Astrology (占星術 Senseijutsu?) is a system involving the use of astrological phenomena, such as the positions of the stars and planets in the night sky, for the purpose of divination.
In Toaru Majutsu no Index, certain forms of Magic make use of astrology.
Etymology[]
Astrology is derived from the Latin astrologia, in turn derived from the Greek ἀστρολογία, approximately meaning 'study of the stars', comprised of ἄστρον/astron ("star") and -λογία/-logia, ("study/account of"). Astrologia later came to refer to 'star-divination' while astronomia (later astronomy (天文学 Tenmongaku?)) was used for the scientific term.
Principles[]
The sun, moon and the twelve signs of the Zodiac, depicted on Donati's Horoscope.
Astrology is based on the observation and use of celestial objects and phenomena, such as the positions of the stars (and the constellations that they form, such as the twelve signs of the Zodiac) and planets in the night sky, as well as their positions relative to one another.
The positions of the constellations and the planets, observed in the night sky and in relation to each other (angles and proximity), combined with their individual qualities, are used to divine for a specific point in time, with different meanings and interpretations arising at different times. These positions and meanings can be used as a basis for various spells, a fair number of which are dependent on the state of celestial sphere.
For astrology, where the stars are actually located in the universe is of little importance compared to how they line up when viewed from Earth - it is the latter from which meanings are derived.[1]
As well as the stars and planets, there are a number of other mysterious lights in the night sky. These have been viewed as unlucky stars and ill omens for millennia, and only within the past few decades been superseded by the idea of UFOs and vehicles flown by aliens.[2]
Constellations[]
There are various patterns formed by the stars in the night sky, and some of these are considered to form images at specific points in the night sky. These are known as constellations (星座 Seiza?). The number of recognized constellations have changed over time and between different locations, with many cultures having various tales associated with them. In modern times, there are eighty-eight officially recognized constellations, many of them derived from Classical Mythology.
Zodiac[]
Among the constellations are a group of twelve signs known as the Zodiac, which follow the ecliptic belt across the celestial sphere which the Sun and planets travel along. The twelve signs of the Zodiac are in order; Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces.[3] The signs of the Zodiac are important elements in astrology, with various attributes associated with them, such as personality types, elements, times of the year (roughly month-long time periods) and day, entities, and ruling planets. They also have one of three modalities: Cardinal, Fixed and Mutable.
| # | Name | Symbol | Modality | Element | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aries (白羊宮 Hakuyōkyū?) | ♈︎ | Cardinal | Fire | The Ram/Sheep |
| 2 | Taurus (金牛宮 Kingyūkyū?) | ♉︎ | Fixed | Earth | The Bull |
| 3 | Gemini (双児宮 Sōjikyū?) | ♊︎ | Mutable | Air | The Twins |
| 4 | Cancer (巨蟹宮 Kyokaikyū?) | ♋︎ | Cardinal | Water[4] | The Crab |
| 5 | Leo (獅子宮 Shishikyū?) | ♌︎ | Fixed | Fire | The Lion |
| 6 | Virgo (処女宮 Shojokyū?) | ♍︎ | Mutable | Earth | The Maiden |
| 7 | Libra (天秤宮 Tenbinkyū?) | ♎︎ | Cardinal | Air | The Scales |
| 8 | Scorpio (天蝎宮 Tenkatsukyū?) | ♏︎ | Fixed | Water[4] | The Scorpion |
| 9 | Sagittarius (人馬宮 Jinbakyū?) | ♐︎ | Mutable | Fire | The Archer (Centaur) |
| 10 | Capricorn (磨羯宮 Makatsukyū?) | ♑︎ | Cardinal | Earth[5] | The Goat |
| 11 | Aquarius (宝瓶宮 Hōbeikyū?) | ♒︎ | Fixed | Air | The Water-bearer |
| 12 | Pisces (双魚宮 Sōgyokyū?) | ♓︎ | Mutable | Water[4] | The Fish |
Planets[]
A planetary hexagram, with the symbols for the seven 'planets'.
The planets (惑星 Wakusei?) are an important aspect of astrology, with the ones traditionally used being Mercury (水星 Suisei?) (☿), Venus (金星 Kinsei?) (♀︎), Mars (火星 Kasei?) (♂︎), Jupiter (木星 Mokusei?) (♃) and Saturn (土星 Dosei?) (♄), together with the two 'lights'; the Sun (太陽 Taiyō?) (☉) and the Moon (月 Tsuki?) (☽).[3]
Like the Zodiac signs, the planets have various qualities associated with them, including the seven metals,[6][7] days of the week, and entities such as angels and Planetary Spirits (惑星霊 Wakuseirei?).[8]
Angles and Aspects[]
Aspect is a fundamental part of Western astrology. The theory goes that the positional relationship between constellations and planets has a different role based on their angles.[9] The six major aspects and a declination are mentioned in the series.
| Name | Classification | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| Conjunctio ( |
Major Aspects | 0°–9°[9] |
| Oppositio ( |
Major Aspects | 171°-189°[9] |
| Quartus ( |
Major Aspects | 81°-99°[9] |
| Trinus ( |
Major Aspects | 111°-129°[9] |
| Sextus ( |
Major Aspects | 54°-66°[9] |
| Parallel ( |
Declinations | 0°-1°[9] |
Western and Eastern Astrology[]
There are variations of astrology between western and eastern cultures, though they have many commonalities, such as the use of the positions of stars and planets in the sky and relative to one another (including angles). In addition to Western Astrology and Eastern Astrology themselves, there are also various other systems that are influenced by astrology.
