.

Hence, it was not uncommon to find that the role of Astronomer and Astrologer were not separate in that the Astronomer was the predictor of celestial phenomena and the Astrologer their interpreter.

Since the 17th century, however, Astronomy and Astrology have become gradually separated from the rejection of Astrology, as scholars started to note explicitly the difference between the terms Astronomy and Astrology.

It was from the late Middle Ages that the split became definite.  Particularly in the west when Astrology began to be thought of as an occult science or superstition by the intellectual elite.

In saying this, both Astronomy and Astrology see Earth as being an integral part of the universe, that Earth and the Universe are connected as one cosmos (not as being separate and distinct from each other).

In summary, because of their lengthy shared history, it sometimes happens that Astronomy and Astrology are confused with one another even today.

In an attempt to remove part of the confusion it is necessary to journey down the path of understanding what divides the two disciplines.

What Divides The Two Disciplines - Core Distinguishing Characteristics?

Astronomy

The primary goal of Astronomy is to understand the physics of the universe.  The Astronomer consistently uses the scientific method, naturalistic presuppositions, and abstract mathematical reasoning to investigate or explain phenomena in the universe.

Astronomy is ‘the branch of science which deals with celestial objects, space and the physical universe as a whole’. 

The Astronomer employs the scientific method to infer that the universe is without a centre and is dynamic, expanding outward per the Big Bang theory.

The study of Astronomers is the actual stars and planets.  They have found no evidence to support astrological theories.

On a final note, Astronomers, as members of the scientific community, cannot use in their scientific articles explanations that are not empirically reproducible conditions, irrespective of their personal convictions…interesting!

Astrology

In its earliest uses in history, Astrology was regarded as ‘the practical application of the (medieval) art or science of Astronomy’ - that is, Astronomy was theoretical and Astrology was practical.

Originally, Astrology included the calculation of natural phenomena and meteorological events.  For example the measurement of time and the times of tides and eclipses.  These are now considered the domain of Astronomy…mmmh ‘the plot thickens’,  particularly, as I know it and if I am correct Astrology continues to be based on an in-depth mathematical calculation that includes such baselines. But perhaps I am a bit behind the times and need to catch up with modern Astrology?

When these became the domain of Astronomy, Astrology came to be known as judicial astrology, covering much the same ground that Astrology does today (such as: ‘the supposed art of foretelling or counselling in human relationships by interpretation of the motions of the planets and stars’.

An Astrologer uses astronomical calculations for the positions of celestial bodies along the ecliptic and attempts to correlate celestial events (astrological aspects, sign positions) with earthly events and human affairs.  In other words, Astrology is the study of the movements and relative positions of celestial bodies interpreted as having an influence on human affairs and the natural world’.

Thus Astrologers do not consistently use the scientific method.  Instead, they incorporate a mystical or religious reasoning as well as traditional folklore, symbolism, and superstition blended with mathematical calculations (predictions) to explain phenomena in the universe.  Also, they practice their discipline. Geocentrically and consider the universe to be harmonious, changeless, and static. Furthermore, they believe that the position of the stars and planets directly affect, if not determine, an individual’s personality and future.

Finally, Astrologers philosophically and mystically portray the Cosmos as having a supernatural, metaphysical, and divine essence that actively influences world events and the personal lives of people.

The statement I pose at this time is, at a quick glimpse “there appears to be the suggestion that Astrology is more all-encompassing".

The Backbone…The Birth of an Age! - The Theory of The Astronomical Age

The Astronomical Definition and Two Perspectives

The Astronomers tell us that an Age is defined by the constellation which provides the backdrop for spring equinox sunrise in the northern hemisphere. To explain, keeping it as simple as I can, Earth wobbles on her axis of rotation, causing spring equinox sunrise to inch backward through the solar sequence of Constellations.   

A Constellation is formally defined as a region of the Celestial Sphere.  It also denotes 88 named groups of stars in the shape of stellar-patterns covering the entire sky and 12 of the 88 Constellations are said to compose of the Zodiac Signs.

In the modern astronomical sense of the term, a Constellation is a recognisable pattern of stars whose appearance is associated with mythological characters or creatures, or associated earthbound animals or objects.

The Astrologers say this differently and describe an Age as being characterised by the archetypal energies of the Constellation.  To them, the Ages are important because they influence everything that happens in the Solar System and Mankind.  Their stance is that the Ages provide essential energies that affect the entire earth and everything on it.  They follow the idea all of life manifests itself through rhythms and cycles which are influenced by the Ages, including the seasons of the year, the rhythm of the Moon, and day and night.  Part of their theory presumes that the movement of the Astrological Ages involves cycles of a vast time scale and each Age brings with it a variety of influences that creates an emphasis on different things.

Experts under this umbrella say there are twelve Ages, one for each Zodiacal Constellation, “precessing” from Pisces to Aries at the rate of one degree in seventy-two years.  As part of this theory, their supposition is that the entire Zodiac spans 360 degrees, a complete circle.  Thus in terms of the Ages, each degree is equal to 72 years.  Therefore the whole cycle of twelve Ages is said to take 25,920 years.  Each Age is said to last about 2,160 years and when one of these large cycles ends, a new one begins.

They also look upon the combined Ages as an entity, in sequence, making up a continuous line of development. 

In this sense, each Age is a development and refinement of the one before it.  Therefore the messages of an Age are never completely new.   In simple terms, this means there are developments of certain aspects of the previous Age, combined with growth into new areas, which will be further manifested in the next.

Astrologers postulate that each Age bears the primary influence of its sign, but during its course, it also passes through the secondary influences of each of the twelve Zodiacal Signs.  Put another way, every 180 years (2,160 years dived by 12), the secondary influences change, creating different mixtures resulting in variations of influences.

 Also, they advocate that the individual Ages can also be seen to be entities as each is also in an evolutionary state.  Each time the large cycle of 25,920 years is complete, a new cycle begins.  As the Ages are repeated, they present each time a more developed and refined state compared with the last cycle. 

A central point that lies at the core of Astrology, is the belief that it is only through pinpointing whatever the Zodiac Sign the Sun is in at any time, is it possible to name the World Age we are currently in. 

The bottom line:   Astrologers accept that like Mankind must live many lives, until perfection is achieved, so must the Ages repeat themselves time after time.  They are convinced that it is through the knowledge of the Ages and their processes that it is possible for Mankind to harvest specific and distinct energies and influences necessary to evolve in present day.

Summary

With this information to hand, at this point, I feel it appears and I am inclined to say “it is more than plausible that a connection between Astronomy and Astrology exists". Or does it?  Well, I guess this depends on an individual’s standpoint.

Although I know various groups may say the connection is somewhat slight, I know my point of view. Perhaps it’s time to give Astrology credence and belief that it can serve and prove (worthy of recognition) to be an instrumental mechanism in helping us to understand the world we live in and our intricate being.

I leave it to the open-minded to explore the possibilities!

To conclude, I hope I have managed to dispel the confusion between Astrology and Astronomy as well as providing a good grounding on the background of Astrology.