The Lord of Spirits: "When the Morning Stars Sang"

Episode Date: December 16, 2025
Hosts: Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick & Fr. Stephen De Young
Podcast Theme: The Seen and Unseen World in Orthodox Christian Tradition
Main Topic: Astrology—Ancient, Biblical, and Christian Perspectives

Episode Overview

In this rich, sometimes humorous episode, Fathers Andrew and Stephen dig into the origins, meaning, and the shifting theological status of astrology within ancient cultures, Judaism, and Christianity. Drawing on biblical texts, ancient histories, church councils, and calls from listeners, they paint a picture of a cosmos alive with meaning—but also insist on Christian freedom from fatalism and divination. They conclude with a call to embrace salvation as true freedom, not enslavement to fate, other powers, or other people’s voices.

Section I: What Is Astrology? Ancient Roots and Meanings

Introduction—Setting the Stage

• Opening reflections highlight humanity’s yearning for enchantment beyond materialism, and the persistent allure of spirits, angels, and the unseen.
• Banter about pop culture serves as a springboard to ancient questions about the stars.

[06:37] Defining Astrology (C) Fr. Stephen

“Astrology is the logos of the stars.”

• Astrology: a systematized attempt to discover order, reason, and meaning (logos) in the movement of heavenly bodies.
• Etymology:
  • Astrology—Reason or discourse about the stars.
  • Astronomy—The “law” (nomos) of the stars, with roots in legal notions of order.

“One of my favorite etymologies… the word disaster… means to be against the stars.” (B) Fr. Andrew [07:12]

Section II: Astrology in the Ancient Near East

[10:12] The Ancient View of the Stars

• Unlike today, ancient people saw breathtakingly star-filled skies that inspired awe and a sense of cosmic order or agency.

[13:44] Proto-Astrology—Origins in Omens

• Babylon: Birthplace of organized astrology; oldest Akkadian texts (c. 19th c. BC) list omens interpreted collectively by priesthood.

“If you just see something weird and go, ‘huh?’ and walk away, it’s not really an omen. But if you wonder ‘what does it mean?’—now it’s an omen.” (C) [16:01]

• Omens ranged from animal entrails to celestial events (eclipses, comets).

[23:03 & 25:14] From Omens to System

• Planetary Deities: Babylonian proto-astrology shifted to assigning gods to visible celestial bodies:
  • Sun = Shamash, Moon = Sin/Nanna, Jupiter, Saturn, etc., each with its deity (Mars = Nergal, Venus = Ishtar, etc.)
  • The word planet (Greek: planetes): “wanderer,” as planets (“wandering stars”) move irregularly compared to the fixed stars.

[29:50] Astrology Proper—Connecting Omens, Planets, and Divine Meaning

• Celestial events were now interpreted as the will or moods of gods, communicated via planetary alignments or anomalies.

[31:30] The Fully-Devised System

• Neo-Babylonian Empire: Systematized zodiac, mapped constellations, and mathematically predicted celestial events.
• Developed concept of 12 major constellations, four “cardinal signs” (man/hunter, ox, eagle, lion)—which echo in Ezekiel’s vision and in Christian imagery of the four Gospels.

[37:53] Distinction: Astrology vs. Astronomy

“The key difference: the idea that there is a deeper spiritual meaning to these motions.” (C)

• Ancient astrology posited not just physical causation, but revelation through the heavens—a “meaning” inaccessible to science.

Section III: Calendar, Cosmos, and Meaning

[43:12] Astrology & the Calendar

• Ancient calendars (including the Jewish and Julian calendars) rooted in celestial observation—months from lunar cycles, years from solar cycles, festivals linked to astrological order.

“The calendar itself was seen as mediating the heavenly and earthly realms.” (C)

Section IV: Astrology in the Bible and Judaism

[69:59] Numbers, Tribes, and the Zodiac

• Significant Numbers:
  • 7—Sun, moon, five visible planets = seven “heavens”; lampstand in tabernacle.
  • 12—Twelve tribes of Israel linked to twelve zodiac constellations, especially in Second Temple Judaism.
• Torah Sources:
  • Genesis 49: “Testament of Jacob”—lion (Judah), etc.
  • Numbers 2: Tribes encamped according to the four “cardinal” directions—mirrors Babylonian/zodiacal layout.
• Archaeology:
  • 1st-century synagogues in Galilee bear zodiac mosaics where Jesus would have taught.

“At least by the Second Temple period, the tribes are associated with particular zodiac constellations.” (C) [75:59]

[92:27] Biblical Astrological Language—Psalm 19

“The heavens declare the glory of God…” (B)

• Psalm 19 describes the “line” (ecliptic)—core to astrological calculation.

Jewish vs. Pagan Astrology

• Philo of Alexandria (1st c. BC):
  • Affirmed the heavens are ruled by “powers,” but only as viceroys under God—not as creators or independent agents.

“The rulers aforesaid are not independent…but are the viceroys of the one supreme Being…” (B, quoting Philo) [96:44]

• Distinguishes Jewish astrology as symbolic and communicative (revealing God’s will), not as deterministic, fateful, or worshipful of powers.

Section V: Why Christianity Rejects Astrology (as Divination)

[105:09] Turning Point—Aquila of Sinope

• Early 2nd c. convert, excommunicated in Rome—not for astrological knowledge, but for practicing astrology (i.e., divination).

