With friendly permission by Udo Rudolph:
ASTROLOGY AND RELIGION
Udo Rudolph1.Interpretation of the Terms: Astrology and Religion
2.Future Duties of Astrology
3.Synthesis Between Astrology and Religion1.1. Interpretation of the term: Astrology:
Most people have no concept of the true meaning and contents of astrology. They know only the so-called horoscopes of the daily newspapers, and are influenced by the scientific opinion and western religions that reject astrology. From an astrological perspective, the following must be clarified:
1.The horoscopes you find in the daily newspaper are not true horoscopes; they are general statements that have no personal value.
2.Our science and the western religions know nothing about the current body of knowledge of today’s astrology. Both institutions reject astrology without a genuine examination of it.Therefore, an in-depth explanation of the purpose of astrology is warranted. In the “Grossen Lexikon der Astrologie” (The Big Encyclopedia of Astrology) by Daniela Weise and Klemens Ludwig, we find the following definition for the subject of astrology:
“The word astrology is created by combining the Greek words astron (star) and logos (purpose). They describe astrology as a system whereby conclusions can be drawn from the deeper meaning of the movement of the heavenly bodies for both people and events transpiring on earth. By observing the planets, conclusions regarding the evaluation of terrestrial occurrences can be drawn, as well as their development at a specific time and in a particular place.”
The end syllable “logy” also contains logic, the thought process, or logical thinking. Logos means “godly reason” or “Universal Law.” From this, it follows that we can conclude that godly reason, as well as the therein hidden cosmic laws that have been given to us from higher dimensions by the gods, should be learned and integrated. Astrologers from ancient times understood their work was identified with Universal Law and godly reason. I will address this later. In our times, humanity has mostly lost the connection between themselves and the outworking of universal law and the gods.
Summary:
We know that the work of the astrologers must harmonize with godly reason and universal law. Once astrologers set this as a goal, and develop the appropriate sensitivity, astrology will experience a rebirth. Only then can the “Hermetic Chain” 3* or “Golden
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Chain,” as postulated by the old Greeks, finally manifest – a group of spiritual work between the higher worlds of the Light, the world of the gods, and us, the inhabitants of planet earth – and be activated into a synthesis.
1.2. Interpretation of the term Religion
“Religio (latin)” To be bound back, the relationship of humanity to God, to the godly powers.” Keysers Fremdsprachen Lexikon. 1*
I extract another definition from the book, “Der Auferstandenen Gott” (The Arisen God) by Leopold Brandstaetter: 2*
‘Religion is the free and personal relationship of each person to his creator.”
The Confessions are belief societies that demand belief from their members. However, believe means: “not know,” or “it’s possible.” Belief is not knowledge; it is the first step toward knowledge. For the educated and pensive person of today, believing is not enough; he wants to know. All saints and holy people known to us throughout history have had their own person experiences with God, or godly powers. Their beliefs were confirmed and they became knowers.
What we believe today, we can knoe tomorrow!
I have studied astrology for more than 50 years, and have always experienced a synchronicity that exists between the movement of the heavenly bodies and the events that transpire on earth. I do not believe in astrology, I know that the planets are a well spring of information for us humans.I have studied astrology for more than 50 years, and have always experienced a synchronicity that exists between the movement of the heavenly bodies and the events that transpire on earth. I do not believe in astrology, I know that the planets are a well spring of information for us humans. For me, astrology is the proof that God and His laws are a reality, they are a source of information that connect us with the higher dimensions of the cosmos. These laws remind us of the omnipotent spiritual power of God. They rule throughout the entire universe, and cannot be influenced by humanity. We should align ourselves with these powerful spiritual energies, and remember that we owe them thanks and humility!
In “Agni-Yoga” it is called:
“The religious systems have terrified the people and robbed them of their courage. The person who gives himself to the state religion blindly is comparable to a donkey that carries an unknown burden. Can one assume a religion like a police order? Can one accept as trustworthy the revelations of unknown people who allow themselves to be paid for their communication with the heavens?” 6*
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Summary:The western churches are “belief-societies” that have struck out important life laws from their belief systems throughout history, for example, the law of reincarnation, which was part of the original belief system. The leaders of the church at the time strayed away from the truth based orientation of their believers. The churches of the east recognize the law of reincarnation as a fact. Life has its purpose in this law. In contrast to the enormous modern technological advancements in western civilization, there has been no sign of any new spiritual growth in the western “belief societies.” The expected spiritual development has not taken place. One is stuck in believing.
