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Classical and Modern Astrology
Mar. 8th, 2021 11:55 amFor practitioners, their approach to Astrology can be split into either Classical (Traditional) or Modern. Since it is more concerned with the happenings on the Earth, Classical Astrology is both predictive and deterministic. Classical Astrology uses only the traditional five Planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn). and the two Luminaries (Sun and Moon). Meanwhile, Modern Astrology includes all the Planets in the solar system (and Pluto), asteroids, and other heavenly bodies. The focus of Modern Astrology is the person. To that end, it uses psychological principles to explore and explain a person’s Natal Chart.
In Classical Astrology, fate is more important than free will. William Lilly (English, 1602-1681), in his “Christian Astrology (1647),” established practical rules to interpreting charts of events and questions to be answered. According to Lilly, the Planets have Elemental Dignities of Rulership, Exaltation, Fall, and Detriment. These Dignities determine how the Planet will affect the answer to the question being asked. Therefore, the Planets are divided into fortunate (benefic) and unfortunate (malefic).
Planets have a Rulership in a Sign and House. Unlike the modern sense of Rulership, Classical Astrology defines it as “strength” instead of “affinity.” Rulership is when and where the Planets express their best selves. Therefore, how Planets interact with each other is based on their Elemental Dignities (what House and Sign they are in at the time of the casting). To understand their interactions, the Ptolemaic Aspects of Sextile, Square, Triad, and Opposition are analyzed for each Planet.
In Classical Astrology, the heavenly bodies only comprise the five classic Planets with the two Luminaries. The order of these bodies is based on their distance from the Earth. Since the Earth is stationary, the order is geocentric. The Chaldean (Ptolemaic) Order is Saturn (the greater Malefic), Jupiter (the greater Benefic), Mars (the lesser Malefic), the Sun, Venus (the lesser Benefic), Mercury (reflecting the Planet he is closest to), and the Moon respectively.
Modern Astrology started in the early 20th century when Alan Leo (William Frederick Allan, British,1860-1917) created an astrology based on psychological principles. Rather that the stars predicting the future, they now indicated a person’s character. A Theosophist, he also added karma and reincarnation to the interpretation of the Natal Chart. In so doing, Leo also side-stepped the question of free will versus fate. He also sought to legitimize Astrology by applying scientific laws to the craft. Leo did this to avoid being arrested for fortune telling.
Dane Rudhyar (Daniel Chenneviere, French-American, 1895-1985), another Theosophist, founded Transpersonal Astrology. His book, “The Astrology of Personality (1930),” presented the Natal Charts as insights, not predictions. According to Rudhyar, Astrology offered choices, with people having total free will. He saw Astrology as the “workings of cycles and holistic patterns in people’s lives.” (Rudhyar is also known for his presentation of the Sabian Symbols (a 20th Century development) for each degree of the Zodiac.)
In regards to the Planets, Rudhyar said that Jupiter needs to work within Saturn since that Planet forms the purpose of a person’s life. The Planet Saturn offers the structure to do that. Meanwhile, Uranus (a non-Classic Planet) will pierce through the walls of Saturn, and abruptly change things. (This differs from Jupiter being the Planet of expansion, while Saturn is the Planet of restriction in Classical Astrology.)
In Modern Astrology, the newer Planets – Uranus, Neptune and Pluto – are important to the workings of the charts. Included in Natal Charts are the asteroids such as Ceres, Chiron, Juno, Pallas, and Vesta. Lilith, in her various forms such as the Black Moon Lilith, are plotted as well. While the Asteroids affect an individual’s character, the outer (newer) Planets impact the character of generations.
In the 1970s, the Twelve Letter Alphabet System was introduced by Zipporah Dobyns (American, 1921-2003). Also known as the ABC System of Astrology, the system has the Houses correspond with the Signs, which then correspond to the Planets. An example would be First House (A), Ares (B), and Mars (C). In this system, the Planets are Archetypes. Meanwhile, the Zodiac Sign determines how the Planet will manifest in a House.
