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Astrology is the
study of the relationship between the astronomical
bodies and how they effect and reflect human
character and behavior based upon the position,
gravitational pull, and movements of those
astronomical bodies at the time of birth. Astrology
measures these interactions mathematically and uses
the answers to gain a better understanding and
explain the energy in your life and its potential
challenges and possibilities. Because that's all
that astrology shows you - possibilities. It helps
to explain the challenges in your life, not predict
any certain future. It helps you make a choice
between free will and destiny. Astrology is simply
another tool to help you guide your life - not the
final outcome itself.
There is a
connection between all living things and all matter
on this planet. Astrology shows the cycles that
occur in our universe, in nature, and in ourselves.
It shows how the other planets effect our own Earth
and how that in turn effects us. (Example - the moon
effects the tides so it stands to reason that it
effects the water content in our bodies as well. And
as every women knows our own cycles follow the
moon's 28 day cycle as well.)
How It Began
Astrology began
when our oldest ancestors looked up into the sky
with wonder and noticed how certain things seemed to
happen when the stars were in certain positions. Up
until about 400 years ago, Astrology was considered
to be an integral part of astronomy. Astronomers
observed and recorded the patterns of the stars and
planets while looking for the relationships between
them and the events on Earth.
The ancient Greeks
and Romans based their system on the Gods of their
time and believed they moved and lived up in the
sky. (Example: Zeus= Jupiter, Mars, Venus - all of
whom were based on the Planets visible to them.) It
also developed into other parts of the world at
different times. It was popular in Babylon, Egypt,
the Middle East, India, and China.
The Chaldeans, who
lived in Babylonia (now Iraq), developed one of the
original forms of astrology as early as 3000 BC. The
Chinese were practicing astrology by 2000 BC. By the
500s BC, astrology had spread to Greece, where such
philosophers as Pythagoras and Plato incorporated it
into their study of religion and astronomy. It was
widely practiced in Europe through the Middle Ages.
It wasn't until the 1500s when discoveries made by
such astronomers as Nicolaus Copernicus and Galileo
Galilei undermined some of the foundations of
astrology.
Astrology has come
in and out of popularity throughout history and is
followed today even more widely than ever before.
How It Works
Astrology helps us
explain ourselves based upon Planetary indications
and influences present at any given time using a
chart called the Horoscope. The birth chart is
calculated the moment we take our first breath for
that is the moment our soul has decided is right and
meets its purpose, which is why the exact time and
place of birth is so important.
The horoscope is a
chart used to map the position of the planets at any
given time. The chart is a circle called an ecliptic
and is divided into 12 sections called houses. These
houses make up the 24 hour period during which the
earth rotates once upon its axis and determine
certain characteristics such as financial, social,
marriage, health, work At the time of birth the sign
in which the sun was present is found using an
ephemeris and that determines that person's sun
sign. The other planets are found and then placed
upon the chart according to where they were in the
sky at the time of birth. The 12 planets make up the
zodiac and each of the 12 signs of the zodiac is
believed to be associated with definite aspects of
character, temperament, physiology, and aptitudes.
Each sign is also given a corresponding stone,
metal, and symbol.
Modern Astrology
has changed with the discovery of new Planets: first
Uranus in 1781, the Neptune and Pluto, and also the
Asteroids. These three Planets have a stronger
effect on generations as a whole rather than
individuals, but they still have an important place
in modern Astrology.
How It Is Used
Astrology
has been used throughout history to help us better
understand ourselves. It's a divination tool used to
give you a clearer picture of your life's path and
your potential. It helps define the characteristics
and potential problems in your life so you can
better handle anything life throws at you. Astrology
could be used for an individual, a group or an
entire nation.
The horoscope is
used to capture a certain moment in time in relation
to your birth. This chart is then used to help
answer questions and predict possible happenstances.
Some of the ways people used Astrology today are for
medical and health questions, business and financial
indicators, how to play the stock market, and even
to help predict the weather.
Other types of
astrology are Mundane - which is the study of
politics; Electional Astrology - which helps people
find favorable times or days to get married, start a
business, begin a new job, etc.; and Horary
Astrology - which helps predict possible answers for
questions based upon the specific moment they arise.
But the most popular type of Astrology is Natal,
which analyzes people based on their time and place
of birth.
