Astrology A Sin? Options

Some of you may notice I'm currently researching lots about the "allowed and not allowed" aspects of magick. More over the "good" or "bad" perspective I'm forced to take being a loyal follower of God and Jesus Christ. This explains why everything I'm involved with now is strictly research. Research and understanding concerning how potentially living and participating a certain area of magick will effect my "good person status" in Gods eyes. I intend to ask questions here a lot regarding things to which I cannot find answers to through other means. I need to listen to arguments that would allow me to make a choice for myself. By the time I have completely gone through it all an established a sort of "end" to these types of questions, there will be enough information on the forum for people in exact situations as mine (IMG:style_emoticons/default/hideingbhindcurtian.gif)
So, unfortunately I've witnessed on several accounts that astrology is a sin. In fact, I've heard that ALL forms of divination are sins and should be completely avoided to stay in God's good graces. As most of you can understand, this has halted my magick research as of now seeing as though Astrology eventually intertwines itself our magick learnings. Again, I have heard lots on the argument of astrology being a sin, I must hear a counterargument to make my own choice. Or I must hear agreements to it being sin. Any help is appreciated as always. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/egypt1.gif)

This is much the same as proclaiming "I am God" upon learning the "All is in the ALL, and the ALL is in All."

Not quite, but almost, Genesis 1:27.

We are also of God - that does not mean we can change God.

Incorrect. Surely freewill is not reserved only for people.

Being of existence, the stars, and the earth, does not mean we may change them. The Transcendent Being may have such power, but will recognize the perfection of God's intentional creation of the Cosmos, and will know that it can do no better than that.

I am of dust, yet I can write words in the earth with my fingers. When I die I become dust again. People are part of the earth. People have freewill, whether the placement of stars have influence or not, is only to the point where its part of out environment; this dwells more into science.

Spirituality is ultimately to abstain from materiality and focus entirely on the spiritual existence. If we all focused only on this, we would not last long.

This depends on one's belief; whether spirituality teaches how to manage material things (.....baggage) in one's life (greed,generosity,etc...) or to abstain from it as stated.

Re:Is astrology a sin? Yes. I forgive you though. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I'm tired....I'm going to bed.

Not quite, but almost, Genesis 1:27.

Being made in the image of God does not make one God - there is a difference between being a part of something, a manifestation of something, and something containing that potential within itself, and actually being it.

Incorrect. Surely freewill is not reserved only for people.

Theoretically all of creation has free will. But to imply one can change God, implies that it is Changeable, and therefore, not Absolute. You can change your relationship to God, your point of view of God, but you cannot change God.

I am of dust, yet I can write words in the earth with my fingers. When I die I become dust again. People are part of the earth. People have freewill, whether the placement of stars have influence or not, is only to the point where its part of out environment; this dwells more into science.

There is no implication anywhere that the planetary bodies dominate one's free will. It's a question of cosmic currents - you work with it or against it, it's your choice (free will). They are the arbiters of Karma, not masters of our lives.

This depends on one's belief; whether spirituality teaches how to manage material things (.....baggage) in one's life (greed,generosity,etc...) or to abstain from it as stated.

The difference between the two is a conjunction of Materiality and Spirituality, whereas the other is strictly spirituality. All traditions (note, all of them) recognize varying levels of Asceticism ranging from the virtuous citizen to the hermit or monk. I believe the most balanced path is one conjoining all three aspects, Body, Mind, and Spirit, personally.

Re:Is astrology a sin? Yes. I forgive you though. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Strictly speaking within this professed christian tradition, I think you don't have the authority to forgive me, nor do I require your forgiveness, correct?

Astrology was meant to be a conduit between man and the divine, a way of interpreting in a legible way the will and movement of God in Creation. Astrology played a large role in the act of prophecy, in the temple in Israel, (ref: Book of Prophets, Old Testament). Supposedly God laid down laws based on astrological 'omens' regarding the calendar, sabbats, holy days, etc., and curiously enough, there's a strong astronomical coincidence between the books of the torah proper and their reading (passage each day, etc.) and the cycles of the planets - which also happens to create a series of curious coincidences between astrological occurrences (interpretations of astronomical motion) and the passages of the Torah. May not mean much from a christian standpoint, but it should - it's the cultural root of the religion, and can't be ignored. Not that it matters, most people can't read the old testament anyway, including jewish people.

Astrology plays a role in all of the judaic religions. Now, personally, I take more stock in the Torah than the New testament, largely because of the historical record of cultural purity regarding that text. The new testament has been edited, mixed, matched, and rewritten to suit the purposes of the reigning clergy of the day for nearly two thousand years. According to the old testament and the religious traditions passed down through Judaism, it's rather technically and precisely not a sin.

What is a sin, is to let the stars rule your life rather than God. This means, the motions of the stars should not give you justification or compulsion to violate God's law - in other words their are cycles encouraging transgression which must be overcome by the devout followers of said religions.

Of course, I'm just an educated Heathen, so in my opinion it's all just sophistry anyway; I don't get my God from any book. The ability to read hebrew helps clarify a few points though; I find the english translations to be just as biased in the old testament as in the new.

peace