Astrological Journal Review of The Gospel and the Zodiac
Sep 15th, 2009 by Bill
Astrological Journal Review of The Gospel and the Zodiac
In the Gospel and the Zodiac, Bill Darlison, a Unitarian minister, argues that the Gospel of St. Mark is structured around the signs of the zodiac. Far from being solely the primary text of the Christian church, he suggests it was originally an esoteric text, whose stories were never intended for literal or historical interpretation.
By looking at the cultural context at the time the gospel was written and exploring the knowledge at that time regarding the zodiac, the author aims to make the gospel more accessible to a contemporary audience by moving away from the debates surrounding the historical content of the gospel. By discussing what he sees as Mark’s attempt to give a cosmic dimension to his gospel, he hopes to emphasise the universal principles of spirituality contained within the text and demonstrated via zodiacal metaphors.
The bulk of the book is taken up with chapters focused on each of the zodiac signs, from Aries to Pisces, with comparison to what the author has identified as relevant sections of the gospel. For ease of reference, each of these sections of the gospel is available in full at the back of the book.
There is a wealth of interesting observation in the discussion of each sign. The depth of biblical knowledge possessed by the author is clear, and quotes from writers such as Manilius, Plato and Goethe, and discussion of the fixed stars associated with the signs adds to the depth of the discussion.
Overall, this book is well thought-out and its argument is easy to follow. There is also no attempt on the part of the author to force the reader to see this interpretation as the only way of viewing the text of St. Mark’s Gospel. He himself says, ‘While I would want to argue for the objective presence of a zodiacal scheme in Mark, I do not think for one moment that in describing this we are exhausting all dimensions of meaning within the text’.
This is an interesting book: it offers much food for thought and does so in an open-minded and reflective way. It leaves the reader wondering whether astrological influences can be found elsewhere in the Bible. It is certainly worth a read for any astrologer curious about the cultural and historical context of the zodiac.
Helen Stokes
Astrological Journal, July/August, 2009