This article was published in the
latest issue of Today's Astrologer the monthly publication of
the American Federation of Astrologers.
The Bible takes a strong negative stand on Astrology. Yet, Kabbalah,
the ancient Jewish mystical tradition, has sources that are based
on astrological principles.
Some historians say Astrology and Astronomy were originally one
discipline. Therefore, it may be that the earliest sages were
well versed in both. What made it imperative for Jewish sages
to delve into this study were the Biblical commandments to celebrate
the New Moon, and to chart the Jewish holidays in the proper season.
Each month of the Hebrew calendar is one lunar cycle. The holidays
are related to the seasons, so the sages had to adjust the calendar
because the lunar year is shorter than the solar year. Therefore,
the Jewish calendar is neither purely lunar , nor solar. It is
a mixture.
In Genesis 1:14 it says, "God said, `There shall be lights
in the heavenly sky to divide between day and night. They shall
serve as omens and define festivals, days and years.'" Early
commentaries say that "omens" refers to how the stars
and planets affect out lives. Therefore, based on the necessity
for fixing the Hebrew calendar , and an understanding that stars
and planets affect events it is clear that early wise men had
an astrological outlook.
A mystical text called "The Chapters of Rabbi Eliezar"
that was authored before the common era by a well known Jewish
sage, actually outlines the hourly influences of the seven celestial
bodies: Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn.
Each planet rules a different hour of the day. Each planet rules
a day of the week. We still have remnants of this belief in the
English names of the days of the week. The Sun rules Sunday. The
Moon rules Monday. Saturn rules Saturday. There are other sources
from different time periods that have similar time charts. The
Talmud, the Jewish Law compendium, was written over centuries
and codified in approximately 500 c.e. It mentions of a number
of astrological ideas. In one spot it links the influences of
the planets to a person's personality. Gaining insight into your
personality has been valued throughout Jewish literature in non-mystical
and Kabbalistic thought. The Talmud cautions us, though, not to
assume a particular trait can define us precisely. For example,
someone born under the influence of Mars will be drawn to bloodshed.
It's up to the person, however, to channel that inclination into
being a doctor, surgeon, or butcher as opposed to becoming a murderer.
The main text of Kabbalistic Astrology is "The Book of Creation"
attributed to Abraham (from the Bible). This book outlines the
influence not only of the stars but also the constellations familiar
to Western Astrology. [In early times, the Jews lived among the
people that the historians call the founders of Astrology - the
Chaldeans, and later the Babylonians. We may never know whom learned
more from whom.] It lists these influences and other correspondences
to each of the twelve months of the Hebrew calendar. For example,
Tishrei, the first month of the calendar year, is linked to :
1) the constellation known as Libra, 2) the element - Wind, 3)
the letter of the Hebrew alphabet called Lamed (similar to the
English "L"), 4) the gender Male, 5) the planet Venus,
6) the human function of Marital Relations, 7) the quality of
Fixation, 8) the Biblical tribe of Ephraim, 9) and the part of
the body - Bile. Through studying the meaning behind the various
aspects associated with a particular month, you can define the
spiritual potential for you in each time period. The kabbalists
looked to Astrology more to get a general feeling for what a month
can offer spiritually rather than to predict what will happen
on any given day. They used this knowledge for personal growth.
To predict daily or hourly events would violate a Biblical prohibition
Leviticus 19:26 "Do not act on the basis of auspicious times."
Predicting events too precisely leads one away from the understanding
that God is involved with every molecule of existence and can
alter events at will. This danger appears to be the basis of all
Biblical injunctions against Astrology. In order for us to have
a close ongoing personal relationship with God, we need to keep
the perspective that He is involved with every aspect of life.
Even though He designed the heavens to have a complex system of
influence, He did not set it up and walk away.
Let's probe the Jewish month of Tishrei to see some insights.
(Tishrei in 1999 lasted from September 11 until October 10.) Justice
and Judgment are heavenly influences for this time period. This
is evidenced by the first day of the month being Rosh Hashanah,
known as the Day of Judgement. The commandments and customs of
that day serve to soften God's judgement on the world. The spiritual
influence of judgement is plainly visible to all by the sign of
Libra, the scales being this month's ruling constellation. The
letter of the alphabet associated with Tishrei is Lamed. It is
the twelfth letter signifying a relationship with the calendar.
Each letter has a numerical value for counting purposes as well
as mystical interpretations. Lamed's numerical value is 30, linking
it conceptually with the days of the month. Lamed is the tallest
letter of the Hebrew alphabet, it towers above all the other letters,
symbolizing our striving to reach up to the heavens during this
time.
The kabbalists use their understanding of the heavenly influences
to see the spiritual potential in each time period, as opposed
to predicting the future. They seek the hidden opportunities for
elevation, always striving for a closer relationship with God.
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