2.Future Duty of Astrology.
In every career branch, specific challenges are made to the representatives of a career path, which are necessary to the practicing of that particular profession. This is also the case for our future astrologers.
1.The future astrologer should be in the position to clearly counsel people as beings wherein their body, mind and spirit are one.
2.Be able to provide insight into the reason for existence.
3.Know the most important cosmic laws for human life.These are high expectations we have of the future astrologers, which are not yet being fulfilled, but which in my opinion should not be excluded from future educational programs for astrologers. Only then, when we put into place these high but necessary demands, can astrology become a useful future-oriented knowledge for our human society. Mastering the technical aspect of astrology simply is not enough.
The current focus on material living, which places the so-called “dance around the golden calf,” or acquisition of material riches, as the middle point of life, will be replaced by a spiritually based age that lies before us, and we must prepare ourselves for this. We are aware that everything originates from thought, and that each person bears responsibility for his thinking.
The current desolate political global situation can be seen as the result of the fulfilled drive for ownership and possession that results from such a thought process. The countless catastrophes of our times in which masses of people have lost their lives are, in my opinion, the result of abuse of cosmic laws. What does a country say when we abuse its laws? Each individual knows the answer. It is advantageous for us to know the most important cosmic laws and observe them in our career. In this respect, the following laws are applicable:
1.The Law of Reincarnation.
2.The Law of Cause and Effect (Karma).
3.The Law of Polarity.- 4 -
Ignorant church teachers removed the principle of reincarnation at the Council in Nicea. Since that time this knowledge has been considered ridiculous in Christian countries. It is astonishing that more than half the population of humanity believes in reincarnation, and that this mistake of ignoring the law of rebirth is already recognized by many people as being correct. The leaders of the churches, however, have not yet corrected this cardinal mistake. The law of rebirth, like the cosmic law of cause and effect, “karma,” can be seen by us as “balancing justice.” With these laws, all wrongs, for which there is no earthly justice, are vindicated. The purpose of these wise laws is for us to have the opportunity – through repeated incarnations on earth – to transform ourselves from our current stage of evolution and experience to a higher state of growth and perfection. Along these lines, the Bible says: Matthew: 5/48
“Thou shallt become perfect,
as is your Father in Heaven.”We cannot achieve this level of perfection in a single lifetime, for this we need many incarnations. We can move faster through our evolution when we are successful in achieving our obligations. These duties are mostly connected with improving our character and the repayment of karmic debts. The unseen parts of us – our souls and spirits – in our dying bodies, are today no longer fully known. Soul and spirit are often confused with each other, and also in the German dictionary for a definition, there is no clear answer. We read there that Spirit is a “ghost” (1986 Edition). From this insufficient formulation, we still don’t see ourselves seriously as a three-fold being of: body, soul and spirit. A useful definition of the concept of “spirit” can be found in the “Dictionary of Esoteric Philosophy” by the theosopher Dr. Gottfried von Purucker. 3*
“There exists a markedly important difference between the words Spirit and Soul. Spirit is the immortal element in us, the unquenchable ever present flame that is never extinguished and never born. Throughout the lifetime on the planet, it maintains its own unique and special characteristics, its essence, as well as its own life. The godly Spirit of humanity is connected with the universe, because in a very mystical sense it is a universal ray. A Soul is an entity that develops through experiences. It is not a Spirit; it is the carrier – the vehicle – of the spirit. The soul expresses itself in the material world because it is a substantial part of the lower essence of the Spirit.”
Soul and spirit belong to the complete person and connect us to the creator. Let me remind you at this point about our thoughts, even though they are invisible until they are spoken. Only then do we take them seriously. Our thoughts are important picture power and energies, with which we put order and direction into our lives. It is important that you realize, dear friend, how important our thoughts are. We are all equipped with the ability to think, and it rests on us to use our thought process for positive building or negative destruction. We do well when we engage our thoughts in positive, constructive ways for the good of society. The technical advances pouring forth from humanity in our times are a sign of what the human thought energies can achieve.
