Written by Sarah Svati August 2010
Science Then and Now: Fact, Fiction or Uncertainty
Keeping an unbiased mind leads to answers about humankind, who we are and why we exist through scientific explanation. There are too many skeptics in this world and many are created out of a natural human fear of the unknown. Religious dogma has prevented science from expanding in the past and now we are dealing with modern day pessimistic, close-minded, scientific cynics. This is not to say that skepticism is a bad thing, quite the contrary. Too much of anything proves to be unbalanced and ineffective. Scientific tools to either prove or disprove several theories either valid or not, are nonexistent. Skeptics as well as dreamers balance harmoniously if the two could be combined. Obviously, cloning DNA to convert the entire human race into perfect genius' has not yet been mastered. So rather than waiting for science to catch up, as an evolving species, we should be consciously aware that both extremes are a necessary balance in a quest to find meanings of human existence. For many years dreamers and wild imaginations have remained and continue to be treated with the same level of disrespect and judgment as was evident in the beginning of humankind. Socrates humbly offers, “as for me, all I know, is that I know nothing." (Socrates). The philosopher's modest, humble vision unlocks doors and assures wisdom.
We have all heard, but seem to easily forget the story about a young boy who was kicked out of elementary school because he was not like the other kids. He daydreamed during class and according to the school, was stupid. This young boy's name was Albert Einstein, winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics 1921. In 1940 Einstein submits, “great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices, but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence and fulfills the duty to express the results of his thought in clear form” (Einstein). The cost is that close-mindedness leads to stagnation and longer time periods between idea and truth. If more people were open minded and knowledgeable about unsolved mysteries, opportunities to solve them would avail rather than against them as history reflects.
The ancient theory that the world was flat has been proven wrong by science and research. As post-modern Americans, we look back at the idea and silently giggle while thinking about how unrealistic and ridiculous it seems. The truth is that the ancients did not have the scientific tools to prove otherwise. They refused to keep an open mind about the idea which destroyed the option to research the statements and ideas of several, well-respected philosophers and astronomers. These genius' opposed the flat surface theory in a time when they could have been killed for their opposition.
Nobel Peace Prize in Physics winner Georges Charpak examines:
From the moment when astronomers drove Earth from the center of the universe (and thereby from the focus of creation), the [Catholic] church persecuted them as common heretics – starting with Copernicus, condemning Bruno to the stake, silencing Galileo, and forcing Descartes into exile. (Charpak XII)
Pope John Paul II of the Catholic Church began repentance in the 1980's and apologized. The church began showing signs of acceptance by utilizing their own telescope and rehabilitating Galileo's reputation. Close-mindedness and various anti-dogmatic beliefs have stopped research in discovering whether this “flat world truth” was valid, nor proven invalid.
Therefore, it was a well-known fact for several centuries that the world was flat because it was “common sense”, not because they were able to provide scientific support. Current day perceptions of knowing that the Earth is a planet that revolves around the Sun is attributed to the Scientific Revolution. It is now common knowledge because humankind has invented tools and devices to prove it as a scientific fact. This way of thinking has changed our process to naturally believing in things only if they are proven and evident. This can limit human perception of reality, rather than expand it if people are not consciously aware of what is happening. Just because one cannot see it does not mean that it does not exist. It only means that science has not proven its existence yet through modern acceptability. Extreme thinking in either direction is limiting. Balance is necessary.
Science has widened perceptions and increased knowledge throughout human existence. By proving the once ridiculous “round-earth fantasies” and a insane “sun-centered solar system” to be facts. The truth remained a mystery until the famous astronomer of the Renaissance Era, Nicolaus Copernicus published his eye-opening book, On The Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres. In 1543, against the church laws, Copernicus published his life's work months prior to his death which led the minds of the masses to blossom. Copernicus described a heliocentric, sun-centered model of the universe throughout his book. The theory was supported by Galileo who was condemned as a heretic, spending the last 9 years of his life on house arrest ending in 1642. The philosophy was later accepted and documented the beginning of, as well as declaring both Copernicus and Galileo as fathers of the Scientific Revolution. Copernicus' powerful statement announced, "therefore the earth is not flat, as Empedocles and Anaximenes thought” (Copernicus).
