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Also See Astrology And The Christian AND
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Part One.. Introduction And Influence
Basic Terms And Concepts
Part Two.. Difficulties In Chart Interpretation
Part Three.. Alleged Biblical Evidence for Astrology
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Emphasis Mine In Bible Verses
Astrology and the Occult
 Astrology and Spiritism
The Dangers of Astrology -- Part One
The Dangers of Astrology -- Part Two
Astrology and the Occult
Astrology is related to the occult in four main ways. First, dictionaries often define astrology as an occult art because the practice employs occult divination. Second, astrology appears to work best when the astrologer himself is psychically or mediumistically sensitive, what most astrologers term "intuitive." Third, prolonged use of astrology leads to the development of psychic abilities and the contact of spirit guides.
This was admitted by the majority of astrologers we interviewed at the July 4-8, 1988, fiftieth anniversary Las Vegas convention of the American Federation of Astrologers, the oldest and most influential of U.S. astrological societies. Almost all those we interviewed admitted they had spirit guides. [54] Fourth, due to its history and nature, astrology often becomes the introductory course to a wider spectrum of occult practices. In spite of these connections, astrologers often claim that astrology has nothing to do with the occult. [55] Nevertheless, many occultists today use astrology, and many astrologers practice other occult arts. [56]
Historian, philosopher, and occult authority Dr. John Warwick Montgomery points out what everyone who has studied astrology knows: that astrology is "found virtually everywhere occultism is to be found." (Emphasis Added) [57] Examples are everywhere. Astrologer Daniel Logan admits he is involved with mediums and spirits. [58] Astrologer Marcus AlIen is involved with a spirit guide and studies such esoteric disciplines as yoga, Zen, Tibetan Buddhism, and the Western magical traditions. [59] Astrologers have admitted that astrology is "the key to all the occult sciences," [60] and that "almost all occultists use astrological timing in their work." [61]
Without question, astrology is the most publicly acceptable occult practice. Perhaps no other activity today provides an introduction to occultism so easily. For astrologers to claim that their craft has no associations to the occult is either the result of ignorance or deliberate deception.
Reasons Astrology Seems To Work
Note this heading was not part of the original article.
The content remains the same
Psychological Factors
Astrologers claim that their practice really works, which convinces them of the truth of astrology. Indeed, this is the case for all forms of divination. They seem to work enough of the time to be credible, and thus both practitioners and clients may become convinced of their validity. But as we saw earlier, scientific testing absolutely undermines any legitimacy to the astrological craft. So how can astrology work, or seem to work?
Many times in life we discover that things which seem to be true really aren’t. This is why astrology has to be carefully evaluated, to see if it functions according to its stated principles. Since it does not, we must look to other reasons for its success, or seeming success. The reasons are many, but they can be categorized under two broad headings: psychological factors and spiritistic power. In the former, astrology only appears to work; it really does not work. In the latter, astrology provides supernatural information to a client. Yet even astrology’s "success" at this point has nothing to do with the truth of astrology, only with the power of spiritism that the astrologer has tapped into. We will begin our evaluation of these topics with a look at some of the psychological reasons why astrology seems to work.
Client Needs
Astrology seems to work because clients want it to work. True believers in astrology do not wish their faith in astrology to be shaken because they may have emotional, financial, or other investments in astrology already in place. As a result, they look for ways to confirm astrology. Even common coincidences may become astrological "confirmations" for such persons. Chance events may become imbued with cosmic "meanings." Thus clients often "read in" relevance and meaning to a chart when it is not there. People may accept general or vague statements as applying uniquely to them when they would apply equally to other people. In essence, those who wish to believe in astrology tend to consciously and unconsciously assist the astrologer to counsel them effectively. Astrologer Richard Nolle concedes that astrologers can take advantage of most clients’ faith in astrology: "Most people who come to an astrologer want the astrologer to succeed in reading their charts. They are therefore generally sympathetic and cooperative." [62]
People who believe astrology may also fall into the trap of self-fulfilling prophecy. This takes place when seeds of hope or despair are planted in the person’s mind by the astrologer. As a result, the client eventually "arranges" or permits the events to be fulfilled. If the astrologer’s words are positive, as they usually are, this provides all the more incentive to fulfill the prophecy. Given a poor self-image, pessimism, or a fatalistic outlook on life, even the negative prophecies of the astrologer can become positive when they are self-fulfilling. But whether the astrologer’s words are positive or negative, in neither case is it the astrologer who has been successful. It is the client, who has self-fulfilled the astrological predictions.
But what do astrologers and their clients do when the astrological information does not come true, or worse, when it is clearly contradicted? Then they tend to remember the things that are supportive of astrology and ignore or rationalize away the rest. For the most part, those who desire to believe in astrology will not listen to criticism because of the emotional tie or investment which has developed between the person and the practice.
Theoretical Self-Justification
Astrology seems to work because it satisfies the human need for friendship, personal security, or dependence on others. Given various psychological needs or insecurities, astrology can prey upon anyone’s need for certainty about the future or control over life. Astrology warns about the future and advises about problems that may be encountered. People also go to astrologers so that someone else (the astrologer) or something else (the stars) will make the important or painful decisions for them. Other people are lonely or insecure and desire the friendship of someone who seems to be privy to "cosmic" or "divine" wisdom. They feel important by being associated with someone of importance. Others are simply attracted to the astrologer more than to astrology itself.
