DO THE STARS INFLUENCE OUR BEHAVIOUR?

Over the centuries a lot of research has been done and a lot of material written and broadcast on the subject of astrology. One aspect that has been examined by scholars is whether the stars do influence our behaviour.

Perhaps the first question to ask is what exactly astrology is. That would then be the basis on which a discussion can be held and inferences made. A number of definitions have been offered. Molly Hall in an article entitled `What is astrology? `, says: “The stars and planets have always inspired a sense of wonder. Many cultures look skyward and see the face of the divine there. There's a cosmic dance on the grand scale, and one on the intimate scale, going on for each of us. Astrology is the study of patterns and relationships -- of planets in motion, our birth chart, synastry with others, the make-up of elements -- and using that knowledge as a tool to find meaning”.  She explains further that “Astrology's premise is that the planetary movements influence the Moments in Time. Since we're part of the story of the Universe, our moment of birth recorded on the celestial clock is meaningful. The planets continue to move, engaging with the fixed in time energies of our birth chart.”

Ed Grabianowski posits that astrology is “the study of the influence that distant cosmic objects, usually stars and planets, have on human lives. The position of the sun, stars, moon and planets at the time of people's birth (not their conception) is said to shape their personality, affect their romantic relationships and predict their economic fortunes, among other divinations. Cafe Astrology.com puts it this way: “For centuries, humans have looked to the heavens for guidance. Astrology is, put simply, the study of the correlation between the astronomical positions of the planets and events on earth. Astrologers believe that the positions of the Sun, Moon, and planets at the time of a person's birth have a direct influence on that person's character. These positions are thought to affect a person's destiny, although many Astrologers feel that free will plays a large role in any individual's life. We, at Cafe Astrology, feel that Astrology can be used as a powerful and fun tool for understanding ourselves, others, and the world around us. We use many different tools, or languages, to define and understand our world. For example, we can use psychological tools and terminology to explore human behaviour. Similarly, Astrology gives us rich tools for understanding human character, and offers us a language for communicating our observations with others. Randall Curtis in the book, `Planetary Clusters`, written under the aegis of Institute of Planetary Psychology uses the expression, “heavenly solutions to earthly problems” to describe astrology.

Whatever way one looks at the subject, God – the higher being –comes centre-stage. If we accept that God the Creator of all and everything is so much more superior to us and we are so much more inferior to him, then we can easily understand how his ways can be numerous, complex and beyond our understanding. So how can we who are so microcosmic dispute that is which is so macrocosmic? Once we acknowledge that God is the Supreme Being, then we cannot contest the fact that that the heavens (which he created) and we (whom he also created) are inextricably interlinked and interwoven.

Carole Taylor who is Director of Studies at the Faculty of Astrology in London (United Kingdom) in her `Introducing Astrology` rightly quotes and Orphic prayer as far back as in the 4^th Century BCE as saying “I am a child of Earth and Starry Heaven, but of Heaven is my birth.” Taylor also quotes Dane Rudhyar in the publication `An Astrological Mandala` (Vintage Books, p 383) as saying “the significance of astrology is that it can transform the profane into the sacred, the facts of astronomy into the revelation of a cosmic order manifest in the cell and the human person as well as in the solar system and the galaxy.”

On what astrology can do to us, Taylor states that it “takes us into the very heart of life – it is at once intuitive and intellectual,  down-to-earth, and deeply magical; a system of thought and a very pragmatic tool: a philosophy of an interconnected earth and sky which over the centuries has inspired both scientists and artists, and is capable of describing and illuminating every stratum of life on earth, from the workings of the individual human psyche to the rhythms and cycles of the natural environment.”

Although many people`s knowledge of astrology is limited to what the media tells us about the horoscope, Taylor explains that the constitution of what astrology represents is more complex than that. The discipline comprises many branches among which are the horoscope (predictions based on the interpretation of the individual`s birth chart), natural chart work (working the potential of a single chart), synastry (the study of relationships between people), horary (the answering of a particular question), electional (the choosing of an ideal time to begin a new venture), and relocation (analyzing the effects of a move or a visit to another part of the world)”. Further to the different branches astrology offers, Taylor points out that the discipline has many applications among which are its being “a consultative tool for use alongside psychotherapy or contemporary therapies (and I add, `counselling`; a discipline which is increasingly being used to point pupils and students in the right direction ); in business and financial fields; as inspiration for art, design, music and other forms of self-expression; and of course, self development and a better understanding of the world and the people around us.”

Taylor calls astrology “an immensely rewarding subject – a potent language of archetypal symbols which becomes particularly powerful when used in a modern psychological context. She states that the basic components of a person`s birth chart are not just the zodiac signs (such as Libra, Aries, Taurus, Cancer, etc), but also the “Houses” and the “Aspects”, as well as the “Planets” (the Sun, the Moon, Mercury, Venus Mars, Jupiter, etc). Taylor concludes on that point that “these components interweave to form a picture which describes with great accuracy the character and experiences of the (birth) chart`s owner, from the seemingly mundane aspects of life to the rich and complex inner world of the psyche”. Basically, therefore, the planets tell us what is being done, the houses tell us where it is being done; and the signs tell us how it is being done.

The Zodiac represents a ring of 12 signs – like the 12 months of the year, like the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ, and like the 12 tribes of Israel. Each is represented by a symbol with which from the behavioral view point it has something in common. The 12 signs and their various symbols are as follows: Aries (the Ram), Taurus (the Bull), Gemini (the Twins), Cancer (the Crab), Leo (the Lion), Virgo (the Virgin), Libra (the Scales of Justice), Scorpio (the Scorpion), Sagitarrius (the Archer), Capricorn (the Mountain Goat), Aquarius (the Water Bearer), and Pisces (the Two Fishes swimming in opposite directions).

Although Taylor does not mention the role played by the four natural elements that are Fire, Earth, Air and Water in astrology, their importance makes it necessary for us to . . .

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