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αστρολογία = άστρον, ''astron'', "star" + λόγος, ''[[logos]]'', "word") is any of several traditions or systems in which knowledge of the apparent positions of celestial bodies is held to be useful in understanding, interpreting, and organizing knowledge about reality and human existence on earth. All traditions are based on the relative positions and movements of various real and construed [[celestial body|celestial bodies]] as seen at the time and place of the [[childbirth|birth]] or other event being studied. These are chiefly the [[Sun]], [[Moon]], [[planet]]s, [[Ascendant]] & [[Midheaven]] axes, and the [[lunar node]]s. A practitioner of astrology is called an '''astrologer''', or sometimes an '''astrologist'''. '''Astromancy''', divination by the stars, is a slightly archaic synonym for astrology (likewise for '''astromancer''' and the rather rarely used '''astromancist'''). |
αστρολογία = άστρον, ''astron'', "star" + λόγος, ''[[logos]]'', "word") is any of several traditions or systems in which knowledge of the apparent positions of celestial bodies is held to be useful in understanding, interpreting, and organizing knowledge about reality and human existence on earth. All traditions are based on the relative positions and movements of various real and construed [[celestial body|celestial bodies]] as seen at the time and place of the [[childbirth|birth]] or other event being studied. These are chiefly the [[Sun]], [[Moon]], [[planet]]s, [[Ascendant]] & [[Midheaven]] axes, and the [[lunar node]]s. A practitioner of astrology is called an '''astrologer''', or sometimes an '''astrologist'''. '''Astromancy''', divination by the stars, is a slightly archaic synonym for astrology (likewise for '''astromancer''' and the rather rarely used '''astromancist'''). |
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Many of those who practice astrology believe the positions of certain celestial bodies |
Many of those who practice astrology believe the positions of certain celestial bodies either influence or correlate with people's [[personality]] traits, important events in their lives, and even physical characteristics. |
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Astrology is not considered to be a science, but is more appropriately an art, and is separate from [[astronomy]], the scientific study of [[outer space]]. The calculations performed in astrology involve arithmetic and simple geometry and serve to locate the apparent location of heavenly bodies on desired dates and times based on tables constructed by astronomers. There have been astrologers who claim to try to put astrology on a sound scientific basis, but for most it is an art that merges calculations with their own [[intuition|intuitive]] perceptions. For most astrologers the purported relationship between the celestial bodies and events on earth need not be [[causal]], nor even [[scientific]]. |
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Judicial Astrology is an applied science not to be confused with "sun-sign astrology" - the popularized entertainment form of astrology. The true classical scientific astrologers, do not separate from [[astronomy]], the scientific study of [[outer space]]. |
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The generally established opinion of the scientific community is that astrology is [[superstition]], with no actual predictive ability. |
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[[Mundane astrology]] is one of many branches of judicial astrology that uses mathematical calculations of the celestial bodies to forecast world events. |
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| ⚫ | The core principles of astrology reflect a general principle, which was accepted in some parts of the ancient world, that events in the heavens should have analogies on Earth. In some places, such as ancient [[China]] and [[Babylon]], the apparently untoward movement of a [[comet]] across the otherwise orderly movement of the heavens was taken as a [[portent]] of disaster. Such ancient beliefs are epitomized in the [[Hermeticism|Hermetic]] [[proverb|maxim]]: ''As Above, So Below''. The famous [[astronomer]]/[[astrologer]] [[Tycho Brahe]] also used a similar phrase to justify his studies in astrology: ''Suspiciendo despicio'' — "By looking up I see downward." |
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Known as "judges of the heavens" - judicial astrologers rank among the most well-known astronomers, mathematicians and medical doctors in human history, and include such names as [[Hippocrates]], [[Copernicus]], [[Nostradamus]], [[Brahe]], [[Johann Kepler]], [[Galileo]], [[William Lilly]] and [[Isaac Newton]], the inventor of [[calculus]]. |
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The origin of astrology included astronomy and both were combined as one as an applied science before the emergence of materialist conventional scientists in the 18th Century. Judicial astrologers were considered masters of the art and applied science of astrology and were much sought-after mathematicians and astrological forecasters by royalty and the wealthy. One of the first uses of astrology was in predicting the weather using [[meteorological astrology]] - a branch of judicial astrology. |
