Astrology - The language of the stars

[Viper]

The Cardinal signs =
Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn

The Fixed signs =
Aquarius, Leo, Taurus, Scorpio - man, lion, ox, and eagle

OK good progress, this thread is headed for the stars, FYI.

[Viper]

The Cardinal signs =
Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn

This sounds like modern stuff to me, at this point Virgo heads of the party IMO.

[Viper]

The word "cardinal" comes from the French "cardo" meaning a hinge, that on which something turns. 'It is the most important part.' The cardinal directions are the north, south, east and west. They are the times when the seasons change.

Are you saying that the "cardinal"  signs, called moveable by traditional astrologers, are more important than the fixed?

"The word "cardinal" originates from the Latin word for "hinge," since they each mark the turning point of a temperate season. They were called moveable by traditional astrologers..."
wiki

[Viper]

The cardinal directions are the north, south, east and west. They are the times when the seasons change.

Cardinal directions, NSE and West is more geography all the same.

[Viper]

What are the fixed signs in astrology?:

They are Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius and Taurus.

Why are these signs grouped together?:

They're grouped in a quadruplicity known as the quality. The qualities are cardinal, fixed and mutable. The four have a similar way of engaging with the world, and there's one fixed sign for each element.

http://astrology.about.com/od/thequalities/p/FixedSigns.htm

[Viper]

The stuff above is concerned with Astrological Psychology, something i don't wanna get into right now, give me all your Astrological Theology and basics like Manilius' Astronomica (1st century) anyday though.

I hope the thread can stay on topic.

Perhaps you are indenting this thread to head in a direction I am unfamiliar with.

How are we doing so far?

[Viper]

Virgo at top in the Super Galactic centre.

[Viper]

Because of the phenomenon of equinoctial precession there are really two ways of dividing the zodiac.
One division is based on the actual star groups as we see them in the sky, and is used today in India and by a number of western astrologers; this is called the sidereal zodiac(based on constellations).
 
The other division, called the tropical zodiac uses the same names as the constellation groups but begins at the point of the spring equinox(Aries) wherever this might be in relation to the fixed stars.
This zodiac derives it's symbolism from the year itself, from the drama of the conflict between light and darkness which has four climactic moments symbolized by the two equinoxes and the two solstices.

The constellation zodiac (sidereal)the one we're interested in) has no natural beginning or ending. However according to Cyril Fagan, it was customary in the ancient world to begin the circle with Virgo, and Seiss considers this constellation to be the natural starting point.

The constellations began with Virgo, but the signs began with Aries.
The Gospel & The Zodiac

Although there is no natural beginning of the zodiac, since it is a circle, they assume that the sign that begins with the vernal equinox, that of Aries, is the starting point of them all.
Ptolemy

[Viper]

[Viper]

Virgo with the ox and lion beside her, the man and eagle are above,
we also see the "green man" above her.

[Brocke]

Virgo with the ox and lion beside her, the man and eagle are above,
we also see the "green man" above her.

The art of Johfra Bosschart, of which this Virgo painting is one, is a fascinating study in occult symbolism. Johfra was an occultist who studied Kabbala and magick. His paintings are virtual spells of magickal symbol combinations. They are perhaps one of the best, if not the best, modern examples of astrological symbolism and archetypes.

The "man"/angel in the upper left is John the Evangelist.
The "green man" is in fact Hermes or Mercury not the Green Man fertility figure/nature spirit that is related to Pan. You can tell this by the fact the the figure in the painting is not made of leaves and has a winged helmet. Hermes/Mercury is focusing the light of reason or wisdom of the universe on the Virgin figure.

There are at least 32 archetype symbols in this painting. I could break them down for you if you like. However, this is more "Astrological Psychology" than Theology so perhaps it is not fitting here.

[Viper]

There are at least 32 archetype symbols in this painting. I could break them down for you if you like. However, this is more "Astrological Psychology" than Theology so perhaps it is not fitting here.

