Antium, 15 December 37 CE 7:39 am

Types of Astrology • General Astrology • Kh0rography • Genethlialogy (Natal Astrology) • Catarchic (Inceptive, Horary) Astrology • Interrogatory Astrology

Politics of Astrology • astronomical/astrological hierarchies and political hierarchies • imperial endorsement  widespread popularity • personal astrologers for prominent/wealthy individuals • political danger of astrological forecasts • Augustan bans on casting in private without witnesses, casting about death date • later bans on casting imperial horoscopes • expulsion of astronomers in 139 BCE, 33 BCE, 16 CE, 7x during 1st century CE…

Emperor Tiberius (14-37 CE) Other resolutions of the senate [in 16 CE] ordered the expulsion of astrologers and magic-mongers from Italy. One of them, Lucius Pituanius, was flung from the Rock; another — Publius Marcius — was executed by the consuls outside the Equiline Gate according to ancient usage and at the sound of a trumpet. —Tacitus, Annals II.32 As for all astrologers and magicians and such as practiced divination in any way whatsoever, he [Emperor Tiberius] put to death those who were foreigners and banished all the citizens that were accused of still practicing astrology at this time after the previous decree by which it had been forbidden to engage in any such business in the city; but to those that obeyed immunity was granted. —Dio Cassius LVII.15

Emperor Otho (15 January — 16 April 69 CE) The astrologers — a tribe of men most untrustworthy for the powerful and deceitful towards the ambitious, a tribe which in our state will always be both forbidden and retained — also urged him [Otho] on, declaring from their observation of the stars that there were new movements afoot, and that the year would be a glorious one for Otho. Among these astrologers…was one who had been with Otho in Spain, had promised him that he should survive Nero and persuaded him that he would be called to the imperial office. Otho accepted his prophecies as if they were genuine warnings of fate, for human nature is always especially eager to believe the mysterious. —Tacitus, Histories I.22

Firmicus Maternus (4th cent. BCE) Never reply to anyone who asks about the condition of the State or the life of the Roman emperor. It is both morally wrong and illegal… An astrologer who replies when he is asked about the fate of the emperor is a disgrace and deserves all the punishment he gets, because he can neither say nor discover anything. In fact no astrologer can find anything true about the emperor. The emperor alone is not subject to the course of the stars and in his fate alone the stars have no power of determination. Since he is master of the whole world, his destiny is governed by the judgment of the god most high; since the whole of the earth’s surface is subject to the power of the emperor, he himself is also considered among those gods whom the supreme power has set up to create and serve all things. —Mathesis 2.30

Split Views of Astrology • astrology as false science and impious divination (superstitio) • astrologers as charlatans, dishonest businessmen, power-mongers • astrology as valid but dangerous divination (divinatio) • astrologers as means/tools of political subversion

Astrology & Spirituality

Aristotelian / Hellenistic Worlds • increasing gap between mortal and divine worlds • monotheistic trend  proliferation of daimones • rise in popularity of eschatological cults • sublunary world as imperfect • loss of traditional community frameworks • inadequacy of polis religion • rise of eschatological cults • influx of foreign (religious, magical) influences • consolidation of power in bureaucracies and totalitarian systems • rise of interest in magic, self-help philosophies, astrology • sublunary world as alienated, corrupt, fallen

From Spirit come the races of man and beast, and fiery energy from a heavenly source belongs to their generic seeds as long as they are not poisoned or clogged by mortal bodies, their free essence dimmed by earthiness and deathliness of flesh. This makes them fear and crave, rejoice and grieve. Imprisoned in the darkness of the body they cannot clearly see heaven’s air; in fact even when life departs on the last day not all the scourges of the body pass from the poor souls, not all distress of life. Inevitably, many malformations, growing together in mysterious ways, become inveterate. Therefore souls undergo the punishments and pay penance for old sins: some hang full length to the empty winds, for some the stain of wrong is washed by floods or burned away by fire. — Vergil, Aeneid 6

fortuna fortune, destiny, fate (Stoic) ~ apathia fortuna chance, accident (Epicurean) ~ ataraxia

Seneca the Stoic (4 BCE – 65 CE) We are all chained to Fortune. Some chains are golden and loose, some are tight and of base metal; but what difference does it make? All of us are in custody, the binders as well as the bound — unless you suppose the left end of the chain is lighter. Some are chained by office, some by wealth; some are weighed down by high birth, some by low; some are subject to another's tyranny, some to their own; some are confined to one spot by banishment, some by a priesthood. All life is bondage. Man must therefore habituate himself to his condition, complain of it as little as possible, and grasp whatever good lies in his reach. —On Tranquility 10

Fortuna Do you want to be free despite your body? Live in it as if you were ready to move. Keep in mind that you will one day lose your quarters, and you will have greater fortitude for the necessary departure… Train your soul against poverty, and you may stay rich. Arm yourself to scorn pain; your health may continue safe and sound and never put your virtue to the test. Teach yourself to bear the loss of loved ones bravely, and all of them will happily survive you. Seneca, On Suicide

