Posted on Sep 8, 2015
Do you believe astrology, zodiac signs, and horoscopes hold truth and value?
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Hmm . . interesting question. Truth and value . . . from experience I have to say that an accurate birth chart done by a professional is uncanny in describing an individual's natural inclination personality. I would even go so far to say that, in general, it presents an excellent natural inclination psychological profile also - simply based on the subtle energy/gravity/magnetism influences associated with how the nearby observable heavenly bodies are aligned at time and place of an individual's birth. My experience is not only in comparing my own birth chart to myself, but those of others to them, as well. A good chart can be used to understand strengths and work on what could otherwise become weaknesses.
What I find most fascinating about Astrology however, is the continuity of it. Astrology was science in the early days of our species - the result of our ancient ancestors observing the night sky, and keeping records over long periods of time, establishing patterns that correlated to the world around them, interpreting them in a variety of ways. The fact is that many of our constellations still bear the names given by those early scientists. Our science of Astronomy evolved out of the earlier science of Astrology. I am in awe of the history of that evolution. Even so, Astrology continues to exist in the form in which we know it today, and it too has evolved and become an increasingly large body of accumulated knowledge.
What I find most fascinating about Astrology however, is the continuity of it. Astrology was science in the early days of our species - the result of our ancient ancestors observing the night sky, and keeping records over long periods of time, establishing patterns that correlated to the world around them, interpreting them in a variety of ways. The fact is that many of our constellations still bear the names given by those early scientists. Our science of Astronomy evolved out of the earlier science of Astrology. I am in awe of the history of that evolution. Even so, Astrology continues to exist in the form in which we know it today, and it too has evolved and become an increasingly large body of accumulated knowledge.
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SGT Mary G.
Sorry for the delay in responding. SGT (Join to see), You don't ask for much do you! ;)
There isn't really much more I can say than what I already mentioned as far as thoughts about Astrology. I do think a well done birth chart is useful. As far as anything else, like predicting future events, behaviors, choices . . . I am dubious about anyone's interpretations of the future based on the astrology's Parts of Fortune, I-Ching, Tarot, etc. The daily horoscopes are entertaining and usually provide good advice no matter one's astrological sign. If I took the time to learn to do it, myself, my opinion would likely evolve in some way or another. I am uncomfortable being anywhere except on the fence about anyone else concerning themselves with interpreting my future - no matter what the basis of their interpretation ;)
I recall introduction of a 13th zodiac sign. Actually read a little about it and how it changed the signs of some folks, but found it unimpressive. Perhaps that is what you refer to when you mention the removal of a 13th sign? If it is I didn't know it was removed. What are your thoughts about the 13th sign?
As far as resources, in decades past I have checked books out of the library. Some have been humorous, some foolish, and a few actually provided nuts and bolts information about how to create astrological charts using the ephemeris, and required a choice about which system to use. I happened upon some interesting freeware computer programs too, decades ago, but they don't work on newer systems - nothing past XP. (Dunno about possible programs for Mac, or for phones.) The good software depended on information from the ephemeris, as you probably know - the astronomy charts that have accurate calculated positions of celestial objects not only from the past (like at one's time of birth, and historic events of the deep past) but also into the future. As we all probably know, it is the same information used by NASA and JPL and all the folks who are planning space expeditions. The daily horoscope of course is based on the ephemeris and offers up general comments about what the astrologers interpret as the subtle influences of the energy of the celestial alignments for each astrological sign. Do you have favorite resources?
Chinese astrology seems more simplistic to me, but I suspect it is part of a philosophical/religious system of belief and much more complex than I understand it to be. What is your view?
There isn't really much more I can say than what I already mentioned as far as thoughts about Astrology. I do think a well done birth chart is useful. As far as anything else, like predicting future events, behaviors, choices . . . I am dubious about anyone's interpretations of the future based on the astrology's Parts of Fortune, I-Ching, Tarot, etc. The daily horoscopes are entertaining and usually provide good advice no matter one's astrological sign. If I took the time to learn to do it, myself, my opinion would likely evolve in some way or another. I am uncomfortable being anywhere except on the fence about anyone else concerning themselves with interpreting my future - no matter what the basis of their interpretation ;)
I recall introduction of a 13th zodiac sign. Actually read a little about it and how it changed the signs of some folks, but found it unimpressive. Perhaps that is what you refer to when you mention the removal of a 13th sign? If it is I didn't know it was removed. What are your thoughts about the 13th sign?