Brocke i understand the idea behind the tropical zodiac, the more Psychological of the two main schools, and i thank you for helping me bash my way through to understand these things.
What i'm not interested in is the modern stuff, all the horrorscope nonsense.
The dude i'm reading now is into the stars, or at least understands what they represent, so don't get me wrong i've been reading today about Aries and it's qualities, *cough* John the baptist *cough*, but as i'm only starting out, -you might say i'm in Aries now-, it's all too much the Psychology side of things for me at this point.
However i feel we have made great progress and i'm glad i stumbled across the pic above, i'll try finding more from the guy and maybe a better quality one of Virgo, The blessed Virgin.
Also please post what you feel, you've helped me that's for sure.

[Viper]

The art of Johfra Bosschart, of which this Virgo painting is one, is a fascinating study in occult symbolism. Johfra was an occultist who studied Kabbala and magick. His paintings are virtual spells of magickal symbol combinations. They are perhaps one of the best, if not the best, modern examples of astrological symbolism and archetypes.

+1

[phosphene]

SUNDAY -- SUN-DAY
MONDAY -- MOON-DAY
TUESDAY -- TIW'S-DAY (MARS-DAY; Mardi in French)
WEDNESDAY -- WODEN'S-DAY (MERCURY-DAY; Mercredi in French)
THURSDAY -- THOR'S-DAY (JUPITER or JOVE-DAY; Jeudi in French)
FRIDAY -- FREYA-DAY (VENUS-DAY; Vendredi in French)
SATURDAY -- SATURN-DAY

[Brocke]

Brocke i understand the idea behind the tropical zodiac, the more Psychological of the two main schools, and i thank you for helping me bash my way through to understand these things.
What i'm not interested in is the modern stuff, all the horrorscope nonsense.
The dude i'm reading now is into the stars, or at least understands what they represent, so don't get me wrong i've been reading today about Aries and it's qualities, *cough* John the baptist *cough*, but as i'm only starting out, -you might say i'm in Aries now-, it's all too much the Psychology side of things for me at this point.
However i feel we have made great progress and i'm glad i stumbled across the pic above, i'll try finding more from the guy and maybe a better quality one of Virgo, The blessed Virgin.
Also please post what you feel, you've helped me that's for sure.

You can find the whole series of paintings here
http://visionaryrevue.com/webtext2/gal.peri.html

The "John the baptist" aspect of Aries (salvation) is interesting and often illusive in the more mundane astrological texts.


    MATTHEW - The Eagle (Scorpio)
    MARK - The Bull (Taurus)
    LUKE - The Lion (Leo)
    JOHN - The Man (Aquarius)

The four archetypes in Egypt mythology. They appear as the four sons of Horus, whose names are:

    Imsety - (human-headed)
    Tuamutf - (or Duanmutef, jackal-headed)
    Kabhsenuf - (baboon-headed)
    Hapi - (falcon or hawk-headed)

During the mummification process, the body's organs were removed and placed in four jars adorned with the heads of these four sons. The sons were the "protectors" of the various organs.


The Book of Mark
And just as the historical books of the Old Testament are not history, so the Gospels are not biography - Northrop Frye (The Great Code The Bible and Literature)

This is the Book of Mars. Mark comes from Martian or Mars. As we have said, the disguises are rather thin, because the story was never meant to be too cryptic.

It was the same as so many other stories that are common all over the planet and which are autonomous creations of the human being as he seeks to comprehend the enigmas of existence. Mars was a well-known planet and archetype. It is the ruler of the sign Aries. So the Book of Mark is, in zodiacal terms, the Book of Aries. And this makes perfect sense as Aries is the first house of the zodiac and is the place of rising of the sun at Easter or at the spring equinox. We even get terms like "arise and shine," from the Aries house, as this is literally where the orb of day does arise and shine. The house of "arising" is Aries. Aries is in the month of April. April comes from the word Aperio, meaning“I open.” This is because April opens the year. Aries is the sign that is ruled by the Ram. In Christian art we see one of the 4 Evangelists symbolized by a Bull. This is also to do with Mark/Aries, because both Aries and Taurus are constellations or houses on the Eastern horizon. They are the eastern signs always seen in the sky together. And in ages past the symbols connected to both these signs were very pervasive and important. Christ is often depicted carrying a lamb and in nativity scenes a small lamb is often seen.