Anaximenes and Empedocles whom Copernicus was referring to had lived in the Early Greek Period. Anaximenes of 585 BC-528 BC was unlike his teacher and believed the world was a disk. But brilliantly attributed to science with his assertion that the universe is composed of air, identifying the states of matter as primitive qualities known as hot, cold, wet and dry. Soon after, Empedocles followed, 490 BC-430 BC “who set forth the first known codification of the four element theory which survives...” describes Rob Hand, a historical lecturer and Professor at Kepler College (Hand 5). The elements and primitive qualities remain scientific basics lying at the roots of the periodic table.
Anaximenes was a pupil of Anaximander, 611 BC-547 BC who, “postulated a cosmic scheme involving cylinders that held the stars and planets” (Hand). Thus, marking the beginning of philosophical and scientific investigations of a geocentric [earth-centered] universe. “With his assertion that physical forces, rather than supernatural means, create order in the universe, Anaximander can be considered the first scientist. He is known to have conducted the earliest recorded scientific experiment” Modern Astronomer Carl Sagan notes (Sagan 143-144). It took humankind from 547 BC-1543 AD to accept the fact that the world was not flat and to confirm that it is a sun-centered universe. That is 2000 years between idea and acceptance mainly as a result of obstacles in scientific proof and a lack of support for the imaginative star-gazers who were brave enough to think outside of the box.
Another great man in history, Hippocrates is well-known as the father of medicine who combined Anaximenes and Empedocles' primitive qualities and element principles to medicine. He believed that all illness was the result of an imbalance of the four humors of human body fluids: blood, black bile, yellow bile and phlegm. The humors were thought to be naturally balanced, while sickness occurred due to imbalance. In order to heal, the physical balance must be restored. Hippocrates' infamous quote insists that “a physician without a knowledge of Astrology has no right to call himself a physician” (Hippocrates).
All of the astronomers previously mentioned were in fact astrologers with the exception of modern astronomer, Carl Sagan. They are in history books without giving credit to their true research and attributions to the science of astrology which translates into a blatant lie. Hiding the truth about ancient scientific history from the children of our future is an injustice that hinders the growth of finding answers and exercising imaginations. Denying an essential part of the world's historical mistakes is a biased, funneled outlook and will only prohibit faster exploration due to a lack of perception. The universal questions and answers must be asked in order to be answered. Even the church's attempts to halt further scientific discoveries failed, rather simply they only impeded their speediness.
History reflects the future and repeats itself if it is left unchanged. We use historical dates, seasons, times and data to predict many things. Including, election polls, the weather and stock markets, and even simple things like what we will eat for dinner next Thanksgiving. Politicians use poll data to adjust their campaign. Weather forecasting is used to predict family vacations and planning daily wardrobes. Stock market history determines whether or not to should invest and where to put the money. We use history throughout our daily lives to change the outcome of several events for personal benefits. People must also use historical data to change the way they perceive the world they are existing in on larger, ideological levels. It has taken time to prove the theories of scientists valid and although scientific history was slower moving in the past, the 20th Century began advancing at a rapid rate of acceleration.
Astrology is the most misunderstood science in America today. Many do not even know that it is more than just being a “sun sign.” Between the 650-450 BC era, the constellations were “developed into a twelve-fold zodiac with equal 30 degree signs” (Hand 4). Horoscopes found in newspapers, emails, and links directly from any internet homepage are a technique of simple astrology. Your sign is derived from the position of the Sun on the month of your birth and thus gives you a personal zodiac sign. The Sun is extremely important, it is the center of our solar system. However, horoscopes are a simplified technique intended for mainstream media and represent a taste of astrology compared to its complex entirety.
At the moment of your birth, the date, time and location where you inhaled your first breath of life, is a moment captured by astrologers like a snapshot of the heavens. Then, they plot the placements of all planets including the Sun and Moon as well as other cosmological points including the Horizon, Zenith, Arabic Parts, and Moon's Nodes onto a wheel known as the birth or natal chart. The chart shows patterns that are unique to any other time in history. There are many systems and techniques developed that apply to a birth chart in order to interpret it and find it's meanings.
Astrology is a language composed of symbols that must be interpreted in a beneficial context that astrologers relate to. Some examples among several are for psychological benefits, predictive purposes, medical diagnosis or prevention, or to learn about compatibility between two individuals. It is subject to misinterpretation as is any form of communication. The planets have meanings that have shown themselves through research and study and have continued through the ages with unwavering displays of efficiency.
