Astrology

[WanderingTaoist]

I was wondering what you all here think of astrology! A number of different cultures all seem to have developed astrological systems, and to the horror of astronomers everywhere, there are obviously still a number of people who take astrology very seriously. What are your thoughts? Is it a valid science, or is it just a bunch of tripe? Perhaps somewhere in the middle?

I'm not entirely sure how I feel about it myself. If everything in this universe is connected, it doesn't seem unreasonable to me that you could chart the influence of one existant upon another. On the other hand, astrology aslo has attracted quite a bit of critcism, especially from the scientifc community. The jury's still out on this one, at least for me. On the bright side, I'm an Aries, and I've been told no self-respecting Aries would ever believe in astrology. Guess I'm off the hook! :D

I'm also curious as to whether anyone's ever attempted a synthesis of astrological systems? How does the Chinese, say, compare to the Greco- Roman-European? How do they compare to the Indian system?

[marleylinguistics]

i always like to thing of the interconnctedness of universe as you mentioned. i think that there may be something to astrology.

theres an organization, i forget there name but they "flip coins" for a living. millions of quarters and they have several locations around the globe. and usually they come up with a 50-50 answer, but just before big events in the world happen there is a spike to one side of the quarters. like just before 9 11, there was something like a 90-10 percentage.

i know its not exactly astrology, but it reminded me of the interconnectedness of everything.

[clyde]

See: http://noosphere.princeton.edu/

Do no harm <http://donoharm.us/>,
clyde

[WanderingTaoist]

Now THAT is interesting..... :o

[scameter]

I'm glad that you posted this topic my friend. Quite a while ago, I posted a topic on astrology myself. I know a bit about it, mainly the Zodiac and a few of the symbols in Chinese astrology, but not much in the actual calculation of star charts and such as that. I myself am a Scorpio. B) But, I think (as suits my symbol) that astrology is real and true, in the most part, but to me it's not something that predetermines one's personality. Quite the contrary, I think that astrology depicts the various constellations in their relation to Earth at the time of one's birth, and that from this information, astrologers invented mythological symbols, with hidden depth and meaning, to assert to the connection of Earth, constellation and birth time. These symbols and their meanings do not predetermine one's personality, but rather describe common qualities of people born in different timeframes of a constellation being above the Earth. From what I have seen in experience, people's Zodiac signs very much represent their personalities; not entirely of course, but most of the sign's characteristics can often be attributed to that of the person. I, for instance, am very passionate, deeply emotional, very sexual, enjoying of occult and mysterious things, and very interested in death. All of these characteristics are apart of the Scorpio personality. The reason science denies it so often is because if something cannot be entirely described logically by science, it is dismissed, like many occult occurances they would prefer not to recognize because they could not explain them.

[sonrisa]

you also have some Gemini in you too. I wouldn't be surprised if it's your rising sign

[WanderingTaoist]

The reason science denies it so often is because if something cannot be entirely described logically by science, it is dismissed, like many occult occurances they would prefer not to recognize because they could not explain them.

Makes sense. I just find it interesting that astrology, as psyche described, uses quite a bit of mathematics to create a chart. Complexity of method doesn't necessarily equate to a valid science, of course (phrenology was a very highly evolved "science" in the 19th century), but I can't help but wonder how many of astrology's detractors are actually familiar with its methods.

For that matter, I wonder how many people realize that astrology is not about predicting the future - it is more like a mysterious map of your potentialities in this life , as psyche said.

people like astrology cause it is all about themselves

:lol: So true!

personally i like the I CHING

it has built in wisdom if you can access it

I have actually yet to use the I Ching, although I have also heard that it has a sort of subtle, beneath-the-surface sort of wisdom.

[scameter]

To psyche and/or sonrisa,

If you two have access to the ability to make a full star chart for someone, would you mind making mine? I would if I knew how, or where to. I was born on November 4th, 1990, at 3:04 pm. I'd really appreciate it. :)

Makes sense. I just find it interesting that astrology, as psyche described, uses quite a bit of mathematics to create a chart. Complexity of method doesn't necessarily equate to a valid science, of course (phrenology was a very highly evolved "science" in the 19th century), but I can't help but wonder how many of astrology's detractors are actually familiar with its methods.

This is because math is only used by science; mathematical philosophy as being pure logic is not apart of science's philosophy. Science's philosophy is about using it's own method, with it's logic, to derive conclusions empirically. They do not very often utilize the logic of subjectivity, inference, or belief, besides belief in their own philosophy.

For that matter, I wonder how many people realize that astrology is not about predicting the future - it is more like a mysterious map of your potentialities in this life , as psyche said.

Not many. Quite the contrary, many, especially scientists, think that astrology is something that determines your personality before you are born by the stars, which is incorrect.

people like astrology cause it is all about themselves

I agree. And, many would find that selfish, but I find it introspective.

personally i like the I CHING

I find it interesting, but I've never really used it. I'm curious if it is similar to the sort of thing Tarot does, just without the cards of course and with more stated wisdom instead of drawn, if you see.

[spiritual_emergency]

scameter: If you two have access to the ability to make a full star chart for someone, would you mind making mine? I would if I knew how, or where to. I was born on November 4th, 1990, at 3:04 pm. I'd really appreciate it.

Here's a site that will generate one for you for free: alabe.com (http://alabe.com/freechart/)

[scameter]

it is the oldest book in existence

Really? That's kind of hard to believe, considering Chuang Tzu wrote it I think, and he lived after Lao Tzu, during who's lifetime the Tao Te Ching was written. And didn't the Hindus write books before the I Ching was written?

here is a sample

A pretty accurate one too. :P

Here's a site that will generate one for you for free: alabe.com

Yes, it was very excellent, and entirely true. If you're interested in my chart psyche, although I don't know why you would be, you can see it here: http://alabe.com/cgi-bin/chart/astrobot.exe?Y

[scameter]

my point here is not to prove you wrong scam but to convey the tremendous weight of wisdom contained in the i ching

Oh I know my friend, nor was I trying to prove your wrong before. I was merely commenting. :)

i would like to see your chart but the link takes you to a log in page

If that was meant for me, then I am sorry. Shall I send it to you, or would you like for me to just give you my information and you go to the site and look it up yourself? I'm glad you're interested though; for some reason I enjoy people being interested in examining me (my personality I mean :D). :)