The ABC System changes the meanings of the Planets from their Classical sources. For example, Venus, the traditional ruler of love, is now associated with the Second House. That House governs resources, and has Venus ruling money. In Classical Astrology, Mercury is the Planet who rules money and exchanges. Another example is the Sun which is associated with Leo. Now because Leo rules the Fifth House, the Sun now governs children. Classic Astrology has the Sun ruling royalty instead.
When I first encountered Astrology, it did not interest me. It seemed to be inane and chaotic. After reading about William Lilly and his works, I realized how elegant Classical Astrology was. In contrast, Modern Astrology is more ad-hoc and intuitive. Because I have a brain injury, I prefer “maps” to navigate by. Classical Astrology provides that for me with the malefic and benefic Planets, and the rules of interpreting their effects on daily life. I find Classical Astrology more useful to me since it clarifies things better. That approach to Astrology is structured and methodical, which suits me better.
Works Used:
Baigent, Michael, “Astrology in Ancient Mesopotamia.” Bear and Company: Rochester (VT). 1994.
Burns, Peter, “Western Astrology.” 2020. Web. https://westernastrology.net .
Clark, P. James, “Ancient and Traditional Astrology: The State of the Art.” 14 September 2018. Web. https://classicalastrologer.me/2018/09/14/the-state-of-the-art-1/
Dyles, Benjamin and Jayne Gibson, “Astrological Magic.” Cazimi Press: Minneapolis. 2012.
Giamario, Daniel and Cayelin Castell, “The Shamanic Astrology Handbook.” Empower Your Brilliance: Tucson. 2014.
Gillett, Ray, “The Secret Language of Astrology.” Watkins Publishing: London. 2011.
Hall, Judy, “The Astrology Bible.” Sterling Publishing: NY. 2005.
Meyer, Michael, “Dane Rudhyar Archival Project.” 2004. Web. http://www.khaldea.com/rudhyar/ .
Lehman, J. Lee, “Classical Astrology for Modern Living.” Whitford: Atglen (PA). 1996.
Warnock, Christopher, “Renaissance Astrology.” 2018. Web. https://www.renaissanceastrology.com/ .
In Classical Astrology, fate is more important than free will. William Lilly (English, 1602-1681), in his “Christian Astrology (1647),” established practical rules to interpreting charts of events and questions to be answered. According to Lilly, the Planets have Elemental Dignities of Rulership, Exaltation, Fall, and Detriment. These Dignities determine how the Planet will affect the answer to the question being asked. Therefore, the Planets are divided into fortunate (benefic) and unfortunate (malefic).
Planets have a Rulership in a Sign and House. Unlike the modern sense of Rulership, Classical Astrology defines it as “strength” instead of “affinity.” Rulership is when and where the Planets express their best selves. Therefore, how Planets interact with each other is based on their Elemental Dignities (what House and Sign they are in at the time of the casting). To understand their interactions, the Ptolemaic Aspects of Sextile, Square, Triad, and Opposition are analyzed for each Planet.
In Classical Astrology, the heavenly bodies only comprise the five classic Planets with the two Luminaries. The order of these bodies is based on their distance from the Earth. Since the Earth is stationary, the order is geocentric. The Chaldean (Ptolemaic) Order is Saturn (the greater Malefic), Jupiter (the greater Benefic), Mars (the lesser Malefic), the Sun, Venus (the lesser Benefic), Mercury (reflecting the Planet he is closest to), and the Moon respectively.
Modern Astrology started in the early 20th century when Alan Leo (William Frederick Allan, British,1860-1917) created an astrology based on psychological principles. Rather that the stars predicting the future, they now indicated a person’s character. A Theosophist, he also added karma and reincarnation to the interpretation of the Natal Chart. In so doing, Leo also side-stepped the question of free will versus fate. He also sought to legitimize Astrology by applying scientific laws to the craft. Leo did this to avoid being arrested for fortune telling.