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Judicial astrologers were once called [[prophets]] or [[seers]] and one of the earliest known astrologers was a prophet of the Bible called [[Abraham]], also believed to be the inventor of the [[Chaldean Alphabet]]. |
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[[Claudius Ptolemy]], the Second Century A.D. judicial astrologer who is considered the father of western astrology, declared that prediction of events was only possible through the union of two factors: first, correct mathematical calculations of the positions and motions of the [[Sun]], [[Moon]], [[planets]], and [[stars]]. Second, a prophetic spirit derived from [[God]] by which their configurations can be correctly interpreted by certain inspired human beings known as judicial astrologers. |
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Many judicial astrologers practiced as teachers, medicial doctors and strategists and were known for their strict astrological principles and ability to forecast the future. Today, judicial astrologers are rare due to the false popularization of sun-sign astrology; however, those who do practice judicial astrology are known to be very accurate forecasters and astute observers of celestial movements relative to the Earth. |
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It is said that nothing forecasted by a judicial astrologer should ever be taken lightly due to the seriousness and many years of practice to become a judicial astrologer. The average span of learning and astrological practice is over 20 years to reach the qualification level of judicial astrologer. |
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The calculations performed in applied Astrology involve complex arithmetic that include [[Algebra]], [[Geometry]] and [[Trigonometry]] - mathematical techniques invented by judicial astrologers. They calculate the positions of the planets and stars relative to the Earth and serve to locate the apparent location of heavenly bodies on desired dates and times based on tables of planets - also known as an scientific [[ephemeris]]. |
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The opinion of the conventional materialistic scientific community is that astrology is superstition, with no actual ability; yet, conventional scientists cannot account for the numerous accurate forecasts of astrologers throughout the centuries using the principles of judicial astrology. The forecasts of judicial astrologers like [[Nostradamus]] hundreds of years prior to world events cannot be disputed as false since many of his predictions did come true. |
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| ⚫ | The core principles of astrology reflect a general principle, which was accepted in the ancient world, that events in the heavens have analogies on Earth. In places, such as ancient [[China]] and [[Babylon]], the apparently untoward movement of a [[comet]] across the otherwise orderly movement of the heavens was taken as a [[portent]] of disaster. Such ancient beliefs are epitomized in the [[Hermeticism|Hermetic]] [[proverb|maxim]]: ''As Above, So Below''. The famous [[astronomer]]/[[astrologer]] [[Tycho Brahe]] also used a similar phrase to justify his studies in astrology: ''Suspiciendo despicio'' — "By looking up I see downward." |
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==Description== |
==Description== |
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In past centuries astrology often relied on close observation of astronomical objects, and the charting of their movements, and might be considered a [[protoscience]] in this regard. |
In past centuries astrology often relied on close observation of astronomical objects, and the charting of their movements, and might be considered a [[protoscience]] in this regard. In modern times astrologers have tended to rely on data drawn up by [[astronomers]] and set out in a set of tables called an [[ephemeris]], which shows the changing positions of the heavenly bodies through time. It is the interpretation of these science based tables that makes astrology a target for the label [[pseudoscience]]. |
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Central is the [[horoscope]] |
Central to all astrology is the [[horoscope]]. This is a diagrammatic representation in two dimensions of the celestial bodies' apparent positions in the heavens from the vantage of a location on [[Earth]] at a given time and place. The horoscope of an individual's birth is called a [[natal chart]] (other names for this diagram in [[English language|English]] include natus, nativity, astrological chart, astro-chart, celestial map, birth chart, sky-map, cosmogram, vitasphere, soulprint, radical chart, radix, or simply ''chart''). |
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The path of the sun across the heavens as seen from Earth during a full year is called the [[ecliptic]] by astronomers. This, and the nearby band of sky followed by the visible planets is called the [[zodiac]] by astrologers. A few Western and all [[Jyotish]] ([[Hindu]]) astrologers use the [[sidereal zodiac]], which uses the true astronomical positions of the stars and constellations which lie on the ecliptic. The majority of Western astrologers base their work on the [[tropical zodiac]] |