Renown Astrologer Rick Levine's wisdom is read daily by millions across the world wide web, including well-known sites like StarIQ.com, AOL, Yahoo, Myspace,and Tarot.com. In his DVD Quantum Astrology, Levine explains that planetary symbols have meanings attached to them and these symbols have been the same throughout time and also between cultures. Levine continues, pointing out a lack of evidence that would link different cultures from sharing information with one another. Without the evidence of linked communications, there existed a universal interpretation between them (Levine). An example is of Jupiter, in India he is the Guru, Rome calls him Zeus, and Greece calls him Jupiter or Jove; all of these symbols have common meanings including teacher, ideas and greatness (Levine). Venus is the bonding factor whether you are referring to wood or relationships, while Mars has a tendency to cut and separate as in war or relationships. All of the planets have meanings such as these and are also associated with the primitive qualities attributed to genius astronomer Plato, 428 BC-347 BC who combined the philosophy to astrology.
These are the well studied and documented, symbolic meanings that can become corrupt when used out of context and misunderstood by human naivete. Throughout history only the most prestigious, intellectual, and wealthy castes had access to this type of information. Prior to the French Revolution 1789-1799, “many astrologers were physicians, linguists, and mathematicians. They were highly educated and learned in theology, philosophy, and observational astronomy...They worked for both the church and the aristocracy, which were the governing classes of those times.” (Zoller 9). Astrologers had high status' and respected reputations similar to the scientists of today.
The question to address is whether or not astrology is an accepted form of science in this post-modern world. This is a controversial topic because it is documented fact that astrology and astronomy were the first science. Astronomy and astrology were the same until the Renaissance and Scientific Revolution throughout the 1800's. Scientific logic as we know it today, has scrutinized and compartmentalized all scientific thinking, known as reductionism. Consequently, today's definition is out of context with its original meaning separating astrology to the outskirts of the linguistic context. Science today is limited to acquiring knowledge through systematic research with scientific methods and being able to test and prove the theories to definite laws. Astrology is the modern linguistic equivalent of combining astronomy with philosophy. Astrologers believe the Hermetic Theory which basically means, as above, so below. Scholar Pruzhinin claims, “The application of the precise language of astronomy and mathematics to the technique of astral divination transformed this technique into an intellectual structure that was in many respects similar to science. In ancient Rome, in any event, astrologers were simply called mathematicians, and mathematics at that time was one of the synonyms for science” (Pruzhinin 4).
If astronomy and philosophy are both accredited sciences, then scientists have separated the term from astrology simply because the two sciences were used in tandem. Philosophy is now referred to as a natural science and was spawned by the laws of astrologers, Galileo 1564 AD-1642 AD, Kepler 1571AD-1630 AD and Newton 1643-1727 AD. So, astrology has been pushed to the outskirts because we have not yet developed the tools and devices necessary to perform the tests defined in scientific measurements. Not because it isn't a science. Obviously, all of the forms of science that are studied today have been spawned by astrologers throughout history, in turn, as they have been proven, defined and divided.
Rick Levine describes astrology from a quantum physics perspective on his DVD. He explains that science has the means to measure waves and particles in the atmosphere that were once unimaginable. The human eye's visibility is only capable of seeing a specific frequency of light but cannot see anything higher or lower. Only a century ago, it was difficult to imagine there were other frequencies of vision. Now, “science is really good at instrumenting perception for measuring infrared and ultraviolet waves” explains Rick Levine. He shares that it was Buckminster Fuller who said in the 20th century, that 99% of all science is happening in areas of the universe that were invisible to our five senses (Levine DVD). Once telescopes were invented, a continual process began with new devices and systems of measurements for them.
A hertz is a measurement of time that counts how fast or slow a cycle or wave beats per second. Hertz are commonly used to measure sound and electric waves. Levine submits the astrological question of the modern world, “how do we measure something that only projects one wave per cycle every 30 years,” as in the case of Saturn (Levine DVD). Whereas the Moon omits one wave only 13 times per year as is the nature of its cycle, the beat is still too slow to measure with today's devices (Levine DVD). There does not yet exist a device to measure such a slow wave in hertz, but scientific tools in the 20th century have displayed obvious and continual progress.
