What is the relation between Qabalah an Astrology?
-
All this talk about Malkuth is not symbolic of Earth and Yesod is not the Moon etc has got me wondering; In the western hermetic tradition what is the relation between Qabalah and Astrology?? I assume there must be some kind of relation between the two.
-
There is little or no direct relationship.
The main connection is that Qabalah uses the language of astrology for its own purposes. One must be careful not to confuse the usage in one place with the usage in another.
-
The following is an excerpt from an introductory book on the Mysteries that I've had half-done for several years. (BTW, finishing it is probably the next project after the current project.)
Astrology is part of the standard curriculum of most Qabalistic mystery schools. The importance placed on it varies from system to system, as does the stage of training where it is introduced or emphasized.
However, separate from the role of astrology itself, astrological symbols are used quite a lot in these training systems to communicate alchemical, mythological, magical, or other occult information that may or may not relate to the meaning of the same idea in practical astrology.
For example, the sign Gemini refers, in Qabalah as in mythology, to prophesy. People “born under Gemini” may or may not have a greater tendency to be prophetic. It doesn’t matter; the Qabalistic idea stands on its own. As you will see more clearly later, Gemini in Qabalah represents that principle whereby the illuminated mind opens itself to the timeless depths of true intuition.
Or, just because the Roman king of the gods, Jupiter, had red hair, was sexually promiscuous, and didn’t usually act very kingly doesn’t mean these traits accrue to astrological Jupiter. In fact, they do not. (They are all Mars traits.)
Astrological and mythological truths each have to be identified on their own terms. If they happen to concur – if one system successfully suggests a valid meaning in another framework – it is a blessing we should not take for granted.
-
@Jim Eshelman said
"Astrological and mythological truths each have to be identified on their own terms. If they happen to concur – if one system successfully suggests a valid meaning in another framework – it is a blessing we should not take for granted."
i think such a system would be more comprehensive and less convoluted. if the Qabalah is supposed to map the relation of all space-time phenomena then I don't see why consolidation is an unrealistic goal. Thanks for the information
-
@_aLL_seEIng_eYe_ said
"i think such a system would be more comprehensive and less convoluted. if the Qabalah is supposed to map the relation of all space-time phenomena then I don't see why consolidation is an unrealistic goal. Thanks for the information"
At this point, I see Astrology as something akin to the bathroom fixtures in the building of the School of Kabbalah.
A student will likely need to make use of them at some point in the course of the day. These can be most useful and functional tools but they are not what the goal is about. Yet the knowledge of how to properly use them is most desirable. Many are so impressed that they drop out and make plumbing their career.
Note: A PHD in Electrical Engineering will usually hire an electrician to wire his house.