Astrology: Pseudoscience or Ancient and Hidden Truth?
Posted by Wade on August 28th, 2006
   In the scriptures there are numerous references to stars, planets, and astronomical phenomenon. A simple search of the scriptures for the word “star” catches several interesting passages.
Generally, Alma pointed to the existence and regular motion of the planets as evidence that God exists. Surely Alma must have believed the motion had meaning and purpose and was part of God’s design.
Also, there are several places in which the children of God are likened unto “morning stars“. Indeed, Satan fell from his position as a son of the morning.
Specifically, the constellation of Orion is mentioned four times in the Bible. But the most interesting to me is an explanation found in DC 88:42-43, 47:
And again, verily I say unto you, he hath given a law unto all things, by which they move in their times and their seasons; And their courses are fixed, even the courses of the heavens and the earth, which comprehend the earth and all the planets. Behold, all these are kingdoms, and any man who hath seen any or the least of these hath seen God moving in his majesty and power.
Again, here tied to the existence and movements of planets and stars is the importance of knowing the meaning of it all; the general meaning is that God’s majesty is revealed in it. I have mentioned before that scripture is replete with statements that all things testify of Christ. One such scripture specifically states that “things in the heavens above” exist to testify of Christ.
So, the question is whether astrology, as it exists today, has any particle of truth in it? I have adopted Brigham Young’s approach of treasuring truth where ever it may be found. And I’m beginning to think there is some truth in astrology in general (I’ve never been a fan of horoscope reading etc.).
There is a very interesting article that just was published by John Pratt in Meridian Magazine. The article is compelling because Pratt, an expert astronomer, gives evidence that the 48 constellations were first revealed to Enoch. Pratt then gives possible meaning for each constellation and how they point to Christ and the gospel.
Also, there is the fact that Jospeh Smith was likely influenced by gnosticism and probably understood the real meaning of astrology. I don’t see the harm in believing that he did–if freemasonry was perverted truth, why couldn’t astrology and gnosticism have truth as well? But apparently orthodox appologists feel threatened by the thought.
Moreover, it has been debated whether Joseph owned a Jupiter Talisman. You can read about this debate here (this is another orthodox appologist’s view that Joseph never owned the talisman). Emma’s second husband fathered an illegitimate son named Charles. Charles was raised by Emma until she died when Charles was only 15. When Charles was old, he sold a Jupiter Talisman to a Mr. Wilford Wood. Charles swore an affidavit that Emma told him numerous times that the talisman was Joseph’s and that he was carrying it in his pocket the day he was murdered. The veracity of this story is debated. However, Reed C. Durham Phd. (director of the LDS institute at the University of Utah) believed it was Joseph’s; he refered to the talisman as a “masonic jewel”.
This jewel was inscribed with the sign of Jupiter, or the sign of sagittarius–the most powerful in the zodiac.
Aside from all of this, Brother Todd B. Parker has pointed out something very interesting. He has pointed to the fact that Joseph was born on Winter Solstice in December 1805; the winter solstice is when light begins again to come into the world (the sun begins its way north again). Joseph was murdered on Summer Solstice in June 1844; the summer solstice is when light begins to go out of the world (the sun begins its way south). Interesting coincidence eh? I don’t think so. Perhaps an astrological sign?
Odd.
I’ve never gone in for this type of thing.
I need to read the enoch article when I get a chance. Constellations revealed to Enoch might be an interesting thing to read about.
Comment # 1 left by Eric Nielson on August 28th, 2006
Also, there is the fact that Jospeh Smith was likely influenced by gnosticism and probably understood the real meaning of astrology.
Hmm…I don’t think this statement is supportable. However, Mark Ashurst-McGee did a splendid job at delineating the Smith’s belief in astrology (Mom, Dad and Joseph Jr.) during Joseph’s formative years and a bit throughout Joseph’s life.
I haven’t read it yet, but I typically find Pratt’s stuff strained.
Comment # 2 left by J. Stapley on August 28th, 2006
My horoscope said not to believe anything I read today.
Comment # 3 left by Kaimi on August 28th, 2006
Kaimi, read this:
Horoscopes are never wrong.
Now what do you do huh?! Now what do you do???
Wade I wish I had more time today to do some poking around on the topic. Very interesting
Comment # 4 left by Ryan on August 28th, 2006
I love the reference to finding truth wherever we can, them embracing it.
Personally I enjoy John Pratt’s calendar writings (though a couple of his other articles left me scratching my head). While his research methods are unorthodox, his findings depict a highly ordered, elegant universe that’s exciting to the physicist in me.
Comment # 5 left by mistaben on August 28th, 2006
Kaimi:
My horoscope said not to believe anything I read today.
I guess you shouldn’t believe your horoscope then! Or, did you have your wife read your horoscope to you this morning over breakfast?
If it was read to you, then I guess you can go ahead and not believe anything else you read. But, if you actually read your horoscope yourself, you should have probably began your day by not believing the actual horoscope.
Besides, Nancy Reagan would be quite disappointed in you if you didn’t immediately follow the instructions of the horoscope (i.e. not to believe it). Incidentally, I bet you didn’t know that the time of Justice Kennedy’s nomination to the Supreme Court was set by Joan Quigley herself; and that Quigley instructed the white house staff to use a stop watch so as to make the timing perfect. Maybe that explains Kennedy’s judicial approach–not that anyone can pin that down?
