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How astrology can help everyday life
Digest of a 1984 monograph

Dietrich von Heymann

Abstract -- The original wordy monograph (six times the length of this digest) is a booklet dated February 1984 written by Dr Dietrich von Heymann, a professor of religious studies at the University of Freiburg. He was a member of a working group on Uranian Astrology (an event-oriented astrology that involves eight hypothetical plants), wrote articles for the German astrological magazine Meridian, and arranged lectures on astrology (at German universities a professor can offer special lectures on any subject), only to suddenly disappear from the astrological scene. The monograph was written (in English) before the findings of research became known in Germany and is thus misleading. Nevertheless its conclusion (astrology, even if false, brings helpful new opinions on life's troubles) is an example of the thinking then emerging and now well established. Dr Dietrich argues that the astrological mode of thinking is logical, testable, and open to checking by anybody. The birth chart contains more than enough combinations to describe situations in life, all based on "as above so below". For example it shows a picture of the person, his mental and physical abilities, his profession, marriage, partnerships, children, enterprises, difficulties, preferences, and so on. The picture is special because it is personal and cannot be manipulated. On the other hand, astrologers disagree on the rules of interpretation, charts can fit many others as well, and man loses his responsibilities to the stars. But even if astrology were based on error or deception, it can still be helpful. What matters is not whether it is true or not, but whether it brings new viewpoints that are true for us. It forces us to recognise how life means receiving and accepting, and how this can lead to new activities and a satisfying life. In effect astrology is a school of life plans. Its research is important for society, economy, and for the single person, and should be pursued not only privately but also in brainy universities. Despite the monograph's dated views, its underlying positive attitude towards a no-need-to-be-true astrology still holds.