Persuasive Power
People want astrology to work because it fits their lifestyle. Astrology per se is without moral values; the impersonal heavens offer no advice on ethics or how to live one’s life morally. Thus, any person seeking to justify selfish or sinful behavior can find a logical reason for doing so in astrology.
Astrologers themselves seem willing to tolerate, rationalize, or even encourage any behavior, sexuality, or morality the client deems personally important. Their desire is to please the client’s wishes, and it is amazing how often the "stars" agree. Whether people convince themselves that the stars have either "compelled" or "inclined" their wrong actions, they feel they can dismiss their guilt, or were not fully responsible for their behavior.
Astrologer Skill
Astrology seems to work because it is increasingly a New Age psychology. Astrologers who become good counselors, but who attribute their success to astrology, are wrongly accrediting astrology, not good counseling procedure, with their success. Many astrologers encourage other astrologers to take courses in counseling. One astrologer has confided: "Any astrology student planning to use astrology directly with people is advised to enroll in one or more counseling courses, to read books on the counseling process itself, and to gain experiential supervised practice with counseling skills." [63]
Some astrologers argue that it makes sense first to understand a person’s background - heredity, upbringing, marital status, interests, occupation, and so on - rather than to begin with a chart. One reason for this, as we saw, is because the chart itself is so complex and subjective it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to interpret it accurately. [64] So, first gathering information on a client is certainly helpful.
Of course, this is opening the doors more to psychological counseling than to astrological revelations. And to attribute one’s success in psychology to astrological theory is deceptive.
There are many other reasons people grant validity to astrology. When this occult practice is called a science, it is granted credibility by association with science. Astrology is also universally applicable; that is, it can offer advice for virtually any situation, and sooner or later the astrologer will hit on something in the chart that a person feels is personally relevant.
And astrologers always have seemingly reasonable explanations for failures. Finally, astrology may seem to work because of the astrologer’s attentiveness or seductiveness. In other words, good astrologers are able to "read" a client through physical or verbal clues and can feed back this information to the client as "revelations" from the stars. Other astrologers are adept at psychological manipulation, so that an otherwise meaningless session can seem amazingly relevant.
But what about those times astrology really does work, when it predicts the future or reveals secret knowledge about the client and known only to him? If a form of intelligence beyond the astrologer really is at work here, what is it? [65] It’s certainly not the stars.
Astrology and Spiritism
Former astrologer Charles Strohmer remarks that "for most adherents of astrology, it is enough that it ‘works.’ There is a fascination with the power, without a suspicion as to the nature of that power." [66]
We will now show that astrology works through spiritistic power. The importance of this issue is obvious. If spirits are the real power behind legitimate astrological disclosures, then the acceptance of astrology in society is opening the doors for millions of people to be influenced by the spirit world. According to the Word of God, this means people are contacting the world of demons, lying spirits whose primary goal is spiritual deception and destruction. [67]
What evidence supports the claim that astrology and spiritism are closely linked? In addition to evidence we have already supplied, we offer the following four points which were greatly expanded upon in our book Astrology: Do the Heavens Rule Our Destiny? [68]
Pagan Religion
Historically, astrology is tied to pagan gods and the spirit world. Astrology has always been connected to spirits through its acceptance of and contact with supernatural spirit beings who were held to be "gods". [69] In every civilization, the acceptance of polytheism and the contacting and worship of the "gods" has been a fundamentally spiritistic phenomenon. [70] (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:20).
Spiritistic Endorsement
The spirit world actively promotes astrology. That the spirits are interested in promoting astrology can be seen by the following three facts.
First, many spirits have channeled books on astrology through their human mediums.
Edgar Cayce’s occult "readings" were saturated with astrology. [71]
Channeled astrological literature includes Alice Bailey’s Esoteric Astrology; [72]
Cynthia Bohannon’s The North and South Nodes; [73]
Roman Catholic Irene Diamond’s works, e.g., A New Look at the Twelve Houses, and Astrology in the Holy Bible; Ted George and Barbara Parkers’ Sinister Ladies of Mystery: The Dark Asteroids of Earth, and many others. [74]
(A related fact is that a large number of professional astrologers actively promote spiritism; we gave several examples in our book on astrology. [75]
Read More About Alice Bailey and The Lucis Trust HERE
And
Channeling
Second, many spiritistic societies actively promote astrology, e.g., The White Eagle Lodge, Rosicrucian Fellowship, Theosophical Society, Sabian Assembly, The Church of Light. [76] Virtually none forbid it.
Third, some people who first come in contact with the spirit world testify that they were told by the spirits to pursue the study of astrology (e.g., astrologer Irene Diamond). [77]
Astrologers’ Confessions
Former astrologers also concede their power was spiritistic. We think it is significant that many former astrologers have now concluded that the power behind astrology did not come from the stars, but from the power of demons.
Karen Winterburn was a professional astrologer for 12 years, schooled in humanistic astrology. In 1988, she took part in the debate with two professional astrologers on "The John Ankerberg Show." But even as an astrologer she admitted, "I was convinced it [the astrological information] wasn’t coming from me.…" [78] In a prepared statement for our book (signed October 11, 1988) she stated:
The twelve years I spent in the occult involved a logical progression from humanistic astrology to spirit channeling to occult involvement. Astrology as a divination tool was the perfect entrance. It appeared to be secular, technical, and humanistic, a "neutral" tool. In addition, its occult presuppositions were not immediately apparent. When it began to "work" for me, I became hooked. I became driven to find out the "hows" and the "whys."