Astrology plays an important role in Hermeticism, being said to be one of the three parts of the wisdom of the universe held by Hermes Trismegistus. Part of Golden-style magic involves the observation and use of the stars and mysterious lights in the night sky. As well as reading the future from the stars, magicians seal their light into talismans and amulets, and draw their power out when they see fit.[2] Karasuma Fran is an example of a magician who practices Golden-style astrological magic.[2] In Golden-style magic, the zodiac signs have a color (e.g. bright red for Aries and yellowish-green for Virgo) and an angel associated with them.[10]
Indian astrology, also referred to as Vedic and Navagraha Astrology (九曜占星術 Kuyō Senseijutsu?), tells fortunes through the positions of 9 Navagraha; the Sun, the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Rahu (ラーフ Rāfu?)(☊) and Ketu (ケートゥ Kēto~u?) (☋), as well as the angles of the constellations.[11] Onmyoudou makes use of certain aspects of astrology.
Chronology[]
Toaru Majutsu no Index[]
Index Arc[]
- Main article: Index Arc
John's Pen Index mentioned the location of the stars, angle of the moon, and Cancer while preparing healing magic ritual.[12]
Deep Blood Arc[]
- Main article: Deep Blood Arc
Index mentioned astrology during her first meeting with Himegami Aisa regarding her validity as a magician. Modern Astrology was included in her list together with the likes of Enoch, Kabbalah, Hermeticism and Vision of Mercury.[13]
Daihasei Festival Arc[]
- Main article: Daihasei Festival Arc (Index)
Astrology is referred to during the events in the Daihaseisai, with some of the laws behind Oriana Thomson's Shorthand coming from the basis of Western Astrology.[9]
Toaru Majutsu no Index SS: Necessarius Special Admission Test[]
Astrology is referred to among the various magical-related systems which depend on the positions of the stars in the night sky, which the group known as the Royal Astronomical Research Organization was formed to observe, in order to obtain data regarding the use of those systems.[14]
World War III Arc[]
- Main article: World War III Arc
|
This section requires expansion Previous event references, specific LN/Ep references |
The colored stars appearing in the anime
During World War III, Fiamma of the Right made use of Archangel Gabriel to clear the heavens and leave the Star of Bethlehem as the only 'star' in the night sky, as part of Project Bethlehem. When Fiamma was using the Star of Bethlehem to correct the Distortion of the Laws of the World and reset the four elements, a series of colored stars spread out across the sky.[15]
Toaru Majutsu no Index SS: Agnese's Magic Side Work Experience[]
In a shared ceremonial ground hidden in a container yard in Calais's harbor district, Pierre Gosetti carried out a summoning to use power from Taphthartharath to create a talisman for a safe birth for his wife.[16]
Shinyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index[]
Aleister Crowley Arc[]
- Main article: Aleister Crowley Arc
During the battle with the Karma chain beasts, Fran invoked Virgo in a spell though the chains' interference caused Aries to activate instead.[10] During the visions in the Windowless Building, it is also described how Aleister Crowley determined his daughter Lilith's long name by reading the stars.[17]
Coronzon Arc[]
- Main article: Coronzon Arc
While describing the problems with using Spiritual Tripping against Isis-Demeter when it was using Orsola Aquinas as a host, Aleister mentioned how Spiritual Tripping uses mime and astrological suggestion to bind the user to the target.[18] He later referred to points in astrology when describing the Lady of the Masquerade Ball's use of the Planetary Spirit of Mercury, Taphthartharath.[8][1]
When Coronzon prepared the Queen Britannia's temple for the Ceremony of Mo Athair, the seven planetary forces and the twelve zodiac influences were among the influences which she banished from the ceremonial ground.[3] During Coronzon's remote attack on the group at Edinburgh Castle, Index referred to how astrology was thrown in chaos by the discovery of new planets (e.g. Uranus) but these objects (e.g. Pluto) do not obstruct the movements of the universe, during her misreading of the Book of the Law aimed at disrupting Coronzon's spell so that Aleister could destroy it.[19]
Souyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index[]
Christmas Eve Arc[]
- Main article: Christmas Eve Arc
|
This section requires expansion GT1 - Other? |
The associations of the seven metals with the planets (and from that the Sephirah) and invented angels with the Zodiac were brought up by Index and Othinus during analysis of the magic which Neoka Norito had acquired from R&C Occultics.[7][20]
Christmas Day Arc[]
- Main article: Christmas Day Arc
|
This section requires expansion GT2 |
Several astrological elements were mentioned during the events on Christmas Day, including how jewels were believed to gather up the power of constellations and return it to their wearers, and how the outer ring of the twenty-two petalled rose corresponded to the Zodiac.[21] As well as being mentioned as a key factor to consider when setting up a major ceremony,[22] the stars also played a role in the Christmas charm which R&C Occultics had spread amongst the students of Academy City, resulting in many being hospitalized and put in danger due to using magic while being espers.[23] Touma also made use of a decoration in the shape of Capricorn's sign to disrupt some of Anna Sprengel's magic.[5]
New Year's Arc[]
- Main article: New Year's Arc
During her conversation with Accelerator on January 1st regarding the Bridge Builders Cabal, Dion Fortune mentioned that her group had attempted to acquire a reading on Alice Anotherbible via horoscope.[24]
