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The science of astrology is based on the energetic exchange between planetary bodies. The fields of astronomy and astrology are intertwined, although they are different. Astronomy is the physical study of the planetary bodies while astrology is the energetic study of the energy exchange between planetary bodies. Understanding how the planets function both physically and energetically is important in attaining a more comprehensive understanding of the cosmos as a whole.
Cosmology & Its Place in Astrology
Cosmology is the study of the universe from the past, present, and future. It encompasses studying and how the universe begins, where the universe is right now, and where the universe may end up in terms of its composition and makeup. Cosmology is an interesting field of study because it involves studying all aspects of the universe from the planets to the stars and the gases and other energies that make it what it is. Astronomy is directly related to cosmology because it involves the study of the physical planetary bodies. Likewise, astrology is the study of the positioning of the planets, stars, and other cosmic bodies and the energy exchanges between them.
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Exploring the Similarities & Differences
There are similarities and differences between the physical study of the planetary bodies through astronomy and the energetic study of the planets through astrology. The following are several ways in which astronomy and astrology are the same yet different.
Importance of the Planetary Bodies
Astronomy and astrology are linked through the discovery of various planetary bodies. Initially, there were only seven planetary bodies considered under astrology because they were the only ones that could be seen with the naked eye. The Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn are the original planetary bodies recognized by astrology, and even today, in Vedic astrology, these are still the main planetary bodies.
When telescopes were invented, the outer planets, Neptune, Uranus, and Pluto were able to be seen and their discovery also resulted in their recognition in astrology. It appears that as more cosmic bodies are discovered, such as asteroids, astrology aligns with the discovery. It is an interesting interplay between the physical discovery of the planetary body and the analysis of the energy of that heavenly body.
Use of the Constellations
The 12 zodiac signs coincide with the 12 constellations. Each of these 12 constellations can be viewed in the firmament. The following is a quick overview of the 12 constellations and their corresponding zodiac sign and the corresponding ancient Sumerian/Babylonian name.
Constellations of the Zodiac Family
Aries the Ram-Agrarian Worker
Taurus the Bull- Divine Bull of Heaven
Gemini the Twins-The Great Twins (Castor & Pollux)
Cancer the Crab-Crayfish
Leo theLion-Lion
Virgo the Maiden-The Furrow
Libra the Scales-The Scales
Scorpion-The Scorpion
Sagittarius the (Centaur)-The Archer
Capricornus the Mountain Goat-Goat-Fish
Aquarius the Water-Bearer-Great One
Pisces Two Fish-Tail of the Swallow
The Importance of Equinoxes
Equinoxes are important in both astronomy and astrology. For astrology, equinoxes represent the time when the equator moves through the center of the sun moving west along the ecliptic. The ecliptic is simply the path that the sun travels in the sky over the course of the year. This movement of the equinoxes, which occur twice a year, is important because they help to define the astrological age which is represented by the zodiac signs. For example, the Age of Pisces and the dawning of the Age of Aquarius.
Understanding the Importance Between Astronomy & Astrology
Although there are some who believe that astronomy and astrology are not related, it could be proposed that you couldn’t have astrology without astronomy. There is a point where the physical meets the energetic. A perfect example of this is the effects of the full moon. The full moon as a physical luminary is believed to have energetic effects. The moon also changes signs every two and a half days which is believed to cause a change in human behavior. The old metaphysical axiom “As above, so below” applies here where the physical planets produce energy that then impacts the behavior and actions of those receiving the energy. Astronomy and astrology truly are an interesting interplay between the physical and energetic. In the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Astrology is astronomy brought down to Earth and applied towards the affairs of men.”