This led me right into channeling, a sanitized term for spirit mediumship. In 12 years of serious astrological study and professional practice, I never met a really successful astrologer - even the most "scientific" one - who did not admit among their professional peers that spiritism was the power behind the craft. "Spirit guide," "higher self," "ancient god," "cosmic archetype," whatever name is used - the definition points to the same reality: a discarnate, personal intelligence claiming to be a god-in-progress. Such intelligences have access to information and power that many people covet and they have a desire to be trusted and to influence human beings.
Once the astrologer becomes dependent upon one or more of them, these spirit intelligences (the biblical demons) lead the astrologer into forms of spiritual commitment and worship. This is the worst kind of bondage. Seasoned astrologers who have experienced fairly consistent and dramatic successes in character reading and prognostication invariably become involved in some form of worship of these demons.
I have seen this occur in myriad forms - from the full-blown revival of ancient religions (Egyptian and Chaldean) to the ritualization of Jungian psychotherapy. The bottom line reality is always the worship of the spirits (demons) the astrologer has come to rely on. [79]
Another former professional astrologer (seven years) is Charles Strohmer. In his critique of astrology, What Your Horoscope Doesn’t Tell You, he also discusses the fundamentally spiritistic nature and power of astrology. "As we look honestly at astrology, we begin to see that adherents of this system - without knowing it - are banging on the door through which communication is established with knowledgeable but yet deceptive spirit beings.... In much the same way that the palm of the hand or the crystal [ball] is ‘contact material’ for the fortune-teller - the horoscopic chart is used by the astrologer.... It is the mediumistic point of interaction.... Without contact with spirit beings, there would be no astrological self-disclosures." [80]
Dr. Atlas Laster received his Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh for his work on astrology. He was an active astrologer for 15 years. He observed that as an astrologer, "I did not feel that astrology was an occult art." [81] Yet after he renounced astrology, he came to realize "there are certain rituals and knowledge associated with astrology which may attract spirits of divination." [82]
Spirit Interpretation
Chart interpretation is often accomplished through spiritistic inspiration. The spirit world can often be the source of astrologers’ interpretations of their charts. Some openly admit that they are assisted in their chart interpretations by spirit guides. By this they mean that their spirit guides speak to them directly in their minds and help them interpret a chart. But usually the influence is indirect and less obvious. For example, astrologers may report feeling somehow "directed" to certain chart symbols or factors, or that something in a chart will suddenly "jump out" at them. 83 In New Age practice, distinguishing spiritistic assistance from normal human intuition is not always easy. That these two sources can be blurred presents a dilemma for the astrologer. How is it possible for them to know that their "intuition" is truly human, and not from the spiritistic source?
In Astrology: Do the Heavens Rule Our Destiny? we presented four interrelated lines of evidence showing that the spirit world can indeed be active in helping astrologers to interpret their charts. [84]
1. Like a kind of mandala, the chart can become a means to altered states of consciousness, the allegedly "higher" consciousness that is so often promoted by the occult for spirit contact
2. The chart can become a "living" power (a focusing agent) for spirits to work through. Like a living being, the chart "speaks" to the astrologer through images in the mind, being directed to certain aspects of the chart, and other psychic impressions.
3. Psychic or spiritistic inspiration is often necessary for "proper" chart interpretation (in our book this was documented with five sub-points) and is admitted by many astrologers, e.g., American Federation of Astrologers president Doris Chase Doane agrees that "it is almost impossible" to accurately read a chart without psychic guidance and, as noted, many astrologers of past and present have declared their belief that astrology works by the power of spirits. 85
4. Because all forms of divination sooner or later contact spirits, it is logical to assume divination by means of astrology charts is also spiritistic.
The above information reveals why astrology can sometimes work. However, astrologers and their clients must also ask the question, "At what cost"?
The Dangers of Astrology -- Part One
There are dangers from astrology besides those associated with spiritism and other occult practices. 86 Science writer Lawrence E. Jerome states, "How much physical and psychological damage such false astrological practices and advice cause cannot even be estimated." [87]
Bart Bok, a former president of the prestigious American Astronomical Society, has observed that, "The study and ready availability of astrological predictions can exert an insidious influence on a person’s personal judgment." [88] Indeed, if a billion people trust in the false advice of astrology in some degree, one can hardly hazard a guess at the overall personal cost around the world. Even some astrologers confess that practitioners are liable to the characteristic hazards of the trade. These kinds of hazards do not make for a trusting relationship between astrologer and client but further complicate an already potentially dangerous situation.
Leading astrologer Tracy Marks discusses the following potential problems between the astrologer and his client. A little imagination here will reveal how each one can produce harm to the client:
• the astrologer may experience himself as superior to the client.
• the astrologer may encourage the dependency of his clients.
• the astrologer may give clients what they appear to want rather than what they really need.
• astrologers may pass their own values and ideas under the cloak of astrological authority.
• the astrologers’ "own sense of powerlessness" may lead them to "disempower [their] clients, imparting deterministic [fatalistic attitudes."
• the astrologers’ own fears concerning certain planets and signs may influence their interpretation and "result in [their] imparting pronouncements which could become destructively self-fulfilling prophecies."
• astrologers may speak in astrological jargon the client cannot understand and use mystical language authoritatively to create "the illusion that [they] are imparting high truths, when indeed [they] may be saying little of significance."
