What is Astrology
( Work in progress )
What is Astrology
Let's first dissect the word Astrology. The word astrology comes from the early Latin word astrologia, which derives from the Greek ἀστρολογία - from ἄστρον (ástron, "star") + λόγος (lógos, "ground", "plea", "opinion", "expectation", "word", "speech", "account", "reason", "proportion", "discourse"). The word lógos in ancient Greek philosophy represents the divine reason implicit in the cosmos, ordering it and giving it form and meaning. The generally accepted translation is "Study of the Stars" or "Account of the Stars". But given all that Astrology has to offer, perhaps more appropriate term would be "Study through the Stars".
So, what is Astrology?
"Astrology has no more useful function than this, to discover the inmost nature of a man and to bring it out into his consciousness, that he may fulfil it according to the law of light."
Best way to find out what Astrology actually is, is to explore its history, its roots and foundations, how it developed over time, what impact it had, what role it played, directly or indirectly, in human known history, its principles, beliefs and concepts.
1661 Cellarius's chart illustrating a heliocentric model of the universe, as proposed by Nicolaus Copernicus
For me Astrology is certainly not a game to be played for amusement. Astrology is a tool that provides a method to find meaning and insight into the seemingly meaningles existence. It is actually one of the best methods to learn about who you are, where you came from and where are you going. It reveals your character, it can help you with health diagnosis, it can help you to analyze compatibility between two people, etc. But we must be aware of the fact, that astrology can only show tendencies. It doesn't and can't show your free will. That's up to an individual.
"We're all nurtured by mother nature's cycles and seasons."
So Astrology is a way to understand ourselves and others through the observation of nature. It's all about cycles coursing through our lives. The world moves in cycles. From morning to midday and then to evening and midnight and back to morning again - Cycle of Day. From spring to summer and then to autumn and winter and back to spring again - Cycle of Year. There are innumerous events in nature, in ourselves and in our lives that also fit into cyclic patterns, from a tiny Atom to whole Universe.
Is Astrology a science?
"Astrology is a science in itself and contains an illuminating body of knowledge. It taught me many things and I am greatly indebted to it. Geophysical evidence reveals the power of the stars and the planets in relation to the terrestrial. In turn, astrology reinforces this power to some extent. This is why astrology is like a life-giving elixir to mankind."
Some say it's a divine science, some say it's a Mother of all sciences. Or is it really just a pseudoscience, like most mainstream scholars and scientists think?
Here I would ask something. How come a well established astrological beliefs and concepts are getting confirmed, time and time again in history? All mythologies in the world are in one way or another based on or connected with Astrology. Is it really so irrelevant or just a result of someone's imagination, like some people think?
1680 Planisphaerium Coeleste
Historically, before scientific revolution in 17th century, all sciences were a part of natural philosophy or philosophy of nature (from Latin philosophia naturalis), which was the philosophical study of nature. After revolution, science circles started to look at nature from a new, more materialistic perspective. That's how we got Astronomy.
1763 Janvier Chart of Four Celestial Spheres or Globes
Through the series, we will check principles and concepts found in Astrology and compare them with general opinion and scientific knowledge, which exists today. So you can form your own opinion on this matter. This is a very extensive topic, for some maybe boring, but I find it quite interesting.