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The substance in humanity, though – spirit and soul – and the question about the purpose of our existence, are unfortunately left out of the equation. Man is hardly aware of his inner values. The famous German surgeon Professor Virchow (1821-1902) once said, “I have dissected one thousand corpses and have not found one soul.” With this statement, he wanted to impress that there is no such thing as a soul.
The expanding popularity of “psychological astrology” in recent decades has helped to improve the reputation of astrology in our society. Support for the soul within astrological counseling would be a step in the right direction. The person seeking advice would feel better understood if his soul would also be taken into consideration in an astrological consultation. Through the fathers of modern psychology, Jung and Freud, the existence of the human soul has once again been brought to light and is now firmly anchored in modern society. Soul support for those who are damaged or left behind in a catastrophic situation has been integrated as a solid part of the human rescue and recovery operation. It is an important step forward in human development that the soul has been rediscovered. In the Middle Ages women were considered to have no souls, and were burned at the stake as witches.
Modern analytical psychology will advance no further with their dismembering of the human soul, until they also take into account the spiritual principle in humanity and strive to achieve a synthesis viewpoint of the whole person. The human being must be observed and recognized as an interconnected three-pointed being of body, soul and spirit.
Summary:
We astrologers must expand our field for the future. As life advisors we should be familiar with the purpose of earthly existence and the important cosmic laws. We cannot omit addressing important life issues regarding the three-fold existence of man – body, soul and spirit – in a counseling session. We should honor the unseen parts of soul and spirit with special recognition, because they are the undying sparks in us that carry forward into other incarnations.
3. Synthesis between Astrology and Religion.
The German news magazine “Der Spiegel”The western churches are “belief-societies” that have struck out important life laws from their belief systems throughout history, for example, the law of reincarnation, which was part of the original belief system. The leaders of the church at the time strayed away from the truth based orientation of their believers. The churches of the east recognize the law of reincarnation as a fact. Life has its purpose in this law. In contrast to the enormous modern technological advancements in western civilization, there has been no sign of any new spiritual growth in the western “belief societies.” The expected spiritual development has not taken place. One is stuck in believing. reported in 1993 that only half of all Germans still believe in God. This hangs largely together with the fact that many thinking people can no longer identify with the church, because our churches are unable to supply some key answers to fundamental questions. When religions have not developed since the time they were created, they lose their credibility.
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Leopold Brandstaetter says in his book, “Der auferstandene Gott,” 2*“Christianity, Islamism, Hinduism, Buddhism as well as all religious systems and teachings must be viewed as parts of the preliminary stage of an ever unfolding universal revelation and scientific religion of the future, that in time will be recognized as universal truth and tested, proven knowledge of a revealed world spirit that will find universal recognition and acceptance.”
“Theosophy” and “Agni-Yoga” are universal revelations, they provide us with an alternative and demonstrate for us a remembrance of what was considered valid for thousands of years in all world religions; but was misapplied by the western churches, suppressed or misunderstood. Both teachings: Theosophy and Agni-Yoga stress the value of astrology.
In Agni-Yoga it is said:
“Through astrology we can prove that cosmic magnetism exists when we are able to confirm the flow of events; one can precisely determine them if one accepts cosmic magnetism as the ruling, moving power. All life forms allow themselves to be calculated. One can draw knowledge from all experiences and manifestations of spiritual and planetary creations. Cosmic magnetism collects the highest aspects of cosmic attraction. The spirit that reacts to the attraction becomes in equal measure a part of cosmic reason (intelligence), as is decreed by the Law of Creation. Beauty is part of every creation. And the Law that liberates Spirit from the planets lends the illumination that leads to the higher spheres.” 6*Agni-Yoga Boundless P 129
Since astrologers say, “the heavenly bodies provide us with a deeper purpose,” and religion can be defined as, “free, personal relationship of every person to his creator,” then I find that astrology and religion compliment each other. The heavenly bodies are the work of the Great Spirit creator god, with which humanity is bound by godly vibrations.
