User talk:Ken McRitchie/Sandbox1

As promised (18 July 2011; 13:26) in accord with the consensus established in "Rethinking the structure", I have split "Core Beliefs and practices" into two parts, "Core princples" and "Astrological techniques and practices". I have clarified "Core principles" and provided reliable references. This section has general importance because it establishes a rational foundation for many of the concepts presented later in the article. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Ken McRitchie (talk • contribs) 12:44, 19 July 2011 (UTC)

Core principles

15th century image from the Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry showing projected correlations between areas of the body and the zodiacal signs.

The core principles of astrology were prevalent in parts of the ancient world and are epitomized by two astrological precepts. The first, "As above, so below; as below, so above," is known as the Hermetic maxim, because it is part of the Emerald Tablet attributed to Hermes Trismegistus. This principle is used to astrologically organize and observe any sort of symmetry between the life of the "native" (the individual or subject to be studied) and reference points in the shared macrocosm that surrounds the native's microcosm. To depict this, the natal chart is an astronomically relativistic map of the universe with inertial reference frames centered on the native wherein the Sun, Moon, and planets are all considered to be the native's planets, or variously "stars," that move relative to the fixed point of the native at its center.

The second precept is mentioned by the leader of early modern science Francis Bacon, who wrote, "The last rule (which has always been held by the wiser astrologers) is that there is no fatal necessity in the stars; but that they rather incline than compel." Bacon advocated an emphasis on what he called "sane astrology." This astrology would study the influences that "lie concealed in the depths of Physic." Emphasis on this Baconian precept is indicative of a more psychological astrology as well as attempts at statistical experimentation in astrology to show tendencies, for example, John Goad's 30-year astrological study of weather Astro-Meteorologia published in 1686.

Astrological techniques and practices

(I haven't done anything with this remnant.)

There are several techniques of forecasting in Western astrology. Transits, the most popular, are based on the actual motion of planets moving through a sign or house within the horoscope. Another technique, progressions are based on the movements of the planets after birth, symbolically related to a time period or cycle of life. Most Western astrologers no longer try to forecast actual events, but focus instead on general trends and developments. Skeptics respond that this practice of western astrologers allows them to avoid making verifiable predictions, and gives them the ability to attach significance to arbitrary and unrelated events, in a way that suits their purpose. By comparison, Hindu astrologers make predictions about both trends and events.

In the past, astrologers often relied on close observation of celestial objects and the charting of their movements. Modern astrologers use data provided by astronomers which are transformed to a set of astrological tables called ephemerides, showing the changing zodiacal positions of the heavenly bodies through time.