The Book of Luke
In Egyptian Sign-Language, the earliest language of Mythology, the Sun was represented, in the fullness of its power, by the Lion - Gerald Massey

This is also transparent to those who have done their homework. Luke is Latin for Lucius and both words mean Light. The House of Light, of Lucius is Leo, the domicile or natal house of the sun. This is the Book of Leo. The sun rises to its astrological throne in the signs of Cancer and Leo in the Northern sky, during the months of July and August. In Druidic Ireland the name Leo was Lugh, the great solar hero. To the Welsh he was Llew, to the Romans Lugus, and to the Sumerians he was Lughal. Clearly, the hero represents the astrological archetype of Leo. In the Christian iconography we have one of the Evangelists represented by a Lion. In the Nativity scenes we see four animals around the cradle of Jesus. One of these is also a lion. Christians probably believe that there was one in the area and just happened to wander into the inn to take a peek at sleeping Jesus. Good thing it wasn’t very hungry. Furthermore, Jesus is often termed the "Lion of Judea."

Book of Matthew
This is more adroitly concealed. But those who are aware of the theocracy of Egypt can recognize the word Matt. It derives from Maat, the Egyptian goddess of justice, balance and harmony. Maat is pronounced Mayat. She is theMahat of the Brahmins, the Tiamat of the Skalds, the Maiaof the Romans, and theMaraof the pagans.

Maat is always symbolized by the Scales of Justice, which, in turn relate with the western sign of Libra. So this is the Book of Libra. Now in the Bible we read that Matthew was the disciple that the other 11 spurned. This was because Matthew was a tax collector. However behind all the hyperbole we have a secret concealed. The symbol of the tax collectors has always been the scales or balances. This is because along with currency they accepted grain and livestock. Their assistants would carry large scales around from village to village. One can see the same practice today in rural communities of eastern lands. Astrologically, Maat and her scales are connected with the western sign of Libra, which directly faces the signs of Aries and Taurus. Additionally, Libra was the last sign to be officially added to the codified zodiac, although it was known ages ago. This is why we hear that Matthew was the last to join the twelve disciples. Matthew is symbolized by an eagle. One of the most important constellations in the western sky (near to the sign of Scorpio), is Aquila the “Eagle.” Libra was a sign made out of part of Scorpio. The word Matthew, also comes from Matt-Theos.

The Book of John
This is abstract until we understand that John comes from Jahan or Jahn, which comes from the earlier Ionnes, Oannes (the fish god). Jahan or Jahn give us other names, such as Jane, Joan, and Janus. It gives us the word January. January is the month that corresponds with the sign of Aquarius. Aquarius is a southern sign symbolized by a man carrying a pitcher from which water flows. This is why we have the biblical character John the Baptist, the initiator of Jesus. The sign of Aquarius became associated with baptism, cleansing, and purification by water. This idea was adopted by Jews and Christians.

http://www.symbolicliving.com/forum/showthread.php/3272-Symbolism-of-the-number-4-Astrology-Religion...

[Viper]

    MATTHEW - The Eagle (Scorpio)
    MARK - The Bull (Taurus)
    LUKE - The Lion (Leo)
    JOHN - The Man (Aquarius)

I can link the scorpion with the eagle - to some degree -, it also has a connection with the snake, for laters i guess, anyways awesome work man!

[Viper]

The "green man" is in fact Hermes or Mercury not the Green Man fertility figure..

yes the fleet footed messenger of the gods, visiting the virgin /barren woman, got it!

[Brocke]

I can link the scorpion with the eagle - to some degree -, it also has a connection with the snake, for laters i guess, anyways awesome work man!

Yes, Scorpio has the eagle and the snake representing a duality. The eagle is the determined hunter with sharp vision. The snake is the hidden/secretive side of Scorpio that can be cold blooded and vengeful.

Their are two scorpios  Eagle Scorpio and  Snake Scorpio.

