For many years, Astrological knowledge was accessible only to those with the wealth and privilege of an education. The craft was considered an essential part the intellectual, academic or medical practitioner’s tool kit.
Quantum leap to current day: The Information Age, where Science is pioneering technological advances in medical research, space exploration and recreating ‘the God particle’ miles under the surface of the Earth.
We have reached the point of Ouroboros; the boundaries between science-fact and science-fiction are increasingly hard to differentiate and spiritual concepts are explicable using the linguistic cloak of academia.
Astrologers find themselves ostracised from intellectual and academic circles based on the non-scientific nature of the subject they study. This article aims to explore Astrology’s place in science, history and religion.
Why has Astrology been widely discredited by today’s intelligentsia and what steps have been taken to draw credibility to the subject?
Astrology’s presence throughout history can be found in the cave art and megalithic sites of our ancestors, the many holy books and spoken traditions across the globe, the architectural design of buildings and cathedrals and the symbolism adorning the palaces and ceremonies of the monarchic classes.
The earliest records of Astrology can be traced back to ancient Babylon, predating modern Science and the Abrahamic religions. Interestingly, Judaism stakes a claim to the creation of Astrology.
Flavius Josephus states in his book ‘The Antiquities of the Jews’ that the children of Seth (the son of Adam) “were the inventors of that peculiar sort of wisdom which is concerned with the heavenly bodies and their order”(1). Abraham wrestled with the idea that the irregular motions of the planets “contribute to the happiness of man”(2) suggesting that Abraham was an astrologer.
Religion & History
However, many religious institutions consider Astrology to be not only an abomination, but a form of demonic worship. Astrologers are not spoken of fondly in the Old Testament of the King James V Bible, as stated in Isaiah 47:13-14:
‘”Let now the astrologers, those who prophesy by the stars, those who predict by the new moons, Stand up and save you from what will come upon you. Behold, they have become like stubble, Fire burns them; they cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame; There will be no coal to warm by nor a fire to sit before”
In the book of Leviticus 19:26 it states “Ye shall not eat [anything] with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times”. There are many references in the bible which point toward the study of celestial bodies as a way to recognise prophetic signs. “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars”.
In Luke 21:25, “God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years”.
Though the evidence of Astrology’s presence cannot be denied, it has remained a controversial subject which has lead to the condemnation of those that practice it.
Astrology’s Secret Regal Status & Heliocentrism
Rather hypocritically, the ‘divine right-theory of kingship’ appoints the monarchy on God’s will, yet it is documented throughout the ages that the royal elites sought the guidance of mystics, seers and astrologers.
The Copernican Revolution was responsible for the paradigm shift leading to the demotion of Astrology. From its status as a respected academic subject it plummeted to the depths of a theoretically-flawed and ridiculed pseudo-science.
The acceptance of Heliocentrism as rational scientific theory during the late Renaissance period superseded the Ptolemaic model of the Solar System.
Its acceptance was widely revered and accepted among academic and intellectual circles, in addition to the monarchic and ruling class. At the time, King Louis XIV of France willingly adopted the notion that a Sun-centered solar system, symbolically “representing a Monarchy centered society as a cosmically sanctioned position at the heart of society”(3).
The first publication which documented Astronomy as a separate entity from Astrology which triggered its academic decline was started in the 1679 yearly publication of ‘La Connoissance des temps’(4).
Prior to that, Astrology was considered a highly regarded and pertinent area of study In the 12th and 13th centuries. Ancient studies of Astrology were translated from Arabic to Latin and was used as part of medical practice in Europe.
By the late 1500’s it was required by law to calculate the position of the moon before carrying out complicated medical procedures(5).
Science & Atheism
It could be argued that the mainstream media has played a hand in trivialising Astrology with many sceptics basing their arguments around the subject’s most commonly recognised form: sun sign columns.
This type of Astrology is something I refer to as ‘the gateway drug of Astrology’, making the subject accessible. However, this rather superficial version of the craft leaves it open to criticism.
One sceptic in particular, Andrew Fraknoi is an Astronomy Professor and self-appointed ‘debunker’ of Astrology. Fraknoi has devised an ‘Astrology Defense Kit’ posed as ten embarrassing questions alongside a parody of Astrology called ‘Jetology’(6) where the amount of Aeroplanes flying over a particular part of the planet would impact the lives of individuals living below.
Though this may be a little lighthearted fun (perhaps not so lighthearted coming from Fraknoi), it serves to demonstrate the lack of tolerance and understanding of the complexities of Astrology, presented by scientists today.
Criminal
The endorsement of religion or pseudoscience is not something popular scientists associate themselves with today. The Evolutionary Biologist and dogmatic Atheist Richard Dawkins is well known for his strong opinions with regard to creationism and intelligent design.
