Medieval Astrology Frequently Asked Questions

Individuals newly interested in astrology are mostly unaware of the many different types or schools of astrological technique, practice, and thought that proliferate the contemporary landscape. The grand majority of neophytes come to astrology through the gateway of Sun sign horoscopes that mostly mimic psychological astrological jargon leading many to believe that this is what astrology is; a unified system of interpretation of the human psyche through the birth chart.

Culture shock usually sets in as they begin further investigating and interacting with others who are interested in astrology and hear about different types from psychological to evolutionary to Magi and anything inbetween. However, the introduction to traditional forms of astrology are usually met with the most questions and assumptions. 

What is medieval astrology?
It's difficult to talk about medieval astrology specifically without taking a broader look at the history of astrological development. Traditional astrology is roughly divided into three distinct periods. Hellenistic (1st century BCE to 7th century CE), Medieval (7th century CE to 14th century CE), and Renaissance (14th century CE to 18th century CE). Each period is characterized by its development of astrological principles and techniques from the previous period and each has its own philosophical attitude.  

Medieval astrology, then, is astrology as it was practiced in the medieval period (focusing on both halves of its development in the Islamic state and the Latin West) with its focus on developing the information obtained from the Hellenistic period and applying it to concerns of the contemporary individual.

What are some benefits of learning medieval astrology?
One of the most important things a student can learn from medieval astrology or traditional astrology generally is the importance of history and development. Through this focus on the past we are able to see the twists, turns, re-imaginings, introductions, and reinterpretations of many parts of astrology as time went on. By going back far enough we are also able to learn the ever-important answer to the ever-present question "why?".

By approaching astrology as a historical system, one develops a holistic understanding of astrological technique and philosophy that allows them the deep understanding of knowing not only what things mean by why they mean those things. A traditional astrologer understands why the eleventh house signifies friendship, hope, and trust. They understand why Jupiter is a helpful planet and why Mars is a difficult one. They understand why the Sun rules Leo and why Saturn rules Aquarius and Capricorn. They understand these things because they are explained along the way. This process of understanding also greatly assists in developing one's astrological practice, as the symbolism is more easily and accurately applied to real life concerns.

This is an area where more modern forms of astrology struggle as they often provide little or no information about the reason why astrological concepts or techniques mean what they mean. This void in philosophical grounding or developmental understanding is often filled with historically inaccurate ideas and claims; such as utilization of psychological explanations, application of ancient myth, attempts to introduce Eastern religious ideas to the system where they were not previously, pleas to other esoteric or occult traditions, or just making things up or insisting they be taken at face value.

Isn't medieval astrology outdated? We don't live in the middle ages.
Medieval astrology only refers to techniques and philosophies that were developed or refined within the historical medieval period. It is an identifier more than it is a limit on what it can do or how it can be used. While it's true that we no longer live in the middle ages, it is also true that - aside from technological developments - not much has really changed.  

Proponents of newer forms of astrology will often claim that humanity has evolved or is somehow fundamentally different now than we were in the past. However, people today still struggle with common life concerns such as health, money, career opportunities, and loved ones. These concerns are central to the human condition and medieval astrology is the perfect tool to investigate these concerns and strategize around them.

How is medieval astrology different from modern astrology?
There are actually several significant ways medieval and modern astrologies differ from one another. Maybe the most important is the way in which the two systems approach a natal chart from a philosophical perspective. Modern astrology sees the entire natal chart as being a reflection of the native's psyche with each planet being descriptive of some subjective emotional or mental process (the Moon is emotions and instinct, Mercury is thinking and communicating, Venus is love, etc). This makes modern astrology great for its intended purpose; character analysis. Medieval astrology sees the natal chart as a reflection of the objective conditions of the native's life with only a small part of it indicating the native themselves. Everything else relates to concrete life experiences such as wealth, family, health, and career, among other things. The planets in the natal chart then take on roles of representing these different areas symbolically leading to astrological interpretation. That is not to say that medieval astrology completely ignores the psychology or characterization of the individual, just that it is a limited part of the chart.

Medieval astrology emphasizes planets and scrutinizes them to determine if they are strong or weak, well or ill-placed and translating that into areas of difficulty or ease for the individual. Modern astrology emphasizes signs as psychological instruments.

Medieval astrology focuses on prediction and assisting in maneuvering through life's many hills and valleys and has a wide array of techniques in order to accomplish this, such as horary, elections, and various natal techniques. Modern astrology's focus in prediction is very limited, mostly consisting of predicting emotional fluxations instead of concrete events or themes.

Other than these main philosophical points, there are numerous technical differences between the two disciplines. For more examples of the differences between medieval and modern astrology see the Medieval Astrology for the Modern Astrologer hub.

​Doesn't modern astrology make medieval astrology obsolete by being more advanced?
While science usually marches on with new, emergent systems replacing older ones due to a better understanding or better technology, history shows us this is not how modern forms of astrology came about.

During the Enlightenment period most religious, magical, or divinatory systems came under the increased scrutiny of rationalism. Astrology, lacking a causal mechanism to make it work in this new scientific worldview, was frowned upon and essentially pushed out. It also found new pressures in the legal and political spheres where astrological practice was lumped in with the Vagrant Acts which punished ne'er-do-wells, con-artists, or politically convenient groups and foreigners. This made the act of "fortune telling" illegal, and forced many astrologers out of practice for fear of legal action.

​​Similarly, changes in educational standards separated astrologers from their past as Greek and Latin were no longer taught in school, these being the primary languages that astrological texts were written in. This nearly led to the death of astrology if not for some enterprising individuals who changed the focus on astrology from prediction and "fortune-telling" to character analysis and psychology.  

While science usually stands on the shoulders of giants, astrology stood upon its own ashes, being completely remade to suit the political and legal environment it found itself in in the late 1800s. With the Theosophical Society and other spiritually oriented organizations at the helm, the face of astrology changed dramatically at the turn of the 20th century.

What are some beginner level resources on medieval astrology?