Criticism of Astrology

Something that came up recently that sparked my interested and eventually a topic for this blog is the criticism of Astrology. We spend a great deal of time convincing people of the validity of Astrology. Of course in every field there are skeptics. I admit that I am also a skeptic of certain issues (especially in the field that Astrology is classified under) but has it occured to anyone that the only person who has the authority to question the validity of Astrology is Astrologers themselves?

When a skeptic criticises Astrology as being purely hocus pocus, generalities and providing no proof, have any of these individuals actually researched Astrology? Have they cast their own chart and read from that? Have they predicted future events with their chart? In order to criticse something in any scientific circle you must be an authority on the subject you are criticising. Why is Astrology any different? Would a chemist debate the validity of economics to an economist without having any knowledge of the field of economics? And further, would a chemist accept any arguement about chemistry from an economist who knows nothing about chemistry to begin with? The clear answer to this is no. So why do we as Astrologers accept arguements from those who have no authority in the field they are attempting to debate?

I am all for educating people to the truth and validity of Astrology, however this does not come from your mouth, my mouth or anyones claimed experiences but from the experiences of the querent. The people who question the validity of Astrology are the only ones who can answer their question. For if they put in the time and research (as many good Astrologers have done) and through their research, produced results and created authentic experiences based on this research and results, they would show themselves the proof of the validity of Astrology. No one can convince a skeptic. A skeptic can only be converted through their own experiences.

So for those Astrologers who are faced with those questioning the field of Astrology, I suggest to you to provide them with materials, help them research themselves and thus provide their own answers to their own questions. Tell them in order to accurately judge anything, they must make themselves an expert in their field. Once they have done this only then will you debate with them concerning the validity of Astrology.

For those skeptics, I suggest instead of debating, picking up a book (or two or three dozen) and becoming an expert and an authority on Astrology. Only then will your skepticism be dismissed and your understanding deepened.

Astrology and Choosing Birth Time

Recently this topic has came up concerning a childs birth time, and if we should, as knowledgable Astrologers, use our skill in order to elect a favourable time to give birth so that our child may.

The traditional opinion on this is that, it doesnt matter what time you Elect to have your child, it was meant to be born, the time it was born. It doesnt matter whether or not you attempt to have a child at a certain time, the time it is born, was the time it was meant to be born. Even during conception, we can see that Astrology has a major part in producing offspring at a certain time. For when the time is favourable for us to have children (when it is promised by our Nativities as well as Solar Returns and Directions) then conception will happen. If these events do not occur, conception will not. Therefore we dont even have the option to choose whether or not to conceive at a certain time.

The traditional authors somewhat contradict their own opinion by stating that, if one is to elect a time to give birth, the Sun found in Aries, at noon will produce illustrious and dignified children, ones of wealth and significant power. This is of course due to the fact that the Sun found at noon is placed in the 10th House (power and dignity) and in Aries, its exaltation, denotes more power to the Planet. Whether or not this can be controled however is the question. However, if this event does occur, expect that your child will definately attain the above promised dignity.

We now have the technology that the past never had in order to have our children whenever we see fit. Therefore, with this technology, we may utilize it in order to produce favourable results in the success of our children. This is however also questioned, as I do not know any woman, who has walked into a hospital and told them she wanted to give birth at exactly noon and to take the baby out then. The whole process is time consuming and doctors never work around a patients schedual therefore its very unrealistic to assume that we can elect a favourable time to give birth, when we cant control over all the factors in which to produce it (remember even a few minutes off an elected time can change the results). For those who practice electional Astrology will know, when electing a time to do anything, if it involves some matter of dealing with the public or in some way other variables that you cannot control, the event has a tendency to go over its time limit and therefore turns into nothing.

What does this all mean? It means exactly as the ancients have said, no matter the time we choose to elect, the baby will be born the time it was meant to be born.

Aaron Brody
www.Antiquus-Astrology.com

Free Astrology Books & New Books!!