• astrologers may "speak in vague, ungrounded generalities." [89]
Marks observes that even "most professional astrologers are guilty on occasion of at least several of the above inadequacies…." [90] In addition, she admits that astrologers may react more to the chart than to the client; may become egotistical; may devalue the client; and can draw hasty conclusions. [91]
Astrological predictions or advice can cause people to do things they would otherwise never have done, and sometimes this has led to tragedy. Given the right circumstances, a particular chart interpretation and its potentially powerful influence upon a person could even lead to criminal acts. In order to help fulfill or forestall what a person believes is the cosmic influence or destiny upon himself or another. For example, a chart reveals that a company will fail, so the president embezzles funds for his own security; or that a child may be born mentally retarded, so there is an abortion.
German theologian and occult expert Dr. Kurt Koch observes that, "Astrology has been responsible for a number of suicides and murders." [92] He cites examples in his books concerning the effects of the suggestive nature of astrology. For example, a woman murdered her own son because an astrologer predicted he would lead a life of mental illness. The shattered mother went to jail, but the astrologer went free. [93] Dr. Sherman Kanagy, a physics professor at Purdue University observes, "In ancient times women whose babies were born under the sign of Scorpio would often kill their babies by drowning because of the evil significance." [94]
Remember that astrologers are: 1) unlicensed and unregulated, 2) require little or no education, 3) can become a "professional" astrologer overnight, 4) are occultists who characteristically reject absolute moral values, and 5) often use their powers over others in a manipulative and authoritarian manner. If the practices of such people force them into demonic collaboration, what kind of answers are clients getting from astrological counseling? In considering the clients of astrologers, we will see additional reasons for concern.
The Clients of Astrologers
What kind of person seeks out an astrologer? We can determine from the statements of astrologers themselves that some and perhaps many clients are those for whom astrology will be most destructive.
Clients lack values. For example, astrological counselor Stephen Arroyo observes, "Many people who request astrological assistance are suffering from a lack of values...." [95]
Clients are easily duped or deceived. Astrologer Jane Evans observes, "I have known too many people to whom self-deception was second nature." [96]
Clients are looking for the astrologer to make their decisions for them. This is a problem that is almost universally admitted among astrologers. Some attempt to help such clients become more independent, but others willingly become their "gurus," and enjoy the fact that their client will make no decision without first consulting their "wisdom…." [97]
It is the ability of astrologers to justify a person’s selfish tendencies that caused Dr. John Warwick Montgomery to give the following warning:
"The very elasticity of astrological interpretation is its most dangerous characteristic where people desperately desire a shortcut to self knowledge and solutions to their problems, and where the answers are ambiguous, they inevitably choose according to self-interest. Thus the floodgates are opened to the reinforcement of evil tendencies.... It should not be regarded as strange that astrology has so frequently been used to guide evil farther along the path it has already taken." [98]
Because astrologers reject any absolute standard of morality, they prefer a "situation ethics" approach where moral decisions are determined largely by the whim and preference of the astrologer or client. Astrologer Alan Oken observes, "No Path is the Truth Path, for in the Absolute there is not Truthfulness or Falsehood, no right and no wrong, no yes and no no." [99]
Even the Alexandrian astronomer and "father" of astrology, Ptolemy (2nd C.A.D.) confessed, "Many of its practitioners are in it for gain rather than truth or wisdom, and pretend to know more than the facts permit." [100] Another astrologer testifies, "The preoccupation with self is really in the interest of evolution.... In modern astrology we seek confirmation of our personal importance." [101]
Evil Uses
Astrologers admit astrology can be used for either "good" or evil purposes. Leading astrologer Sydney Omarr states, "Astrology is there, to be used for the good - or the evil (Hitler!)." [102] Just as there is both black and white witchcraft, one astrology text observes, "There is white and black astrology.…" [103] Leading astrologer Nicholas deVore confesses that "astrology has often been used to unworthy ends." [104]
Adolph Hitler, the ancient Aztecs and their human sacrifices, the modern serial killer known as the Zodiac killer, modern witches and Satanists, have used astrology for evil purposes. All realized that astrology’s power may be used malevolently. For whatever reasons, these people decided to choose evil. This is the point. The astrologer is free to choose. Perhaps the most cunning deception here is when, like Hitler, the astrologer uses his craft for evil while thinking he is using it for the good.
Morality and Sex
In the astrologer’s view, morality is often determined by one’s subjective or "higher" state of consciousness, not by what one believes or does. Obedience to God would be (perhaps) moral for one person and immoral for another. As one guru who endorses astrology states, "I would like to say to you: obedience [to God] is the greatest sin," and "I teach you disobedience.... The devil did a tremendous service to humanity." [105] But most astrologers are not very concerned with morality in the first place. In fact, many of them believe that moral judgments themselves are the real evil. [106] Their job, as astrologers, is simply to validate the client’s own views, whatever they are. [107]
One reason astrology is popular is because it permits us to explain our own failures and evils, or whatever we do not like in ourselves, as the fault of the stars. Here is an attractive escape from personal responsibility. [108] Astrologers may say that "Saturn did it," or that "the stars weren’t auspicious." Virtually anything can be rationalized, any sin or evil, because "What happens to us is what needs to happen to us." [109]
But if there is any place in which astrology promotes sin, it is the area of sexual behavior. [110] In an era of AIDS and dozens of other sexually transmitted diseases, this is of no small concern. [111] Astrologer Jeff Green provides an illustration. Here is the case of a woman who was deeply troubled by her sexual immorality. What did she discover through astrological counseling? She realized that she was free to enjoy sexual affairs without guilt by making them "spiritual," even a divine activity. On what basis? Simply because Pluto was in the eighth house in Leo, the south node was in the seventh house in opposition to Mars, and Pisces was in the second house. [112]
Astrologers also observe chart indicators for bisexuality, homosexuality, lesbianism, sexual sadism, and transexualism. [113] Since such activities are "indicated," perhaps the one who desires to pursue them will have them justified in his own mind. And the one who does not desire them may live in worry or fear over the possibility, perhaps until he gives in to his astrological "destiny."