Dane Rudhyar (Daniel Chenneviere, French-American, 1895-1985), another Theosophist, founded Transpersonal Astrology. His book, “The Astrology of Personality (1930),” presented the Natal Charts as insights, not predictions. According to Rudhyar, Astrology offered choices, with people having total free will. He saw Astrology as the “workings of cycles and holistic patterns in people’s lives.” (Rudhyar is also known for his presentation of the Sabian Symbols (a 20th Century development) for each degree of the Zodiac.)
In regards to the Planets, Rudhyar said that Jupiter needs to work within Saturn since that Planet forms the purpose of a person’s life. The Planet Saturn offers the structure to do that. Meanwhile, Uranus (a non-Classic Planet) will pierce through the walls of Saturn, and abruptly change things. (This differs from Jupiter being the Planet of expansion, while Saturn is the Planet of restriction in Classical Astrology.)
In Modern Astrology, the newer Planets – Uranus, Neptune and Pluto – are important to the workings of the charts. Included in Natal Charts are the asteroids such as Ceres, Chiron, Juno, Pallas, and Vesta. Lilith, in her various forms such as the Black Moon Lilith, are plotted as well. While the Asteroids affect an individual’s character, the outer (newer) Planets impact the character of generations.
In the 1970s, the Twelve Letter Alphabet System was introduced by Zipporah Dobyns (American, 1921-2003). Also known as the ABC System of Astrology, the system has the Houses correspond with the Signs, which then correspond to the Planets. An example would be First House (A), Ares (B), and Mars (C). In this system, the Planets are Archetypes. Meanwhile, the Zodiac Sign determines how the Planet will manifest in a House.
The ABC System changes the meanings of the Planets from their Classical sources. For example, Venus, the traditional ruler of love, is now associated with the Second House. That House governs resources, and has Venus ruling money. In Classical Astrology, Mercury is the Planet who rules money and exchanges. Another example is the Sun which is associated with Leo. Now because Leo rules the Fifth House, the Sun now governs children. Classic Astrology has the Sun ruling royalty instead.
When I first encountered Astrology, it did not interest me. It seemed to be inane and chaotic. After reading about William Lilly and his works, I realized how elegant Classical Astrology was. In contrast, Modern Astrology is more ad-hoc and intuitive. Because I have a brain injury, I prefer “maps” to navigate by. Classical Astrology provides that for me with the malefic and benefic Planets, and the rules of interpreting their effects on daily life. I find Classical Astrology more useful to me since it clarifies things better. That approach to Astrology is structured and methodical, which suits me better.
Works Used:
Baigent, Michael, “Astrology in Ancient Mesopotamia.” Bear and Company: Rochester (VT). 1994.
Burns, Peter, “Western Astrology.” 2020. Web. https://westernastrology.net .
Clark, P. James, “Ancient and Traditional Astrology: The State of the Art.” 14 September 2018. Web. https://classicalastrologer.me/2018/09/14/the-state-of-the-art-1/
Dyles, Benjamin and Jayne Gibson, “Astrological Magic.” Cazimi Press: Minneapolis. 2012.
Giamario, Daniel and Cayelin Castell, “The Shamanic Astrology Handbook.” Empower Your Brilliance: Tucson. 2014.
Gillett, Ray, “The Secret Language of Astrology.” Watkins Publishing: London. 2011.
Hall, Judy, “The Astrology Bible.” Sterling Publishing: NY. 2005.
Meyer, Michael, “Dane Rudhyar Archival Project.” 2004. Web. http://www.khaldea.com/rudhyar/ .
Lehman, J. Lee, “Classical Astrology for Modern Living.” Whitford: Atglen (PA). 1996.
Warnock, Christopher, “Renaissance Astrology.” 2018. Web. https://www.renaissanceastrology.com/ .
