I figured it would be interesting to discuss astrotheology, and it´s historical roots in particular (and not so much all kinds of contemporary astrological or other astrotheological beliefs). Reasons for such a discussion is that astronomy was mixed with pseudo scientific beliefs in pre-modern periods, as well as religions beliefs. I´m interested in these subjects labeled “humanities” and “Social Studies” in the academy, (even though I think these major orientations within today´s science is problematic and partly based on deception just like todays astronomy).
I reject new age beliefs in astrology and the like, but I think that by exposing frauds it might shine light on scientific history as well. However there is aspects of astrotheology and astrology that could fill a purpose. For example H. A. Ray’s book “Stars : an other way to se them” from 1951. This book outlines how astrological signs can be drawn in a fashion that they depict what the name of the astrological sign is named after. The point of that is to learn navigating the night sky. David Mathisen has further elaborated on the works af H. A. Ray, and points out similarities between ancient mythologies and the forms of the astrological signs in the night sky.
Most, if not all religions associate the astronomical objects (planets and moons) in our geo axial binary system with deities. It’s interesting to note that the name of the weekdays in various languages is often based on “the seven planets” (i.e. Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn) that was known prior to the invention of the telescope around 1608. These “planets” was often understood in antropomorphic terms, like for instance the Moon and Venus being associated with femininity, for a number of reasons, such as periodicity, paleness and the like. Mars red colour and seamingly unpredictable movement lead to association with war and masculinity. Jupiter was imagined as the ruler of the deities due to it’s brightness and so on.
There is also other aspects of astrotheology that holds historical significance. For example the 12 zodiacs that is the PVP-orbit devided into 12 astrological signs that is aligned in a circle shape around our binary system (and can be viewed in tychosium 3D). Some scientists believe the bull cults (in ancient Crete, Egypt and Mesopotamia) to be derived from the age of Taurus for instance. This notion arguably has political implications to this day, now that new age is widely pushed and a collective cause is being rolled out to unite the religious institutions of the world into a one world new age religion. New age alluding to the approching/emerging age of Aquarius (that lasts for 25433 / 12 years). An other reason for discussing the subject is that heliocentrism might very well have connection to sun worshiping beliefs. That is indicated in a number of ways. Copernicus lived in the renaissance when hermeticism was widely spread, and renaissance humaism was a new philosophy at the time reviving pre-christan beliefs. In the powerfull civilisations of the past pharaos and ceasars were believed to be incarnations of the sun deities, and sun motives can still be seen in a variety of religions as associated with divinity.
It is some suggestions on subjects that can be discussed in regarding this topic, because failure in moral and reasoning often wise is due to such superstition and wishful thinking. However for me these subjects have inspired me to learn more about the science of the day.