We can only wonder what an impressionable teenager would think if he went to an astrologer and discovered such "indicators" in his chart. What if he or she were confused about sexuality, especially in an age of gross experimentation and so-called sexual enlightenment? See homosexuality
Consider the advice to a client by Maxine Bell, a famous astrologer to Hollywood’s homosexual community: "He didn’t come to me for help, he came to me to find out when his next affair was due. He was just finishing up one [affair] and after two nights of being alone he was desperate, so he wondered what his prospects were for a new affair. I gave him the rundown on when the next affair would be likely. Whenever transiting Mars goes over the fifth house that starts things going." [114]
Many astrologers believe that homosexuality is as much a part of a person’s "destiny pattern" as their birth or death. Maxine Bell states, "If they were homosexuals as they closed their last life and had no desire to quit or reform, them they come back as a homosexual and they have their own karma they bring with them." [115] "I have no wish to change, only to help," says Edith Randall, a celebrated Hollywood astrologer. Her 60,000 astrological readings over the years include "a sizable slice of the homosexual community." [116].
The Dangers of Astrology -- Part Two
Fear and Bondage
One astrologer emphasizes that "an astrological chart is not something to be feared." [117] But thousands of clients of astrologers will disagree. For many people, astrology produces a fear of the future. Although the goal of astrology is allegedly to give the client "power" over the future, in practice it doesn’t work this way.
This is because astrology teaches people to acknowledge the impersonal whim of the power that stars and planets exert over them. The stars and planets are not persons; they cannot be reasoned with, nor can their influence easily be escaped. Compared to the power and influence of the planets, men are like insects. What can one person do in the face of the power of the universe?
Astrologers acknowledge that astrology can bring ruin to people by the fears it produces. [118] Astrologers complain that other astrologers who predict personal disaster, illness, or death are being insensitive or callous. But they are powerless to do anything about it because the astrologers who make such predictions are, after all, only engaging in astrology.
Astrologer-psychiatrist Bernard Rosenblum points out that, "The bad reputation astrology must contend with is partly due to those astrologers who make definite predictions about people’s death, divorce, or illness, and other statements that suggest the client must suffer the rest of his life with a difficult psychological problem in order to correct a karmic imbalance. Such astrologers are exhibiting arrogance and insensitivity in the extreme." [119]
Other astrologers respond by saying that, after all, these astrologers "see" such events in the chart, so is it not their "moral" duty to warn the client? How is this being "insensitive" to the client?
Jungian analyst and astrologer Alice O. Howell complains, "I am appalled sometimes at the damage that can be done by astrologers who have no understanding of psychology and who are free with ‘predictions’ and sow seeds of doubt and fear in their clients." [120] Other astrologers respond with,
"why be appalled at astrology?" The very purpose of the chart is to make predictions. If such predictions sow seeds of doubt and fear, that is not the fault of astrology, but the client’s own failure to trust the wisdom of the stars. Astrology is a divine art; we only give the client God’s will. And why should astrologers be expected to become Ph.D.’s in psychology? So what if some astrologers admit that it is too easy for astrology students to set themselves up as experts and "make devastating prognostications which can seriously undermine the hope and confidence" of the client? [121]
It is an astrologer’s duty to read the chart, and again, a divine responsibility. If it is God who is "speaking" through the chart, [122]
the astrologer must speak God’s truth regardless of the consequences. [123]
As one astrologer stated, "I feel I do not have the right to block information.... That would be like saying, ‘Hey, God, you’re wrong! You shouldn’t be telling me this now.’" [124]
If a severely afflicted Mercury or moon denote the client may or will experience insanity, who can blame the astrologer for expressing this to the client? [125] Perhaps lifelong psychotherapy will prevent it! And what if the birth chart with "Mars afflicted and Saturn and Neptune prominent [but] afflicted" denotes a child will have leukemia? [126] Clearly the stars have revealed it! If the parents are concerned and worried, at least they have been forewarned.
Dane Rudhyar discusses a common occurrence:
The person came disturbed, confused and sensing difficulties ahead; he leaves the astrologer’s office with a crystallized expectation of tragedy. "Saturn" is about to hurt him; his wife may die, or his kidney may need an operation. Saturn. What is there one can do about Saturn, or to Saturn? Nothing apparently. Fear has taken shape and name.
The anticipation of disaster torments the mind.... It will not help the situation to say the "influence" of Saturn is of the nature of electromagnetic waves; or that it can be expressed in a statistical average. It may be much worse to know one’s husband has seventy-five percent chances of dying or becoming insane, than to know he will die or become insane.