“Astrology is the study of planet waves” explains Levine. Einstein's theory of relativity known as E=MC2 explains that matter is 99% empty space, “mass becomes light and light becomes mass in an endless dance” (Levine DVD). Meaning that planets (matter) are electromagnetic vibrations that omit rays, cycles, and particle waves. Levine adds, “it is my contention that planet waves are not separate from the electromagnetic spectrum” (Levine DVD). The only issue now is to develop a capable device. Referring to history in the 20th Century alone, scientists have come very far quickly and will accomplish the capabilities, just as they have done in the past. Devices like these are difficult to imagine but then, so were radio waves and abilities to “see in the dark” in the 1800's.
There are two main reasons that astrology is opposed. The first is that the scientific evidence of past research is not consistently accurate enough to create a scientific law with. Why this is so has several supporting reasons. Primarily, astrologers can not duplicate a natal chart and in the cases of twins or “astral-twins,” two people born at the same time and place, there are still cultural, social and genetic differences that create an array of uncontrolled complexities. Additionally, the symbolic language of astrology is spoken and interpreted through the perceptions of several cultures for different reasons throughout history. Systems have been used at different points in time and the texts have been translated through several diverse languages. A lot of these works were destroyed in the burning of the library of Alexandria or hidden due to the inquisition threats of heresy. This leaves gaps of missing scientific experiments and original research for modern astrologers to continue.
Expert Medieval Astrologer, Robert Zoller examines this historical process in his Diploma Course in Medieval Astrology. "Medieval Astrology has been practiced from roughly 750 AD to the Renaissance, circa 1500 AD, firstly by Arab and Persian astrologers; then later (post 1100 [AD]) by astrologers of Western Europe and astrologers of the Byzantine Empire” (Zoller 6). Prior to this era, the astrology that was practiced in the Roman Empire was the creation of Greek speaking philosophers of the first to sixth centuries AD...It was passed down to them [medieval astrologers] from Egyptian, Babylonian, and Persian sources” (Zoller 3). Around 500 AD the Roman Empire fell and arising was “the barbarian kingdoms of Western Europe” interrupting the astrological tradition in Western and Central Europe (Zoller 3). This began several continual changes in regions, religions and languages.
During this 600 year period “astrology was severely restricted to the Latin West primarily because of a lack of mathematical skills in the Western Christian Lands” (Zoller 4). Zoller describes how astrological texts were translated into several different languages including Greek, Persian, Arabic, and Latin. He also explains that in 1100 AD the Western World caught up with the Latin West and used their mathematical and scientific skills to study astrology. Medieval astrology continued throughout the West until the late 1500’s AD when Moslem “Turkish expansionism threatened the very existence of Western Christian Civilization” (Zoller 4). Early Greek astrology arose in hopes that the text of Ptolemy [life span estimated 100-170 AD by Rob Hand] and others would assist them with political and military threats (Zoller 4).
The 18th Century brought about the Age of Reason and the pressure from the beliefs of the realists caused astrologers to divide into two camps; the Scientific, or natural and the Hermetic, or occult (Zoller 6). By the end of the French Revolution and Napoleonic Era, the Catholic Church fell, as well as the prestige and jobs of the astrologers (Zoller 7). Finally in the 1900’s, the advent of psychology interested the civilized world and astrology was revived through modern lens (Zoller 8). Astrology was made especially prominent through Carl Jung, the well-respected student of Sigmund Freud.
Many of the modern books do not include a full range of ancient techniques. Many have survived but different authors throughout the centuries had selected parts of systems and techniques that they liked and discarded other methods for undiscovered reasons. Modern astrology is viewed through a modern lens, primarily through psychology. Some current day astrologers are going back to their roots to translate and test old ideas. Some are pairing the old ways with the new knowledge and planets attempting to find answers. Others are pioneering ahead without looking back and studying other phenomena such as asteroids and Eris, the new dwarf planet in the categorical equivalent of recently denounced Pluto.
The second major opposition against astrology is known as “Precession of the Equinox” and it was first addressed by Hipparchus, a Greek astrologer who lived 190 BC-120 BC. P recession is “gravitational effects of the Sun and the Moon on the equatorial bulge cause the axis of Earth's rotation to shift. That is, the axis – the line between the poles – moves around” (Charpak 8). The argument Charpak entails is that due to precession there are actually two different zodiacs (8). Both Zodiacs were the same around the 1st Century BC, and were soon after noted that there was a slight difference emerging. One point is derived from the exact fixed star position called the Sidereal Zodiac. The other is derived from the place of the Spring Equinox (where the Earth's equator intersects with the ecliptic) each year called the Tropical Zodiac. The argument is that users of the Tropical Zodiac are not using the right zodiac. Charpak notes, “the position of Earth in its orbit at the spring equinox today and its position at the same equinox in the year 4600...Earth will have completed a tenth of the complete cycle of precession” (10).