It should be said
that Astrology, like any other divination tool is
simply that - a tool. It cannot predict with any
certainty events, personalities, etc. - it can only
give you an overview of possibilities. Tools should
be used to help guide you, not as the end all and be
all of your entire life. Remember you always have
free will and everything you do and don't do
influences and changes your own personal path and
future.
Stuff & Nonsense?
A lot of people
use astrology as an end all and be all to life. Used
that way it is stuff and nonsense. Astrology cannot
specifically define facts and certainties and
absolutes. It can just give predictions and
indications - there is still free will involved in
any situation. It is just a tool for guidance - it
gives the possibilities, the certainties are up to
the individual.
Astrology is meant
to be used as a tool, not as a crutch. Using it to
decide all of your decisions turns it into something
ridiculous. You’ll drive your family and friends
crazy with it if you use it to rationalize your
shortcomings and mistakes. You are in control of
your own life and you develop your own character by
how you live your life. Blaming everything on
astrology or other divination tools is not only
silly, it’s dangerous. When faced with a decision
and astrology tells you one thing but your heart and
instinct tells you another - go with your instinct.
And for those
amateur astrologers - heed and take warning. Making
careless, dire and unwise predictions about other
people's lives is also dangerous because your words
will come back to haunt you.
Astrology when
used correctly does give us guidance and indicators
that we can use to help determine our life’s path.
Astrology and
Science
Up until about 400
years ago, Astrology was considered to be an
integral part of astronomy. It uses mathematical
equations to determine where the planets are at a
certain point in time. From that standpoint it could
be considered as a science, but it always deals with
immeasurable, esoteric phenomena such as
characteristics and influences which usually lands
it in the area known as the occult (which actually
only means unknown). It's concerned with cause and
effect and with the possibilities of destiny.
Astrology is more
of a social or natural science. It is occupied with
gathering data and then analyzing it to increase
human understanding. But it also has characteristics
of an art or craft because interpretations are left
up to the individuals own perceptions
Those who oppose
Astrology state that there are no scientific facts
to prove that the Astrologer's methods are valid.
Yet scientific measure are used to determine planet
placement. It's how it effects the individual that
is in question.
Astrology is in
fact a pure abstract mathematical formula. The 12
based, duodecimal number system has always been
known as astrology. It still functions reliably
today, ten's of thousands of years after it was
developed because it works. Astrology is still used
by many people today, because astrology still can
accurately predict possible "futures" if you have
the correct parameters.
Astrology and
Religion
Astrology has no
restrictions and crosses all religious barriers.
Maybe that is certain religious systems appear to be
afraid and even condemn it. Believers and
parishioners of modern astrology come from all types
of spiritual paths and religious organizations.
While particular astrological systems seem connected
with a religious or cultural heritage (such as
India), it does not actually belong to any
particular religious or philosophical outlook.
Many people say
the Christian Bible seems to condemn astrology -
that is strictly up to interpretation. Astrology
doesn't limit God or the ways through which he
works. It is important for people to be careful to
read the context of the text very carefully and
interpret for themselves what the meaning of any
particular passage means. Astrology should not be
considered fortune telling which is condemned
because all astrology can do is give you
possibilities and tendencies - not actual concrete
events. In fact, there is actually no condemnation
of what modern astrologers do, just like
psychotherapy or social work. Astrology provides the
road-map through which God works, showing us a path
to live by.
One objection of
the Christian leaders who tried to condemn it in 600
BC was that Astrology challenged the fate vs. free
will argument. Others disagreed with the truth
behind Astrology and felt it was created to set up a
system to control and manipulate a culture.
Some people are
now saying that with all of the different
"conferences" and European rulers that "rearranged"
the Bible to suit their own purposes, a lot of it
has been mistranslated. Some people believe that
the Magi or wise men of the nativity were actually
astrologers and that's how they knew how, why and
where to look for the birth of a great, new king -
Jesus.
Astrology does not
have to adversely affect or change a person's
religious and/or spiritual belief - it can in fact
compliment it. It shows, as in most religions, that
the way you live your life affects what happens to
you after you die (heaven and hell, karma,
reincarnation, etc.). The philosophies are the same;
they're just interpreted differently.
Love to you,
prosperity, peace, joy, good health, and much
happiness in your future. |