The Snake Scorpio is venomous, and takes for granted of the power, and controll over all life, there is very little empathy. Vindictive, deadly and unpredictable.

The Eagle Scorpio flying high with a strength and eye for the spiritual.  Integrity, honor, and respect for life.

You often see the eagle and the snake depicted at odds with each other or in conflict.

example

[Viper]

You often see the eagle and the snake depicted at odds with each other or in conflict.

example

The eagle is one of the decans of Scorpio, Aquila (constellation)  in the zodiac map last post on first page.


Scorpio is variously represented in ancient writings as a scorpion, a snake, or, in this case, as an eagle.
It is probable that the eagle's ability to 'renew it's youth', to regenerate itself, identified it with Scorpio, the sign of regeneration.
The Gospel & The Zodiac

Psalm 103
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.


A connection with the snake and Scorpio can be made with the tribe of Dan also.

[Viper]

The eagle is one of the decans of Scorpio, Aquila (constellation)  in the zodiac map last post on first page.

Oops! it's a decan of sagittarius actually, but does have Ophiuchus (the snake holder).

Serpens, Ophiuchus (the snake holder) & Aquila

Serpens constellation decan to Libra, Ophiuchus constellation decan to Scorpio,
Aquila constellation decan to Sagittarius.

Serpens & Ophiuchus (the snake holder)                  Aquila   

[Viper]

In the Egyptian zodiac Scorpio is represented by the huge serpent, Typhon, and in Hebrew mythology it is associated with the tribe of Dan and also represented by the eagle.


Genesis 49
16 Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel.

17 Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.

18 I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD.

[L2Design]

Virgo with the ox and lion beside her, the man and eagle are above,
we also see the "green man" above her.

Wow.. that spiral looks like the Norway spiral (Also seen in the Gulf of Aden Seagate/sea spiral):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrNh8b_0elw

[Viper]

Scorpio is variously represented in ancient writings as a scorpion, a snake, or, in this case, as an eagle.
It is probable that the eagle's ability to 'renew it's youth', to regenerate itself, identified it with Scorpio, the sign of regeneration.
The Gospel & The Zodiac

Just to clarify, bill was talking here about the four Gospel symbols, the man, lion, ox, and eagle.


Check this out, VEZELAY*** Most beautiful of all Bourgogne Cathedrals, first built 1096, do you see a zodiac?

>>>

[foreverfree]

is this an attack on Christianity?  are you stating that the Bible is just a coded astrology message and not to be taken as truth?    Please state your intentions because the Bible has been proven time and again through prophecy.

[Viper]

is this an attack on Christianity?  are you stating that the Bible is just a coded astrology message and not to be taken as truth?    Please state your intentions because the Bible has been proven time and again through prophecy.

We're only taking a look at Astrology and it's many links throughout history.

Brioude Cathedral eleventh century, with the four gospel symbols.>>>

[Viper]

Some of the qualities of Aries :

They are the qualities displayed by the archetypal Arien, Abraham, who found the ram caught in the thicket, and who left the land of his birth to go to a place that God would show him. They are the qualities of Moses as he leaves the securities of Egypt in order to find the promised land. They are the qualities of the Budda(Bubba) as he rejects the luxuries of home in his pursuit of enlightenment, and of Huckleberry Finn as he travels down the river in search for himself.
The Gospel & The Zodiac

[Viper]

The decans of Aries

                 Cetus                                             Perseus                          

              Cassiopeia

Cetus, the sea-monster, is one of the largest constellations in the sky. It is associated mythologically with the creature sent to devour Andromeda(daughter of Cassiopeia), but which was turned to stone by the sight of the Medusa's severed head in Perseus' hands.
Cassiopeia was the wife of Cepheus and the mother of Andromeda whom Perseus(known also as the Bridegroom) had married after releasing her from the rock to which she had been chained by the sea-god Poseidon. Cassiopeia was eventually translated to the sky by her enemies the sea-nymphs but, because of her vanity and arrogance, was placed so close to the pole that she appears to be sitting prone. The Romans called this constellation Mulier Sedis, the Woman of the Chair.
Algol, one of the principal stars of Perseus was known by the Hebrews as Rosh ha Satan, Satan's head, Astrologers said it was the most unfortunate, violent and dangerous star in the heavens.
The Gospel & The Zodiac


Algol means "Demon Star" in Arabic.

