Divination: A Holistic Approach to the Truth

One of the qualities that make astrology endlessly fascinating to me is the way information can be assembled.

Astrology is a form of divination, of attempting to discern and translate the messages of the heavens, using the zodiac as a sort of dictionary (or map, or mandala). This places it in a particular category regarding how one arrives at the truth, in contrast to other disciplines such as mathematics, science and history; each of which treats data in different ways.

In mathematics, the desired result of investigation is a proof, a conclusive argument formed of pure logic and thus unanswerable, upon the foundation of which more proofs can be discovered. In science, the facts are determined through experimentation and the testing of falsifiable hypotheses. Tentative conclusions are formed based on the evidence available, and can then be revised as more precise measurement techniques or new information are found. Historians attempt to distinguish a past course of events through use of source material, which must be evaluated for its credibility.

Astrology and its fellow divinatory systems, by comparison, tend to treat information more holistically. I realise this is an overused term, but I believe it applies here: what I mean specifically is that the data-gathering process is about inclusion, not elimination. Even if a chart offers two or more seemingly contradictory interpretations, the point is not necessarily to find the one correct version; rather, we try to reconcile the apparent conflict(s) to produce a more complete whole.

(We do also review charts of various types to better understand how a particular object or placement is likely to act, or has acted, in real-life examples. Because of the multiple ways in which a specific astrological influence may affect the matter at hand, this is by no means a guaranteed method; though it can certainly help.)

I would suggest this holistic method is appropriate to divination for several reasons. Firstly, it acknowledges that human characters and circumstances are often complex, with a variety of facets and layers, which do not always interact harmoniously, and which might grow or lessen in relative strength over time. Secondly, it makes a candid allowance for the fallibility of us mortal interpreters. Thirdly, it makes room for free will: I for one consider that determinism sits uncomfortably amid celestial communications; what is the point of hearing them if the course is already set?

Additionally, there is an important social factor. Divination exists in multiple different forms, even within each system. Astrology itself has been present in numerous societies all over the world, through many centuries of history, and comprises plenty of varying techniques as a consequence. Can we say any one such technique is superior to all the rest? I certainly would not feel justified in making this claim; and thus, whether one uses the tropical or sidereal or another zodiac, by whatever name one calls the signs, whichever house calculations one chooses, the information obtained thereby is as valid as with any other approach.

To take an example: if one has the Sun in a tropical earth sign, it's likely the sidereal position will be in a fire sign. Are these mutually exclusive? Not necessarily; for a person may easily contain both of these realities - the earth in the consciousness and outer mantle; the fire deep within, sparked to life in sufficiently great need; or vice versa.

In my view, this flexibility is both requisite and beautiful; it makes the art of interpretation an art indeed, and holds space for countless unique threads of wisdom and understanding in the cosmic tapestry.

Complexity often makes for a more complete picture.