Recently public polls indicated millions of U.S. citizens believe in Astrology. They also revealed over ten percent of Evangelical Christians believed in Astrology at that time. What is Astrology?
Astrology is a belief system based on the assumption that the stars and planets mysteriously influence our lives. Four distinct beliefs within astrology are: 1) it is a study of the heavenly bodies and their influences on our lives. 2) it is a science of certain cryptic relationships between celestial bodies and our lives. 3) it is the effect of planetary vibrations on our lives. 4) it is a means of interpreting symbols that effect our lives.
Ancient Astrology believed that: 1) planets are gods. 2) emanations or influences from planets rule and affect the Earth. 3) Stars and planets are symbols that when interpreted guide our lives.
To understand the basic concepts of these astrological beliefs, one needs to know the basics of all belief systems.
Imagine a huge glass ball with a thin white belt encircling it. According to astrology, the glass ball is the celestial sphere. The white belt encircling the glass ball is the Zodiac. Divide the white belt into 12 sections. Each of these sections is given a name. The name is of a symbolic animal or man representing the imaginary constellations known as Aries the ram, Virgo the virgin, Leo the lion, Gemini the twins, etc. These symbols of animals and men are called the "signs of the Zodiac".
Signs of the Zodiac are known as Sun-signs. Houses are the twelve sections of the Zodiac. Combined together, they symbolize every aspect of life. According to this theory the planets move through the houses. A person's horoscope is "map" of the heavens at the moment of their birth. An aspect refers to the angles between the planets. All of these elements collectively are then used to guide a person through life. A method used by millions of people in many lands through out the known history of mankind.
But no one has accurately recorded 4000 years of humanity's astrological experience. And if they had, why are there so many conflicting astrological theories? Surely, there must be some concrete proof that astrology is a valid science or belief system. Or is just a concept that gives comfort and excuses?
Perhaps Astrology is popular because it claims to provide important information that people want to know. Astrology claims to provide people with information that will: 1) protect them, 2) bring them success, 3) guide them, 4) predict their future, and 5) help them understand themselves.
Astrology apparently offers people the belief that they can "control" their own destiny, and it also provides them a ready-made justification for failure or sin. Above all, astrology sells hope.
For most astrologers, the idea of pantheism (all is god; god is all) defines their belief in a god. Their god is nature, which includes the heavens and earth.
Of course it goes directly against the Judaeo-Christian-Islamic belief of a God, who created all of the heavens and earth. Our God is beyond space and time. Our God acknowledges our world to be a difficult place in which to live. Our God knows, we lack control of our lives in both the present and the future. Our God sent the anointed, "Holy" Spirit of God to strengthen us, to give us self control in the present, and finally to assure us of our future.
So why do people still look else where for guidance and comfort?
Because the system established by our God, the creator of everything, puts God at the center of our existence. The systems established by Astrology, a collection of human teachings, put humanity at the center of existence. The original downfall of humanity was this desire to be like God.
Which system is best? If you look at the history of humanity it isn't very encouraging. The more self-centered we become, the more evil we seem to be to each other. On the other hand the original hope and peace God has promised from the very beginning is unchanged.
So it seems to be a simple choice: 1) pick a self centered human created means of guiding your life and providing you hope. Or 2) choose a simplistic God centered means with over 4000 years of statistical data and evidence to back it up. Follow the heavens or follow the one, who created them.
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