Do the planets exert an influence on human affairs? Considering what we know about life in the Age of Pisces, I think the answer is yes. I would like to share the observations that lead me to this conclusion. If any of them contradict theological foundations, that is not my intention and I would appreciate corrections and/or criticism. Before I begin, I want to distinguish between two approaches that I have observed in discussions of religion. One is impartial and informational; the other is from the point of view of a believer. The word ‘impartial’ does not imply indifference or lack of belief; believers might use either approach.
The Early Roman Empire
According to T.R. Glover’s book, The Conflict of Religions in the Early Roman Empire, none of the religions that we now believe to be ancient are older than 700 BC. These religions include the worship of Orpheus, Dionysos, and Osiris–all figures with Hermetic attributes. It seems that life in the Age of Pisces, ruled by the planets Jupiter and Neptune, was bound to have Hermetic characteristics. (Glover writes from the point of view of an atheist, arguing that the whole point of religion is to organize a society. I disagree with him on that point.)
Catholic Theology and The Caduceus of Mercury
Walter Friedlander’s book, The Golden Wand of Medicine, attributes a malevolent influence to the symbol of the Caduceus of Mercury (or Hermes). Since reading this book I’ve been terrified of this influence in the United States. I still hope to find a guarantee of safety in Catholic theology. I’m aware of theological debates that identify this influence and argue against it. However it may be unrealistic to expect a guarantee.
Part of the debate that arose between Père Jérôme and Albert Gleizes1 had to do with Gleizes’ opinion that Church theology since the thirteenth century had to be thrown out. He thought Thomas Aquinas had taken everything in the wrong direction. In his opinion, the effects of this error were evident in sacred art. However, the Church had already decided in favor of Aquinas. As I understand it, part of the reason Aquinas prevailed was St Augustine’s Hermeticism.
Perennialism
Gleizes believed that Christianity was based on an older tradition and that it had lost its knowledge of the sacred. The idea of a basis in an older tradition by itself is not controversial, since it could refer to Judaism. But Gleizes depended on Guénon’s idea of a great world tradition. He thought Christianity is simply a part of this older tradition in his view.
The most obvious danger of Gleize’s stance from a Catholic point of view would be the claim that Christianity had ceased to radiate spirituality. So, it is not exactly surprising that this created problems between Gleizes and his friend, Père Jérôme.
Jupiter and Neptune Ruled Pisces
Jupiter and Neptune ruled the Age of Pisces. Both planets are associated with the Hindu deity Siva, and Siva is associated with Hermes. According to Edward Moor’s book, The Hindu Pantheon,2 we can identify “most of the principal Hindu deities with Jove or Jupiter (page 47). The Jupiter Marinus, or Neptune of the Romans, resembles Mahadeva (Siva) in his generative character.”
Siva is the husband of Bhavani, whose relation to the waters is revealed when her image is restored at the conclusion of the great festival of Durgotsava (page 48). “In the character of destroyer also, we may look upon this Indian deity as corresponding with the Stygian Jove or Pluto, especially since Cali, or Time in the feminine gender, is a name of his consort, who will be found to be Proserpine” (page 46).
Christianity Originated From Judaism
Robert Eisler argues that Christianity is not derived from those older religions. In his book, Orpheus the Fisher, he argues for the Jewish origin of Christianity.
In the preface, page v, he says:
Christianity, considering its Greek influences, seems remarkable for its loyalty to the Jewish religion, and at the same time its rejection of the pagan gods of Greece and Rome.
However, the planets continue to influence our age.
The Protestant Reformation
It is possible that the Protestant Reformation unwittingly opened the floodgates to aspects of the Age of Pisces that had previously been suppressed by the Roman Church.