The path of the sun across the heavens as seen from Earth during a full year is called the [[ecliptic]] by astronomers. This, and the nearby band of sky followed by the visible planets is called the [[zodiac]] by astrologers. A few Western and all [[Jyotish]] ([[Hindu]]) astrologers use the [[sidereal zodiac]], which uses the true astronomical positions of the stars and constellations which lie on the ecliptic. The majority of Western astrologers base their work on the [[tropical zodiac]], which aligns with the seasons but not with the actual positions of the stars. |
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To determine the astrological signs in which the [[Sun]], [[Moon]], and the other celestial bodies fall on any given day, hour, minute, or second, it is necessary to consult an [[ephemeris]] or use an astrological computer program which will have a built-in ephemeris. |
To determine the astrological signs in which the [[Sun]], [[Moon]], and the other celestial bodies fall on any given day, hour, minute, or second, it is necessary to consult an [[ephemeris]] or use an astrological computer program which will have a built-in ephemeris. |
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Computer programs make it easy to calculate the horoscope so that the modern astrologer can spend more time ''interpreting'' the chart rather than ''calculating'' it. The consequence is that it is now possible for some to practice astrology with little understanding of celestial mechanics. |
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Interpretation of a horoscope/natal chart is governed by: |
Interpretation of a horoscope/natal chart is governed by: |
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Revision as of 11:06, 14 December 2005
Astrology (from Greek: αστρολογία = άστρον, astron, "star" + λόγος, logos, "word") is any of several traditions or systems in which knowledge of the apparent positions of celestial bodies is held to be useful in understanding, interpreting, and organizing knowledge about reality and human existence on earth. All traditions are based on the relative positions and movements of various real and construed celestial bodies as seen at the time and place of the birth or other event being studied. These are chiefly the Sun, Moon, planets, Ascendant & Midheaven axes, and the lunar nodes. A practitioner of astrology is called an astrologer, or sometimes an astrologist. Astromancy, divination by the stars, is a slightly archaic synonym for astrology (likewise for astromancer and the rather rarely used astromancist).
Many of those who practice astrology believe the positions of certain celestial bodies either influence or correlate with people's personality traits, important events in their lives, and even physical characteristics.
Astrology is not considered to be a science, but is more appropriately an art, and is separate from astronomy, the scientific study of outer space. The calculations performed in astrology involve arithmetic and simple geometry and serve to locate the apparent location of heavenly bodies on desired dates and times based on tables constructed by astronomers. There have been astrologers who claim to try to put astrology on a sound scientific basis, but for most it is an art that merges calculations with their own intuitive perceptions. For most astrologers the purported relationship between the celestial bodies and events on earth need not be causal, nor even scientific.
The generally established opinion of the scientific community is that astrology is superstition, with no actual predictive ability.
The core principles of astrology reflect a general principle, which was accepted in some parts of the ancient world, that events in the heavens should have analogies on Earth. In some places, such as ancient China and Babylon, the apparently untoward movement of a comet across the otherwise orderly movement of the heavens was taken as a portent of disaster. Such ancient beliefs are epitomized in the Hermetic maxim: As Above, So Below. The famous astronomer/astrologer Tycho Brahe also used a similar phrase to justify his studies in astrology: Suspiciendo despicio — "By looking up I see downward."
Description
In past centuries astrology often relied on close observation of astronomical objects, and the charting of their movements, and might be considered a protoscience in this regard. In modern times astrologers have tended to rely on data drawn up by astronomers and set out in a set of tables called an ephemeris, which shows the changing positions of the heavenly bodies through time. It is the interpretation of these science based tables that makes astrology a target for the label pseudoscience.
Central to all astrology is the horoscope. This is a diagrammatic representation in two dimensions of the celestial bodies' apparent positions in the heavens from the vantage of a location on Earth at a given time and place. The horoscope of an individual's birth is called a natal chart (other names for this diagram in English include natus, nativity, astrological chart, astro-chart, celestial map, birth chart, sky-map, cosmogram, vitasphere, soulprint, radical chart, radix, or simply chart).