Finally i have finished a collection of new books available on my website which can be found here;

www.antiquus-astrology.com/Library.html

You can also find free astrology books in the free book section as well!

Aaron Brody
www.Antiquus-Astrology.com

Medical & Mundane Astrology

Health and Astrology have always had a distinct relationship with each other but there is not a lot of information on the net concerning these two subjects together, I suppose mostly because science and health are often considered "obsolete" after a few years and theories of the past are not considered valid for theories of the future. Unfortunately theories of the future are just that, theories, while they have some data to support them (some are theories OF theories) we are no where near the understanding of the most simple and unifying aspect of humanity; health. Therefore it would be a crime to dismiss any theory simply because a new theory of a new century has been created and served to us. Because of this, I plan to create a section on my website, solely based on Medical Astrology. I plan to analyze old theories of health and how Astrologers constructed the health of the individual based on their Astrology.

Secondly, I really desire at this time to create some information on Mundane Astrology, another subject that is quite obscure with todays Astrological literature. This will cover a lot of topics including predictions for countries all the way down to prediction of weather. I look forward to sharing this information with users on the internet.

This section will unfortunately take some time, being Mercury retrograde as well for a few more days I will definitely hold off on writing anything important during this time (albeit Mercury did go retrograde in Gemini) I do feel its important to preserve such works for a time more suitable and profitable.

Aaron Brody

Updates : Astrological Prediction (Solar Returns, Transits, Directions, & More!)

Finally the updates concerning Chapter 8 have been complete with all the information concerning how to cast and read Solar Returns, Transits, Directions and Profections! If youve ever wondered how to predict the future with Astrology this is definately the chapter for you!

I have also added a much requested "About" page, an Astrological Glossary and some information concerning the Head and Tail of the Dragon!

www.Antiquus-Astrology.com

Aaron Brody

Mercury Retrograde; A Traditional Interpretation

I have seen quite a few websites which include a profile of Mercury retrograde during any certain period of time but unfortunately there is no such luck for those of us who enjoy traditional interpretations of this period. It should be noted that the traditional authors rarely gave very much credence to the Retrograde periods in the way Modern Astrologers tend to do. In the past a retrograde was simply a debility to a Planet and its importance was only brought out during the construction of a chart. However whenever a Planet is debilitated, it also happens to screw up Electional times, for it can be disastrous to do anything during a Planetary Retrograde if that retrograde also includes other Essential Debilities. The greater the debilities to the Planets (Essential or Accidental) the greater chance of the Election not working out (or any other activity undertaken under the significations of Mercury).

For those of you who don't know what an Election is, it is simply an event set Astrologically to bring favorable results. For example, if I wanted to cut my hair, and have it grow back quickly (or slowly) I would cast a chart for the time of that event in which the Planets were favorable for quick hair growth and get my hair cut on that date therefore promoting quick hair growth. The same applies to all the rulerships of the Planets that are debilitated. When a Planet is retrograde (with other debilities as well supporting it) and a certain task that is ruled under that Planet is performed, the outcome will go against the desired end if not go completely reverse to the desire.

Since Mercury retrograde is the most often observed Retrograde the significations of Mercury will be most heavily influenced in this case. Mercury went Retrograde on the 11th of October 2007 at 9PM PST. Which time can be observed in the chart below.

We see that Mercury is placed in the 9th degree of Scorpio. Following the Table of Dignities and Debilities we see that Mercury is Peregrine in this position (which means he is out of his habitation and in a foreign area that he does not recognize). Both the Retrograde and Peregrination are debilities of -5 which means he is debilitated with -10 in this position. We can be sure that he is heavily debilitated this Retrograde period and therefore during this time his influence will be felt negatively. Today we notice that Mercury enters the 23th degree of Libra and thus receives the dignity of Term which lightens his negative influence by giving him a +2 and this shifting his negativity to a -3 (being -5 for Retrograde). The peak intensity of this period (has already occurred) is between October 11th to October 28th.

