Foundations of Astrology.
The Philosophy of Astrology.
Philosophy, from the Ancient Greek perspective, means love of wisdom.
Any system of philosophy starts from certain basic ideas and premises.
From the foundations established we can:
1) Question and re-examine the basic premises.
2) Test the ideas that make up this particular system of philosophy.
3) Develop understanding from the basic viewpoints established.
What is Astrology?
Astrology is the study of correspondences between astronomical patterns and earthly events. The solar system is the earth's most immediate environment. The planets of the solar system are the most sizeable immediate ‘relatives’ to the earth. The rapid movements and changes of the position of the planets, as compared to the relatively ‘fixed’ stars, correspond with earthly happenings, both individual and collective.
The Greek philosopher Plato viewed the fixed stars as indicating what he regarded to be the transcendent nature of the universe. The planets however are constantly moving or changing position and geometric relationship and are thus regarded by astrologers as being in accord, or reflecting, the changeable nature of life on earth. As the planets are in a constant state of change, so is life on earth. If there is a relationship between the planets of our solar system and the earth, then changes in planetary phenomena will correlate with changes on earth.
The central premise of astrology is thus based on the theory that we are influenced by cosmic forces. In particular the planets, Sun and Moon in our solar system. According to astrological theory, the place, time and date you were born carries a life-long resonance. This potential is ascertained by the production of an astrological chart, or birth chart, for when you were born. This chart indicates your probable future development, challenges, opportunities and obstacles throughout life.
Your birth chart is a record of the planets in the sky for when you were born. The first breath of life is the starting point of life in the sense that this is when we first ‘breathe’ in the energies of the universe. The birth chart captures our first intake of energy of the worldly/universal environment. Your first breath is the starting point of your life as an individual on this planet. This life will continue on until your last breath. Although we are constantly changing, astrologers refer to that first chart of your life because this is the beginning point of all else that follows. We take on the energies of the birth moment. That is we receive a universal or cosmic blueprint which denotes our personality, character and potential.
The astrological and Hermetic maxim is ‘As Above So Below’. The human individual is viewed as being a microcosm of the macrocosm. We are each cosmic seeds of the macrocosmic intent. The energies that make up human beings are a microcosm of the energies in the universe. Changes in the universe are reflected as changes in the human. The planetary bodies (or ‘wandering stars’ from the Greek) are part of our immediate cosmic environment - which is Sun centered and Earth based. The Moon reflects our physical and psychic ‘tides’. As the outermost visible planet to the naked eye, Saturn is viewed as representing the limits of our ordinary consciousness. The outer planets (Uranus, Neptune, Pluto) are regarded as representing intuition, imagination and collective consciousness. These three planets touch upon planes of consciousness that are beyond the ordinary five senses.
Although we revolve around the Sun, astrology considers the effects of the universe/macrocosm on us and our planet. Astrology, from this perspective, is earth centered; as the earth is our base for incarnation. The earth represents our centre of action.
Copyright. Stephen Winder.