Astrology is the occult pseudos-science which teaches that there is an lnfluence of the heavely bodies (sun, Moon, planets, stars, upon human affairs . It is a form of divination, forbidden in the Scriptures, based upon the assumption that the positions of the sun, moon, stars, and planets affect the fortunes of individuals and their daily circumstances of life, as well as the events of history.
Astrology is an ancient practice which had its origin in Babylonia where the priests who worshipped the heavenly bodies as emblematic of their gods observed how that the sun, moon, and the 5 visible planets passed through 12 groups of stars (constellations). Noting the apparentrelationship between their movements and such things as the yearly seasons, the rains, plant and crop growth, and the storms, they also associated the heavenly bodies with the affairs of daily life and the events of history. As a result there arose a complex system of astronomical calculations intended to show this supposed influence of the stars and planets upon man and his environment.
Through the conquests of Alexander the Great, astrology was introduced into Greece from where it reached Rome. It was developed by the Arabs and spread to Europe where it was popular from the l3th century on. Some European courts had their own royal astrologers.
The Horoscope is a vital part of astrology. The path which the sun, moon, and planets pass throuqh the heavens was divided by the astrologers into l2 equal parts, each of which contained a constellation. These constellations were given names and they became the signs of the zodiac. Zodiac means "circle" or "circle of animals." Most of the constellations have names of animals: Taurus (bull); Leo (lion); Aries (ram), and so on.
A horoscope is a diagram of the heavenly bodies which shows the relative positions of the sun, moon, planets, and stars at a specific time. From this their alleged influence upon an individual's life can be determined. By knowing the time of one's birth, it can be determined under which sign of the zodiac (constellation) he was born, and the position of the various planets at that moment can also be calculated. An Individual born between December 22 and January 2, for example, is said to be born under the sign of Capricorn (the goat), with Saturn as the ruling planet in the 10th house (constellation). this is supposed to be the scholarly, intellectual sign. Such individuals are ambitious, have leadership ability, and tend to become scholars, rulers, teachers, lawyers, businessmen and professiona according to the astrologers. Saturn's influence, however, is said to cause a tendency toward moodiness, selfishness, and a desire for solitude.
The horoscope contains an outer circle showing the signs of the zodiac at the time of birth, and an inner chart divided into 12 houses, depicting the various aspects of earthly life. The various relations of the sun, plantes, and the signs form the basis of the horoscope. The positions of the signs of the zodiac and the planets among them affect the houses and the meanings attached to them. Since each of the 9 planets, as well as the sun and moon move through the 12 houses, they also are said to have an influence upon one's life.
A person born under a particular sign is said to inherit the characteristics of that sign. The Zodiac is an imaginary belt in the heavens extending about 8 degrees on each side of the ecliptic (the apparent annual path of the sun, moon and planets in the heavens). It contains 12 constellations (Aries, Taurus. Geminin, Cancer, Leo, virgo, libra, Scorpius, Saittarius, Capricornus, aquarius and Pisces), which become the 12 signs of the Zodiac. The names of the zodiacal contellations date from the Bablonian period or possible the early Sumerian period of near Eastern pagan religious history.
The Zodiac is found throughout the world. Excavations have revealed representations of the Zodiac in ancient cultures. It is engraved upon the temples of Greece and Rome, and was found among the Mayas by the Spanish conquerors. The Egyptians were familiar with it, as were the Chinese, and it has even turned up in the islands of the Pacific. Some believe that the Great Circle at Stone henge in England is really a type of the Zodiac.
Although Satan uses astrology to ensnare the gullible in the demonic web of occultism, the inaccuracies of many of the forecasts indicte that it is neither a science nor reliable. This is true for several reasons.
For example, different astrologers will frequently give different readings of the same individual's chart. Again, astrology cannot explain why two individuals born at the same time and under the same sign have different destinies. One may die at hirth, the other live a long life. Even twins often have different personality and character traits. More over, different astrologers in different newspapers often give entirely conflicting forecasts and predictions for the same day. Astrology, furthermore, has not kept up with the science of astronomy.