The path of the sun across the heavens as seen from Earth during a full year is called the ecliptic by astronomers. This, and the nearby band of sky followed by the visible planets is called the zodiac by astrologers. A few Western and all Jyotish (Hindu) astrologers use the sidereal zodiac, which uses the true astronomical positions of the stars and constellations which lie on the ecliptic. The majority of Western astrologers base their work on the tropical zodiac, which aligns with the seasons but not with the actual positions of the stars.
To determine the astrological signs in which the Sun, Moon, and the other celestial bodies fall on any given day, hour, minute, or second, it is necessary to consult an ephemeris or use an astrological computer program which will have a built-in ephemeris.
Computer programs make it easy to calculate the horoscope so that the modern astrologer can spend more time interpreting the chart rather than calculating it. The consequence is that it is now possible for some to practice astrology with little understanding of celestial mechanics.
Interpretation of a horoscope/natal chart is governed by:
- astrological aspects: the positions of the major planetary bodies relative to each other,
- their positions relative to the astrological signs of one of the zodiac sytems,
- their position in one of the systems of astrological houses,
- their positions relative to the horizon line (namely the ascendant/descendant axes, zenith/midheaven and nadir/immum coeli axes),
- the position of deduced astronomical entities, namely the Moon's nodes.
Significant traditions of astrology include but are not limited to:
- Western astrology (using the tropical zodiac),
- Chinese astrology,
- Jyotish (Vedic astrology,
- Western sidereal astrology), (using the sidereal zodiac).
- Mesoamerican astrology,
- Tibetan astrology, and
- Kabbalistic astrology.
Some of these can also be subdivided into specific branches, such as
- natal astrology (the study of a person's birth, or natal chart),
- horary astrology (a chart drawn up to answer a specific question), and
- electional astrology (a chart drawn up ahead of time to determine the best moment to begin an enterprise or undertaking).
- medical astrology (using the client's natal chart and/or a horary chart to diagnose and treat various illnesses)
Other areas of specialized astrological study are
- Mundane astrology that sees correlations between geological phenomena (such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, etc.) and astronomical phenomena.
- Political astrology , is the ancient branch of astrology dealing with politics, and government.
- Meteorological astrology uses methods which are supposed to be able to predict the weather.
History of astrology
The study of Western astrology and the belief in it, as part of astronomy, is found in a developed form among the ancient Babylonians; and directly or indirectly through the Babylonians, it spread to other nations. It came to Greece about the middle of the 4th century BC, and reached Rome before the opening of the Christian era. For a detailed description, including astrology in other cultures, see the main article.
The validity of astrology
Astrology is a very controversial subject. The case for and the case against astrology's objective validity are discussed more fully at Validity of astrology.
Some astrologers argue that astrology works by a mechanism that is (yet) unknown to science and that it is validated by their personal experience when applied in real life cases. They argue that it does not make the hard predictions that science would require but informs the user of subtleties to decisions that would otherwise be missed.
Skeptics see astrology as repeatedly failing to demonstrate its effectiveness in controlled studies and see those who continue to use and believe in it as gullible and deluded, or even as charlatans.
Effects on world culture
Astrology has had a profound influence over the past few thousand years on Western and Eastern cultures, along with the English language. Influenza was so named because doctors once believed it to be caused by unfavorable planetary and stellar influences. The word "disaster" comes from the Latin "dis-aster" meaning "bad star". Also, the adjectives "lunatic" (Moon), "mercurial" (Mercury), "martial" (Mars), "jovial" (Jupiter/Jove), and "saturnine" (Saturn) are all old words used to describe personal qualities said to resemble or be highly influenced by the astrological characteristics of the planet, some of which are derived from the attributes of the ancient Roman gods they are named after.
Astrology as a descriptive language for the mind
Many writers, notably William Shakespeare [1], used astrological symbolism to add subtlety to the description of their characters' motivation. An understanding of astrological principles is needed to fully appreciate such literature, along with the work of many other writers and poets of this and many other eras. Some modern thinkers, notably Carl Jung, have acknowledged its descriptive powers of the mind without necessarily subscribing to its predictive claims.
