Dorian Greenbaum, historian of astrology and philosophy, discusses astrology in Porphyry and situates it within the history of astrology. They explore the diversity of astrology in the Hellenistic period and the concept of the soul's passage through celestial spheres. The podcast also delves into Porphyry's theory of astrology, including finding the personal daimōn, and the diamond metaphor in Plato's works.
Astrology in the third century Roman Empire encompassed different viewpoints and was seen as a means to predict events and understand divine will.
Porphyry integrated astrology into his philosophical framework, using it to explore the nature of one's personal daimōn and gain insight into personal destiny.
Deep dives
Astrology in the Third Century Roman Empire
Astrology in the third century Roman Empire is a complex subject with a range of theoretical and practical approaches. Scholars often categorize these approaches into different viewpoints, such as hard fatalism, astral influence, signs, and naturalistic causal chains. The concept of divination plays a significant role in astrology, where the movements of the stars are believed to have relevance to events on Earth. The understanding of astrology during this period has a diverse range of perspectives and is influenced by various philosophical and cultural traditions. The importance of astrology as a means of predicting events and understanding the divine will is reflected in the writings of prominent figures like Porphyry of Tyre.
The Interconnection of Astrology and Philosophy
In the third century, astrology was not seen as an isolated discipline but was interwoven with philosophy. Porphyry, a student of Plotinus, was intensely curious about astrology and sought to integrate it into his philosophical framework. He saw astrology as a means to understand the nature of one's personal diamond, a divine being connected to the soul's incarnation process. Porphyry explored the idea of finding the lord of the nativity or the personal diamond by examining birth charts and identifying the most favorable planetary placements. Astrology, in this context, served as a tool to gain insight into one's personal destiny and virtuous path.
Porphyry's Approach to Astrology
Porphyry's approach to astrology was both philosophical and practical. He allowed astrology to inform his philosophical views, emphasizing the interaction between the celestial realms and human life. Porphyry's interest in finding the lord of the nativity is evident in his introduction to Ptolemy's tetra biblos, where he delves into the intricacies of chart interpretation and the identification of the house master of the nativity. His goal was to identify the planet that exuded the most positive influence, symbolizing the personal diamond or divine guardian associated with an individual's life. Porphyry's engagement with astrology demonstrates his belief in its utility for self-discovery and personal growth.
Astrology as Part of Porphyry's Theurgy
Porphyry's exploration of astrology is integral to his broader engagement with Theurgy. His belief in the existence of divine beings connected to the soul's journey influenced his interest in astrology as a means of accessing higher knowledge. Astrology served as a tool to uncover insights about a person's personal diamond or guardian entity. By understanding the astrological influences at the time of birth and recognizing the most auspicious planetary placements, individuals could gain a deeper understanding of their spiritual path and make more informed choices. Porphyry's interest in astrology as part of Theurgy highlights the interconnection between divination, philosophy, and the pursuit of transcendent truths.
We talk astrology in Porphyry with Dorian Greenbaum, historian of astrology and philosophy. Along the way we situate ourselves within the history of astrology in the third century, discuss astrological world-views, and consider whether the oikodespotēs is the same chap as the personal daimōn.
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