That is a very long time for the precession to really affect the astrological system. Astrologers have been aware of this since the 2nd Century BC and have consciously chosen to research one zodiacal idea or the other. This argument has very little support to disprove anything. Given the diverse complications that already exist when trying to understand the universal meaning and influence. It is but one more variable in a list of mysteries astrologers are aiming to solve. “Two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity. But I'm not so sure about the universe” ponders the physics guru (Einstein). Consider how large the universe is and imagine that we are one solar system in an infinite number of others for a moment.
Hipparchus was “possibly the first one of any of the ancient peoples to deal consciously with precession. It has often been stated that older peoples knew of precession, but it is not clear that they understood that it was an orderly and rational phenomenon. And there is no evidence that they had any idea of its rate” explains ancient astrological historian, Robert Hand. “The first Babylonian birth-charts were cast in the sidereal zodiac...the zodiac did not seem to be an issue of great import to the ancients. We still hold that position...the matter is far from closed in favor of either zodiac” (Hand). Precession is one piece of a puzzle. Astrologers are trying to answer major questions equipped with partially functioning human brains which only utilize approximately 5% of their capacities.
Carl Jung 1875-1961 AD, is well-known in academia today. He is the founder of analytical psychology which is studied in most colleges today, also known as Jungian Psychology. Jung (pronounced “Young”) was the first to develop four psychological types which were derived from Hippocrates' four humor types. First, Jung divides and names two well known divisions, The Introvert and The Extrovert (Hull 187). These coincide with the divisions of duality of the zodiac; each is assigned in order starting with Aries being masculine, then Taurus is feminine continuing around the wheel, ending with 6 signs masculine or yang and 6 feminine or yin. The four psychological types also coincide with the ancient descriptions of the elements, Thinking is similar to Air, Sensation is similar to Earth, Feeling is similar to Water, Intuition is similar to Fire (Hull). Each of the 12 signs in the zodiac is associated with a duality and a triplicity, which refers to the 3 signs of each of the 4 elements.
Jung was fascinated by astrology and developed the idea of synchronicity in attempt to prove his ideas through scientific means. He did a controlled experiment on married and unmarried partners (Jung). He used three batches of charts and came to a strong documented result supporting astrological synchronicity (Jung). When the batches are analyzed separate, the results don't seem to be statistically astounding; however, Jung brought in a mathematician who helped analyze the results and Jung explains the existence of synchronistic phenomenon:
You take three matchboxes, put 1,000 black ants in the first, 10,000 in the second and 50 in the third, together with one white ant in each, shut the boxes, and bore a hole in each of them, small enough to allow only one ant to crawl through at a time. The first ant to come out of each of the three boxes is always the white one (Jung 60).
Jung further explores the findings “in the first two cases, the probability works out at 1:1,000 X 10,000, which means that such a coincidence is to be expected only in one case out of 10,000,000...yet in my statistical investigation it happened that precisely the three conjunctions stressed by astrological tradition came together in the most improbable way” (Jung 60). The argument here is whether or not the statistical significance is relevant. Due to statistical necessity, it only works when all three batches are combined and too many different charts blurred the results (Jung 62). Meanwhile, the original batch with smaller numbers was favorably significant (Jung). He concludes, “One may be fooled by coincidence, but one has to have a very thick skin not to be impressed by the fact that, out of fifty possibilities, three times precisely those turned up as maxima which are regarded by [astrological compatibility aspects between two charts] tradition as typical” (Jung 62). Jung's experiment is a perfect example of how astrology is proven on a daily basis by those who practice it. At the same time, exact, statistical evidence remains difficult to repetitively duplicate due to the compilation of variables and lack of a controlled experiment.