For instance, the zodiacal siqns no longer coincide with the constellations of the same name because of the gradual shift of the earth's polar axis (called "pocession of the equinoxes"), which means that today Leo is actualy virqo, and Aries is Pisces and so on throughout the 12 constellations. Moreover, until Copernicus proved that the earth and planets revolved around the sun, zodiac charts for thousands of years had been based upon the theory that the earth was the center of the universe. In addition, the planets Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto are of relatively recent discovery necessitating the overhaul of the horoscope charts and astrological theories (pluto, for instance, was not discovered until 1930). Also there are other constellations and stars in the heavens; why aren't these considered by the astrologers. Even a different set of zodiacal animals is employed by the Chinese as a basis for their astrology.
Astrology is condemened in the Scriptures as being an abomination to the Lord (Deut. 18:9-12).
It is a pagan practice which encourages people to consult, not God, but the powers of darkness under the deception that the stars and heavenly bodies exert a mystical influence upon human life and the events of history. It is fatalistic, tending to paralyze initiative and right judgment, and excuses man from his responsibility before God, since he can dismiss his mistakes, sins, and failures by blaming them on the stars!
Is the Zodiac in the Bible?
Some individuals erroneously contend that the Zodiac conste]lations actually foretell the Gospel the birth, death, resurrection, and return of Christ. This error is found set forth in such books as "The Witness ofhe Stars", and "The Zodiac and the Bible", in addition to others. The stars are said to present a systematic plan for God's redemption of man the Gospel in the stars. Adovacates of this view believe that before there was any written record of God's plan, the messaqe of salvation was the signs of the Zodiac, beginning with Virgo (the Virgin), as a sign of the virgin birth, and continuing through the 12 houses to Leo (the Lion), signifying the Lion of Judah and His triumph. While the Scriptures do state that " the Heavens declare the glory of God" (Ps. 19:1), one must distinguish, however, between such forms of "natural" revelation and "supernatural" or "special" revelation and "Supernatuall" or "special" revelation in the Scriptures. The heavens declare the glory of God, but they tell us nothing of sin, the Cross, judgment, repentance, forgiveness, resurrection, or of Jesus Christ and eternal life through faith in Him. According to the Scriptures themselves, the purpose of general or natural revelation of deity, whether through nature or man's consccience, is so that man will be without excuse in the day of judgment (Rom. 1:17-20; 2:13-16) However, special revelation is necessary to lead one to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ (John 1:18; 17:33; Matt. 16:12-17). The scriptures declare that what knowledge of God comes breaking through to sinful man through nature or creation is perverted by him, and man turns the creature into the Creator and worships the creation itself. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse. Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became valn in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things .... Who changed the truth of Cod into a lie; and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen (Rom. 1:20-25).
In the book, The Zodiac and the Bible, the author Contends that the 12 signs of the Zodiac really signify 12 different ways of knowing about God. In order to acquire a full understandinq of God and completness of salvation man has to learn (piecemeal as it were) about God in 12 different aspects. The 12 lessons have been allotted a name or sign; namely, the signs of the Zodiac. Each depicts some aspect of the innate character of God, as each of the signs has a dominant quality which distinguishes it from the others. Such fanciful theories have absolutely no basis in the Scriptures. It would appear that the advocates of these views have in reality developed a form of "Christian Astrology," and have fallen into Satan's snare which the Apostle Paul warns us against in Colossians 2:8. Certainly, any form of astrology, however pious it may Sound, is clearly condemned by God in Deuteronomy 18:9-12 and in mnay other passages of Scripture (see: Occultism). God has given us sufficient revelation about Himself in the Holy Scriptures, and has clearly warnedus to avoid any association with astrology or any form of occultism. Christ in the Zodiac? Christians are admonished by God to stay with the Scriptures and not to hearken to the teachings of deluded men (Isa. 8:20; Tim. 4:1; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Col. 2:8).