Pythagoras, Astrology, and the Number 12

(Mosaic Art – Mia Tavonotti)

“Mathematics is the natural home of both abstract thought and the laws of nature.  It is at once pure logic and creative art.”  -Alvin White

Astrology is not voodoo, and an astrologer is not a witch, medium, or psychic. A mathematician would be a closer comparison. Despite the controversy, Astrology is not science any more than music and poetry are science. But the arts and astrology share the common language of mathematics.

I’ve been practicing astrology long enough to remember a time, before computerized astrology programs, when constructing a birth chart was time consuming and fairly complicated. The calculations involving logarithmic tables seemed more like something my electrical engineer father would enjoy. So I tried to delegate those to him. He helped, but I had to learn.

Computerized charts are now constructed in seconds with great precision leaving the astrologer more time for interpretation. But even interpretation is very grounded in math.

The structure of astrology is a simple circle divided into 12 segments. Patterns are formed as planets are placed within each segment based on date and time of birth, and latitude and longitude of the birthplace. Pythagoras, the mathematical genius, recognized the number twelve’s capacity to encompass the entire foundation of the mathematical language. Twelve holds within its essence the ability to fundamentally express life itself.

An astrologer determines, for example, how difficult it will be for a client to complete a major creative project by using geometry to interpret the angular degrees between Sun and Saturn placements. There are many other aspects to interpretation but angular degrees are basic.

The astrologer’s intuition is critical in making connections within the beautiful patterns that emerge. But it’s the math that provides the outline of the life story as well as the timing of events – both past and future.

If you’ve never had an astrology reading you might want to consider it. Within the number twelve are worlds waiting to be discovered.

2 Comments

  1. Kristen:

    well said and I wish that we had to do astrology the right way first before we relied on computer programs! its a lost art that I admire very much and what a great article to ground down the integrity of astrology as an algorithm! very well said Holly 😉 keep up the good work

    • Admin:

      Kristen…Thank you!! So nice to hear from you and so thankful for the encouragement. You’ve always been especially generous with that. Hope all is well with you. xo Holly

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