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On Oct 24, 2008, at 10:10 AM, Sen & Sonja wrote:
I do not know of anything Shoghi Effendi said on the matter
Lights of Guidance
[517] 1746. Astronomy is a Science, Astrology is Not
Lights of Guidance (149:26, page: [517])
"Astronomy is a science, astrology does not come under the same
category, but we should be patient with people who believe in it, and
gradually wean them away from reliance on such things."
Lights of Guidance (149:27, page: [518])
"Yes, the Guardian considers 'astrology', which is a pseudo-science,
as for the most part 'non-sensical', as it is mostly made up of
superstitious beliefs and practices."
Lights of Guidance (149:28, page: [518])
"We should attach no importance to astrology or horoscopes. No exact
science is involved, though sometimes some truth seems involved, but
the percentage is small."
Lights of Guidance (149:29, page: [518])
"The friends should be encouraged not to waste time on such things as
astrology etc., which you mention. They cannot be forbidden to do so.
The exercise of our free will to choose to do the right things is
much more important."
Lights of Guidance (149:30, page: [518])
"...it is absolutely essential that the teachings should not be
confused with the obscure ideas related to numerology and astrology
and the like. Individuals interested in them are free to believe in
and credit such ideas and to make any inferences and deductions they
desire from them, but under no circumstances are they expected to
identify them with the principles and teachings of the Cause. We must
at this stage preserve the purity and sanctity of the Baha'i
teachings. I will pray that you may be guided [518] in your efforts,
and may succeed in safeguarding and promoting the interests of our
beloved Faith."
Lights of Guidance (149:34, page: [518])
1752. Neither Numerology nor Astrology Needed by the Believers
Lights of Guidance (149:34, page: [519])
"There is nothing in the teachings which leads us to believe
numerology or astrology are needed by the believers to guide them in
any way."
Lights of Guidance (149:35, page: [519])
There has been a lot of good research over the last 100 years on
astrology, and especially in the last 40 years with the availability
of computers. Sun sign astrology, using primarily signs and houses
as prognosticators has been debunked for around 70 years as having no
predictive value. What does appear to have some value is the angular
separation of the planets and their relationship to the horizon and
nadir. E.g., people who have an angular separation of the sun and
venus of 45 degrees +/- 30 seconds have a very high likelihood of
being involved in dysfunctional marriage/relationship. John Addey
has shown that many occupations have identifiable significators
based on Foure analysis. However as he also noted, the presence of
that significator does not necessarily mean one will go into a
particular field or will not be successful in another field; only
that if one does go into that field that they are likely to be
successful.
So one possibility is that astrology, defined as a presumed
correlation of astronomical phenomenon with human affairs, has the
potential to be of value in things like occupational counseling, but
at the present time there simply has not been enough research to
justify ifs general use.
Don C
-------------
Understood properly, all man's problems are essentially spiritual in
nature.
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