How Do Practising Astrologers Understand the Epistemic Nature of Astrology and What Impact Does This Have on Their Practice?
This dissertation examines astrologers’ perceptions of the nature of astrological knowledge, considering the epistemological paradigm of astrology and the potential impact of that paradigm on astrological practitioners. It investigates how Western horoscopic astrologers understand and work with the epistemological issues of astrology. Astrology’s status as “rejected knowledge” is explored along with the impact of that status on astrological practitioners. The study argues that both objective and subjective forms of knowledge are necessary for the creation of meaningful astrological knowledge, which is seen as accurate if it is considered helpful by astrological clients. The role of the astrological tradition of knowledge is explored as a basis for the creation of subjective or intuitive knowledge with a focus on the process of dialogue taking place during astrological consultations. The study argues not only that both the rational and the irrational are necessary for the creation of meaningful astrological knowledge, but that it is the connection between different knowledge frameworks which defines astrology. The research builds on previous studies of astrological knowledge and is situated within broader questions around the nature of astrology and its role in contemporary culture.
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