Now that his placement has been observed we should here note that his greatest influence will be over Mercurial matters these matters include; New arts, instable activities, industry (meaning skills), short journeys, divinations, writing and all things that yeild riches. The types of people who will be influenced most during Mercury retrogrades are; Mathematicians, Philosophers, Poets, Orators, Diviners, Inventors, Brothers, Servants (this is interesting with its initial placement in the 6th House which also rules over servants), Scribes, and Businessmen. Mercury also rules over lies and liars and therefore you should expect these during the time of retrograde and depending on the dignity or debility of Mercury judge the strength of them.

Since Mercury goes retrograde 3 times a year I will of course be including posts in the future for further retrograde periods so people can know what to expect and the intensity of the retrograde period. I hope this post has helped some understand the traditional influence of Mercury Retrograde.

Aaron Brody
www.antiquus-astrology.com

Lunar Nodes or the Head & Tail of the Dragon.

The Head and Tail of the Dragon (or as they are modernly called “North and South Nodes”) are widely overlooked in Modern Astrology therefore I felt it appropriate to include these in this post to help people who may not fully understand their influence or what they mean in the chart. Most charts you will see only the North Node (or Head of the Dragon) placed in the chart. Know that the South Node (or Tail of the Dragon) is 180 degrees opposite to the North Node therefore with the placement of the North Node you can easily find the South Node by looking at the reverse. It is to be understood that the North Node or Head of the Dragon has the influence of Jupiter and the South or Tail the influence of Saturn, this is important to keep in mind during interpretations. John Partridge summarizes what exactly a node is by stating; “The Dragons Head and Tail are no stars, but nodes, or imaginary points in the Heavens and is no more but an intersection of the ecliptic and orb of the Moon, to which points when she comes, she changes the denomination of her latitude.”

“The Dragons Head is accounted a fortune, and doth increase the good of the fortunate stars, and abateth the force of evil ones.”

“The Dragons Tail is esteemed an infortune, and doth increase the evil of the infortunes, and abateth the good of the fortunate stars.”

To help the Astrologers or those interested I have also included a list of the meanings of the Nodes in each House. First is the Head of the Dragon and following the Tail of the Dragon.

1st House;

The Head of the Dragon in the Ascendant, gives honors, riches, and favors of great and honorable personages, chiefly in church affairs; also a fortunate and powerful life.

The Tail of the Dragon in the Ascendant always produceth much mischief and trouble, perplexity both of body and mind; continual dolor, sorrow, loss and tribulations; scandals and calumnies attend the Native; it vitiates his face; many times is dangerous to the eyes. If near the Ascendant, it imports but short life.


2nd House;

The Dragons head in the second, takes of all want and penury from the Native, and gives him great riches, and hereditaments, and possessions; Fortune and prosperity in the same: and this chiefly from things Ecclesiastical.

The Dragons tail, brings much damage, sorrow, and adverse Fortune to the Native; a certain destruction of his estate; and signifies, that he will still be in fear and danger (and not without reason) of falling below his ordinary condition.

3rd House;

The Head of the Dragon in the third, makes the Native religious, and prefers him by such mean; fortunates him in journeys; gives him fortunate brethren, and shows their birth to be Noble.

The Tail in the third, infortunates the Native’s journeys; threatens destruction to his brethren, and sisters, and kidred; and shows much quarreling and disagreement between the Native and them : they seldom agree; but are always jarring; yea, sometimes plotting, the destruction of each other, with much violence.

4th House;

The Dragon’s Head in the fourth, argues much gain and accrue unto the Native from Lands, Houses, Inheritances, & etc. oftentimes much gain unthought-of, or unexpected, as by things hid and obscured, and the like. It also shows, the family from whence he springs, to be noble, long lived, and durable.

