Astrology is an amazing body of information handed down through numerous generations for literally thousands of years. Through several millenniums astronomy (the measure) and astrology (the interpretation) were one body of information. What started as a combination, with the two sciences treated as one, lasted until fairly recently (the last 300 years or so). Recent history shows the physical sciences began their codification and separated from those elements of their origin which were more speculative in nature. Astrology was commonly practiced in other scientific fields beyond the mere measurements of astronomy as well. A few examples should illustrate some of these broad applications.
· Astrology was an important tool for the medical profession and a doctor who did not know astrology was thought to be lacking, perhaps unworthy of his title.
· Mythology is the history of mankind told as story and parable. Astrologers fully used this mythological symbolism to illustrate their readings. Carl Jung, a modern day psychiatrist/psychologist thought that astrology was the psychology of the ancients.
· Agriculture still relies on lunar and solar cycles. Almanacs from some of the earliest records depict the lunar cycle in some of the oldest human artifacts and cave drawings.
· The courts and kings of countries from all over the world relied on their astrologers for counsel to their rulers and for the start and outcome of warfare. The astrological scholars of those days were expected to be right every time. That is particularly difficult to do unless your name is God. History illustrates that false counsel and error could, and did lead to death. That would give you pause, would it not?
· Some countries and cultures revered their prophecies and predictions and others reviled them. Why? Do you suppose the ruling class and religious institutions might have feared the power of prophecy and the people who had the capability to predict the rise and fall of a king, a country, or a religious order?
As with any human endeavor or practice, astrology has waxed and waned in interest and is continually subject to change and revision. What is suitable for one country, environment, climate, culture or philosophy might not be suitable for another. For example, what worked for a waterfront culture might not work in the mountains. Once upon a time these local forms were isolated to one location. Since the advent of world travel and the blending of world cultures, these once distinct practices have been merged. Over the centuries, there has been a sorting and triaging of measurements, techniques and interpretations that has developed.
Evolution requires a constant updating and revising of all fields of human endeavor and astrology is no exception. Science, astronomy, medicine, or law must grow and change or become a stagnant pool of old and useless information. The softer human subjects such as religion, philosophy, education, psychology and yes, astrology, must grow, change and develop as our planet and our human races grow, change and develop. We cannot continually repeat the old teachings ad infinitum, or stagnation or devolution would occur. Progress and change is necessary to growth and evolution. The universe itself is progressing, changing and moving constantly and we must keep up or be left behind.
There are always tried and true principles at the core of any practice. There are principles that do not really change with time or experience, such as gravity. The Sun is believed to be a hot, large gaseous body that exerts gravitational control over our solar system. This principle contains a basic truism we rely upon whether looking back 1000 years, in the present, or a 1000 years in the future. Unless something specific happens to change our minds, that principle has proven to be a pretty reliable belief worldwide.
Other word choices to describe the Sun might not be as universal as those few concepts. For example, if you are in a desert country, or on Earth's equator, your experience of the Sun will be different than that of an Eskimo. Your concepts and interpretations will be different as well. Take that same concept and apply it to any other human practice. Individual experience creates perceptions and we move forward in life based on our developing perceptions. That statement is true of an individual, a group of people, a continent, a world, or for all the subjects we could list.
It is important that as astrologers we recognize the compendium of human experience that is the body of astrological lore and exercise discernment and discretion as to what is appropriate and what is not appropriate to each experience and individual. It is important that since life is continually changing and evolving that we as astrologers keep pace with the change and with the evolution in all phases of life. Each new experience, each change, each discovery, and each modification must be incorporated into that compendium we call astrology.
Astrological interpretation is subject to the skill of its practitioners. We must learn for ourselves what works and what does not. We must examine, develop and contribute to the overall body of knowledge. In short we must expect the best from ourselves. We must respect the same in others and expect their best efforts in return. We must root out discrepancies, error, misuse or blatant dishonesty if we should ever encounter it in ourselves or in others. We are students, readers, researchers, teachers and guides. As such, we should always strive to act in the highest and best interest of those whose lives we touch. We must reach for this excellence not only for our individual clients, but also for the highest and best interest of our subject, astrology, and for those who will follow us down through the centuries.
Skepticism is not new to astrology, it has been with us the whole ride, Skeptics are not going to go away just because we would like them to or we are uncomfortable with them. Skepticism, when viewed objectively, can be positive and constructive and will keep us honest. Of course some skepticism can be very negative, be without foundation or be just plain mean. There are always people out there who just love to rain on other people's parade. If you believe in what you say, in what you read, in what you study, or what you believe, be prepared to stand your ground. If you don't believe in your work or your study of that work, you can be an instant victim of those who deride what they do not know or understand.
An opinion is just that. It is not automatic or ultimate knowledge. Those who have not studied may feel they are entitled to an opinion, as uninformed as it must be by their simple lack of knowledge of their subject. It does not matter what that subject is. Those who fancy themselves as scientists or scientific in principle or practice, fall into that same category. If they are uninformed in the study of astrology, it is just an opinion. A title or an educational degree does not ever make you knowledgeable about every subject. If you have not taken the time to study fairly, or to investigate and research properly, a degree or title only gives a loftier opinion, not an expert opinion.
As an individual, I am free to discuss whatever subject I choose. If I want to be taken seriously it is always a good idea to identify my skills, experience and knowledge base for that specific subject if I expect to act as a skilled or credible advocate/detractor. As people, if we don't know, we could easily admit that we don't know. Do you know how difficult it is to come clean and admit something like that for most people? Humans have a built-in knee-jerk reaction to certain subjects (we all have them), or they merely repeat or parrot what they have heard or read without any personal knowledge. Astrologers are people. Astrology is a subject. Both develop over time, through trial and error. Some astrologers fizzle - some blossom - some get very full of themselves and start believing their own press and publicity - and some are humbled by the opportunity to help others or contribute to the body of information. How each individual uses knowledge is a moment-to-moment choice and can get away from us if we are not careful.
Astrology as used for an individual reading will only be as good as the skill, motivation and attitude of the astrologer. The chart can be right (accurately cast) and the reading can be wrong (personal skill and choice). Besides, it is much harder to predict than it seems. At times I have been very, very right but I've also been wrong over the many years of my study and application. I would not have stuck with this study of 35+ years unless I saw a return on my investment of time and effort. However, I am still in school and will continue to be until I draw my last physical breath. So I will win some and I lose some, as all of us do.
Where are you in all this? Are you excited about what you are learning? Are you excited about the self-help tool astrology can be? Are you excited to share what you are learning with others? Can you live with the fact that not everyone will be interested, will listen or will follow your viewpoint? Can you keep a lid on your ego and identification with your successes? Can you learn that failure is part of learning and that at times it might seem like two steps forward and one step backwards? Can you develop the ability not to throw the baby out with the bathwater if you make an error? Can you learn that doubt or skepticism encountered at moments in your development should not defeat your overall goal? Can you revel in your successes and take your failures in stride? If yes, hang on and enjoy the ride.
Marilyn Muir, author, "Presidents of Hope and Change: Bringing Hope to our Future by Reaching into our Astrological Past." How astrology predicts our nation's future by reaching into our past.
Jefferson, Lincoln, Kennedy, Obama... The Lineage of Hope
Using the influential and interwoven cycles of Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Uranus and Pluto to predict issues and trends up to 2012 and even beyond to 2025, Ms Muir leaves us with the clear message of hope as she depicts the future of President Obama at the helm of the USA ship of state.
Read the first 36 pages (PDF) including the charts of all four Presidents - you'll get hooked!
http://www.marilynmuir.com
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