Which Was More Ancient, Astrology Or The Bible?

Astrology, a practice that originated in ancient Mesopotamia, has roots in calendrical systems used to predict seasonal shifts and interpret celestial cycles as signs of divine communications. The first direct mention of astrology in the Bible is in Isaiah, with the Babylonians inventing the zodiac wheel over thousands of years before western horoscopic astrology was invented. The Babylonians, also known as the Chaldeans, continue what the Sumerians started, inventing the first astrological system over thousands of years.

Some scholars suggest that the Magi may have originated from Babylon, the birthplace of astrology. Within Babylonian astrology, the constellation of the Magi is mentioned. Astrology is much older than any of the scriptures in the Bible, with the first astrological writings dating back to 2,300 BC. The Old Testament scriptures were compiled and edited around 534 BC.

The Bible contains a lot of imagery and symbolism that is ripped right from Astrology. Most basic to our understanding of the stars is that God created them, showing His power and majesty. In this first mention of astrology in the Bible, God is speaking to the people of ancient pagan Babylon. Middle East archaeology has confirmed that astrology is often discussed in the Bible, whether it be full-time astrologists assigned to signs, seasons, days, and years.

In conclusion, the debate between astrology and the Bible has lasted for centuries, with some suggesting that the Magi may have originated from Babylon, while others believe that the Bible contains imagery and symbolism that is ripped right from Astrology.

Do astrology people believe in God?

Both atheists and astrologists are characterized by their lack of belief in the existence of deities.

Is the Bible connected to astrology?

The Old Testament is rich in references to astrology, as seen in the book of Daniel. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had a troubled dream, and he called his usual dream interpreters but none could make sense of it. As he was about to have all the “wise men” in his kingdom killed for their failure, the prophet Daniel approached the king and asked for an appointment. Daniel explained that no wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers could show the king the mystery, but a God in heaven reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days.

What came first, religion or astrology?

The evolution of hominid ancestors led to a shift in their field of vision, shifting from the earth to the sky. Climate changes also morphed the hominid environment from thick jungles to open fields savannas, allowing them to witness the movement of planets through fixed stars and constellations. Astrology emerged as a means to provide ritualistic stories about cosmic bodies and seasons. Astrology’s DNA is found in various religions and traditions worldwide, including the Mayans, Aztecs, druids, and ancient Egyptians.

In Islam, Ramadan is celebrated according to the Moon and always falls on the 9th lunar month. Buddhists celebrate Buddha’s birthday on the Full Moon in Vesakha, which usually falls on the Full Moon in Taurus. Christmas is a Christianized celebration of the pagan winter solstice, placing Jesus’ birthday on the solstice along with Mithras, Attis, Apollo, Artemis, and Horus.

Passover is the celebration of the equinox, Easter is celebrated according to an astrological formula, and the Chinese, Islamic, Tibetan, and Jewish New Years fall on a New Moon. The Persian New Year, Nawruz, is celebrated on the spring equinox, the first day of Aries, which is also the astrological New Year. Halloween is celebrated during Scorpio, the sign of death, Earth Day is commemorated during Taurus, Labor Day in the US is celebrated during Virgo, the sign of work and service, and International Cat Day is celebrated on August 8.

Astrology is not a fortune-telling art but rather a tool to help humans survive. It was discovered by a woman or group of women in early human evolution who realized the connection between intercourse and pregnancy. This intuitive woman, the first astrologer, managed to find a connection between the Moon cycles and ovulation, leading to the birth of astrology. The wisdom of the stars astrology helped us survive as a species and ensured our ability to overcome the death that overshadowed birth.

Are planets mentioned in Bible?

Saturn is represented by the star Kaiwan, worshipped by the Israelites in the desert. The word Kaiwan, interpreted to mean “steadfast”, often designates the slowest-moving planet in Babylonian inscriptions. The Babylonian god Ninurta was merged with Saturn, and the ancient Syrians and Arabs also called Saturn Kaiwan. The Zoroastrian Bundahish equates Saturn to Kevan, while in Mandaeism, it is referred to as Kiwan. The other planets are individualized in the Bible by implication, and the worship of gods connected to them is denounced without any explicit intention to refer to heavenly bodies.

The best-warranted interpretations of biblical star names include Kimah, the Pleiades, Kesil, Ash, Mezarim, Mazzaroth, Hadretheman, Canopus, and Nachash. These star names are based on Schiaparelli’s authority and provide a comprehensive understanding of the celestial bodies in the Bible.

How old is Christianity?

Christianity, a monotheistic religion with origins dating back approximately two thousand years, is based on the life, death, and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, who lived in Palestine during the Roman Empire. With 2. 1 billion adherents, Christianity is the largest religion in the world.

When was astrology created?

The Silk Roads played a significant role in cultural exchange and the development of various scientific disciplines, including medicine, mathematics, geography, cartography, and astronomy. Astrology, a broad field concerned with the search for meaning and predictive information in the sky, was one such discipline that was widely accepted in political and cultural circles.

During the Tang (705-907 CE) period, foreign systems of astrology were adopted in China, particularly the practice of ‘horoscopy’, predictions made by an astrologer based on the position of the sun at the time of a person’s birth or the calendar significance of an event. Astrology often acted as a medium of transmission of other knowledge bases, predominantly from Indo-Iranian sources, especially within astronomy and the close mathematical observation of stars and planets.