During the events on January 6th, Anna Kingsford observed the stars in the night sky for information,[25] and during her subsequent battle, she drew out patterns representing the constellations associated with the element of water (Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces) to amplify the power of her water spells.[4]
Uses of Astrology in the story[]
| Name | Description | Usage in Toaru Majutsu no Index |
|---|---|---|
| Aries | The first sign of the Western Zodiac. The Sheep. | When Karasuma Fran activates one of her spells against the Karma chains, their interference causes Aries to activate instead of Virgo.[10] |
| Cancer | The fourth sign of the Western Zodiac. The Crab. | |
| Mercury | The first planet in the solar system. | The Lady of the Masquerade Ball makes use of the symbol of Mercury, the Planetary Spirit Taphthartharath, in her magic. Her incantation also refers to the archangel associated with Mercury, Raphael.[8] |
| Moon | The only natural satellite of the Earth. | When preparing a healing magic ritual, John's Pen Index mentioned the angle of the moon.[12] |
| Navagraha Astrology | Also known as Vedic astrology, a form of astrology from India. | Sozty Exica makes use of Navagraha Astrology when reading Kamijou Touma's fortune.[11] |
| Olympian Spirits | A group of seven planetary spirits consisting of Arathron (Saturn), Bethor (Jupiter), Phaleg (Mars), Och (Sun), Hagith (Venus), Ophiel (Mercury) and Phul (Moon). | |
| Pisces | The twelfth and final sign of the Western Zodiac. The Fishes. | Anna Kingsford used symbols representing the water constellations (including Pisces) to bolster her water spells.[4] |
| Scorpio | The eighth sign of the Western Zodiac. The Scorpion. | Anna Kingsford used symbols representing the water constellations (including Scorpio) to bolster her water spells.[4] |
| Sirius | The brightest star in the night sky. | When preparing a healing magic ritual, John's Pen Index mentioned the direction of Sirius.[12] |
| Taphthartharath | Planetary Spirit of Mercury. |
|
| Venus | The second planet in the solar system. | Etzali's obsidian dagger, the Spear of Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, requires the light of Venus as part of Idol Theory to reflect off it to disassemble targets.[29] |
| Virgo | The sixth sign of the Western Zodiac. The Maiden. | Karasuma Fran makes use of Virgo in one of her spells.[10] |
| Western Astrology | The primary form of astrology present in the western world. | Oriana Thomson makes use of the laws which form the basis of Western Astrology, concerning the relationships between the planets and constellations at different angles, as part of her Shorthand technique.[9] |
Astrological Organizations[]
Trivia[]
- The library master of Tokiwadai Middle School apparently carries an astrology book around.[30]
External Links[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Shinyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 21 Chapter 1 Part 10
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Shinyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 17 Chapter 3 Part 11
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Shinyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 22 Chapter 3 Part 10
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Souyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 10 Chapter 3 Part 9
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Souyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 02 Chapter 4 Part 6
- ↑ Shinyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 22 Chapter 2 Part 1
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Souyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 01 Chapter 3 Part 12
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Shinyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 21 Chapter 1 Part 8
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 9.8 Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 09 Chapter 4 Part 3
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Shinyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 18 Chapter 2 Part 2
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Toaru Majutsu to Kagaku no Ensemble, Magic (Surface) Story
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 01 Chapter 2 Part 1
- ↑ Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 02 Chapter 1 Part 2
- ↑ Toaru Majutsu no Index SS: Necessarius Special Admission Test Chapter 7
- ↑ Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 21
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Toaru Majutsu no Index SS: Agnese's Magic Side Work Experience Chapter 2 Part 6
- ↑ Shinyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 18 Chapter 3 Part 9
- ↑ Shinyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 20 Chapter 4 Part 2
- ↑ Shinyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 22 Chapter 3 Part 15
- ↑ Souyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 01 Chapter 4 Part 3
- ↑ Souyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 02 Chapter 4 Part 4
- ↑ Souyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 02 Chapter 4 Part 3
- ↑ Souyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 02 Chapter 4 Part 5
- ↑ Souyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 07 Chapter 2 Part 1
- ↑ Souyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 10 Chapter 3 Part 1
- ↑ Shinyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 18 Chapter 4 Part 8
- ↑ Liber 777 by Aleister Crowley
- ↑ Toaru Majutsu no Index SS: Agnese's Magic Side Work Experience Chapter 2 Part 2
- ↑ Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 05 Chapter 2 Part 15
- ↑ Shinyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 18 Chapter 3 Part 3