Comment # 6 left by Wade on August 28th, 2006
J.
Why don’t you think it’s supportable that Joseph was influenced by gnosticism or that he understood “the true meaning” of astrology; especially after you acknowledge the truth of astrology’s influence on the Smith family?
Also, it’s interesting to note that Moroni appeared to Joseph on the Autumn equinox — a time in the changing of the season and when all parts of the earth are in equilibrium as to time. This same day (i.e. the autumn equinox) Joseph was instructed to return to the hill for several consecutive years. I don’t think this is a coincidence. Also, I think Joseph understood its significance!
Finally, can you provide me a link to Ashurst-McGee’s work you refer to; or can you point me to an article or book? Thanks!
Comment # 7 left by Wade on August 28th, 2006
Mistaben
I love the reference to finding truth wherever we can. . . .
Yeah, ever since I read Brigham’s statements about treasuring up truth from where ever it can be found, I’ve adopted the approach. I also believe John Taylor made several similar remarks about other churches being a good source for finding truth.
Comment # 8 left by Wade on August 28th, 2006
Ryan:
I know what you mean. I am obviously no expert in any of this; I’ve only read a few things here and there. However, I do find all of it extrememly interesting.
Comment # 9 left by Wade on August 28th, 2006
Why don’t you think it’s supportable that Joseph was influenced by gnosticism or that he understood “the true meaning” of astrology; especially after you acknowledge the truth of astrology’s influence on the Smith family?
Well, the whole idea of Pratt’s notions of astrology is a bit anochronistic when applied to Joseph. As far as gnosticism goes, I guess I would need a more specific claim. Saying he was influenced by it is to broad a claim to mean anything and in specifics falls apart.
For Mark’s thesis see here.
Comment # 10 left by J. Stapley on August 28th, 2006
Thanks J!
What exactly about the Pratt article is anachronistic? Are you saying that his thesis predates the constellations too far? If so, how so?
Comment # 11 left by Wade on August 28th, 2006
It is anachronistic because Joseph’s astrological tendancies were of the folk magical sort, not the Christian sort that were later developed.
Comment # 12 left by J. Stapley on August 28th, 2006
When I get time I hope to read Pratt’s stuff a little more carefully and do a post on it. He comes up with some interesting stuff, but I can’t help but think he is often seeing what he wants to. Let’s take the constellations: the number of scriptural symbols regarding Christ are large. If you think about it, you can make almost anything into a symbol of Christ–and the scriptures have: rock, lion, sheep, water, warrior, tree, king, servant, and so on. It just doesn’t seem to be that hard to come up with Christian counterparts to other ancient mythological symbols and characters because the world they lived in was the same. (I found this to be a little far-fetched: rabbits = promiscuity? I’d have to see more justification for that.)
And then with every darn constellation having to do with Christ or some aspect of the plan of salvation, lo and behold planets show up in some meaninful way on important dates in scriptural history.
Anyway, I’m not saying he’s wrong, I am just suggesting that we must guard against self-deception.
Comment # 13 left by Jared on August 28th, 2006
Jared! We all know that rabbits are philanderers!
Comment # 14 left by J. Stapley on August 28th, 2006
Speaking of rabbits, I couldn’t help but think of Monte Python. Maybe rabbits really are the enemy.
Comment # 15 left by Jared on August 28th, 2006
Joseph’s astrological tendancies were of the folk magical sort, not the Christian sort that were later developed.
You may be right, but I wouldn’t limit him to folk magic. I think there is evidence that Joseph understood much more than he taught, and much more than historical evidence points to what he knew/believed.
Comment # 16 left by Wade on August 28th, 2006
I think there is evidence that Joseph understood…
I’ll be happy to read it when it is available.
Jared, thank heaven for the holy handgrenage.
Comment # 17 left by J. Stapley on August 28th, 2006
If I might take a moment to cut through some of the discussion here to a question that I have been wondering about.
Does it matter? (And don’t get me wrong, this sounds like an attack on the post but it’s really an honest question)
Assuming Joseph did dabble in astrology and that there are some ancient truths revealed therein, would the satanic astrologies of today suddenly decrease in worthlessness? Do you think that there are eternal truths hidden in astrology that cannot be gained through the scriptures and the words of the prophets? If there are a few obscue details, would we be stunting our eternal progression by bumping them down a notch or two on our list of things to study?
Most importantly, what is the number thou shalt count to before throwing the holy hand grenade? And what is the average airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?
Comment # 18 left by Ryan on August 28th, 2006
Jared:
If you think about it, you can make almost anything into a symbol of Christ. . . .
It’s not that you/we are “making” things into symbols; rather, it is in reality that all things given by God_actually_are_sybmols of Christ! (See Moses 6:63).
Comment # 19 left by Wade on August 28th, 2006
Ryan:
Do you think that there are eternal truths hidden in astrology that cannot be gained through the scriptures and the words of the prophets?
My guess would be yes. But you’re right, in the long-term scheme of things it probably doesn’t really matter at this point. We should be worried about understanding what we actually have before us; instead of trying to discern that which is questionable.
Scripture and prophets have not spoken all truth. However, the truth they have spoken is widely disregarded. So, your question is appropriate. I guess I posted on this issue because I personally find it interesting.
Comment # 20 left by Wade on August 28th, 2006
I guess I posted on this issue because I personally find it interesting.
Don’t get me wrong, I do too.
Comment # 21 left by Ryan on August 29th, 2006