The Moon on Intl. Women’s Day: Is astrology sexist?

 

Today is International Women’s Day – and sad to say – women still have a very long road to travel if they are to reach full equality with men. Since this is an astrology blog –  I decided to ask the question: Is astrology sexist ? I am defining sexism here as the belief that one gender is superior to another. Well – let’s just look at the Moon for a moment. At some point in our history – the Moon in Western astrology became a feminine planet. I say became – because the Moon wasn’t always viewed as a female deity. The ancient Sumerian  Moon God was Nanna -(or Suen – which later became Sin) whose festivals were celebrated on the 1, 7, or 15th of the month, and when the Moon was invisible on New Moon.** We do not know why or exactly when the Moon became female -but it happened and it is an interesting development.

In nomadic groups – men and women were equal. Each person had their own tasks and skill sets which were seen as being vitally important to survival. Recent research (2015) suggests that it was only with the dawn of agriculture, when people were able to accumulate resources for the first time, that an imbalance between the sexes emerged. It is striking that the change in status of women is somehow reflected in the sex change of the Moon.

The Moon we know does not carry life – it is a satellite of our planet earth.  We only ever see one side of her – her other side remains forever hidden from our view. Meanwhile the Sun  radiates heat and light, his  magnetic field compels the other planets by sheer force of gravity – to revolve around HIM. Make no mistake, the Sun’s a macho.  The Sun is eternal power and magnificence. Meanwhile the Moon can only bathe in HIS light and reflect it since she has no true light of her own. She is a fickle, changeable creature. Shakespeare was well aware of this, when he put these words into Romeo’s mouth: ” O, swear not by the moon, the fickle moon, the inconstant moon, that monthly changes in her circle orb, Lest that thy love prove likewise variable.”

But is astrology sexist?  There are certainly more male planets than female – though recent discoveries (for example Ceres) are changing this dynamic.  The male planets have power and agency, the female planets reflect, nurture and attract etc. However, I must be careful not to over simplify a complex issue. Contemporary astrology reflects our society and the times in which we live. It cannot really do anything other than this ?

Anyway… I am posting the Daniel Craig (actor – James Bond) clip because it serves as a reminder of how far women still have to go. Eventually -when women have broken down all the barriers – I personally believe that the planets will become sexless…. 🙂 Food for thought on Intl. Women’s Day.

 

** Nick Campion’, A History of Western Astrology, Volume 1, the Ancient World (page 56)

Over Liz Hathway

Liz Hathway is a British born astrologer currently based in Amsterdam. Liz studied astrology at the Kosmos in Amsterdam, at the Faculty of Astrological Studies in London and with well known horary astrology John Frawley. Liz also holds an MA (with distinction) in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology, from the University of Wales, in Lampeter, and was short-listed for the 2016 Alumni Association MA CAA Dissertation Prize.
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