Astrology Facets
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Astrology
WE CAN look favourably on everything that increases the will and perfects the life of the human person. Hence, it should be sound not to reject anything that is true and fit for life in astrology. And what is more, that stand is clearly in tune with an official stand of the Vatican [The Vatican, a plenary session of 29 June 2001; details in Ch. 1 below]Is That How It Is?
SOME TIME ago I got this assessment via e-mail. It was rooted in some of my birth data:You are totally independent, very engaged, super sexy, incredibly smart, incredibly social, incredibly expressive, bold, incredibly funny. You are romantic as well.I am quite independent of that assessment, however. You should allow me that, and being incredibly expressive and romantic too if I so desire.
You succeed the best when you are idealistic, open to your intuition, calm, engaging, practical and goal-oriented. - Runa
Now, most persons who get flattering feedback - obscure, questionable and otherwise - prefer to believe in it. But lend ear to what a sceptic says about the Forer effect (also called the Barnum effect) - it is easier if you are calm, open (receptive) and smart, which is great help otherwise too:
The Forer effect refers to the tendency of people to rate sets of statements as highly accurate for them personally even though the statements could apply to many people.
Psychologist Bertram R. Forer found that people tend to accept vague and general personality descriptions as uniquely applicable to themselves without realizing that the same description could be applied to just about anyone. . . .
The Forer effect seems to explain, in part at least, why so many people think that pseudosciences "work". Astrology . . . fortune telling . . . etc., seem to work because they seem to provide accurate personality analyses. . . .
We tend to accept questionable, even false statements about ourselves, if we deem them positive or flattering enough. [The Skeptic's Dictionary (on-line), "Forer effect"]
Is that so?
The bottom line in some cases is: "People like to be described as strongly positive, as they seem in need of a positive self-image - to think well of themselves, at times by hook and crook." Fairness in science is not like that, and horoscope analyses are not considered to be scientific in our times. Still, they do have a grip on the minds of the masses. There is no question about that. The evidence is perhaps in the astrology columns in the nearest newspaper or weekly magazine.Just how right is the sceptic that has written the article in his Skeptic's Dictionary? In the assments from Runa, there are some characteristics that do not apply to anyone, not at all. "Incredibly funny, incredibly smart, incredibly expressive, incredibly social" - we cannot all be like that, or can we? Granted that most persons do not use their brain and other resources as good as can be - the matter may not really be "incredibly this and that" - it might be a too low standard around. Abraham Maslow found it to be so. He found that persons who deviate in a positive way, offer good health clues and other fine clues for living an awarding life. [Pusb]
Set not your standards too high, but not too low either. And what looks convenient may not be good enough.
Interestingly too, the characteristics given can also suggest I am not believed, not even understood, not accepted at all for being so out of the ordinary. And what is social smartness, by the way? Is it akin to "It is a fool who cannot hide his wisdom (Proverb)?" It is not being popular to one's loss, at any rate. There are many losses involved in celebrity living.
"Super sexy" - I have recounted one episode of many, but anecdotal evidence is far from convincing in science. I have to admit that, for I am "very engaged" in functioning along with scientifically had wisdom to profit from, and in cultivating a profitable lifestyle and thrive all right by living up to Buddhist standards, quite as a monk. I have found that approach to be wise, in part because I was "smart and bold" when I was younger, and found time to think things over and go for great advances.
Here is another point to consider: Runa's characteristics of me would coincide with how some close persons would grant too, and not many of them apply to anyone.
Personality
We should perhaps be much sceptical to diviners who talk of our personality when they have not met us. A little study from Kansas attests to that. A mass murderer was given a lot of warm characteristics by five astrologers who studied his horoscope, but did not know what he had become. [LINK]. For some reason I too get appreciative descriptions by astrologiers and the like. The other day I got some more from another who stood up as a professional. Here is a sample:You'll enjoy the limelight. [No, I don't mind.]"How many have I killed out of compassion as a major life supporter's unique solution?" That is hardly the ideal, electrifying question, but I realise with David Attenborough that fewer humans on earth mean less trouble for the planet ahead, presumably. The question is how we deal with such sour things and others, though.