Uncertainty breeds devastating fear far more than the confrontation with the inevitable. And let us not say "forewarned, forearmed!" It does not apply where Mars, Saturn, squares, oppositions are present as objective, evil entities which are actually and concretely doing something to men. It does not apply where there is fear. [127]
A Special Case: Death
To predict crippling illness, disease, and insanity is bad enough, but when astrologers see death in a chart and predict it, as they often do, [128] one wonders how they can justify the possible consequences in people’s lives. The questions of "When will I die?" or "When will my spouse die?" seem to be among the most common questions asked of astrologers. [129]
And if, as even astrologers admit, up to 90 percent of astrologers are simple frauds, [130] this is no safeguard against their using our greatest fears against us for their personal profit "As often as not these star-mongers will resort to the criminal expedient of frightening [a] credulous client by threatening him or her or [the] next relatives with death or serious disease in a certain year of life, suggesting at the same time that a more thoroughgoing and, of course, more expensive analysis of the position of the planets, etc., on that day and at the particular hour and minutes might enable them to rectify or ‘correct’ his terrifying prophecy." [131]
Nor should we think that predictions of death can never be self-fulfilling. There are cases of people apparently "willing" themselves to death. These people lose virtually all interest in life and expect to die, and some do. Whether they believe in black magic (a "death hex"), or that the stars have fated it, they do die. [132] In their defense, many astrologers claim that it is no longer "proper" for astrologers to predict death. [133] But the damage that has already been done over the years and continues to be done cannot be so easily discarded.
Self-Fulfilling Prophecies
When clients accept an astrologer’s invitation to have their chart read, there are at least three things working against them:
1) numerous astrological factors can result in harmful or "malefic" combinations. The odds are that sooner or later the chart itself will inform clients of something they don’t want to hear;
2) the odds are that the astrologer has a spirit guide directing chart interpretation, and spirit guides are not known for their love of humanity;
3) the problem of self-fulfilling prophecies.
Prominent astrologer Dane Rudhyar observes the problems associated with specific predictions, or "definite forecasts," based on progressions and transits:
…the individual has no recourse against the impact of such revelations. He is almost totally unprotected against their possible negative effect. Even if he reasons himself out of being consciously affected by the forecast, his subconscious memory does not let go. This is worse obviously if the event or trend prophesied is unfortunate and if fear of its results is aroused - which is the case in nine cases out of ten! - but it can even have psychologically disintegrating effects when the thing expected is very fortunate for it may lead to a self-satisfied expectancy blurring the edges of the individual’s efforts. [134]
Rudhyar reveals,
"I have received many letters from people telling me how fearful or psychologically confused they have become after consulting even a well-known astrologer and being given a biased character analysis and/or predictions of illness, catastrophe, or even death." [135]
Just a single astrological prediction can have tragic results because of the power and authority the clients grant to the astrologer. The magazine Astrology Now interviewed a woman named Lore Wallace who went to a famous astrologer at age 17 only to encounter predictions of a difficult birth and the death of a child. Although this never occurred, she said that the predictions "damaged me probably for the rest of my life." [136]
As a final example of the dangers of astrology, consider the two following true incidents from astrological marriage counseling. [137] A young man consults an astrologer who informs him that he will marry young, but that his first wife will not be the one "destined" for him. Only his second wife will bring him "true happiness." The man deliberately marries young in order to get his first wife, that is to fulfill the prophecy, so that he will not miss finding his second wife who alone will make him happy.
His first wife is very good and devoted and bears him three children. After the third child is born, the husband abandons his wife and family and obtains a divorce. He marries a second wife whom he believes is the one the stars have destined to make him truly happy. Yet within a few months, she joins a cult and makes his life utterly miserable. Soon he divorces her as well. [138]
Here is just a single prediction and subsequent tragedy. If we multiply this by the millions of astrological predictions given each year, it gives us a look at the true potential of astrology.
Far too many tragedies are "arranged" by astrological predictions. Clients become amazed by accurate self-disclosures; these self-disclosures generate trust; trust leads to deception; deception produces unwise or immoral decisions and actions; bad actions bring ruin or destruction. [139]
A second illustration reveals not only how easily astrology becomes a vehicle for tragedy but also the spiritual deception hidden beneath the surface. A certain woman was engaged to be married and felt that the advice of an astrologer might be useful. After drawing the horoscope, the astrologer predicted the following: "Your engagement will break up. This man will not marry you. You will not marry at all, but remain single." The woman was devastated. She was so in love with her fiancé that she could not bear the thought of losing him. She became depressed and paralyzed with fear. She continually worried that the engagement would break up and that she would never marry.
She finally resolved to put an end to her life, but on the day she intended to kill herself, a friend of her fiancé was able to stop her. Upon the advice of that friend, she went for pastoral counseling, revealed her plight, repented of her sins and gave her life to Jesus Christ Soon after that day, her fiancé also gave his life to Christ Today they are contentedly married and have several children. But had it not been for Christ, the disaster which was set afoot by the astrologer could have happened. [140]
End Notes
54. Statements made by instructors in courses at the American Federation of Astrologers Convention, Las Vegas, NV July 4-8, 1988: cf. John Weldon, "Astrology: An Inside Look, Part 2, News & Views, October 1988.
55. Los Angeles Times, January 15, 1975; Charles E. O. Carter, The Principles of Astrology. Wheaton, IL: Quest/Theosophical Publishing House, 1977, p. 14; Bernard Gittelson, Intangible Evidence, New York: Simon & Schuster, 1987, p. 350.
56. Sepherial [sic], A Manual of Occultism, New York: Samuel Weiser, 1978, p. 3; Doreen Valiente, An ABC of Witchcraft Past and Present, New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2973, pp. 21, 23; Dane Rudhyar, The Practice of Astrology as a Technique in Human Understanding, New York: Penguin Books, 1975, p. 21; Henry Weingarten, The Study of Astrology: Book 1, New York: ASI Publishers, 1977, p. 77.