In 1995 Dawkins argued:
“Astrology is neither harmless nor fun, and we should fight it seriously as an enemy of truth. Why are Astrologers not prosecuted for false representation and driven out of business? Why are professional astrologers not jailed for fraud?” (7)
Dawkins’ words have a large impact among fans of his work and his opinion is shared by many academics and intellectuals.
However, Hitchens’ Razor “What can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence”(8) could be applied both in support of Dawkins’ belief system and also to strengthen the opposing implications of this statement.
Scientific Philosophy
There are a number of ways that Astrology’s credibility could be improved in modern science, with a few cases of scientific research being carried out by scientists wishing to find a conclusive answer as to the Science Vs Astrology debate.
Dr Percey Seymour PhD, was inspired to investigate the effects of the planets raising tides in the gases of the Sun, creating sunspots and their particle emissions, which then travel across space to strike Earth’s magnetosphere.
Having met criticism from the scientific community, Seymour claims
“those who use simplistic models to disprove astrology are violating the principles of the philosophy of science, which is a particular interest of mine”(9)
Dr Percy Seymour PhD, Astronomer
Seymour’s work draws largely on the scientific research carried out by Michel and Francois Gauquelin. Their research into what was later called ’the Mars Effect’ found a positive correlation between angular planets (particularly diurnal ones) and the influence that planet would have on that person’s profession.
The Gauquelin’s work was the largest Astrological research project of its kind has provided scientific evidence that there is a correlation between planets at their most powerful points – within orb of the Ascendant and Midheaven axis (the ‘Gauquelin Zone’) – and the strength of influence that planetary placement has on the psychology and life experience of the individual.
Walking The Path Less Travelled
Serious scientific research, particularly in the area of Astrology, will be met with criticism from the scientific community and in the case of Dr Percy Seymour, rejection is a likely consequence.
“Of course, I expected people to take objection to my theory. But I didn’t expect the reaction to be so vehement or so irrational”(10)
Dr Percy Seymour PhD, Astronomer
Often this is the way with progressive attitudes in scientific discovery. The Gauquelin’s also faced immense criticism based on the selection methods of their results. Many of the great scientific breakthroughs throughout history faced the same issues including Nicholas Copernicus’ theory of a Sun-centered solar system.
In Conclusion
Man’s relationship with the heavens is evident throughout history. The popularity of Atheism compliments the material function of scientific and fact-driven process underpinning modern intellectual and academic thought.
Astrology is an art which serves as a mechanism for one to enter a direct dialogue with their higher expression of consciousness. It is a way to analyze, interpret and understand events, enabling the individual to empower themselves through challenging times autonomously, rather than communicating via middleman to gain holistic completion.
Astrologers should continue to preserve the traditions which have existed longer than the scientific methodologies and religious institutions attempting to discredit its validity; lack of scientific research against astrology serves to prove the flaws in the opposing argument. Astrological research is important; reporting findings keep this historical and well documented discipline alive where religion, science and atheism continue to dismiss it’s relevance.
References
1. Josephus, F. (2013) The Antiquities of the Jews [Online] First Start Publishing Ebook edition. United States of America. Start Publishing LLP. Available from – https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=Pt5EAwAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=were+the+inventors+of+that+peculiar+sort+of+wisdom+which+is+concerned+with+the+heavenly+bodies+and+their+order&hl=en&sa=X&ei=I0QPVaqoJcjiaNWRgIAD&ved=0CCAQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false.
2. Josephus, F. (2013) The Antiquities of the Jews [Online] First Start Publishing Ebook edition. United States of America. Start Publishing LLP. Available from – https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=Pt5EAwAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=were+the+inventors+of+that+peculiar+sort+of+wisdom+which+is+concerned+with+the+heavenly+bodies+and+their+order&hl=en&sa=X&ei=I0QPVaqoJcjiaNWRgIAD&ved=0CCAQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false.
3. Campion, N. (2011) A History of Western Astrology Volume 2 p. 95-142.
4. Wikipedia Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrology_and_science (Accessed: 15 March 2015)
5. The British Library/Dr Alixe Bovey Available at: http://www.bl.uk/learning/histcitizen/medieval/medicine/medievalmedicine.html (Accessed: 15 March 2015).
6. Fraknoi, A. (2001) Available at: http://www.astrosociety.org/astrology.pdf (Accessed: 13 March 2015).
7. Dawkins, R. (1995) ‘The Real Romance in the Stars’ The Independent Available at: http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/the-real-romance-in-the-stars-1527970.html
8. ‘Hitchens Razor’ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitchens%27s_razor. Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitchens%27s_razor
9. Bronwyn Elko (1998) The Magus of Magnetism: An Interview With Dr. Percy Seymour. http://tmgnow.com/repository/solar/percyseymour1.html
10. Bronwyn Elko (1998) The Magus of Magnetism: An Interview With Dr. Percy Seymour. http://tmgnow.com/repository/solar/percyseymour1.html