RE: Why Take Astrology Seriously? -- Oh, the things Astrology can do for you!
@enchantedspirit -- Great to see such an enthusiastic astrology lover. I'm a lot into Indian and Chinese astrology. I've recently read a great book by Indian philosopher A. Dalela, called Mystic Universe. It's mostly about Vedic cosmology but the last chapter is about astrology. I think you would love it. Here is a summary of the astrology chapter from the book's description:
"Chapter 12: Principles of Vedic Astrology
Vedic astrology is based on a Vedic cosmology, although most modern practitioners of astrology aren’t aware of this fact. The planets don’t exert a gravitational force, but partake in conceptual interactions that influence different parts of our life. This chapter discusses the influences of different planets, and the relation to Sāńkhya. Common astrological concepts such as “houses”, “divisional charts”, and the daśā system are also developed based on Sāńkhya. The chapter describes how the different living experiences are not physical entities, but different perspectives on a cosmic situation.
WOW!! Thank you so much for recommending this!! This sentence in particular: "The planets don’t exert a gravitational force, but partake in conceptual interactions that influence different parts of our life." is exactly the conclusion I have come to over the years. The planets themselves aren't doing anything to you. But they are part of some greater unity we have yet to define or fully understand ... that is real, is valid, is predictable and deserves exploration.
This post -- Astrology -- Working with What Works ... Until something better comes along -- addresses that very thing. (One of my images in that essay is now broken. It wasn't when I posted it ... and I've seen several essays here and elsewhere showing the same problem. Images that were fine when we posted them have somehow gotten corrupted in the meantime. I am such a perfectionist about my work it really bothers me that I can't try to fix it -- because it was right in the beginning! Anyway ... that's neither here nor there regarding this reply. It's just such a relief to see another writer agreeing with my assertion. TYVM!)
I haven't read or studied much about Chinese or Vedic astrology. But they are "on my list!!" -- if you know what I mean. It sounds from what you've pointed out that they -- and this book -- should get pushed up a little higher!! (Somewhere in all this philosophical mystery, I want to find out how to be triplets! I could easily fill up three complete lives, all by myself. GOD, I wish I could buy the time so many people waste!!)
Thank you so much for your comment, your information, and for dropping by the blog. Sometimes discovering each other is the hardest part of beginning a conversation. Have a terrific week-end!