You're one of life's major supporters. You certainly are a joy to be around! Your optimism combined with your enthusiasm and ever-smiling face make you a very popular guy . . . charming, outgoing and filled with joy and pleasure . . . Youthful and fun . . . Spiritual, generous warm . . . someone who is giving to others and beloved of all. You're blessed with an electrifying personality that others find very VERY attractive! You give off an aura of enthusiasm and optimism for life that others find hard to resist . . . your intense enjoyment of life and people.
You're the first guy EVERYONE thinks of when it comes to parties because you make such a terrific guest. That's you, bringing your own unique solutions to any number of problems.
Giving too much thought to matters is counterproductive! But you don't need to because you have such excellent intuitions. You'll be much better off if you just go ahead and trust your first impressions. Along with the capacity to perceive beauty . . . you're extremely intuitive. You ALWAYS know what to say to whom...and when to say it!
The driving forces within you are compassion and a love of harmony and beauty in the world. Your whole makeup is oriented toward helping others in need, and on a very large scale.
Being much popular and desired for parties is not a good goal in itself, nor is being in the limelight. The simple, well equipped home life is the boon for many to strive for.
Let us not be outsmarted by labels and possible Forer (Barnum) effects here either, but go on: What matters, eventually, is what we make out what we might be endowed with and our other possibilities and resources. If we apply ourselves carefully and steadily along the Middle Path and congenial, basic stands of Buddha, many good sides of living open up - that is my experience as well.
From the Lay of the Land
Astrology forms substantial parts of many present-day religions, including Judaism, Buddhism, and has a peculiar role in Christianity. One recent estimate is that one fourth of the people on earth believe in astrology in some way - or more or less - but shallow belief in a thing is not always making profitable use of it.Astrology plays a large part in both Buddhism and Hinduism, where the goal of casting horoscopes is to aid individuals to live up to their endowments too.
Behind Greek myths and other myths there is astrology as well. Planets and signs of the horoscope have their Greek myths annexed to them. Faith-ridden Christianity incorporated Western astrology, but as a faith, not as something to explore thoroughly and by searching standards.
For example, Pope Julius II [1443-1513], who is noted for laying the cornerstone of St. Peter's Church in Rome, set the time of his own coronation in 1503 according to astrological calculations.
A number of Catholic popes were intimately familiar with astrology: Sixtus IV was the first pope to draw and interpret a horoscope, Julius II choose his coronation date astrologically, and Leo X and Paul III relied heavily on astrologers for advice [and so did Emperors Charles IV and V] . . . By the 1300s popes, bishops, and all the Courts of Europe all had their official astrologers.
In 1930, the London Sunday Express published an astrological article on the birth of Princess Margaret. The public response was enormous, and newspaper daily horoscopes were created; newspapers in England, France, Germany, and America began publishing columns of astrological predictions.
During World War II, Winston Churchill and the British High Command employed Louis De Wohl as a one-man astrological agency, giving him the rank of Captain. It was also rumoured that Hitler was using Swiss astrologer, K. E. Kraft to help him plot his military strategy. [Poor Kraft!]
A 1996 Roper-Starch worldwide survey reported that one out of every four adult Americans, roughly 50 million people, believes in the efficacy of astrology—and that the fastest-growing class of believers is made up of executives and professionals. [A] A. www.astrologyalive.com/historical.html]
Highlights from the Second Vatican Council of 1965
1.Men expect from the various religions answers to the unsolved riddles of the human condition, which . . . deeply stir the hearts of men: What is man? What is the meaning, the aim of our life? . . . the road to true happiness? . . . retribution after death? [and] that ultimate inexpressible mystery which encompasses our existence: whence do we come, and where are we going? [Answer: Nowhere. It has to be understood in the best possible way!]
2.
In Hinduism, men contemplate the divine mystery . . . through an inexhaustible abundance of myths and through searching philosophical inquiry. They seek freedom . . . through ascetical practices or profound meditation or a flight to God . . .
