The Dangers of Astrological Reductionism
October 25, 2007 by kishner
Astrology is a system. Although some astrologers believe that they can account for the whole person by including all manner of asteroids, fixed stars and theoretical points (because the 10 planets are just not enough), I disagree. Human beings are mysterious and complex. They transcend the blueprint of the horoscope.
So when you ask if you’re compatible with a Gemini — and even if you throw in your respective Venus, Mars, Moon and Rising signs — an astrologer can say how good of a “fit” you two will be, and what issues you may trigger in each other — but you should not base a major life decision (such as ending a relationship) based solely on an interpretation.
Astrology is a form of divination. It is one attempt among many — like Tarot, I Ching, Runes — to gain wisdom into the workings of the Universe. All of these systems are ultimately based on the meaning of a moment in time. When you throw the coins, you’re really asking, “What are the archetypal dynamics happening right now, as I ask this question?” When you consult astrology for dating advice, you’re asking, “What archetypal dynamics were in play when this Gemini guy was born?”
Archetypal patterns have a wide range of manifestations. Astrologers have a bag full of interpretations for any planetary combination — say, if your Venus trines his Mars — but the interplay of these archetypes transcends human understanding. We can ‘get’ some of it, but not all of it.
Ultimately, the answers you get from divination are just data. They are not God’s Word. They may be God’s Word filtered through categories of experiences of the collective unconscious. But they are still categories … boxes, compartments. Ways that we make sense of life. That is not to say they are not “real” in a Platonic sense — out there in the Ideal World. But we can only see a version of the Truth through our mortal eyes.
Ultimately, you have to combine data from various sources to make an informed relationship decision. Do a Tarot reading. Get an astrological compatibility reading. Listen to your feelings and intuitions. Talk to elders. To base your decisions solely on a source outside of yourself is folly.
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Well said.
I believe it is best for us to remain humble with the knowledge we derive from any data source … we are mortal and limited, so for anyone to believe they are the authority on any subject just because they have vast knowledge in the material, would be a fallacy. I agree that the data is a guideline to go by and to use other sources of knowledge combined with faith and intuition are a better guide than taking one source as the gospel. I agreed with all that was said in Your Blog. I appreciate Your Viewpoint and learn from Your Site. Thank You, Diane
Here’s my “me too!” post of the day: I concur.
I’m too mentally tired to bring up an opposite-how-I-really-feel-just-to-make-things-interesting POV right now. Maybe later.
Oh, btw, I totally agree with you about Gemini’s tendency to do this, Jeff. I just wanted to see if I could convince myself otherwise. I have more Gemini influence in my chart than any other sign and I can be very contrary, as you know. That’s probably why I attract so many air signs in my life. I am constantly stirring up stuff (to the delight of my air sign friends and relatives), but then I just want to withdraw from the debates that I started if I feel someone’s taking my s***-starting personally (oh lovely Cancer Sun). But no matter how much I protest to the contrary, I do like to see disagreement because it makes for more lively conversations (Group-think is my kryptonite.)! My teachers in school can attest to this.
I just don’t like when it degenerates into hurt feelings, personal attacks, and…oh dear God..physical altercations. I’m a debater, not a fighter. lol
bis said
ya, and honestly what u feel is really what ought make ur decision. i feel like everything else like astro is just for interest u know – it is interesting to know, fun to see how it works out, but if it comes to making a decision i just dont see how neone could ever be like well i totally clash with this person in x ways and the charts and cards etc dont bear good news and so tho im so attracted w/them i wont bother with it. the whole point is that going against reason is often the only real reasonable thing, to do ur thing. vivre sa vie ta.
Most of the time I meet people, feel a certain way about them, and then look to their natal chart to confirm my assumptions. However, I would never choose to avoid a person or be attracted to them based on their natal chart alone. Knowing what signs the planets are in and what aspects are made helps me to sort of work my personality around theirs so that everyone is happy (NOTE: This does not apply to dating; there are just some aspects that I’ve found to be unbearable time and again.)
http://www.verticalpool.com/astro7.html
I’ve read this article before, Anonymous. Why are you linking to it?
because it’s a brilliant article, and relevant to your discussion
wasn’t aware you’d read it
I’m not psychic
Victoria (I assume), I’ll be sure to read it again, then, as it’s been a few years. But it would helpful to provide some context when including a link, e.g., how do you find it relevant?
when did you leave this comment?
my e-mail is so jammed up with crap and spam and stuff my closets are worse and my mind, well that’s another ball of wax
so since I chanced across this discussion again hoping to poke a barb at the converse “advantages of astrological expansionism” I realized I’d left behind a cliffhanger and apologize for my apparent negligence
I forgot what the article said so I had to read it again myself, but at the time it just seemed to stick out in my mind like a sore thumb, demanding attention, so attention it got
I still haven’t answered your question, can it wait until tomorrow, when I am coherent and capable once again
presently my severely challenged Moon is doing its thing in the 12th and the square is unfavorable to pleasant discourse and meaningful communication
frankly I still can’t recall why I posted that link, must have been the mood of the moment or something like that
brilliant article, though
perhaps the author was reducing the interpretation of the effect of the transits of the outer planets to a dangerous level?
or so I thought, at the time of the original reading, who knows