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As an astrologer I am regularly asked if I believe in my profession. The question is sometimes posed out of curiosity, but more often accompanied by a smirk or air of intellectual superiority. In most cases, people asking the question have little or no knowledge of the workings or history of astrology. They think astrologers write horoscopes in newspapers. They think that we think there are just 12 types of people. They are so convinced that astrology is complete rubbish and that we are charlatans deluding others (as well as ourselves) they have no interest in any kind of serious discussion. How have they reached these conclusions?
Architect Christopher Wren (astrologer and astronomer) began work on St Paul’s cathedral in London in 1675, the previous building having been destroyed by the Great Fire of London in 1666. Wren’s multitude of talents included mathematics, science, astrology, engineering and, of course, architecture. During his inaugural speech as Professor of Astronomy at Gresham College, Wren described London as:
a city particularly favoured by the celestial influences, a Pandora, on which each planet has contributed something…
But fashions change and, more recently, a group of North American astronomers had this to say about astrology:
A pseudo-science that purports to foretell the future by the positioning of the stars and planets. There is no scientifically accepted evidence in favour of astrology, and the "hits" that astrologers sometimes make can be attributed to coincidence, highly generalized prognostications, and human willingness to be duped.
According to the Wellington Astronomy Society:
Astrology is an exercise in foretelling events by studying the motions of stars and planets. Astrology is frequently considered an irritant to astronomers, as it misleads many people who get it confused with astronomy. Astrology is not based on science, nor does it have any credible backing.
A Wiccan coven in Florida writes:
Astrology may be considered to have been the first true science, and is a sort of transcendental metaphysics. A form of divination based on the ancient adage, “As above, so below.” An Astrologer uses planetary positions and alignments at the time of one’s birth to help foretell the future and to evaluate one’s potential strengths and weaknesses. Astrology in the hands of a genuinely knowledgeable and experienced person can provide very good, clear and precise guidance as well as providing forewarning for potential pitfalls.
All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to ‘unveil’ the future. Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honour, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone. (CCC 2116).
Of course, one could never accuse a major religion like Catholicism of concealing a desire for power over other human beings, but there are a lot of Catholics keen to defend their religion from being pagan in origin - based on nature worship. The Vatican Plaza has an eight-rayed sun wheel design, (traditional representation of the goddess Ishtar or Venus); Sunday, the Christian day of worship, is named after that pagan deity, the sun, and St Peter’s Basilica, seat of the Catholic Church in Rome, has a sun wheel dome. The word ‘basilica’ is derived from basilisk, a mythological snake. In the Harry Potter books you may remember that Basilisk was a giant serpent. And serpent energy is earth energy…which takes us back to paganism.
But according to some scholars in Sufism or Islamic Mysticism, astrology may be permissible in Islam because it is neither illusion nor demonic practice. Instead, astrology is based on statistical knowledge which motivates people to do further research and comprehend the human condition.
In Islamic teachings, every prophet was gifted with various miracles. Prophet Idris (Enoch in the Biblical Old Testament) was blessed with his immense knowledge of heavenly sciences including astronomy. Some Sufi schools consider him as the founder of the science of the stars and he was supposedly the first person to educate mankind that living creatures are under the influence of cosmic rays. However, most modern-day Islamic theologians refute astrology saying the laws of physics disprove the astrological claims of planetary effects.
We believe our current civilisation is more advanced than previous ones, despite increasing evidence to the contrary. It is true that astrology does not pass scientific tests based on the currently accepted laws of biology and physics. But astrology was never based on these laws. There’s something magical and alchemical that happens in an astrological consultation that could never be reproduced under laboratory conditions.
Yes, there are fraudsters and charlatans and there always have been – not just in the astrological community, but in religious and scientific communities too. And religious and scientific bodies have a vested and often financial interest in promoting their particular worldview. Anything and anyone that threatens their belief system can be ridiculed or even outlawed.
