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Philosophy
According to the Bible, in Genesis 1:14, it all started when God
said, "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to
separate day from night; let them serve as signs and for the fixing
of seasons, days and years." Regardless of whether or not this is
allegorical, there can be no doubt that mankind has long looked
upward for guidance and that the heavens have held a fascination
since pre-recorded history. The main thing that has beckoned our
respect and curiosity has been the heavenly bodies' unerring
cyclical regularity. We have evidence of this in the ruins left
behind all over the world.
Stonehenge remains largely a mystery, but because of its accurate
alignment with astronomical phenomena, it obviously served as a
calendar measuring the regular rhythms of the Sun and Moon. The same
is evident at "American Woodhenge" in Cahokia, Illinois which is
part of a network of geometrical systems of mounds, mostly near
rivers, in Ohio, Illinois and other areas of the mid-west.
Petroglyphs in Chaco Canyon, New Mexico, and other western sites,
point to advanced knowledge of astronomy by the Anasazi Indians over
a thousand years ago. On Easter Island, the 300 foot platform and
statues on it at Vinapu faced the equinox direction as closely as
anyone could measure. From the pyramids to Shinto temples, there are
many other examples of these primitive attempts of mankind to bring
order into their lives. With the unpredictability of thunderstorms,
lightning, drought and other dangerous manifestations of nature's
power, it must have given our forebears comfort that there was some
kind of order in the universe that they could depend upon.
The regular predictability of solstices, eclipses and equinoxes,
however, were just scratching the surface. As the years passed, many
Astrologer/Astronomers developed very sophisticated systems of
correspondences between our planetary system and our personalities
and life events. Meanwhile, from the mid-17th to 19th centuries,
when astronomy was developing more intricate techniques for
measuring the universe, Astrology suffered a decline and separated
from Astronomy because the "rationalists" of the time could not see
or understand a connection between the cosmos and individuals.
Although Astrologers know from observation that these
correspondences exist and manifest, the actual mechanism of its
operation is unknown. Now, with the discovery of quantum mechanics,
we may be approaching the ability to do just that. It has recently
been shown that sub-atomic particles are "communicating" with other
sub-atomic particles instantly without regard to time or distance.
Further, when one considers the vastness of the universe, our little
solar system shrinks considerably in comparison. And, if we also
consider, as A Course in Miracles teaches, that time is of our own
creation, or rather is unique to us and really does not necessarily
exist elsewhere, then quantum mechanics doesn't seem so farfetched.
There is so much we do not understand, it is conceivable that in
another century those "rationalists" of the 17th century could
appear as primitive to future generations as the Anasazi seem to us.
There is a rhythm to life. Just as the Earth and Sun interact giving
us predictable seasons, so do the other planets have cycles that
affect us. There is a predictable effect of the Saturn cycle, Mars,
Venus, Uranus and so forth. If we can accept the seasonal cycles of
the Earth and Sun, why is it so hard to accept the possibility that
other planetary cycles affect us as well? Each of these cycles
represents a part of life, and it is a wise person who seeks to
understand how they affect his individual life each year to more
empower himself to make better use of his time on this Earth.
If you're looking for a "fortuneteller" or a set of lucky numbers,
you're in the wrong place!! Astrology is better used for nobler and
more spiritual purposes. Since free will is a given, you are,
whether you like it or not, in charge of your life. Even psychics
really cannot tell you what choices you or others are going to make.
Think of your birth chart in two parts. First it reveals what
strengths and lessons you were born with. It is a remarkable X-ray
of your character as it had developed in past lives up to the time
of your birth. The minute you are born, it becomes potential. From
that point, you are molding your future. Naturally, because of
character traits, you will have tendencies to behave in certain
ways, but you don't have to follow your line of least resistance.
You do have control over your destiny. Change your character, and
you change your destiny.
Second, the chart is a timepiece, showing what time it is in your
personal life to pay attention to specific character development
issues. Rather than asking an Astrologer what is going to happen
next, you would be better advised to ask what you are working to
develop next. Then you are prepared to understand why events are
happening as they are, and thereby make wise and informed decisions.
This should be so much more gratifying than to think you are just a
puppet dangling in the hands of fate. You are now potential ready to
go into any direction you choose! Astrology can help.
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