The Dragon’s Tail, shows much labor and sorrow to the Native; and confusion and waste of his Patrimony; loss of lands, buildings, and all kinds of edifices; trouble and anxiety in the life or lives of his ancestor, or ancestors : loss of estimation and credit.

5th House;

The Dragon’s Head in the fifth House, frees the Native from many troubles, calamities and dangers; gives unto him many children, and those long lived, and very fortunate : the Native receives some public employment or office; gains much thereby : he is delighted with civil recreations and pleasures.

The Dragon’s Tail in the fifth, doth either deny issue, or else portends the destruction of the Native’s Children, by violent deaths : much cruelty and adversity while they live, makes them cross, vexatious and disobedient unto the Native. IT destroys the Native’s pleasures and delights; indicates much evil unto him, to proceed from vain, irregular and voluptuous courses.

6th House;

In the sixth House, declares Good, and faithful, and honest servants; portends health of body, and a good constitution, or that very few diseases shall assault the Native : he will be fortunate in his Father’s kindred, and in beasts of the smaller sort.

The Dragon’s Tail in the sixth House, shows that the Native shall be afflicted with many mischievous diseases; and crossed, plagued, and perplexed with evil conditioned servants.

7th House;

The Dragon’s Head in the seventh, denotes very few enemies; but portends much good from women : and that he shall use their companies, and delights therein. It also denotes great riches with a wife, or wives; and shows her to be of an honest, prudent, and excellent carriage and behavior.

The Dragon’s Tail in the seventh, portends many public enemies unto the Native, and many prodigious calumnies, scandals, and disgraces from them; and that constantly : but my author says, it portends (also) their destruction. It declares a cross and unhappy marriage, always brawling and contentions between the Native and his wife; never quiet; continual discontents and murmurings, jealousies, & etc. many times, separations. It denotes also, the death or dissolution of the wife or wives.

8th House;

The Dragon’s Head in the eighth, prenotes a long and healthful life, and gives the Native inheritances and honors, and gifts and legacies, by the means of persons deceased.

The Dragon’s Tail in the eighth House, denotes a loss of goods; and threatens the Native with a violent death.

9th House;

The Dragon’s Head in the ninth, declares the Native to be Religious, and confers on him riches and honor, by such means : his dreams, and revelations, and visions, (to speak like an enthusiast) will for the most part prove true and certain : his sea voyages, or long land journeys, will prove propitious unto him, unless he shall be afflicted by the malignant beams of the Infortunes there.

The Dragon’s Tail posited in the ninth House of the Nativity, discovers the Native to be unstable and wavering in matters of religion : he will be suspicious, and of evil faith; he often proves a pestilent heretic

10th House;

If the Dragon’s Head shall be happily, and fortunately posited in the tenth House, it denotes honor and preferment unto the Native, (let his condition be what it will) and that he shall grow rich : it also shows him to be of a good and honest life.

The Dragon’s Tail in the tenth, declares loss of honor, reputation, credit and esteem unto the Native; a deprivation of all worldly honor and preferment : it throws or precipitates him from the chief pinnacle of Dignity, into the very jaws of the dungeon : sometimes he is condemned to perpetual imprisonment or exile : it also portends short life to the Mother of the Native; and the time she doth live, much infelicity.

11th House;

The Dragon’s Head in the eleventh, gives the Native much familiarity and friendship with Princes, and great persons; and denotes much honor and riches from them.

The Dragon’s Tail in the eleventh, separates between the Native and his friends; and portends many strife’s and contentions he shall have with them : he cannot obtain anything he hopes for, without much difficulty.

12th House;

The Head of the Dragon in the twelfth, imports many enemies unto the Native; subjects him to penury and servitude : it fortunates him in great beasts.

The Tail of the Dragon in the twelfth of a Nativity, denotes many oppressions unto the Enemies of the Native; yet the Native rarely escapes prejudice thereby : he is prejudiced by dealing in great cattle.

I hope this helps some Astrologers in the understanding of the Head and Tail of the Dragon.