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Ancient Jewish Views on Astrology
updated 2 years, 8 months ago
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Synopsis: This is an interview I did with Dr. Justin Sledge of the Esoterica YouTube channel about the complicated relationship between astrology and early Judaism. It is useful for anyone who has ever wondered what is up with the references to astrology in the Bible, and why there seem to be conflicting views on it, sometimes for and sometimes against. A large part of the early discussion focuses on how the Jewish people were situated in a geographic area right between the two major cultures that developed what we know of as western astrology, Mesopotamia and Egypt, and how the development of monotheism created some natural tensions with astrology because it was often practiced in a polytheistic context that viewed the planets as gods or divine beings. Later this got smoothed over a bit during the Roman Empire, and then we start to find zodiac mosaics in synagogues, as well as Jewish astrologers such as Masha’allah and eventually Abraham ibn Ezra. While the episode is long, it will reward listening, if you want to learn more about the early history of astrology.
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yesss so excited to listen to this episode! i was raised by a rabbi in conservative judaism … a lot of people assume monotheistic religions are against astrology, could not be further from the case. most people don’t know that jewish mysticism (kabbalah) includes some astrology. plus, judaism follows a lunar calendar, they are totally compatible belief systems IMO. thanks for doing this chris, as a jewish student of astrology i could not be more excited
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Omg how exciting! Love, love, love both Esoterica & the Astrology Podcast! Can’t wait to listen!
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Excited for this, thanks! I stumbled across/bought a hanukkiah that had the 12 symbols on it & asked a rabbi about it, he didn’t have much to say about it, seemed almost reluctant to discuss it.
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As a jewish convert and a lover of astrology, thank you for sharing this! I’m learning tons
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I haven’t seen this one, but I’ve seen a rabbi’s views on the signs and it was super interesting! Thanks for sharing!
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I don’t really have any sources to offer, just my recollection from something I’ve heard or read. This is a modern Ceremonial Magician’s viewpoint, nothing historical per se and requires a bit of explaining. But my understanding of the reasoning for why Saturn is attributed to Binah and femininity stems from Saturn’s association with death.
The left side of the [Tree of Life](https://imgur.com/a/V9aq1Mf) is known as the Pillar of Severity and is the feminine side. The right side of the Tree is the Pillar of Mercy and is the masculine side. The left, feminine side is form and the right, masculine side is force.
Now traditionally, the feminine energy is more associated with maternity, life giving and sustaining forces. But the very fact that the mother provides the form that is your body at birth, means that she is also providing the assurance of inevitable death.
So those correspondences between birth and the subsequent inevitability of death, along with death being this transitory period from one state to another “allows it the exception” to be located and associated with Binah.
I hope this makes sense! And I welcome anyone with more expertise to correct me if I’m wrong or offer additional opinion!
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Thank you for posting the video.
