User:Ken McRitchie/Sandbox1
Core principles[edit]
A central principle astrology is integration within the cosmos. The individual, Earth, and its environment are viewed as a single organism, all parts of which work in concert.[1] Cycles of change that are observed in the heavens are therefore reflective (not causative) of similar cycles of change observed on earth and in the individual.[2] This relationship is expressed by the Hermetic maxim "as above, so below; as below, so above",[3] which postulates symmetry between the individual as a microcosm and the celestial environment as a macrocosm.[4] In accord with this principle, the natal horoscope depicts a stylized map of the universe at the time of birth, specifically focussed on the individual at its centre, with the Sun, Moon, and celestial bodies considered to be that individual’s personal planets or stars, which are uniquely relevant to that individual alone.[5]
A principle of geometric symbolism used in astrology is that each mathematical relationship expresses a distinct ‘tone’ of energy. Pythagorean astrologers believed that the Sun, Moon, planets all emit their own unique hum as they revolve through the Cosmos, and the pitch of the tones depended upon the speed of revolution and length of orbit. The imperceptible sound that the celestial bodies create is known as the harmony of the spheres, a perpetually changing hum which is reflected in the quality of life on Earth.[6] In his Harmonica, Ptolemy’s theory of astrological influence is based upon this principle.[7]
Ptolemy’s Harmonica was also to act as a major influence upon Kepler in the 17th century, when he developed his theory of optical perceptions and musical consonances.[8] Kepler regarded his Harmony of the World as the most important work of his career.[9] His premise was that, as an integral part of Universal Law, mathematical astronomy is the key that binds all parts together. The astrological and symbolic associations of numbers and geometrical shapes that fill Kepler's text draw directly from the Pythagorean conviction that numbers are more than mere quantities. They are the symbolic organizational code by which the Universe is generated, and by which it may be read and intelligently understood.[10]
Another principle is exemplified by the statement of the leader of early modern science, Francis Bacon: "The last rule (which has always been held by the wiser astrologers) is that there is no fatal necessity in the stars; but that they rather incline than compel".[11] Bacon advocated an emphasis on what he called "sane astrology" based on the study of tractable influences that "lie concealed in the depths of Physic".[11] This principle is indicative of how astrology has always involved consideration of the psyche and a more recent expression of this can be found in the writings of Carl Jung and the development of modern psychological astrology.
- ^ Manilius (77) p.87-89 (II.64-67): “the entire universe is alive in mutual concord of its elements and is driven by the pulse of reason, since a single spirit dwells in all its parts and, speeding through all things, nourishes it like a living creature”.
- ^ Alkindi (9th cent.) is clarifying this point where he says in his text On the Stellar Rays, ch.4: “... we say that one thing acts with its elemental rays on another, but according to the exquisite truth it does not act but only the celestial harmony acts”.
- ^ So called because it is part of the Emerald Tablet attributed to Hermes Trismegistus. See Blackmask Online: The Emerald Tablet of Hermes; retrieved 18 July 2011.
- ^ Houlding (2000) p.28: “The doctrine of the Pythagoreans was a combination of science and mysticism… Like Anaximenes they viewed the Universe as one integrated, living organism, surrounded by Divine Air (or more literally ‘Breath’), which permeates and animates the whole cosmos and filters through to individual creatures… By partaking of the core essence of the Universe, the individual is said to act as a microcosm in which all the laws in the macrocosm of the Universe are at work”.
- ^ McRitchie (2006) p.7. As one of the five 'organizational principles' of astrology that McRitchie proposes, he includes: “Nativity — ... Each individual, whether it is a person, thing, or an event, is a microcosm born at the center of its own macrocosmic universe. Each individual has its own planets, is identified with its native circumstances, and has a sensitive dependence on its initial configuration within the world of experience that is known and shared in common among other individuals. The circumstances of birth show what has begun.”
- ^ Pliny the Elder (77) pp.277-8, (II.xviii.xx): "…occasionally Pythagoras draws on the theory of music, and designates the distance between the Earth and the Moon as a whole tone, that between the Moon and Mercury as a semitone, between Mercury and Venus the same, between her and the Sun a tone and a half, between the Sun and Mars a tone (the same as the distance between the Earth and the Moon), between Mars and Jupiter half a tone, between Jupiter and Saturn half a tone, between Saturn and the zodiac a tone and a half the seven tones thus producing the so-called diapason, i.e. a universal harmony". Nasa has recently confirmed that the Sun, Moon and planets emit sounds in their orbits, each very different due to their various speeds and distances. After the sound files recorded by Nasa are compressed many thousands of times, their ‘melodies’ become clearly perceptible to the human ear. The Nasa sound files have been made available on YouTube: see for example 'Jupiter Sounds'; retrieved 7 August 2011.
- ^ An English translation of the Harmonica was recently published by Andrew Barker, in his Greek Musical Writings vol. II (Cambridge University Press, 2004) and was earlier discussed by James Frederick Mountford in his article ‘The Harmonics of Ptolemy and the Lacuna in II, 14’ published as part of the Transactions and Proceedings of the American Philological Association, Vol. 57. (1926); pp.71-95. Mountford refers to Ptolemy’s Harmonica as "the most scientific and best arranged treatise on the theory of musical scales which we possess in Greek". The text unites the ancient principles of arithmetic, geometry, and physics, treating astronomy and harmonics as resulting products which are entirely dependent upon them.
- ^ Kepler (1619) 'Introduction', p.xix. “Kepler did not ascribe any direct physical influence to the celestial bodies but supposed the astrological effects to be the result of instinctive responses of individual souls to the harmonies of certain configurations or aspects. A soul was also ascribed to the Earth itself, whose response to the aspects explained their influence on the weather”.
- ^ Kepler (1619) book V, Kepler's Introduction: p.389.
- ^ Schuon (1959), p.93.
- ^ a b Bacon (1623) De Augmentis, p.351.