57. John Warwick Montgomery, Principalities and Powers, Minneapolis, MN: Bethany, 1973, p. 96.
58. Daniel Logan, The Reluctant Prophet, 1980, pp. 63-66, 169-70.
59. Marcus Allen, Astrology for the New Age: An Intuitive Approach, Sebastopol, CA: CRCS Publications, 1979, pp. 2-6.
60. Sepherial, A Manual of Occultism, p. 3.
61. Weingarten, A Study of Astrology: Book 1, p. 77.
62. Wim van Dam, Astrology and Homosexuality, York Beach, ME: Samuel Weiser, 1985, p. 83.
63. Tracy Marks, The Art of Chart Interpretation, Sebastopol, CA: CRCS Publications, 1986, p. 143.
641. Ibid., p. 87; Robert E. Leichtman, Carl Japiske, The Life of the Spirit, Vol. 2, Columbus, OH: Ariel, 1987, pp. 20-21.
65. John Ankerberg, John Weldon, Astrology: Do the Heavens Rule Our Destiny?, Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 1989, pp. 185-200.
66. Charles Strohmer, What Your Horoscope Doesn’t Tell You, Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1988, p. 42.
67. This is extensively documented in Encyclopedia of New Age Beliefs.
68. John Ankerberg, John Weldon, Astrology: Do the Heavens Rule Our Destiny? Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 1989, pp. 201-55.
69. Franz Cumont, Astrology and Religion Among the Greeks and Romans, New York: Dover, 1960; K. C. Tunnicliffe, Aztec Astrology, Essex, Great Britain: L. N. Fowler & Co., Ltd., 1979; Firmicus Maternus, Ancient Astrology Theory and Practice [original title: Matheseos Libri VIII, 334 A. D.], trans. Jean Rhys Bram, Parkridge, NJ: Noyes Press, 1975; Roy A. Gallant, Astrology Sense or Nonsense? Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1974.
70. For documentation see Encyclopedia of New Age Beliefs.
71. Margaret H. Gammon, Astrology and the Edgar Cayce Readings, Virginia Beach, VA: ARE Press, 1987.
72. Alice A. Bailey, Esoteric Astrology, New York: Lucis Publishing, 1975.
73. Cynthia Bohannon, The North and South Nodes: The Guideposts of the Spirit: A Comprehensive Interpretation of the Nodal Placements, Jacksonville, FL: Arthur Publications, 1987.
74. Ankerberg and Weldon, Astrology, pp. 210-12.
75. Ibid., pp. 219-20.
76. Ibid., pp. 212-19; Sri Chinmoy Astrology: The Supernatural and Beyond, Jamaica, NY: Agni Press, 1973; Elman Bacher, Studies in Astrology, (9 vols.), Oceanside, CA: The Rosicrucian Fellowship, 1968; Marc Edmund Jones, The Sabian Manual: A Ritual for Living, Boulder, CO: Sabian/ Shambhala Publications, rev., 1976.
77. Mae R. Wilson-Ludlam, Interpret Your Rays Using Astrology, Tempe, AZ: American Federation of Astrologers, 1986.
78. Former astrologer Karen Winterburn, personal phone conversation, August 1988.
79. Personal correspondence, emphasis added.
80. Strohmer, Horoscope, pp. 51,54.
816. Letter from Dr. Atlas Laster, Jr., September 23, 1988, containing a copy of a letter by astrology Harry Darling M.D., approving his Ph.D. dissertation on astrology submitted to the University of Pittsburgh ("On the Psychology of Astrology: The Use of Genethliacal Astrology in Psychological Counseling," 1976), p. 4.
82. Ibid.
83. Strohmer, Horoscope, p. 53; Tracy Marks, The Art of Chart Interpretation, Sebastopol, CAL CRCS Publications, 1986, pp. 86-87.
84. Ankerberg, Weldon, Astrology, pp. 225-55.
85. Ibid., pp. 211-20; other documentation found in Encyclopedia of New Age Beliefs.
86 John Ankerberg, John Weldon, The Coming Darkness: Confronting Occult Deception, Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 1993.
87. Lawrence E. Jerome, Astrology Disproved, Buffalo, NYL: Prometheus Books 1977, p. 212.
88. Los Angeles Times, September 14, 1975, p. 1.
89 Tracy Marks, The Art of Chart Interpretation, Sebastopol, CA: CRCS Publications, 1986, pp. 151-53.
90. Ibid.
91. Ibid., pp. 155-61.
92. Kurt Koch, Satan’s Devices, Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publishers, 1978, p. 20.
93. Kurt Koch, Between Christ and Satan, Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publishers, 1962, pp. 11-12.
94. Sherman P. Kanagy II, and Kenneth D. Boa, Astrology - Scientific, Philosophical and Religious Issues, ms., 1986, p. 108.
95. Stephen Arroyo, Astrology, Karma and Transformation: The Inner Dimensions of the Birth Chart, Davis, CA: CRCS Publications, 1978, p. 246.
96. Jane A. Evans, Twelve Doors to the Soul: Astrology of the Inner Self, Wheaton, IL: Quest/Theosophical Publishing House, 1983, p. 200.
97. Robert A. Morey, Horoscopes and the Christian, Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 1981, p. 47; Liz Green and Howard Sasportas, The Development of the Personality (Seminars in Psychological Astrology, Volume 1), York Beach, ME: Samuel Weiser, 1988, p. XI.