Buddhism, in its various forms, realizes . . . it teaches a way by which men, in a . . . confident spirit, may be able either to acquire . . . perfect liberation, or attain, by their own efforts or through higher help, supreme illumination. . . .
The Catholic Church rejects nothing that is true and holy in these religions . . . [For many] ways of conduct and of life, . . . precepts and teachings . . . often reflect a ray of that Truth which enlightens all men.
The Church, therefore, exhorts her sons [and daughters to] recognize, preserve and promote the good things, spiritual and moral, as well as the socio-cultural values found . . .
5.
. . . This sacred synod ardently implores the Christian faithful to "maintain good fellowship among the nations" (1 Peter 2:12), and, if possible, to live for their part in peace with all men [etc.].
Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions
Nostra Aetate
Proclaimed by His Holiness Pope Paul VI
On October 28, 1965. [B.] B. www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat- ii_decl_19651028_nostra-aetate_en.html]
A Brief History of Astrology
Some modern astrologers hope to predict events based on the movements and space placements of various celestial bodies. The role of the divine in astrological theory varies considerably throughout the millenniums. Some astrologers, such as the Harranians (from the ancient Mesopotamian city of Harran) and the Hindus, regard the planets themselves as potent deities whose decrees can be changed by various means or methods. Also, in the opinion of the Christian Priscillianists (followers of Priscillian, a Spanish ascetic of the 300s AD, the stars make manifest the [putative] will of God to those trained in astrological symbolism used as a basis for intelligent action.Catarchic astrology determines whether or not a chosen moment is astrologically conducive to the success of a course of action begun in it. St. Peter's Church in Rome was begun in formity with such astrology.
Interrogatory astrology provides answers to a client's queries based on the situation of the heavens at the moment of his posing the questions.
Skimming Its History
Greek astrology was transmitted to India in the 100s and 200s AD by means of several Sanskrit translations. The techniques of Indian astrology are similar to those of its Hellenistic counterpart. The Indians particularly cultivated military astrology and a form of catarchic astrology termed muhurta-shastra and, to a lesser extent, interrogatory astrology.Astrology entered Islamic civilization in the 700s and 800s in three simultaneous streams, and Hellenistic and Indian were were two of them.
In western Europe the astrological texts of the Roman Empire were largely revived with numerous translations of Arabic astrological and astronomical treatises made in Spain and Sicily in the 1100s and 1200s. In the 1400s and 1500s astrology flowered in western Europe. But by the 1600s Newtonian physics and Enlightenment rationalism largely eradicated the widespread belief in astrology.
In modern times some Indian universities offer advanced degrees in astrology. Besides, Western astrology is far from dead, as demonstrated by the strong popular following it gained in the 1960s. Astrology continues to attract people from all walks of life, the casual followers who read their horoscopes in the daily newspaper, and hose who have their star charts drafted by professional astrologers. Also, astrology in its modern and historical forms remains of great interest to scholars and a wide spectrum of the general public, the Encyclopaedia Britannica informs.
In Your Face
WE SHOULD not get out of our waters, not even if they are shallow to begin with. That is how we learn to swim. When we do get out of our waters, the need for careful, sturdy investigations loom up to many. It takes a great deal of effort and concern to find out of things single-handedly, and at a price of thriving, garden living and cosy mating.The solid man should not do away with very sound and fair inspection, and yet have an open and flexible mind - for there are times when truth out of the ordinary sounds as strange as fiction. And fair (unbiased) and fit (skilled) inspection can be a forerunner of solid evaluation.
This said, it is better to learn and master the needed things for good and cosy living before exploring into the formerly unknown. It is like charity: it begins at home. Some get the resources to go on from there, according to "-but it does not have to stop there." You should judge it yourself. If you have a surplus, it should be put to good use first and foremost. I have advocated Buddhism for the gentle assistance its basic tenets offer. We are to be on our guard, for if not, we may be depleted and abused by becoming social lions, for example.
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