Religion should lead us to virtue in our struggle with our least positive traits and support our inclination toward purity, love and noble courage. Religion awakens in us the qualities of decency, willingness to help others, compassion, brotherly love, humane behavior and tolerance. Religion teaches how to overcome sorrow and how to stare death fearlessly in the face. True religion builds moral substance, when everything falls apart and turns to rubble. Religion keeps the believer going and gives him strength. Sorrow leads mankind to God. It is the duty of the religions to raise humanity to higher awareness by way of higher knowledge. Astrologers can know the character of a person based on his horoscope; they can perform good services when they help people to know their own character and to recognize their positive and not so positive traits.
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A Sicilian consul named Firmicus Maternus wrote an eight volume work about astrology, “The Mathesis,” between the years 334 and 337 A.D. This is the only known existing complete Latin publication about astrology from antiquity. At that time, astrologers worked only with five planets as well as the Sun and Moon. The Antiscion Point (equidistant on the Cancer/Capricorn axis) and some sensitive points were also known. 5* (Mathesis is an old term for Astrology)
In the second volume on page 25 we read the following: “A Reminder for Astrologers” from which I extracted a passage in order to demonstrate that a relationship between astrology and religion has always existed:
“So, my dear, you wish to read this book in order to create Godly knowledge, strive to become similar to a Godly spirit and a herald of good. Whoever wishes to discuss Godly principles daily should strive to move forward everyday in the spiritualization of his soul. Study and practice the virtues, meaning the best human characteristics, so that when somebody wants something from you, he will have the necessary trust toward you. Be efficient, healthy, do not get drunk and be reserved in the face of your success and your deeds, avoid spoiling the reputation of this Godly science by way of the proletarian addiction to money. Take care to change your lifestyle to the reputation of a priest for the good, because it is the duty of a person who wishes to become a priest of Godly stellar influences, to be valued as such and described as such by all people. Answer the questions of the people who approach you directly and clearly, so that they need not employ force to pry them from you that which one should neither ask nor say. Protect yourself from depression and lack of conscience, be measured in all things and keep a distance from intense arguments, because only the rabble quarrels. Be loyal and reliable in your friendships and in all undertakings, no matter what they are. Never allow yourself to succumb to false statements. Never earn interest on your money, so that nobody can ever rightfully say that you enrich yourself on the need of others.”
I was surprised as I read these reminders that are just as valuable today as they were over 1500 years ago, and which confirm the connection between astrology and religion.
Closing Comments.
Friedrich the Great, King of Prussia, once said: Everyone is responsible for his own happiness.”
I have tried to share with you my knowledge on the subject of a synthesis between astrology and religion. This does not need to be your experience, because as the folk saying goes, “many roads lead to Rome.” Whether or not each person’s road leads to Rome is his own personal choice, since we have relatively free will, although it isn’t always free in many life situations we encounter!- 8 -
To me, astrology and religion are a meaningful blend for the future. Both areas are compatible with each other, completing one another side by side and are a strong connection for the future that can assist us in knowing our life purpose and feeling that we are a part of a great godly plan in which nothing can happen that we haven’t programmed into our experience. Nobody can take this spiritual path away from another person, and each of us must walk our path alone!
I have come to realize how precisely the events on our planet are in harmony with the stars and the rules of our profession, and can only repeat:Astrology is, in my opinion, proof of God!
I thank you for your attention.
Sources:
1* Keysers Fremdwörter-Lexikon (Keysers Encyclopedia of Foreign Words)
2* Leopold Brandstätter, Der auferstandene Gott. (The Arisen God)
Spirale Verlag Linz/Austria, 1976
3* Gottfried Purucker, Esoterisches Wörterbuch (Esoteric Dictionary) Page 91
Publisher, Esoterische Philosophie, Hannover, 1991
4* Helen Petrovna Blavatski, Secret Doctrine
5* Julius Firmicus Maternus, Mathesis.
Translated from Latin by Hagall Thorsonn.
Published 1927 at Hermann Kalisch Publishers, Königsberg i. Pr.
6* Agni-Yoga (14 Volumes) Spirale Verlag Linz/Austria