Apuleius, The Golden Ass (ca. 155 CE) At last, Lucius, after the long days of disaster and the heavy storms of fortune you have reached the haven of peace and the altar of mercy. Neither your high lineage nor your pride of place nor your learning were of any advantage to you. You gave yourself up to the slavery of pleasure in the reward of your unprosperous curiosity (curiositas inprosperae). Nevertheless, blind Fortune, persecuting you with horrors and snares, has led you in her shortsighted malice to this beatitude of release. Let her go now and seek another object for her hate. For terror and calamity have no power over him whose life the majesty of our Goddess has claimed for her service...

You are now received into the protection of Fortune, but of Fortune who is open-eyed and who lightens even the other gods with the splendors of her light. Let your face be joyous therefore. Let it be such a face as accords with that white gown you wear. Follow in the train of the Goddess your Savior with steps of triumph. Let the scoffer behold and be shamed, saying in his heart: “Look, here is Lucius who rejoices in the pro- vidence of mighty Isis. Look, he is released from the bonds of misery and victorious over his fate.” —Metamorphoseon 11.15

CHRISTIAN ASTROLOGY

Christian Astrology Luke 21.25 (25) And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; (26) men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

Christian Astrology Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. ... Then Herod, when he had privately called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, "Go and search diligently for the young child; and when you have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.” When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. —Matthew 2:1-10

Christian Astrology • Stars as demonic. • Stars as signs, not causes. • Stars as signs only for higher powers. • Magi had limited dispensation. • Astrology as forbidden knowledge. • Baptism frees initiate from astral influence.

Mars Pyroeis (Fiery) Arêos astêr (Ares’ Star) Venus Stilbon (Shining) Aphroditês astêr (Aphrodite’s Star)

Leo, the first decan: its name is Pepisoth and it has the form of a woman holding in her right hand a thunderbolt, in her left a small bottle. It has wings from the middle of its body to its feet and a crown on its head. It rules the hands. Engrave it on the stone called heliotrope, and set the plant libanotis underneath. Fix it inside any piece of jewelry and wear it. Abstain from boar's flesh. —Hermes Trismegistus

Christian Astrology • Stars as demonic. • Stars as signs, not causes. • Stars as signs only for higher powers. • Magi had limited dispensation. • Astrology as forbidden knowledge. • Baptism frees initiate from astral influence.

determinative indicative Determinism(s) STRONG WEAK determinative indicative

Christian Astrology • Stars as demonic. • Stars as signs, not causes. • Stars as signs only for higher powers to interpret. • Magi had accurate astrological knowledge as a special, limited dispensation. • Astrology as forbidden knowledge. • Baptism frees initiate from astral influence.

Christian Astrology • Stars as demonic. • Stars as signs, not causes. • Stars as signs only for higher powers to interpret. • Magi had accurate astrological knowledge as a special, limited dispensation. • Astrology as forbidden knowledge, a temptation that appeals to human curiositas. • Baptism frees initiate from astral influence.

Anti-Pagan Legislation [year 357] The inquisitiveness of all men for divination (curiositas divinandi) shall cease forever. [year 358] If any wizard...soothsayer, diviner...augur, or even astrologer... should be apprehended in my retinue, he shall not escape punishment or torture by the protection of his high rank. If he should be convicted of his own crime and by denial should oppose those who reveal it, he shall be delivered to the torture house, iron claws shall tear his sides, and he shall suffer punish- ment worthy of his crime. Constantius II 350-361 CE

Apuleius, The Golden Ass (ca. 155 CE) At last, Lucius, after the long days of disaster and the heavy storms of fortune you have reached the haven of peace and the altar of mercy. Neither your high lineage nor your pride of place nor your learning were of any advantage to you. You gave yourself up to the slavery of pleasure in the reward of your unprosperous curiosity (curiositas inprosperae). Nevertheless, blind Fortune, persecuting you with horrors and snares, has led you in her shortsighted malice to this beatitude of release. Let her go now and seek another object for her hate. For terror and calamity have no power over him whose life the majesty of our Goddess has claimed for her service...

Christian Astrology • Stars as demonic. • Stars as signs, not causes. • Stars as signs only for higher powers to interpret. • Magi had accurate astrological knowledge as a special, limited dispensation. • Astrology as forbidden knowledge, a temptation that appeals to human curiositas. • Baptism frees initiate from astral influence.