In 1993, Kary Mullis Ph.D. won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. In January 2010, he gave a lecture at Saddleback College and spoke about his views on the subject of Astrology. Mullis lectures that astrology is not a proven science in the sense that we cannot scientifically prove its validity yet; however, he believes that his own personal research and experiments have statistically proven the system of astrology to be very accurate (Mullis lecture 2010). He observes, “although astrology had been abandoned by scientific disciplines, it had not been scientifically dispensed with. Meaning, it had not been disproven as a self-consistent set of observations relevant to the human psyche” (Mullis 2009). In his recent lecture, Mullis illustrates several examples of research favoring astrology. He asserts that skepticism against astrology is outdated thinking and is foolish, just as they used to argue that the world was flat because they can “prove it by walking a mile” (Mullis 2010).
Gunter Sachs published a two-year research study, The Astrology File: Scientific Proof of the Link Between Star Signs and Human Behavior. It is similar to Jung's study, only he compared several planetary placements and Sachs simplified it to Sun Signs only. Even still, Sachs' research is statistical, modern day scientific proof that there is a definite connection between events and Sun Signs (Sachs). Mullis became interested in astrology after reading this book and declares, “Sachs' book describes a statistical study of a limited but essential part of astrology: where was the sun when you were born, and what do you do for a living. The observation is that something unexplainable, but clearly observable, is going on, to a level of certainty that would be acceptable for a paper in a scientific journal. There is a clear connection, whether you or I like it or not” (Mullis 2009).
As Mullis suggests, astrology's skeptics are reduced and equal to those who lack perception. Perception is described as the limited ability to interpret the outside material world through the optic lens of the eye and explain the two dimensional sight via life experience, ability to understand and educational availabilities; that have previously been recorded and recognized to be translated by the physical, brain or psyche (also called soul). Plato's distinction divides the physical from the psyche (Wade 16). In 1604, Kepler wrote:
Thus vision is brought about by a picture of the thing seen being formed on the concave surface of the retina, that to the left on the right, that above below, and that below above. Green is depicted green, and in general things are depicted by whatever colour they have...the greater the acuity of vision of a given person, the finer will be the picture formed in his eye” (qtd. in Wade 33).
Understanding perceptual vision helps us see life in a realistic way. It wasn't until the 20th Century that science evolved past the 5 senses allowing our scientific perceptions to expand into the realms outside of old-fashioned logic. Therefore, judgment and criticism are risk taking endeavors people must be aware of and refrain from advancing their thought patterns in this discriminatory fashion. Future generations will look back at post-moderns and giggle in the same ridiculous manner that today's post-modern humankind makes jokes about our ancestors. By nature, humanity yearns for answers and perhaps that is why so many seek them through astrology's predictive methods.
Rulers of nations have consulted astrologers in the past and will continue to do so in the future. The Renaissance Queen of France was Catherine De Medici 1519-1589 AD. Catherine was born in Florence, Italy and married King Henry II of France at the young age of 14. She was “adept at literature, and knowledgeable in mathematics and the sciences, particularly astronomy and astrology. This last subject would remain one of her true loves and favorite pastimes for the rest of her life” (Paulson 4). Being brought up Catholic, she occasionally consulted the church, but Catherine's primary advisers as Queen of France were astrologers. She consulted the Ruggieri brothers, Luc Gauric and her most famous astrological adviser – Nostradamus (Paulson 4).
Nostradamus 1503-1566 was so well versed in astrology that his prophecies are still in circulation today. His several, astoundingly accurate predictions including the tyrannical uprising of both Napoleon and Hitler, sealed his reputation and fame for centuries after his death. Nostradamus was famous in his time partly because he is accredited for finding the cure to the black plague. He began his career as a physician and studied astrology as a means to be great, as Hippocrates once suggested.
Queen Catherine consulted Nostradamus continuously throughout her life. He predicted many events involving her political and personal life, namely with the infamous prophecy that described in detail the death of King Henry II. Paulson explains, “The astrologers’ prophecies of Henry’s death upset her; despite her faith in astrology, she attempted to prevent him in vain from participating in the fateful tournament, predicted before 1555, in Nostradamus' mysterious quatrain” (11). Catherine's unwavering belief in astrology led her attempts to prevent many events from coming to pass. Unfortunately, some of these attempts were sadly dismissed by those whom disbelieved in the variety of benefits astrology offers.
