Mazal Tov! Does Judaism Believe in Astrology or The Real Months of the Zodiac

Strive for Truth

I Overheard the Rabbi in synagogue teaching “Michtav MeEliyahu.” In English it is Called “Strive for Truth.” A Sefer / book by Rabbi Eliyahu Dessler. He was talking about the influence of the Jewish Months.

The Time Spiral

Time in Judaism is not a straight line – it is a spiral. Imagine a spiral. in the middle is the beginning of time. Each complete single spiral represents the Jewish year. Draw a circle around the spiral. Make 12 slices – as you would in a pizza (instead of 8 slices – 12 slices). Each slice has a particular influence in the world. Each slice is a Jewish Month. Each Slice represents a particular influence on the world. As the spiral goes outwards we grow.

The True Astrology

He asked “Why do the Zodiac signs – start in almost the middle of secular calendar months? He  mentioned that really Astrology / the Zodiac signs correspond to Jewish months – which are months based upon the moon – a lunar calendar adjusted to the Solar Calendar.

Jewish Months & their Influence

Mazal is the astrological influence.  Adar (Pisces – the sign of fish) – the month of Purim – has good Mazal for the Jews. Haman thought he could persecute the Jews in that month – because he thought Jews would be occupied eating – because fish eat other fish. Nissan – the Jewish Month when the Jews were freed from Egypt – has an influence of freedom in it. The Purity of the Young Girl – Virgo – is the Month of Elul – when the Jews do teshuva (repent) for their transgressions. It  is the Month before Tishrei. Tishrei – the month of Rosh HaShana – is when the people of the world are judged. Thus the sign for Tishrei is the Balance scale because it represents judgement. The Flood of Noah occurred in Cheshvan – the sign of scorpion – because scorpions are water resistant creatures. (Rokeach Bereshit 7:6-13)

There is an excellent set of Sefarim / Jewish Books called – “The Midrash Says” – which explains the stories of the Torah. Their Passover “Little Midrash Says Haggada” (p.97) – has a list of the Mazalot. It explains that when the sun is found in a particular area of the sky where a pattern of stars is found – that has an influence over events. Hash-m causes the monthly Mazal to influence events in the world. The Egyptians picked up on this and worshiped that constellation. Hash-m told the Jews to sacrifice the lambs – as a test of their faith – in the month when the lamb constellation was strong – Nissan – to show to the world that it is only Hash-m / G-d who has power over the Mazal. Nissan is the Month of Passover.

Jews are above the Mazalot. Meaning with prayer and actions they can change what may be destined for them.

Chart of Jewish Zodiac

Hebrew

Name

Transliteration English

Name

Description Hebrew Month Hebrew Month Stars in the Constellation Dates of Sun’s Presence

טָלֶה

Taleh Aries “ram/sheep”

נִיסָן

Nissan March 21 – April 20

שׁוֹר

Shor Taurus “bull/cow”

אִיְּיַר

Iyar April 21 May 21

תְּאוֹמִים

T’omim Gemini “twins”

סִיוָן

Sivan May 22 –

June 23

סַרְטָן

Sartan Cancer “crab”

תַּמּוּז

Tamuz June 23 – July 22

אַרְיֵה

Aryeh Leo “lion”

אָב

Av July 23 –

August 23

בְּתוּלָה

Virgo “virgin”

אֶלוּל

Elul August 24 -September 22

מֹאזְנַיִם

Moaznayim Libra “scale”

תִּשְׁרֵי

Tishrei September 23 –

October 23

עַקְרָב

Akrav Scorpio “scorpion”

חֶשְׁוָן

Cheshvan October 24 – November 22

קֶשֶׁת

Keshet Sagittarius “bow”

כִּסְלֵו

Kislev November 23 – December 21

גְּדִי

G’di Capricorn “horned goat”

טֵבֵת

Tevet December 22 January 19

דְּלִי

D’li Aquarius “water bucket”

שְׁבָט

Shevat January 20 February 18

דָּגִים

Dagim Pisces “fish”

אַדָּר

Adar February 19 March 20

 

If a person wants to look into their Astrology information – it is better to go to a person who follows Torah – who is knowledgeable in the matter. Some horoscopes are just made up by newspaper writers and people who are not versed in true Astrology. A person should also seek what is the Jewish law before consulting astrology, fortune tellers, hand readers, etc. – because fortune telling, soothsaying, magic, witchcraft, etc is forbidden by Torah for Jews & Non-Jews – according to the 7 Noahide laws of the Torah for all people of the world.

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