As far as resources, in decades past I have checked books out of the library. Some have been humorous, some foolish, and a few actually provided nuts and bolts information about how to create astrological charts using the ephemeris, and required a choice about which system to use. I happened upon some interesting freeware computer programs too, decades ago, but they don't work on newer systems - nothing past XP. (Dunno about possible programs for Mac, or for phones.) The good software depended on information from the ephemeris, as you probably know - the astronomy charts that have accurate calculated positions of celestial objects not only from the past (like at one's time of birth, and historic events of the deep past) but also into the future. As we all probably know, it is the same information used by NASA and JPL and all the folks who are planning space expeditions. The daily horoscope of course is based on the ephemeris and offers up general comments about what the astrologers interpret as the subtle influences of the energy of the celestial alignments for each astrological sign. Do you have favorite resources?
Chinese astrology seems more simplistic to me, but I suspect it is part of a philosophical/religious system of belief and much more complex than I understand it to be. What is your view?
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SGT (Join to see)
SGT Mary G. - I actually don't remember much as to why the 13th sign was removed. I have no favorite sources that I can recall. There is a site that goes deep in detail about cusps and many types of relationships between signs that I respected highly due to comparison but I don't remember it.
I simply think it is a guide, not much more or less than a bible, quran, or Buddhist ideology. I also think its easier to grasp, but because America is America, Christianity is the primary belief and others simply accept that or quietly entertain that idea that astrology may hold some truth. The results in this thread's survey support my opinion. Few people who stated "yes" actually responded.
I simply think it is a guide, not much more or less than a bible, quran, or Buddhist ideology. I also think its easier to grasp, but because America is America, Christianity is the primary belief and others simply accept that or quietly entertain that idea that astrology may hold some truth. The results in this thread's survey support my opinion. Few people who stated "yes" actually responded.
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SGT Mary G.
I am interested in what prompts your questions about astrology associated with spirituality, and coupled with wondering about folks who might shun astrology because of being Christians. Truly.
Myself, I honestly could not even hazard a guess about why anyone's religion would determine what they think about Astrology. I don't look at astrology like a religion or a philosophy, but instead as the historic foundation for what became Astronomy. As Astronomy evolved it left Astrology behind to became a matter of interpreting cosmic energy based on configurations of stars and planets. I guess what I might wonder, instead, is whether or not folks who consider themselves to be Astrologers consider Astrology to be a religion - or perhaps part of a religious or philosophical belief. As far as earlier science evolving we might also consider the fields of research that have evolved from Astronomy, like Planetary Sciences, Solar science, Astrophysics, Particle Physics on a macro/micro level, Cosmology, all associated with Quantum Physics in some way or another. Is astronomy defined differently now because of Quantum Physics? Does it embrace all of these fields? Has it become irrelevant because they have evolved from it?
As an American, what I don't understand is allowing religion to dictate a fear of the beliefs of other; or to consider the beliefs of others to be wrong for them, philosophically, religiously, or spiritually . . . . unless others abuse what they claim are their beliefs to try to justify committing crimes and doing harm which then becomes a matter of them not understanding their own claimed religious beliefs.
Echoing (in my own words) what has already been stated, I suggest that good guidance is everywhere and comes from the connection one personally cultivates with the divine. How trustworthy one considers that connection to be, may be directly proportional to the depth of one's faith . . . not necessarily religion . . . but faith associated with what one believes - a person's belief system and the weight given to each part of it. I don't think anyone needs to feel obligated to buy into a generalized one-size-fits-all collection of framework beliefs. I consider an individual belief system something that needs to be personally defined, not something a religion, a philosophy, and/or a government defines for us; except for providing general structured framework in which we feel comfortable diving deeper into understanding self, personally - how oneself fits into the many structures that can be part of a personal belief system. I do think individuals need to be able to articulate for themselves what they believe and why; not necessarily based on how we define what we do NOT believe, but based on why we believe what we DO believe.
I do not use the word "believe", often, especially with religious and spiritual concepts which can not be disproven. That does not mean I don't share my thoughts about what I believe, sometimes, and enjoy learning what others think. It simply means that when I know the deck is stacked against me because of someone else's religious belief, there is not much I have to say, because I do not feel obligated to "prove" to anyone else that my spiritual beliefs are valid for me, or worse that their beliefs are wrong for them!
