Humanizing Divinity: Astrology, Adaptability, and the Outer Planets
Astrology is an ancient art. Once considered a science of the natural world it was used to predict weather, navigate time and space, and understand the will of the divine. Over time it’s grown to incorporate the rise of individualism, depth psychology, and pop culture. In a world of rapidly-evolving facts and an ever-growing catalog of sciences, how do we reconcile old ways with the new?
One of the most common concerns I hear about astrological relevance focusses on the incorporation of modern planets. Ancient astrologers used nine traditional planets — including two luminaries — to govern the twelve zodiac signs and make predictions. We’ve since added three planets (plus or minus one) to our understanding of the solar system, but what does this mean for astrology as a field? How did astrologers know where to put them or what roles to assign? Does this just prove they were making it up all along?
In order for anything to remain relevant, it must be adaptable. Astrology is a living system with the capacity to evolve with information and demands. Just as the world itself grows and changes daily, our systems of examination must also remain open to amendment.
