ASTROLOGY
The Organization for Professional Astrology (OPA) is a non-profit organization whose aim is to offer support
and guidelines for students and practitioners of astrology. In this document we explore some truths and
misconceptions about astrology.
Throughout most cultures around the world, our rhythm and calendars have been Moon and Sun based as
a testament that our seasons and life cycles on earth are immediately associated with the solar system.
Astrology analyzes this earth to heaven correlation not only with the Sun and Moon, but all the planets of
the Solar system, and beyond. For centuries astronomy and astrology were conflated and used interchangeably.
Western astrology developed in Mesopotamia, then the Hellenistic world, and expanded throughout Europe and the Middle East. i
Astrology was integral to many disciplines, even the father of medicine, Hippocrates, could attest to the value of astrology in his quote back from the 4th century BCE “A physician without a knowledge of Astrology has no right to call himself a physician.” There are accounts of Galileo Galilee, father of the telescope and one to advance the heliocentric solar system, drawing his own astrology chart in the 16th century. ii iii
It is well documented, albeit denied by some, that Johannes Kepler, Isaac Newton, and many of the other great minds of science utilized astrology on a regular basis. In more recent history, Carl Jung, founder of analytical psychology, referred to astrology as the science of antiquity and used it in his practice. iv
From ancient to modern times, astrologers have helped people across the hierarchies, from royalty to the lay person, seeking greater understanding. Astrology as a field continues to grow because its accuracy and reliability wins over attempts to choke it.
Why is there so much misunderstanding and prejudice projected on astrology in modern times?
While astrology used to be taught in universities, today both organized religion followers and scientists continually attempt to discredit it. For example, one bias against astrology often relies on the phenomenon named the precession of the equinoxes, which refers to the fact that the earth wobble leads to a constant change (a degree per 72 years) of the plane of zodiac signs in relation to the Sun path. Critics claim that astrology cannot work since the Sun (and planets) is not really positioned where astrologers claim it to be.
What scientists may not be aware of, or choose to ignore, is that formally trained astrologers are well aware of the Precession of the Equinoxes and make a distinction between the division of Zodiac signs and Zodiac constellations. Regardless of all reasonable explanations, scientists today seem ideologically biased against astrology, leaving no room for truly educated arguments or greater understanding.
Another common bias against astrology is based on an objection to horoscopic columns in popular media that make general predictions and psychological profiling based upon Sun signs which speak to what might happen to 1/12th of the population on a given day or time period. Well-trained astrology practitioners regard these popular expressions largely as a form of entertainment or simplified content, just as are general advice columns on any subject, whether relationship or financial.
Instead, a professional astrology analysis relies on details to provide information that is specific to each individual person, according to their date, exact time, and place of birth. An astrology chart depicts the precise position of planets at each given moment, and that never replicates.
I invite you to refer to Robert Currey’s article identifying unscientific methods, used by scientists, to try to recurrently discredit astrology.
For those who see astrology negatively, I invite you to ask yourself:
– Have you studied astrology enough to be able to discredit it?
– Is your bias inherited from the scientific community, or one you have personally developed through
personal and direct experience of astrology?
Many people who employ astrology understand it to be a positive tool in our lives. Like any other body of
knowledge, it can be misused and corrupted. We invite you to explore the better-established references and
schools of astrology to make an informed opinion and decision in the matter.
ASTROLOGY NEWS SERVICE
https://astrologynewsservice.com/
Correlation journal
https://correlationjournal.com/
The Organization for Professional Astrology (OPA) publications
https://www.opaastrology.org/publications/career-astrologer
How Sceptics distort the Truth about Astrology
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_um0mYYSZU&t=1s
i Nicholas Campion: The History of Western Astrology Vol I&II
ii https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0021828618793218?journalCode=jhaa
iii http://www.skyscript.co.uk/galast.html
iv https://jungiancenter.org/jung-on-astrology/