Indian astrology was often introduced into new regions of Central Asia, the Iranian Plateau, and China alongside the introduction of Buddhism, another significant shared legacy of these trade routes. Early Islamic astrologers included numerous Indian theories in their works, most of which reached them via texts written in Middle Persian during a time when direct translations into Arabic of many scientific texts from Ancient Greek and Indian sources were made.

In Medieval Central Asia, two distinct versions of the discipline emerged: one focused on mathematical theories and precise astronomical measurements, and the other on the interpretation of magical elements to make predictions. Al-Biruni, a polymath, differentiated astrology from astronomy, arguing that the former was more of an art or practice and criticizing its weak mathematical and scientific foundations. He also emphasized his theory that astrology is not a science through analysis of astrological doctrines from Ancient Greece, the Indian subcontinent, the Iranian Plateau, and Central Asian regions.

Can Christians do astrology?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that divination, including predictive astrology, is incompatible with modern Catholic beliefs, such as free will. It rejects all forms of divination, including horoscopes, palm reading, omen interpretation, clairvoyance, and mediums, which conceal a desire for power over time, history, and other human beings. These practices contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear owed to God alone.

Astrology and science, Christian mysticism, Christianity and paganism, Esoteric Christianity, Jesus Christ in comparative mythology, Jewish views on astrology, Muslim views on astrology, and William Lilly’s book Christian Astrology are all considered incompatible with modern Catholic beliefs.

What does the Bible say about zodiac signs?

Astrology is a false belief that wisdom comes from the stars, as it is a form of worship that is not based on God’s guidance. The Bible lists astrologers as those who will be burned to stubble, and astrology is forbidden by God in Deuteronomy 18. It is important to focus on Jesus and His Kingdom, rather than relying on astrology or horoscopes. Praying for God to keep us from engaging in useless practices that may distract us from Jesus.

What does Islam say about astrology?

The earliest Islamic stance against astrology can be traced back to individuals such as Abd al-Jabbar and Abu Ma’shar al-Balkhi, who sought to justify the causal influence of celestial beings on terrestrial life forms. Historical texts like Kitab al-Daraj provide evidence of the presence of astrology in early Islam. However, even before these individuals, historians and theologians like Al Hashimi sought to justify the role of astrology in influencing Islamic adherents’ religion.

Al Hashimi, through philosophers like Masha Allah, explored the possibility of the influence of stars on one’s morality and religion in general. He cited Masha Allah’s idea that the Islamic prophet Muhammad’s birth was a result of a coming together of celestial objects, essentially pointing to the inherent birth of Muhammad as a result of astrological events. Both Masha Allah and Al Hashimi draw upon similarities but draw upon their inherent stance in pointing to the planets, stars, and other celestial beings as the primary means by which divine rule is exercised, i. e., how God emanates control over all life forms.

Early Muslims relied on the sun and moon to determine important things such as the direction of Mecca, fasting times for Ramadan, and the beginning and end of each month. They used astrology and the position of the planets to predict the health and well-being of individuals, with eclipses in Libra, Aquarius, or Gemini being predictions of worldwide plagues, and comets or shooting stars being predictions of famine and sickness.

Many interpretations of the Quran point to astrology as that which goes against the fundamental principles preached by the Islamic religious tradition. Astrology ultimately points to the role of celestial beings in influencing terrestrial life and the everyday lives of individuals, ultimately hindering their destiny. Various excerpts from the Quran are interpreted to disprove this theory, with the Quran in Surah Al-Jinn suggesting that any such presence of extraterrestrial influence on mankind is not plausible and is therefore haram (forbidden) in Islam.

The Hadith, a reference to the instructions and practices of Muhammad, encourages adherents of the Islamic faith to embody the concept of astrology. Muhammad made various claims regarding the legality/illegality of astrology with regards to the Islamic religious tradition, such as the belief that rain is a bounty bestowed only by Allah (God). The Hadith makes specific mention to the stars, suggesting that those who suggest rain originates as a result of a star are a disbeliever in Me (Allah).

This works to fundamentally embody the concept of astrology and the consequent belief in the idea that celestial beings have an influence on anything other than what enshrined in the Quran and Hadith as shirk (blasphemy), leading one to leave the fold of the religion.

What did the Prophet say about astrology?

The Hadith, a collection of Islamic religious teachings, is a significant part of the Islamic faith. It outlines the instructions and practices of Muhammad, who criticized the legality and illegality of astrology. According to Abu Dawud, seeking knowledge from the stars is considered witchcraft, which is inherently forbidden in Islam. The Hadith also emphasizes that rain is a blessing bestowed only by Allah, and any belief that rain is a result of other beings is considered disbelief.

The Hadith also mentions the stars, stating that those who suggest rain originates from a star are considered disbelievers in Allah. This concept of astrology and the belief in celestial beings’ influence on anything other than what is enshrined in the Quran and Hadith constitutes shirk (blasphemy) and leads one to leave the fold of the religion.

Second-century Islamic scholar Imam Ali, the fourth caliph of Islam and cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad, views astrology as fundamentally forbidden in the Islamic religion. He warns followers not to learn the science of stars except for guidance on land or sea, as it leads to divining and an astrologer is a diviner. This aligns with the Quran, which points to stars and astrology as only a means of navigation.

However, prominent scholars like Ibn Arabi and Ikhwan argue that planets are not considered God but do suggest each prophet with a specific planet/celestial being. Prophet Idris, also known as Enoch, was gifted with great knowledge of the stars and used his gift to meditate upon God’s grandeur and teach others. He believed that the stars and moon contributed to mankind and founded the study of the stars.

Different sects of Islam offer varying perspectives on the concept of astrology.