A Short History Astrology
The zodiac was created around 1000 BC during the Neo-Babylonian period.
In astrology, each zodiac sign is associated with a season in life, and these seasons are followed by the placement of the stars in the hemisphere.
Each horoscope divides the placement of the constellations each sign is named after into 12 uneven sections.
In ancient time, people believed that the Earth was the center of the universe.
Therefore, everything revolved around the Earth not the Sun.
We now know that the Earth moves around the Sun and it’s the Sun that’s center to our solar system.
So rather than the Earth moving through each zodiac section, and used to divide the stars, we divide seasons by the placement of the Sun.
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Here Is A Related Article Also Written By Pastor Jack:
Article by Jack Wellman
Jack Wellman is a father and grandfather and a Christian author and pastor of Heritage Evangelical Free Church in Udall, KS & also a Prison Minister. He did his graduate work at Moody Theological Seminary. His books are include: Teaching Children The Gospel/How to Raise Godly Children, Do Babies Go To Heaven?/Why Does God Allow Suffering?, “The Great Omission Reaching the Lost for Christ,” and Blind Chance or Intelligent Design?, Empirical Methodologies & the Bible.”
Jack has written 1159 articles on What Christians Want To Know! Read them in the archive below.
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I equally share in your thoughts Mr Amber, as a matter of facts, I study Numbers or part of Numerology which also share views with Astrology. I only want to be such if its doesnt have any blockage with Christianity or Islam as a religion and if its as the will of God to study it. But I honestly know for such that since I started my studies of Numbers, I have learn more and more by the day, and its makes me know who and what I am. Gods power is the greatest because, there are still some imaginable things beyond my thinking and studies for now.
Was Nostradamus A Fake
Nostradamus writings are a billion-dollar industry. So are those who are self-proclaimed prophets, but according to the BBC, books about Nostradamus is still on the bestseller list on Amazon.com. Despite Nostradamus being proven a fake, he is still widely read. Nostradamus infamy started when he published a collection of prophecies things that were supposed to occur in the future. Even today, Nostradamus has many followers, but maybe they dont know that he eventually turned to the occult and began writing almanacs not that different from the Farmers Almanac today, but Nostradamus was more interested in the future than just predicting the weather. He wanted to become a seer, and look into the future of human history. Something God strictly forbids.
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D The Scientific Basis For Astrology
Despite the fact astrology began in pagan superstition, efforts have been made to find a scientific basis for it. However:
1. There is no evidence that heavenly bodies can influence character.
You are a living, intelligent being. Your character is formed by living, intelligent beings: inheritance from your ancestors, influence of family and friends, and especially your own choices and decisions. The sun, moon, and planets are all lifeless and unintelligent. How can they form your character?
2. There is no proof that the position of these bodies at the time of your birth can influence your life now.
Heavenly bodies do have some physical influence. The sun gives energy, all the bodies give light, the moon’s gravity causes tides, etc. But all these influence affect everyone in an area equally, regardless of what time of year you were born.
3. The calendar astrology uses to determine the sign of your birth does not agree with the present position of the constellations!
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In the technical sense of the word the 12 “signs” are geometrical divisions 30 degrees in extent counting from the position of the sun at the vernal equinox. In the time of Hipparchus the signs corresponded fairly closely with the constellations that is to say, the first sign corresponded with the constellation Aries. Owing to precession there is now a discrepancy amounting to the breadth of a whole sign, so that the sign Aries is occupied by the constellation Pisces” – Encyclopedia Britannica, Vol. 23, p. 959.
Astrology Highlights Our Inability To Trust God
If we truly trust in God alone, we know He works all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose . All things have meaning, even the things that look unfair in this world. Eve thought she was missing out by not getting to eat all the fruit, but the Lord knew better.
So, if we trust God, why do we need to check another source to find answers? The Bible warns us not to bow down and serve anything aside from Him.
And beware lest you raise your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, you be drawn away and bow down to them and serve them, things that the Lord your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole heaven.Deuteronomy 4:19
God tells us in James 1:5 that if we lack wisdom we should ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach.