[117:17] Early Christian Critiques—Augustine & Chrysostom

St. Augustine [119:13]

• In Confessions and City of God, Augustine rejects astrological determinism:

“The core of St. Augustine’s critique of astrology is going to be that astrology requires fatalism.” (C)

• Observes incompatibility with free will, uses examples (twins, social class).

“St. Augustine explicitly says…God does not determine the will of human beings.” (C) [119:27]

• Argues astrology works only by luck or chance, not actual fate.

St. John Chrysostom [127:45]

• Affirms stars as angels/powers, but condemns giving them independent control; only God is sovereign.
• Warns that interest in astrology leads away from trust in God’s providence.

The Key Theological Development:

• Christianity introduces a robust doctrine of human freedom (will), rooted in a Pauline (and patristic) understanding of “nature” as a shared orientation toward God (theosis).
• Practice of divinatory astrology (predicting fate by stars) is incompatible with this:
  • “The practice of astrology is an ethos of determinism, fatalism, of enslavement to the elemental powers…Christianity is an ethos of freedom.” (C) [141:07]

Section VI: Calls, Questions, and Memorable Quotes

“Why aren’t the seven archangels associated with the seven classical planets?” (Caller Luke, Montana)
—Because in Jewish/Christian theology, the seven archangels are not a one-to-one match with the roles of star/planetary powers; angelic “order” is a job description, not an individual assignment. [65:32]

“So does [the Bible’s astrological imagery] mean astrology is just completely pagan, or is it incorporated?”
—The Bible uses astrological symbolism—tribes, constellations, ritual calendars—but insists on God as the source of authority and meaning. (C) [70:15]

Section VII: Final Reflections—True Freedom in Christ

“Christianity is based on human freedom, freedom to become what it is God has made us to be…far from being a weird, esoteric subject, astrology actually goes right to the heart of who we are, what we are trying to accomplish as Christians, and what it is that Jesus did for us.” (B) [147:01]

“Christ has come to set us free—not only from astrology, but from all those voices…whatever destiny they were proposing…those are small fry compared to becoming like Christ.” (C) [154:06]

Takeaway:

• Ancient astrology sought meaning in a cosmos believed to be alive and purposeful; Judaism and Christianity redirected this cosmic meaning as communicative but always subordinate to God.
• Christianity’s innovation: a radical freedom from fatalism—freedom for transformation and theosis in Christ.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------| | 06:37 | “Astrology is the logos of the stars.” | C | | 07:12 | “Disaster means to be against the stars.” | B | | 25:14 | “The word ‘planet’ is a transliteration of the Greek ‘planetes’, which means a wanderer.” | C | | 29:50 | “They’re reading signals from the gods… actual spiritual beings that are present.” | B | | 92:27 | “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork…” | B (Reads Psalm 19) | | 96:44 | “…the rulers aforesaid are not independent…but are the viceroys of the one supreme Being…” | Philo (quoted by B) | | 119:13 | “The core of St. Augustine’s critique of astrology is going to be that astrology requires fatalism.” | C | | 127:45 | “Any independent power… you are de facto taking that control away from God.” | C | | 141:07 | “Christianity is an ethos of freedom. The practice of astrology… is an ethos of determinism, fatalism, of enslavement to the elemental powers…” | C | | 147:01 | “…the project of Christianity is… an exorcistic project.” | B | | 154:06 | “Christ has come to set us free… even from our fellow human beings, their expectations, and even the expectations and demands that we put on ourselves.” | C |

Summary Table of Key Segments with Timestamps

| Segment | Main Focus | Time | |----------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|-----------| | Introduction/Banter | Pop culture, astrology topic intro | 01:06–06:37| | Defining Astrology & Etymology | Logos, Nomos, disaster | 06:37–12:00| | Astrology in Babylon | Omens, planetary gods, Babylonian system | 13:44–34:38| | Calendar and Cosmos | Astrology’s role in calendars and festivals | 43:12–47:11| | Astrology in the OT, Jewish Tradition | Tribes & zodiac, second temple symbolism, Philo | 69:59–98:57| | Key Biblical Texts/Interpretation | Psalm 19, communicative role of the heavens | 92:27–98:44| | Aquila/Fate/Freedom | Early Christian rejection, Aquila excommunicated for divination | 105:09–115:30| | Patristic Arguments | Augustine, Chrysostom, nature of will/freedom | 117:17–140:12| | Calls & Discussion | Interactive Q&A, practical implications | 49:39–68:51| | Final Reflections & Exhortation | Christian freedom vs. fatalism, summary | 141:07–159:09|

Tone, Style, & Memorable Moments

• Playful, erudite, and packed with cultural and scriptural references—respectful yet gently irreverent regarding both astrology and modern attitudes.
• Frequent dry humor and “deep cut” pop culture references.
• Skilfully weaves ancient, Jewish, and Christian sources, showing their continuities and conflicts regarding the cosmos and destiny.

Final Word

This episode serves as an exhaustive, entertaining, and theologically grounded survey of astrology’s cosmic claims and the Christian response—a response rooted not in hostility to symbolism or cosmic order, but in a profound liberation from any power, voice, or fate that might deny the radical gift of human freedom in Christ.