There are dozens of examples of brilliant minds, who have suffered for their ideas. Back in 1633, Italian mathematician and astronomer Galileo was ordered to stand trial before the Inquisition in Rome. His crime was to suggest the sun is the centre of the universe and that earth and other planets revolved around it. Galileo was found guilty of heresy by the Roman Catholic Church, forced to publicly repent and sentenced to life imprisonment. 359 years later in 1992, Pope John Paul II issued a formal apology, acknowledging that errors had been made by the judges in Galileo’s trial.
In Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, Hamlet says to his friend: There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy. With recent developments in quantum physics; channelled information; past life recollections; energy healing; sacred geometry; crop circles and revelations about space, time and UFOs, some scientists and astronomers are finally admitting that it is time to believe in something invisible and undetectable in the universe. Astrologers have always known this.
Mercury retrograde in Libra helps us understand and respect the views of others and find the middle ground. The key concept is balance in relationship. Mercury retrograde in Virgo helps restore health and vitality and put our affairs in order.
To prepare for Mercury retrograde, make a list of all those little jobs in your workplace and home that you never get round to. The shelf or roof tile that needs fixing. That letter or email waiting for a reply. The freezer that needs defrosting. That pile of filing/ironing/sewing. Commit to tackling one small task each day and imagine how good you’ll feel when October comes around!
The spring equinox is a time when we instinctively seek balance in our personal lives and gradually release the stagnant energy of winter. No wonder so many of us are keen to change our diet, improve our fitness and spring clean the house and garden at this time of year.
The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine is a medical text based on Taoist health principles, penned by Emperor Huang Ti, 4500 years ago. The emperor’s advice for early spring is to dress warmly, retire early and rise early to walk to absorb the invigorating spring energy.
In Chinese medicine, spring is associated with the liver, the element of wood and the emotion of anger. When liver energy is in balance, we are able to make clear decisions, express emotional needs and follow through with creative projects. Liver energy imbalance can show up as angry outbursts, feelings of agitation and frustration and workaholic tendencies.
Take care of your liver this spring by eating fresh food, drinking plenty of water and cutting down on alcohol and rich or processed foods. Reap the benefits of feeling lighter, brighter, youthful and more energetic and put a ‘spring’ back in your step!
As the lunar energy starts to wane a few days after the full moon, the period between 14th September and the next new moon on 26th September is perfect for the following self-care activities:
- Weight loss & detoxification
- Fasting
- Body scrub & exfoliation
- Deep cleansing treatments/facials
- Lymphatic drainage
- Removal of unwanted hair
- Emotional release
- Dental hygiene
- Kicking bad habits
As spring unfolds and the new cycle begins, it’s time for a fresh start, time to forgive and forget, time to focus on love and relationships. And with Jupiter in the mix, a time for adventure!
Virgo embodies the archetype of the nurturing earth goddess, with an instinctive understanding of the need for a balanced, healthy lifestyle. There is a strong connection to the natural world and the cycles and rhythms of the human body. Regular meals, rest and time in nature will go a long way to nourishing Virgo body and soul.
Each zodiac sign governs a particular part of the body and for Virgo it’s the digestive system, particularly the pancreas and small intestine. When out of balance, digestive upsets, food sensitivities and allergies can be problematic as can irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and constipation.
Virgo is ruled by Mercury, planet of the mind. Virgos under stress can suffer from an overtaxed nervous system leading to anxiety and even hypochondria. Perfectionist tendencies and overwork can produce issues with blood sugar, exhaustion and adrenal fatigue.
Virgo health advice
- Food diary to detect any food sensitivities
- Regular routine, food and sleep
- Avoid stressful situations or taking on too much work
- Avoid critical, ungrateful and entitled people
- Set boundaries and accept that life is never perfect
- Drink warm water with slices of lemon
- Enjoy massage and organic lotions and potions
- Nature, grounding and walking in the woods
- Yoga and other gentle forms of exercise
- Fennel, dandelion or ginger tea
Stella Woods is an astrology teacher, writer, and consultant. Contact Stella at stella@stellastarwoman.com or www.stellastarwoman.com or
www.facebook.com/stellastarwoman
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