You are now received into the protection of Fortune, but of Fortune who is open-eyed and who lightens even the other gods with the splendors of her light. Let your face be joyous therefore. Let it be such a face as accords with that white gown you wear. Follow in the train of the Goddess your Savior with steps of triumph. Let the scoffer behold and be shamed, saying in his heart: “Look, here is Lucius who rejoices in the pro- vidence of mighty Isis. Look, he is released from the bonds of misery and victorious over his fate.” —Metamorphoseon 11.15

DECLINE OF SCIENCE

Christian Astrology • Stars as demonic. • Stars as signs, not causes. • Stars as signs only for higher powers to interpret. • Magi had accurate astrological knowledge as a special, limited dispensation. • Astrology as forbidden knowledge, a temptation that appeals to human curiositas. • Baptism frees initiate from astral influence.

30 BCE end of Roman Republic; beginning of Imperial Rome 30 BCE – 14 CE rule of Emperor Augustus 313 official adoption of Christianity 324 relocation of capital to Constantinople 476 “fall” of Western Roman Empire 642 Islamic conquest of Alexandria 1453 fall of Byzantine (= Eastern Roman) Empire

• decline in scientific research • rise in commentarial tradition • shift from investigation to transmission • organization of educational system around canon • codification/exclusion of fields of scientific study trivium logic grammar rhetoric quadrivium arithmetic geometry music astronomy

• decreased funding for research (vs • decreased funding for research (vs. funding for Church) • disconnect between academic and practical pursuits • failure of science to institutionalize • “anxiety of influence” • skeptical tradition • despair over observational, instrumental, cognitive limits • assumption of finitude of knowledge • contemplative ideal • institutionalized hostility to “knowledge” from empowered Church

Tertullian (160-200 CE) What has Athens to do with Jerusalem, the Academy with the Church, the heretic with the Christian? Our instruction comes from the Porch of Solomon who himself taught that the Lord is to be sought in the simplicity of one's heart... We have no need of curiosity [curiositas] after Jesus Christ, nor of research after the gospel. When we believe, we desire to believe nothing more. For we believe this first, that there is nothing else that we should believe. —Against Heretics 7

Tertullian (160-200 CE) Crucifixus est Dei Filius, non pudet, quia pudendum est; et mortuus est Dei Filius, prorsus credibile est, quia ineptum est; et sepultus resurrexit, certum est, quia impossibile. —De Carne Christi V.4 God’s Son was crucified: there is no shame, because it is shameful. God’s Son died: it is wholly credible, because it makes no sense. And, buried, He rose again: it is certain, because impossible. Credo quia absurdum est. I believe because it is irrational.

Athanasius (ca. 350 CE) "Look now: here are some folk suffering from demons. Either cleanse these men by your logic-chopping or by any other skill or magic you wish, or otherwise, if you can't, lay down your quarrel with us and witness the power of Christ's cross." And with those words he called on Christ, sealed the sufferers with the sign of the cross twice and a third time, and immediately the men stood forth all healed. —Life of St. Anthony

Augustine of Hippo (354-430 CE)

Augustine of Hippo (354-430 CE) [Are the heavens spherical or flat like a disc? Or does it matter?] Many scholars engage in lengthy discussion on these issues, but the sacred writers with their deeper wisdom have omitted them. Such subjects are of no profit for those who seek beatitude, and, what is worse, they take up very precious time that ought to be given to what is spiritually beneficial. Our happiness does not depend upon our knowing the causes of the great physical processes in the world, which are hidden in the secret maze of nature. But we ought to know the causes of good and evil in things, at least as far as men may do so in this life, filled as it is with errors and distress, in order to avoid these errors and distresses. —Enchiridion 5

Augustine of Hippo (354-430 CE) In those things which do not concern our attainment of the Kingdom of God, it does not matter whether they are believed in or not, or whether they are true or are supposed to be true or false. To err in such questions, to mistake one thing for another, is not to be judged as a sin or, if it is, as a small and light one. In sum, whatever kind or how much of an error these miscues may be, it does not involve the way that leads to God, which is the faith of Christ which works through love. —Enchiridion 8

Augustine of Hippo (354-430 CE) When it is asked what we ought to believe in matters of religion, the answer is not to be sought in the exploration of the nature of things, like those whom the Greeks called "physicists.” Nor need we be afraid that a Christian will be ignorant of the force and number of the elements, the motion, order, and eclipses of the heavenly bodies, the form of the heavens, the kinds and natures of animals, plants, stones, springs, rivers, and mountains; about the divisions of space and time, about the signs of impending storms, and the myriad other things which these "physicists" have come to understand, or think they have. For even these men, gifted with such superior insight…have not yet learned everything there is to know. For that matter, many of the things they are so proud to have discovered are more often matters of opinion than of verified knowledge. It is enough for a Christian to believe that the cause of all created things, whether heavenly or earthly, whether visible or invisible, is none other than the goodness of the Creator, who is the one true God. —Enchiridion 3

• rejection of curiositas • irrelevance of scientific (worldly) knowledge • scientific pursuits distracting and potentially corrosive • “pagan” science as false and derivative • Athens vs. Jerusalem : Science vs. Scripture • anti-intellectualism of Church • knowledge vs. belief • inference vs. revelation