Some Forms of Astrology

Figure 1. Chinese Zodiac.

In figure 1 twelve star signs are enumerated, and their corresponding Chinese "token animals" are shown along with them. Put differently, 12 different signs define 12 types of humans. The Rat corresponds to Aries, the Ram (No. 1); the Tiger to Twins; the Rabbit to the Crab, Cancer; the Dragon to Leo; the Snake to Virgo, the Horse to Libra; the Sheep to Scorpio; the Monkey to Sagittarius; the Cock to Capricorn; the Dog to Aquarius; and the Pig to Pisces.

When people are born, the sun and moon and planets are seen in different places of the "big belt" around the earth, the zodiac, an imaginary band. Their meanings, placements and their angles are interpreted in bad ways and other ways.

Whether you call yourself a Rabbit or a Crab by sun sign, is up to you. Astrology works allot meaning to all its signs by their aligned symbol animals. However, bear in mind that a comparison halts - and that comparisons are what we are dealing with right now. So thinking of yourself as a Rabbit or any other animal will not quite do if you are a human being. That is basic, and basics first. yet, if you aim for a better living, limping or halting along by the metaphoric animal devise, may ease your way toward that end. And gradual progress may culminate in deigning you are an unfolding man or woman . . .

There are astronomical tables that show the exact placements of the heavenly bodies in question: the Sun, Moon, and all the planets are studied, and at last a pattern is revealed and interpreted - the horoscope. It is a Grand Map of a sort. It is not difficult to read it. The main traditions used by modern astrologers are:

• Vedic astrology
• Western astrology
• Chinese astrology

Astrologers retain an interest in other old astrological traditions too, and regard them as an resources: Babylonian astrology (Ancient, near East); Egyptian astrology; Hellenistic astrology; and Mayan astrology are among these. Kabbalistic astrology is part of a long esoteric tradition among Jews.

More significant, in 'Alexandrian Egypt' Babylonian astrology was mixed with the Egyptian tradition of Decanic astrology. This new form of astrology quickly spread across the ancient world into Europe, the Middle East and India.

Jewish Astrology

The Encyclopaedia Britannica tells that Biblical astrology was due to influence from Egypt and Babylon.

There is some information on Jewish astrologers and diviners in the bible, especially Joseph and Daniel. Those two are given prominence. The astrologer and diviner Daniel even has his own book in the Old Testament, and is credited with apocalyptic visions and comments that the last book in the bible, Revelation, draws on. [Daniel 5:1-30; 7-12] And in so far as astrology is a religion (orientation), the Vatican okays it (below). Astrology has much of a say in Hinduism too.

Some imagery of the visionary genre is at times interpreted according to astrology. There is a formerly secret astrology among Jews too, known as Kabbalah, which contains its astrology.

The contemporary Kabbalist Z'ev ben Shimon Halevi claims that the hidden teachings of Judaism are called Kabbalah and that Jesus transmitted Kabbalah, according to Daniel Goleman. To what degree such fancy claims are opinionising or tricks may stand out by this: there seems to be no agreed-on evidence in these matters, but strong claims which should not be accepted without positive evidence.

Be that as it may, the cosmology of Kabbalah tells that reality has many planes or levels of being, and they are arranged hierarchically. Each level embodies a state of consciousness. Kabbalah seeks to train its students to gain higher awareness, or higher consciousness, termed Paradise. On the way they seek to reach great mental clarity in heightened self-awareness - also termed the soul.

Self-observational methods are aids, and so is the somewhat abstract map called the Tree of Life, which is full of astrology. [Source of this section: Goleman, 49-54]

Highlights from the Second Vatican Council of 1965

Apocalyptic (Visionary) literature

Apocalyptic religious literature is a genre marked by (1) dreams or visions; (2) angels; (3) future; and (4) imagery that may contain symbols. Much depends on fair and fit interpretations, as the first section of the Gospel of Thomas shows.

Dreams or visions: The primary example of apocalyptic literature in the Hebrew Bible is the book of Daniel. Daniel is standing by a river when a heavenly being appears to him, and the revelation follows (Daniel 10:2ff). John, in the New Testament Revelation (1:9ff), is told in much similar words.

Angels: Revealing beings called angels is a standing feature. They bring messages. Future: In the eleventh and twelfth chapter of Daniel, the history of the Greek empire in the East from the conquest of Alexander down to the latter part of the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes are presented are expounded, perhaps only as seen in the mind of the writer. There are eschatological predictions.

Imagery: The literature of visions and dreams is well illustrated in Jewish apocalyptic writing. The typically fantastic, swollen imagery contains strange living creatures with the properties of men and purely imaginary beings can be combined in grotesque ways [see Daniel 7:1-8, 8:3-12] Elements of "foreign mythologies" are occasionally found.

Imagery need to be calmly interpreted to be of much use, and enigmatic references to times and places likewise. Symbols that are used to describe persons, things, and events may refer to this and that, according to the interpreter's fancy, for example the "horns" of Daniel 7 and 8; Revelation 17 and the seven seals of chapter 6 of Revelation; trumpets, 8; bowls, 16; the dragon, and so on, if the messenger angels interpret it in the text . . . People have widely differing interpretations of such elements, and some are evidently bit or hit by partisan views too, regrettably.