[Viper]

Perseus on Pegasus slaying Medussa.

After helping Perseus rescue Andromeda, a tale told in the Andromeda story, Pegasus flew to Mount Helicon to live with the Muses. When his hoof struck the ground at Helicon, a spring gushed forth, which was named Hippocrene, the horse's fountain. It is said that it was from this spring the Muses received their inspiration, and the name of Pegasus comes from the Greek pegai, for spring.



Note the Aries sign is also a spring of water.

[Viper]

As Aries symbolizes the sprouting seed struggling for life amidst the forces of decay, so Taurus represents the next stage of the process : establishing roots which will supply nourishment to the growing plant. After the primary impulse of the Cardinal sign comes the crystallization of Fixity. Symbolically, the raw energies of Aries are collected, shaped , and given direction in Taurus.

In astrology, Taurus represents the 'real world', it is the sign of the builder and not without significance that some of the human race's grandest structures - including Stonehenge and the pyramids of Egypt - were erected during the astrological age of Taurus(c4,000-c2,000BCE). Taurus is the Bull, archetypal symbol of the earth and sacrificial victim of the devotees of Mithras. The Hebrews called Taurus 'Bayt', a word meaning 'house', and the building of Solomon's temple ('The House of the Lord')was begun when the sun was in Taurus:

Kings 6
1 And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the LORD.


The 'ruler' of Taurus is Venus, the beautiful Morning and Evening Star.
The Gospel & The Zodiac

[Viper]

The Pleiades

The association of Taurus with agriculture is very ancient and widespread. The Pleiades, a prominent and beautiful group of stars in the shoulder of the Bull, was used to mark the seasons in ancient times.

And besides the stars above mentioned(Philo was talking previously about Ursa Major) the band of the Pleiades is also made up of seven stars, the rising and occultation of which are the causes of great benefits to all men. For when they set, the furrows are ploughed up for the purpose of sowing; and when they are about to rise, they bring glad tidings of harvest; and after they have arisen, they awaken the rejoicing husbandman to the collection of their necessary food. And they with joy store up their food for their daily use.
Philo(20 BC) 'On the Creation' 115

Job 38
31 Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?



The Nebra sky disk, dated c. 1600 BC, featuring the Pleiades.

[Viper]

The word "cardinal" comes from the French "cardo" meaning a hinge, that on which something turns. It is the most important part. The cardinal directions are the north, south, east and west. They are the times when the seasons change.

At this point i still say the fixed constellations would be more "important", though in terms of the zodiac they are all of equal importance for sure, what i'm interested in is the mythology surrounding the stars, not so much their supposed influence, though i don't completely doubt this observation.
Constellation wise Virgo is the "first", zodiac wise Aries is.
I'm sorry to drag this up again but the word cardinal itself has no implicit meaning itself for the idea of direction, ok i give you the root hinge on which something turns, but you see, out of the twelve tribes, in Numbers ch 2 you can read that four were chosen to stand out from among the rest, when they camped round the altar in the desert.
These four tribes are linked with the fixed constellations, and each of these four tribes sat North, West, South, and East around the altar, the Levites being in the middle.
Basically i started out to connect religion with astrology, and now i'm reading about the spiritual journey through the zodiac and very much enjoying it and find it fascinating.
My thoughts are that perhaps this is the kinda stuff the high priests are into, well they would have to be, it's not called the sun cult for nothing.

[phosphene]

Magical.Egypt.4 - The_Temple_in_Man
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3376213127299325174#

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dendera_Temple_complex
Dendera Temple complex, (Ancient Egyptian: Iunet or Tantere)(19th century English spelling in most sources, including Belzoni was Tentyra). located about 2.5 km south-east of Dendera, Egypt. It is one of the best preserved complexes in Egypt. The area was used as the sixth Nome of Upper Egypt, south of Abydos.

