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Kepler and Platonic Cosmology
In 1596, Johannes Kepler published his groundbreaking work, Mysterium Cosmographicum or “Cosmographic Mystery,” where he applied Plato’s cosmology to construct a model of the solar system using Platonic Solids. Kepler’s work emerged during a period of profound cultural and scientific shifts in Europe, as the Scientific Revolution began challenging the authority of the Catholic Church, particularly regarding its suppression of heliocentric astronomy.
Astrology’s Decline and the Heliocentric Controversy
As the debate over the heliocentric model intensified, astrology became one of its casualties. Although astrology was tolerated by religious authorities, it often bordered on heresy. The eventual triumph of the heliocentric worldview dealt a severe blow to the reputation of the geocentric model, which the Catholic Church had adopted as dogma.
Compounding astrology’s decline was the rise of anti-Arab sentiment in Europe. Many astrological techniques, wrongly dismissed as Arab inventions, were discarded despite originating from the Greeks. This caused a reduction in the accuracy and performance of astrological practices, which had reached their peak during the medieval period.
The Advanced Knowledge of Greek Astronomers
Contrary to popular belief, many astrological techniques, such as Lots or Parts, were originally invented by the Greeks and later refined by Arab scholars. The decline in astrology’s reputation was unfairly tied to the misconception that ancient Greek astronomers lacked knowledge of the heliocentric model.
In reality, Greek scholars like Eratosthenes had an advanced understanding of the cosmos. Known as “the second Plato,” Eratosthenes accurately calculated the Earth’s circumference and diameter, with his estimate being only 50 miles off from today’s accepted measurement. His work, along with those of other Greek astronomers, proves that the Greeks knew the Earth revolved around the Sun.
Aristarchus and the Legacy of Heliocentrism
In the third century BCE, Greek astronomers like Eratosthenes and Aristarchus of Samos made significant contributions to our understanding of the cosmos. Aristarchus, through philosophical reasoning and simple instruments, concluded that the Earth revolved around the Sun—a theory that would not gain widespread acceptance until Copernicus reiterated it almost 2,000 years later.
While modern history credits Copernicus with this discovery, Aristarchus’ work laid the foundation for the heliocentric model, proving that Greek astronomers had a deep understanding of the solar system long before its modern confirmation.
Geocentric Astrology: A Practical and Spiritual System
Despite the heliocentric model being scientifically correct, the geocentric model remained more practical for everyday use. It functioned as a natural GPS and timekeeping system, while offering a spiritual worldview that placed humanity at the center of the cosmos.
This model emphasized that humans were part of a living universe, with every celestial event deeply connected to their lives, providing meaning and purpose. It also supported the idea that the cosmos operated as a harmonious system, in which the geocentric perspective allowed for more tangible connections between planetary movements and human experience.
Kepler’s model of the cosmos based on Plato’s cosmology