Astrology and the classical elements
Astrology has used the concept of classical elements from antiquity up until the present. Most modern astrologers use the four classical elements extensively, and indeed it is still viewed as a critical part of interpreting the astrological chart.
Astrology and alchemy
Alchemy in the Western World and other locations where it was widely practiced was (and in many cases still is) closely allied and intertwined with traditional Babylonian-Greek style astrology; in numerous ways they were built to complement each other in the search for hidden knowledge. Traditionally, each of the seven planets in the solar system as known to the ancients was associated with, held dominion over, and ruled a certain metal.
A separate article also exists on astrology and numerology.
The seven liberal arts and astrology
In medieval Europe, a university education was divided into seven distinct areas, each represented by a particular planet and known as the Seven Liberal Arts. They were seen as operating in ascending order, beginning with Grammar which was assigned to the quickest moving celestial body (the Moon) and culminating in Astronomia which was thought to be astrologically ruled by Saturn, the slowest moving and furthest out planet known at the time. After this sequence wisdom was supposed to have been achieved by the medieval university student.
Dante Alighieri used the following associations of the seven liberal arts to the seven traditional astrological planets in the Divine Comedy and Convivio.
- Astronomia — Saturn
- Geometry — Jupiter
- Arithmetic — Mars
- Music — Sun
- Rhetoric — Venus
- Dialectic — Mercury
- Grammar — Moon
Astrology and the Days of the Week
Each day of the week was created in honor of one of the seven celestial bodies (the Sun, Moon, and five known planets); and in ancient astrology, each day of the week was said to be influenced by the traits of the celestial body it was named after. The system was symmetrical and free of complication until the discovery of Uranus in 1781.
The English names, other than the obvious Sunday and Monday ("Moonday"), are taken from the Teutonic deities that were correlated with the Roman deities that were associated with the planets that the days were named after.
The days of the week and celestial bodies they are named after are:
- Sunday — Sun
- Monday — Moon
- Tuesday — Mars
- Wednesday — Mercury
- Thursday — Jupiter
- Friday — Venus
- Saturday — Saturn
You can learn more about planetary linguistics on this site.
See also
- Accidental dignity
- Age of Aquarius
- Ascendant (AC, ASC)
- Ascending planet
- Astrolabe
- Astrological age
- Astrological symbol
- Astrology and astronomy
- Astrology and computers
- Birthday
- Celestial mechanics
- Cosmobiology
- Cycle studies
- Descendant (DC)
- Forer effect
- Hamburg School of Astrology
- Harmonic Charts
- House (astrology)
- Immum Coeli (IC)
- Jewish views of astrology
- List of cycles
- Lunation
- Lunar node
- Lunar phase
- Magi
- The Mars effect
- Medical astrology
- Medium Coeli/Midheaven (MC)
- Midpoint
- Monen
- Music of the spheres
- Mysticism
- New age
- Nadi astrology
- Orbital period
- Planets in astrology
- Predictions for the forthcoming year
- Ptolemy
- Ray of Creation
- Rose Cross and Astrology
- Ruling planet
- Saturn Return
- Sidereal astrology
- Skepticism
- Solar deity
- Solar symbol
- Solar system
- Sporalogy
- Superstition
- Synchronicity
- Syncretism
- The Combination of Stellar Influences
- Three Wise Men
- Tropical year
- Uranian astrology
- Vertex
- Western mystery tradition
External links
- History
- Skyscript — Classical Astrology - A modern yet faithful look at Classical astrology.
- Astrology: Between Religion and the Empirical - A serious academic treatise on astrology by Dr. Gustav-Adolf Schoener and translated by Shane Denson.
- Hellenistic Astrology - An Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy entry outlining the development of Hellenistic astrology and its interaction with philosophical schools.
- The real romance in the stars - A critical view of astrology by Richard Dawkins.
- Astrologia - Article in Smith's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities
- The Scientific Basis of Astrology, Dr Percy Seymour - Book Review.
