Astrology

A little more than a week ago I had the feeling that I should learn everything I can about astrology. Yes astrology. I have always dabbled in it and found it fascinating, but around Mormons and some others I never outright declared my fascination because it is considered a pseudo religion or even heresy. Well, I realized that that is kind of dumb. The idea that man is organically linked to the universe around him is not a bizarre idea or unChristian by any means. Astrology is just an attempt the understand the network of relationships between human beings and the heavens. This idea of a link between humans and the cosmos is too strong and too ancient and long lasting to ignore.

In fact, the latin root of the word temple (templum) basically means observatory. A place where man gets his bearings and observes the heavens.

Since the dawn of history human kind has believed in a watched for signs from God, both in nature and in the sky. Here are just a few scriptures that mentions stars as signs.

• And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in thestars; (Luke 21:25)
• But, behold, I say unto you that before this great day shall come the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall be turned into blood, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and there shall be greater signs in heaven above and in the earth beneath; (D&C 29:14)
• And behold, there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you (Helaman 14:5)

Yes, the "wise men" who came from the East (India) to see Jesus were astrologers. They were wise as to the science of the stars, the prophecies, the scriptures and how they interplayed on the story of human history.

If you want to read more from the scriptures about planets and stars not just as signs, but as governing bodies, I strongly suggest you allow your mind to be blown as you read Abraham 3 and 4 right now.

Though astrology was once a widely accepted science, it has always fallen somewhere between science and religion and at different times in history has been nearly crushed out of existence by one faction or the other. But it has persisted against all odds and to the incredulity of many.

I was talking to a friend the other day about how some scientists I know scoff at the notion that planets and stars so far away could have any affect on us. She said, "Well I think Kolob is pretty far away, but it sure has an affect on me." I love her.

Last year I wrote a post about the new moon and it's Christian significance. If you haven't read it recently, I recommend doing so here.

What I didn't put in that post is that there is way more Christian and LDS scholarship on the moon cycles and a possible solar or lunar eclipse that happened on the day of Christ's crucifixion (which explains the blood moon). There is also an Ensign article from 1985 wherein an LDS astronomer points out some interesting facts relating to the planetary and moon alignments on the date of the return of Elijah and Priesthood restoration (Easter 1836). By synthesizing the science of astronomy with religious events and predictions, he is basically crossing the line into the science of astrology. Am I the only one who digs this.

Here are some of his mind-blowing points:

As an astronomer who has studied the lunisolar calendar, I was intrigued by Elijah’s return occurring not only during Passover week, as anticipated by the Jews, but also on an Easter Sunday that was calendrically similar to the proposed date of the Savior’s resurrection, being both April 3 on the Gregorian calendar and 16 Nisan on the Hebrew calendar.

Because of the relationship of Passover to the lunisolar calendar, Easter is usually the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the spring equinox. Thus, the date of Easter varies from year to year, occurring between March 22 and April 25.

Accordingly, only about one Easter in thirty will fall on any particular day during that period, such as April 3. Moreover, not all Easters fall on the same day of the Judean month, but usually between 15 Nisan and 21 Nisan.

So, how often does Easter Sunday occur on both April 3 and 16 Nisan, as it did in A.D. 33? It happens less than once every century, on the average. The year 1836 was the only such occurrence in the nineteenth century. (Full article)

He goes into more awesome detail about why that date was significant. He doesn't do any future predicting, nor does he talk about Joseph Smith's natal chart as well he shouldn't in the 1985 Ensign. But I think the world is ready and hungry for it now. I still don't know everything, or much really, but I am learning and I'll share as I go from my Christian, LDS perspective.

Here is what I have for you for April:

Just as I embarked on my sort of haphazard study of astrology, I realized that April is one of the most astrologically intense months of the whole year. And in fact, two nights ago we had a rare alignment (or opposition rather) of Earth, Mars, and the Sun. This happens only once every 778 days. Mars represents anger and so if you have noticed within you or around you a lot of anger coming up, this would explain some things. 

 We are also moving into Cardinal Grand Cross that is causing a lot up upheaval, sudden change, and confronting death and rebirth stuff. When I use words like "stuff," it's because it is too much to explain and I still don't understand it totally, but I know it is truly affecting people. The cardinal signs will cross on the 15th so it will intensify as we lead into it, then should ease up afterward. 

Also, starting next Tuesday, April 15, there will be an eclipse that will create a blood moon effect. All of this celestial movement has even got the attention of the world news. Here is an article about the blood moons and how people are predicting end of days. Well duh. We know that. But there are other layers of symbolism as well. I'll get into that maybe next Tuesday. There will actually be 2 eclipses in April (one in southern hemisphere) as well as a meteor shower the 23 ish for a few days. So stars will be falling as well. Symbolic? Mean something? I think so. 

Well so what is the purpose, you might ask, of knowing about Jupiter and Mars and Venus in Aries?

Well, in ancient days, people believed astrology mostly related to Kings, because kings were considered the bridge between humans and God. Of course, Kings were human and not perfect and might occasionally err, and these royal sins were considered offenses against divine order, which would provoke retribution from God. Sounds like much of the Hebrew Bible. But here is the vital point: they believed that such retribution would not come without warning. The gods would use dreams, omens and other portents to warn the king of his misdeeds and of danger. Kings had whole cabinets full of people to watch the stars for him for such omens. Their second job was to instruct the king on what kind of rituals and things to do in order to cleanse his sins and avert the omen.

This scripture from Daniel is interesting:

There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans,and soothsayers;

The signs on earth just as those in heaven give us signals. So while all this celestial movement that has been intensifying since 2012 could induce fear and apocalypse mentality, it is a good sign for those of us who know what it means and how to use the intense energy to create really beautiful healing and change. After all, the definition of apocalypse is revelation. For those tuned into the right channel, we can hope for a better world. But you have to be tuned into that frequency. I recommend meditating like you mean it all of April and make sure you get some Kundalini Yoga in at least once a week.

P.S. If you know anyone who is super awesome at astrology and is willing to help me, I'd love to be connected. I don't care if they are LDS or not, I can make my own connections, but if there is an LDS astrologer out there I haven't met, please send them my way. Sat Nam