If you ask me if, as a Christian, if we should follow astrology, my answer would be no. Gods Word says in Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go I will counsel you with my eye on you. With Gods Word as a lamp to my feet and a light to my path , the only sign I want to claim is a child of God.
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Introduction: Astrology The Occult And Sorcery
As we go through life, most of us become aware that there is a spiritual dimension to life, and many of us seek to understand it. In our search, we often turn from organized religion and look for alternatives. That described my life for many years until I had an encounter with God, and I realized I had been on the wrong path.
If you too are a searcher, I think thats wonderful. But i also want to caution you that you may come across some spiritual ideas that that can actually harm your relationship with God. Seek to know the truth, but keep your eyes open. Be wise.
Libra The Figure Of Justice
Libra symbolizes judgment based on weight. In astrology, Libra is about the people and balancing out light and dark actions.
Earthly crimes are judged based on laws made by governments.
Spiritual crimes, which Christians call sin, are judged based on God. According to the Bible, sin is a debt, similar to karma. But instead of you having to burn the karma with a good dead, the imbalance was paid by Jesus dying on the cross.
The names of the stars mean that a debt has been paid.
Bible references:
Romans 6:23 for the wages of the sin death, and the gift of God life age-during in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Matthew 7:2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measure to you.
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Why Does This Matter
Astrological signs are the belief that a person has certain personality traits, likes, and dislikes because of their birthday. There are 12 different zodiac houses, which are all included within one of the four elements.
Christians should not participate in astrology because it is condemned in the Bible. Astrological signs are part of divination and the occult. This means astrological signs are a work of Satan in the modern-day.
Believers need to turn to God for guidance and help, not their astrological sign or horoscope. God made each person uniquely them and He has a unique purpose for their life . Rather than finding worth or your identity in a zodiac sign, find your worth in Jesus.
For further reading:
What The Bible Says About Astrology
The verses in the Bible that condemn astrology can actually be interpreted in many different ways. It is easy to get confused by the controversy. As a Christian, I truly believe that the knowledge of astrology must be used with care and with great integrity. I have seen the accuracy and the powerful insights that astrology can reveal to others and it must be used cautiously, just as a counselor treads lightly on certain topics until the client is ready. As a counselor myself, I use astrology as a tool with clients to help them understand themselves and others better. There are many things that astrology reveals about our character, behaviors, emotions and soul mission. Anyone with an open mind that reads about their sun sign traits cannot deny that those traits usually exist within themselves and are accurate.
Astrology is one of the most ancient sciences and predates both astronomy and psychology. It was not created to harm others or to worship before God. Human beings were warned by God not to put anything in the outer world above your relationship with him and that includes astrology. The verses in the Bible that mention the occult are warning us not to depend on psychics for all of our answers.
Editor’s Note: This article is by About.com Guest Author Carmen Turner-Schott, MSW, LISW.
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What Zodiac Is Jesus
AD 2150. With the story of the birth of Christ coinciding with this date, many Christian symbols for Christ use the astrological symbol for Pisces, the fishes. The figure Christ himself bears many of the temperaments and personality traits of a Pisces, and is thus considered an archetype of the Piscean.
What Are Mediums And Where Does The Bible Talk About Them
Although there are a number of words used in the Bible to describe those who practice certain mystical arts, the word usually translated as medium is the Hebrew word owb. In essence it is a necromancer or someone that communicates with dead people in an effort to gain knowledge or influence in the world of the living. They show up in several Old Testament passages that cross multiple categories.
In the Mosaic Law the practice of consulting with the dead and the mediums themselves are described as abominations, spiritual prostitutes, and defiled/unclean. Among the Prophets, Isaiah has some discussion about how the use of mediums brings about destruction to those who seek guidance from the dead . There are no positive references in the Law and the Prophets in regard to mediums.
On a more practical side, in the history parts of the Old Testament, mediums show up in the dialog mainly when the Kings of Judah/Israel are leading Gods people into great evil. Especially informative is when King Saul consults with a medium and it is evil. This is contrasted a few chapters later with the future King David using an acceptable method to determine how to proceed with Gods favor and this is seen as good.