Although the astrologers could see terrible events, they also shared the beneficial ones as well. King Henry had a mistress whom made many decisions for Henry and interfered with Catherine's authority. The two women were peaceable in public, but Catherine secretly despised her. Following the prophecy of the King's death, Nostradamus' next quatrain brought benefits to the queen by explaining that “undivided power would eventually be hers, but for the present time she would have to continue to be patient” (Paulson 11). The king was not interested in astrology, nor did he listen to Catherine's pleas for him to drop out of the tournament and therefore, perished as predicted. Catherine's undivided power had come to pass as well. “To be able to read the future could give Catherine an advantage over her enemies and rivals, but it also created an eerie sensation when she found herself faced with a situation she was powerless to alter. We can imagine the curiosity, surprise and horror that she must have felt” (Paulson 66). Catherine's documented history shows that she would have preferred her husband's life over undivided power.
Catherine's astrologers were extremely accurate when it came to predicting major events. This foreknowledge was extremely beneficial in her life. Starting with her dilemma in conceiving an heir to the throne, which at the time seemed hopeless. She was nearing the loss of her crown when the astrologers advice bestowed a pregnant queen. Undeniable, documented predictions of the fortunate and beneficial births of her ten children, their lives as royal heirs, as well as the unfortunate fates of her husband and all ten of her children were outlined by astrologer's predictions throughout her life. Thus, is not excluding Catherine herself who also perished on schedule, as predicted (Paulson 67). Despite some saddening predictions, Queen Catherine's continual practice of consulting astrologers throughout her lifetime is clear evidence that the benefits outweigh the consequences.
The accounts found throughout history support how accurate, relevant, and beneficial astrology proves to leaders of nations. A more recent record is from our very own home in America. Former Chief of Staff, Donald T. Regan shocked the nation in his memoir titled, For The Record suggesting, “I have revealed in this book what was probably the most closely guarded domestic secret of the Reagan White House.” “The secret: First Lady Nancy Reagan's reliance on a San Francisco astrologer [Joan Quigley] to determine the timing of the President's every public move. This was more than a charming eccentricity shared with the 50 million or so other Americans who, casually or in dead earnest, look to the alignment of the stars for guidance” (Time Magazine). On January 20, 1981 Ronald Reagan took office and 69 days later Reagan was shot. Nancy hired Quigley soon after the attempted assassination of her husband and consulted her several times throughout President Reagan's term, 1981-1989.
According to the White House, “At the end of his administration, the Nation was enjoying its longest recorded period of peacetime prosperity without recession or depression...Overall, the Reagan years saw a restoration of prosperity, and the goal of peace through strength seemed to be within grasp” (whitehouse.gov). Apparently, the Reagan years were a proud time for America. Astrology in the White House has created a practical and positive impact, visable in a brief review of this recent, historical time frame. President Reagan settled the Cold War without devastation, persuaded Saudi Arabian companies to increase oil productivity, maintained oil imports during the Iran-Iraq War and increased our military defense. It is not clear whether or not Quigley had foreseen a possible terrorist strike as 9/11, similar to Nostradamus' foresite; however, this would explain the dawning of the War on Terrorism and the reasoning for military expansion during Ronald Reagan's Presidency. Since we know that the timing of Reagan's public moves were overseen by an astrologer, the benefits for our country are clearly evident.
Einstein once said that “the more I learn, the more I realize I don't know" (Einstein). In support of the same notion, Rick Levine reveals that “there is a division of Quantum Physics that explains, the more we know about where an electron is, the less we know about where it is going” (Levine DVD). The more we learn about astrology, the more questions we discover that need answers. Astrology has found uncountable answers which are found at the origins of all modern fields of science. Humans have evolved into scientific thinkers with plenty of benefits. However, Catherine de Medici's life might remind us that with every fortune there comes a place and time of misfortune and balance is the ultimate ideal.
Balance between all things is imperative. Especially, a harmonious medium between the thought processes of the critical skeptic and the imaginative dreamer. All life on Earth needs light just as it needs dark, yin for yang and good for bad, one cannot exist without the other just as one extreme damages the usefulness of it's opposite. In order to solve current issues Einstein interjects, “We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them” (Einstein). Humanity can no longer afford to clutch onto old thought patterns, we must learn from the past and release it to change the future of human existence and ultimately seek refreshed awareness. History proves that science has brought reason to our perceptions in a rapid and continual rate of advancement; therefore, we must remain informed with an unbiased, receptive mind pertaining to the universally renown mother of science, dating back to the origins of humankind,—Astrology.
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