- The Astrological Star Of Bethlehem - How the Magi (astrologers) knew of the birth of Christ
- The Devolution and Evolution of Astrology - Article by American mystic Manly Palmer Hall
- Schools
- Kepler College of Astrological Arts and Sciences - Based in Seattle, USA, Kepler College is the only college in the western hemisphere authorized to issue A.A., B.A., and M.A degrees in Astrological Studies.
- The Sophia Centre Based near Bath, England, the Centre is a department of School of Historical and Cultural Studies at Bath Spa University College. Funded by the Sophia Trust, the Centre teaches an innovative MA in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology and supervises postgraduate research.
- Faculty of Astrological Studies - Founded on 7th June 1948 in London, England at 19.50 BST; its Diploma, the D.F.Astrol.S., is among the most highly valued and recognised international qualifications.
- Validity
- Astrofaces Research Project The Astrofaces project seeks to verify astrology with photographs grouped by the sun, moon and ascendant signs. Do people who share the three most prominent factors in the chart resemble each other?
- Astrology and Science - A series of articles in which believers and skeptics debate the merits of astrology.
- The Astrotest - An account of a test of the predictive power of astrology, with references to some other experiments.
- The True Disbelievers by Richard Kamann and Marcello Truzzi is a report of alleged internal events at CSICOP regarding their own claimed confirmation of M. Gauquelin's 'Mars Effect'
- The Skeptic's Dictionary on astrology and the Mars effect
- An Astrophysicist's Sympathetic and Critical View of Astrology - by Victor Mansfield.
- Proof of Astrology? - A critical look at Percy Seymour's books.
- The Magus of Magnetism: How Planetary Motion Orchestrates Solar Activity and Geomagnetism - An interview with Percy Seymour by Bronwyn Elko.
- Bad Astronomy: Misconceptions: Astrology - an "attempt to show that astrology has no basis in reality whatsoever", by Philip Plait
- Comparision with other thought systems
- Astrology, the Zodiac, Horoscopes and Planetary Alignment.
- Is Astrology A Pseudoscience?
- Academic Journal of Consciousness Studies: Is Astrology Relevant to Consciousness and Psi?
- The Historical Foundations of Astrology
- Dane Rudhyar Archival Project -- Wholeness, Music, Astrology, Theosophy, Art, etc.
- Robert Zoller -- Medieval Astrology
- Noel Tyl -- Contemporary Astrology
- Current Trends in Astrology
- A Comprehensive Uranian Astrology Website
- Sabian Symbols (originated by Marc Edmund Jones and Elsie Wheeler)
- Astrology in Ancient History
- Tools
- Astrolabe Software - Calculate your personal natal chart or any astrological chart for free using this simple online calculation form.
- A Comprehensive Astrological Dictionary -- Use this to look up many common astrological terms, both in ancient and modern astrology.
- Astrolog 5.40 - Home of the freeware astrology program Astrolog 5.40.
- Astrolog32 - Home of the freeware astrology program Astrolog32.
- Astrology for Windows Public domain astrology software.
- The Original 3,000 Year High-Precision Daily Astrological Online Ephemeris from Khaldea.com -- 600BC to 2400AD -- Calculated for Midnight GMT; also with an Aspectarian included for years 1900 to 2005
- Classical Use of the Astrological Aspects - Learn all about the astrological aspects at this site.
- Astrowin - Free Astrology Calculation Programs - Astro123, AstroWin, MatchMkr, and more.
- ChronosXP - Free Planetary Hours software for Windows
- Classical Astrology Archives
- Astrology software - Programs for making horoscopes.
- ephemeral.info Tools - Many free web-based tools for looking up information about various celestial objects.
- RFIntrep, RFAstro, RF ACSS & RF PHour free software & online free Rosicrucian Astrology book library
- Astrological Articles Open Postings Open Community Knowledge Base for astrologers to submit articles on astrological related subjects.
- Western astrology natal reports
- http://www.astro.com/ -- Astrodienst (available in 8 languages)
- http://astrology.newkerala.com/
- http://www.widgetsworld.co.uk/
- http://www.astrologie-info.com/ -- Astrology Info: Natal chart in graphic/text mode and Interactive Moon calendar
- Natal reports for other systems