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Is It Okay For Christians To Read Horoscopes
Is following astrology a sin?
Why do people read horoscopes? The fascination with astrology really points to peoples desire for wisdom about their future. Astrology is the ancient belief that a persons destiny can be determined by patterns of stars and planets at the time of ones birth. A horoscope then tries to interpret this destiny. It has been incorporated into mainstream culture, and many newspapers have horoscope columns updated daily. While these can be fun, is it OK for Christians to read them?
The Bible actually mentions astrology, specifically astrologers in the royal court at Babylon and their inability to interpret royal dreams . Isaiah the prophet spoke of astrologers with disdain: Let your astrologers come forward, those stargazers who make predictions month by month, let them save you from what is coming upon you .
Bible Verses About Astrology
Not only is astrology a sin it is demonic as well. If you were to have anything to do with astrology in the Old Testament you would have been stoned to death. Astrologers and people who seek them are an abomination to God.
Have nothing to do with these stupid demonic astrology sites. Trust in God alone. Satan likes to tell people, He doesnt care its not a big deal, but of course Satan is a liar.
Divination is evil, arent we to seek God instead of things of the world? God is never pleased with idolatry and He will not be mocked.
The world might love astrology, but remember most of the world will burn in Hell for their rebellion against God. God alone knows the future and for Christians and everybody that should be enough.
What does the Bible say?
1. Daniel 4:7 When all the magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and fortune-tellers came in, I told them the dream, but they could not tell me what it meant.
2. Deuteronomy 17:2-3 If there is found among you, within any of your towns that the LORD your God is giving you, a man or woman who does what is evil in the sight of the LORD your God, in transgressing his covenant, and has gone and served other gods and worshiped them, or the sun or the moon or any of the host of heaven, which I have forbidden.
6. Isaiah 8:19 When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?
False wisdom
Dont follow the world
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Astrology As A Form Of Guidance
However, astrology and horoscopes are pretty offensive to Gods teachings. It attributes Gods hard work to stars and planets. God alone used His powers to create your life, and has a plan for you that He will reveal on His timing. Trying to figure out what God wants for your life is a great way to be closer to Him, however doing so using astrology or horoscopes isnt an approved way. Throughout the Bible God tells us that He will guide us .
Gods people are to heed Him only and any other source of guidance, information or revelation should be rejected. The Bible tells us to only focus on Jesus Christ and to trust in God alone. He knows our direct paths in life and will guide us accordingly. Faith in anything other than God is considered misplaced. We cannot determine God’s Will for our lives through horoscopes. As Christians, we are to read the Bible and pray to God in order to gain wisdom and guidance. Consulting a horoscope is a violation of God’s means of communicating with His children.
Astrology In The Bible
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 did indeed originate in the nation of Babylon, now called the country of Iraq. Cuneiform tablets have been excavated depicting horoscope charts dating from the 5th Century BC and earlier. Astrology is a divination art which teaches that the relative positioning in the sky of the Sun, Moon and planets has an influence upon individuals and upon the course of human affairs. In our modern times, just like in ancient Babylon, a growing number of people are utilizing the services of astrology consultants.
In the Book of Daniel, there is narrated a profound event in the life of Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon. The king had a very disturbing dream, and he wanted to understand its meaning. Daniel 2:2 NIV, informs us, “So the king summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers to tell him what he had dreamed.”
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God Tells Us To Turn To Him And Renounce The Occult
Many people, including Christians, think its harmless to look at astrological charts or engage in various forms of spiritism. They think it is fun or entertaining.
Others look to astrology, divination, and mediums for guidance, not just entertainment.
But God clearly warns against such practices in many Bible verses. Some reasons the Scriptures warn against engaging in any form of the occult:
- We are opening ourselves up to spirits other than Gods.
- We are not looking to God for guidance, but to the occult.
- We are turning away from true faith in Jesus.
- We are disobeying Gods word, the Bible.
The Israelites often made the same mistake and turned from God, although God clearly warned them about this.
When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you. You must be blameless before the LORD your God. The nations you will dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery or divination. But as for you, the LORD your God has not permitted you to do so.