Astrology, researching the Destiny
of your Life. If astrology is a
tightrope walk between religion and
scientific astronomy, then we
already have a first definition.
First of all: insofar as it views
cosmos, humans, and nature as being
reigned over and guided by powers
and forces from beyond, astrology is
religion. All the events in the
cosmos and on earth are linked
together by an invisible magic bond.
Only on the basis of this mysterious
magical connection can astrology
assume that the stars have something
to do with the course of our lives,
with our talents and weaknesses.
In this regard, astrology is related
to the nature religions. These also
assume that nature is inhabited and
governed by magical powers, demons,
and gods. Like the nature religions,
astrology believes in a multitude of
gods; it is polytheistic at its
core. Each planet and sign of the
zodiac is the expression of a
particular god or demon.
But
astrology is also sometimes accepted
by religions which know only one
creator-god, like Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam. Then the
many star-gods become angels and
demons which are subordinated to the
one God and, as such, understood as
"instruments" of God.
But in its scientific side,
astrology is also very sober. It
divides the heavens into
geometrically exact sectors,
calculates—like every astronomer—the
orbits of the planets, and employs
complicated calculations to obtain
from the manifold movements of the
earth and the heavenly bodies the
horoscope. The word horoscope goes
back to the Greek and means roughly:
"looking into the hour." By this it
is meant that the astrologer, in
accordance with the exact time a
person is born, observes the heavens
and calculates all the planets, as
well as the sign of the zodiac
rising over the eastern
horizon—which is then identified as
"ascendant." He then prepares a
chart which indicates the
astronomically exact positions of
the stars in relation to the place
of birth. |