I think that rigorous questioning of what one personally believes and why is always good - in terms of "know thyself". It con lead to objectivity - and an increasingly better understanding of human nature. I also think there is something wrong if our beliefs do not evolve; and very wrong if we are comfortable anywhere other than sitting on the fence when we do not feel we know enough to take a stand about what we believe.
There is much that can be said about how intimately spiritual beliefs, science, and government have been interconnected from the dawn of humanity. The ways in which we express our thoughts about concepts, in modern times (as Americans), from each of the three perspectives provides information about how we differentiate among the three - even though they are still interconnected in many ways. In other places in the world they are a lot more interconnected (tragically, in my opinion). Seems there is much to dive deeper into regarding their interconnectedness and differences.
Myself, I honestly could not even hazard a guess about why anyone's religion would determine what they think about Astrology. I don't look at astrology like a religion or a philosophy, but instead as the historic foundation for what became Astronomy. As Astronomy evolved it left Astrology behind to became a matter of interpreting cosmic energy based on configurations of stars and planets. I guess what I might wonder, instead, is whether or not folks who consider themselves to be Astrologers consider Astrology to be a religion - or perhaps part of a religious or philosophical belief. As far as earlier science evolving we might also consider the fields of research that have evolved from Astronomy, like Planetary Sciences, Solar science, Astrophysics, Particle Physics on a macro/micro level, Cosmology, all associated with Quantum Physics in some way or another. Is astronomy defined differently now because of Quantum Physics? Does it embrace all of these fields? Has it become irrelevant because they have evolved from it?
As an American, what I don't understand is allowing religion to dictate a fear of the beliefs of other; or to consider the beliefs of others to be wrong for them, philosophically, religiously, or spiritually . . . . unless others abuse what they claim are their beliefs to try to justify committing crimes and doing harm which then becomes a matter of them not understanding their own claimed religious beliefs.
Echoing (in my own words) what has already been stated, I suggest that good guidance is everywhere and comes from the connection one personally cultivates with the divine. How trustworthy one considers that connection to be, may be directly proportional to the depth of one's faith . . . not necessarily religion . . . but faith associated with what one believes - a person's belief system and the weight given to each part of it. I don't think anyone needs to feel obligated to buy into a generalized one-size-fits-all collection of framework beliefs. I consider an individual belief system something that needs to be personally defined, not something a religion, a philosophy, and/or a government defines for us; except for providing general structured framework in which we feel comfortable diving deeper into understanding self, personally - how oneself fits into the many structures that can be part of a personal belief system. I do think individuals need to be able to articulate for themselves what they believe and why; not necessarily based on how we define what we do NOT believe, but based on why we believe what we DO believe.
I do not use the word "believe", often, especially with religious and spiritual concepts which can not be disproven. That does not mean I don't share my thoughts about what I believe, sometimes, and enjoy learning what others think. It simply means that when I know the deck is stacked against me because of someone else's religious belief, there is not much I have to say, because I do not feel obligated to "prove" to anyone else that my spiritual beliefs are valid for me, or worse that their beliefs are wrong for them!
I think that rigorous questioning of what one personally believes and why is always good - in terms of "know thyself". It con lead to objectivity - and an increasingly better understanding of human nature. I also think there is something wrong if our beliefs do not evolve; and very wrong if we are comfortable anywhere other than sitting on the fence when we do not feel we know enough to take a stand about what we believe.
There is much that can be said about how intimately spiritual beliefs, science, and government have been interconnected from the dawn of humanity. The ways in which we express our thoughts about concepts, in modern times (as Americans), from each of the three perspectives provides information about how we differentiate among the three - even though they are still interconnected in many ways. In other places in the world they are a lot more interconnected (tragically, in my opinion). Seems there is much to dive deeper into regarding their interconnectedness and differences.
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SGT (Join to see)
SGT Mary G. - Somewhere in the bible, astrology is "seemingly" referred to as witchcraft, if I recall correctly. Many simply don't question their religious or spiritual positions or care enough to truly do so. Look at the answers I've gotten here - few deep answers and rational explanations.
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I believe they hold some entertainment value. I certainly do not take any of life's actions based on them. I haven't had any significant correlation between them and my life.
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SGT (Join to see)
Your use of "believe" gives your statement credibility. I'd assume your stance on religion (I won't assume that much) is based on your experiences.
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