Dendera Temple complex
Astronomical Ceiling

Dendera Zodiac

[Viper]

The Hebrews called Egypt "Flesh Pots".

Exodus 16
2 And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:

3 And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.


Matthew (man) Aquarius / Reuben

Mark (lion) Leo / Judah

Luke (ox) Taurus / Ephraim

John (eagle) Scorpio / Dan

Find tribal symbols in Genesis 49 & Deuteronomy 33,
and info on tribal positions in Numbers 2.

[Viper]

The man, lion, ox, and eagle, the four corners of the world. The number 13 is astrological in meaning.
The twelve constellations and the sun.

OK what else do we see, we see the Pleiades around the moon, we see the sun, and at the bottom west, where the sunset happens we see the skull and bones, symbol for the "hidden special branch", directly opposite top east we see the symbols for freemasonry, where it originated, in the east.
But what is the star top of ladder?


It's the most brilliant sight in the evening and morning sky, after the moon; to the Greeks she was called Phos(Light), and is represented by Aphrodite, one of the twelve Greek Gods; to the Romans she was Lucifer(The Light Bearer), and was represented by Venus, one of the twelve Roman Gods.



December 2, 2008—The heavens smiled down on Earth Monday
in a rare celestial trifecta of Venus, Jupiter, and the moon.



Size comparison of terrestrial planets (left to right): Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars

Note the ferrous color of Lucy above^^



The Birth of Venus, by Sandro Botticelli c. 1485–1486.

[Viper]

Isaiah 14:12
10 All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us?

11 Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee.

12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

The one and only time Lucy is given a mention, in name at least, in the whole bible.

[Brocke]

Ezekiel 1:10 - King James Bible
"As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle."

[Viper]

My name is Legion

For example, how significant it is that in the Indo-European languages, as Darmsteter has pointed out, the root meaning "two" should connote badness. The Greek prefix dys- (as in dyspepsia) and the Latin dis- (as in dishonorable) are both derived from "duo". The cognate bis- gives a pejorative sense to such modern French words as bévue ("blunder", literally "two-sight"). Traces of that "second which leads you astray" can be found in "dubious", "doubt", and Zweifel — for to doubt is to be double-minded. Bunyan has his Mr. Facing-both-ways, and modern American slang its "two-timers". Obscurely and unconsciously wise, our language confirms the findings of the mystics and proclaims the essential badness of division — a word, incidentally, in which our old enemy "two"makes another decisive appearance.
Aldous Huxley

[Viper]

Romans 7
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.



The Conversion of Saul (1542) Note Mercury(Gemini's planetary ruler) throwing down the St Elmo's Fire.

Acts 14
12 And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.

Acts 28
11 And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.(Castor and Pollux are the two brightest stars of the Gemini constellation.)

[Viper]

[Here's a nice track to listen to while browsing the thread]

David Bowie Space Oddity (2009 Remastered)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7p2eBA-7OZE&hd=1
"This fresh digital stereo track for this original '69 song version
cannot be uploaded any cleaner."

[Viper]

All that we call religion, all that saints and churches and Bibles from the beginning of the world have aimed at, is to suppress this impertinent surface-action, and animate man to central and entire action. The human race are afflicted with a St. Vitus' dance; their fingers and toes, their members, their senses, their talents, are superfluously active, while the torpid heart gives no oracle. When that wakes, it will revolutionize the world. Let that speak, and all these rebels will fly to their loyalty. Now every man defeats his own action,—professes this but practises the reverse; with one hand rows, and with the other backs water. A man acts not from one motive, but from many shifting fears and short motives; it is as if he were ten or twenty less men than himself, acting at discord with one another, so that the result of most lives is zero. But when he shall act from one motive, and all his faculties play true, it is clear mathematically, is it not, that this will tell in the result as if twenty men had cooperated,—will give new senses, new wisdom of its own kind; that is, not more facts, nor new combinations, but divination, or direct intuition of the state of men and things?
Ralph Waldo Emerson 1803

http://oll.libertyfund.org/?option=com_staticxt&staticfile=show.php%3Ftitle=1960&chapter=123058&layout=html&Itemid=27