98. John Warwick Montgomery, Principalities and Powers: The World of the Occult, Minneapolis, MN: Bethany Fellowship, 1973, p. 118.
99. Alan Oken, Astrology: Evolution and Revolution - a Path to Higher Consciousness Through Astrology, New York: Bantam, 1976, p. 85.
100. Kanagy and Boa, Astrology, p. 85.
101. Mae R. Wilson-Ludlam, Interpret Your Rays Using Astrology, Tempe, AZ: American Federation of Astrologers, 1986, pp. 5-6.
102. Sydney Omarr, My World of Astrology, Hollywood, CA: Wilshire Book Company, 1968, p. 23.
103. Alice A. Bailey, Esoteric Astrology, New York: Lucis Publishing, 1975, p. 638.
104. Nicholas deVore, Encyclopedia of Astrology, Totowa, NJ: Littlefield Adams & Co., 1976, p. VIII.
105. Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, The Rajneesh Bible, vol. 1, Rajneeshpuram, OR: Rajneesh Foundation International, 1985, pp. 368, 372, 276.
106. Joan McEvers, ed., Spiritual, Metaphysical and New Trends in Modern Astrology, St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 1988, pp. 53, 70.
107. Jeff Green, Pluto: The Evolutionary Journey of the Soul, Vol. 1, St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 1988, p. 3; Tracy Marks, The Art of Chart Interpretation, p. 145.
108. Robert Eisler, The Royal Art of Astrology, London: Herbert Joseph, Ltd., 1946, p. 127; Keith Thomas, Religion and the Decline of Magic, New York: Charles Schribner’s Sons, 1971, pp. 329-30.
109. Dane Rudhyar, The Practice of Astrology: Book 1, New York: ASI Publishers, 1977, p. 99.
110. Jane A. Evans, Twelve Doors to the Soul, p. 170.
111. John Ankerberg, John Weldon, The Myth of Safe Sex, Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1994.
112. Jeff Green, Pluto, pp. 146-47.
113.Alan Oken, Astrology, 64-75; Wim van Dam, Astrology and Homosexuality, York Beach, ME: Samuel Weiser, 1985.
114. Jess Stearn, A Time for Astrology, New York: Signet, 1972, pp. 213-14.
115. Ibid., p. 210.
116. Ibid., p. 215.
117. Joan McEvers, ed., Spiritual, Metaphysical and New Trends in Modern Astrology, St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 1988, p. 3.
118. Nicholas deVore, Encyclopedia of Astrology, Totowa, NJ: Littlefield Adams & Co., 1976, p. 310.
119 Bernard Rosenblum, The Astrologer’s Guide to Counseling, Reno, NV: CRCS Publications, 1983, p. 121.
120. Alice O. Howell, Jungian Symbolism in Astrology, Wheaton, IL: Quest/Theosophical Publishing House, 1987, p. 7.
121. Joan Hodgson, Reincarnation Through the Zodiac, Reno, NV: CRCS Publications, 1978, p. 7.
122. Carol Cocciardi, ed., The Psychic Yellow Pages, Saratoga, CA: Out of the Sky, 1977, p. 111.
123. Ibid., p. 128; Sylvia De Long, The Art of Horary Astrology and Practice, Tempe, AZ: American Federation of Astrologers, 1988, p. 1.
124. Ibid., p. 128.
125. Doris Chase Doan, Astrology: Thirty Years Research, Tempe, AZ: American Federation of Astrologers, 1985, p. 154.
126. Ibid., p. 155.
127. Dane Rudhyar, The Practice of Astrology as a Technique in Human Understanding, New York: Penguin Books, 1975, p. 24.
128. John Ankerberg, John Weldon, Astrology: Do the Heavens Rule Our Destiny?, Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 1989, pp. 275-79.
129. Sir John Manolesco, Scientific Astrology, New York: Pinnacle Books, 1975, p. 127.
130. Owen S. Rachleff, Sky Diamonds: The New Astrology, New York: Popular Library, 1973, p. 265.
131 Robert Eisler, The Royal Art of Astrology, London: Herbert Joseph, Ltd., 1946, p. 111.
132. Ram Dass interview, New Age Journal, no., 9, p. 27; see also the interview in The Movement, 1976; cf. Lawrence E. Jerome, Astrology Disproved, Buffalo, NY: Prometheus Books, 1977, pp. 32,212, 104.
133. de Vore, Encyclopedia, pp. 224-25.
134. Rudhyar, Practice of Astrology, pp. 95-96, emphasis added.
135. Geoffrey Dean, "Does Astrology Need to Be True? Part 1: A Look at the Real Thing," The Skeptical Inquirer, vol. 9, no. 2, p. 174; cf. Dane Rudhyar, From Humanistic to Transpersonal Astrology, Palo Alto, CA: The Seed Center, 1975, p. 12; Manolesco, Scientific Astrology, p. 27.
136. Dean, "Does Astrology Need to Be True?" p. 184.
137. cf. Teri King, Marriage, Divorce and Astrology, New York: Harper & Row, 1988, pp. 223-27.
138. Marc Edmund Jones, The Sabian Manual: A Ritual for Living, Bolder, CO: Sabian/Shambhala Publications, rev., 1976, pp. 17-18.
139. Charles Strohmer, What Your Horoscope Doesn’t Tell You, Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1988, p. 47.
140. Kurt Koch, Satan’s Devices, Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 1978, pp. 20-21.
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