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5. Hellenistic Astrology, Chris Brennan, Project Hindsight, Thomas Kuhn, Durkheim and paradigms

Hellenistic Astrology, Chris Brennan, Project Hindsight, Thomas Kuhn, Durkheim and paradigms

These thoughts and observations came to mind after listening to Chris Brennans thoughtful and informative commentary on the ' Project Hindsight' film recently released upon his podcast.

I have studied astrology and been aware of its value for about 45 years. Recently I have completed Brennans course on Hellenistic astrology. I am a Jungian Psychotherapist with degrees in Classics, Social Anthropology and as well Philisophy and literature. I have been very aware of how many of Chris comments were nuggets of perception worth expanding and commenting upon.

I am not sure how many of you are aware of Thomas Kuhn's works on paradigms in scientific and cultural thought as well as that of Emile Durkheim. Durkheim argues that all societies in terms of its interpretative and cultural perceptions are effectively a weave of science, magic and religion. The quality, and the balance of models and philosophy is varied across time and at no point can we fall into a linear model of development that moves from magic, through religion to science. The balance of these three elements varies in different places and at different times. The Hellenistic period is effectively no different to any other period including our own. The New Age movement must be seen both in this way and in this context. As we move towards Neptune in Aries I suspect that scepticism will raise its head and be aimed at the validity of astrology from 2025. I am old enough to remembercat University in the late 70s reading the classic work by Keith Thomas ' Religion and the decline of Magic' that argued the inevitability of the rise of the secular society that would end all belief in Magic, Astrology and Religion. We can all see how inaccurate this was and it makes me smile as over my 65 years I have practicised both Ritual Magic, Astrology both predictive and psychological and Jungian Psychotherapy. My own life has been a weave of this Durkheimian model of thought and philosophy.

After reading Brennan's book I have seen how powerful zodiacal releasing is both in looking back and looking forward. Two loosening of the bonds occurred over the last 50 years both predicting to the day within L3 and L4 periods my movement to Wales and to being elected as Leader of the Welsh Green Party over 20 years ago.

I note with interest an L2 period awaits me from November 2024 to February 2026. I am on the political left and represent my community upon the Town Council .

The debate and discussions of Sbmidt, Zoller and Hand firmly indicate that for astrology to be valid we must improve our knowledge of philosophy, culture and history. This point is implied by both Brennan's commentary and the implied suggestions by the three Roberts. To this end I want to introduce Thomas Kuhn's concept of the paradigm. It can be argued that paradigms rise and fall in revolutionary ways. Kuhn writing in the 1960s sketched out a scheme of movement through Ptolomaic, Newtonian and Einsteinian paradigms. At particular periods so many paradoxes and contradictions would arise at key periods that one paradigm would collapse and another would arise. For example in 1912 Lord Kelvin commented that nothing remained to be discovered in Science ironically Einstein begged to differ. In many stages those who have self interest, income and prestige defend their self interest often unconsciously until a point is reached where defence is no longer possible and new paradigm is established.

Brennans work on astrology and that of Project Hinsight illustrate similar developments of new paradigms that both involve the rescuing of old material and of applying it in a new time and place. We can clearly see how parallels exist here with the translation of Aristotelian works in Medieval and Renaissance Europe echo the gradual rediscovery of classic Astrological texts backwards across time. Hand, Zoller and Schmidt allude to all of this approach and the excellent work of Ben Dykes over the last 15 years forms a clear and concise continuation of this process. Astrology goes through paradigms and at present several astrologers battle it out or compete for the prize of dominance. Not one of them is totally correct but some offer more than others yet all are reflections of the archaeology of knowledge from roots often unknown by their respective proponents. The modern new age movement has both valid and invalid observations to make. Its invalidity has done much in the Trumpian post modern world of Quannon to create essentially fake views of past knowledge yet its validity in popularising critical thoughts upon power is essential for change. But please my own Jungian shadow is driven wild by the ' astrologists' and those who do not see a current at times as disturbing as that of the older " new age movement of the 1930s that was a gate way drug at certain times to Fascism. Of course that was a minority but was still significant and can be seen has happening in a similar way in 2023. There is still much to celebrate here but it is essential that all who study Astrology and practise it must understand our past, our history, our cultural context and philosophy.

I want to paint an analogy here the scholarship of St Augustine of Hippo that gave Christianity its intellectual vigour and value. His scholarship gave it credibility and critical theory to reach out and be considered important enabling it to become dominant and respected. Until then Christianity was dismissed as being the beliefs of the ignorant, the uninformed and uneducated. Criticism of astrology has been used in a similar way by sceptics and philosophers in this time.

I am not arguing for a model of astrology to become as dominant as the Medieval Catholic Church but I am arguing for scholarship, education and self awareness of both ourselves and our tradition to be worthy of the gifts and discoveries of Project Hindsight. The works of Brennan and Demitra George and their fine scholarship contribute to this in powerful ways

I also see no similarities between Augustine and Chris Brennan though but perhaps cheekily I might wonder and speculate both at their Saturnian influences and respective balances of the air element.

The tensions in Project Hindsight was predictable and 'all too human' but couldnt have been any other way.

The Psychotherapist in me points out personal tension is very importantant both in thr collective as well as individual approaches These tensions are intradependant and originate in our experiences, our education and our unconscious struggles with others. It couldn't be any other way and we must all seek to understand our shadow and self. The old adage Nosce Te Ipsum is essential. Behind all paradigms, perceptions and passions we must know ourselves and understand how we learn, clash and debate with others. Recently I watched with psychological fascination the Wars of the whole signs deriving from rivalry, and tension between English and American astrology.

With great gratitude I thank Chris Brennan for his first class work, his book on Hellenistic Astrology and his academic vigour and Scorpionic depth in presenting the legendary seven and a half hour lecture on aspect doctrine. Only a Scorpionic trait could do that ...what think you Jules Henri ?

I have gone on long enough here on this matter but will conclude with this. Over the last 30 years the validity of astrology has become apparent to many on the progressive side of philosophy, politics and culture. It hasn't always been like than and to Hegelians like myself the struggle of thesis and antithesis and its consequent synthesis has been a liberation and a blessing. I have learnt so much by watching avividly your podcasts Chris. You introduced me to Austin Coppacks work , made aware of the humorous depths of the evolutionary astrology of Steven Forrest. But most of all how we must be vigorous, reflective and scholarly in our discipline. We cannot be otherwise and your latest podcast on Astrology and Psychotherapy is long needed and has much to say. I conclude with the observation that when Albert Camus died in a car crash on January 4th 1960 a chart was found in the cars boot warning him not to travel. I respect the works of the Hellenistic astrologers and consult my own chart before Council and Political meetings. I have seen the relevance and value of Zodiacal releasing and Annual Perfections . My grandmother taught me tea leaf reading at the age of 8, Mercury dominates my chart but modern Astrology has given me the depths of passion in my soul that a Pluto in Virgo first house opposition to Venus in Aquarius the Seventh house gives to a Jungian soul. Thank you Chris Brennan..