Astrology

Relevant topics on**Magic**

**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

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.

Among these are a group of twelve constellations known as the Zodiac, which follow the ecliptic belt across the celestial sphere which the Sun and planets travel along. 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 and day, entities, and ruling planets.

The planets are another 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*?) (☽). Like the Zodiac signs, the planets have various qualities associated with them, including entities such as angels and **Planetary Spirits** (惑星霊, *Wakuseirei*?).

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.

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.

### Western Astrology

In Western Astrology, the twelve signs of the Zodiac are **Aries** (白羊宮, *Hakuyōkyū*?) (♈︎), **Taurus** (金牛宮, *Kingyūkyū*?) (♉︎), **Gemini** (双児宮, *Sōjikyū*?) (♊︎), **Cancer** (巨蟹宮, *Kyokaikyū*?) (♋︎), **Leo** (獅子宮, *Shishikyū*?) (♌︎), **Virgo** (処女宮, *Shojokyū*?) (♍︎), **Libra** (天秤宮, *Tenbinkyū*?) (♎︎), **Scorpio** (天蝎宮, *Tenkatsukyū*?) (♏︎), **Sagittarius** (人馬宮, *Jinbakyū*?) (♐︎), **Capricorn** (磨羯宮, *Makatsukyū*?) (♑︎), **Aquarius** (宝瓶宮, *Hōbeikyū*?) (♒︎) and **Pisces** (双魚宮, *Sōgyokyū*?) (♓︎). As well as a month-long time period in the year, personality type, and element, they also have one of three modalities: Cardinal, Fixed and Mutable.

Aspect is the fundamental of Western astrology. The theory goes that the positional relationship between constellations and planets has a different role based on their angles. The six major aspects and a declination are mentioned in the series.

 **Oppositio** (一七一度から一八九度（オポシテイオ）, *Oposhiteio*?) (☍) | Major Aspects
 **Quartus** (八一度から九九度（クワルトウス）, *Kuwarutōsu*?) (□) | Major Aspects
 **Trinus** (一一一度から一二九度（トリヌス）, *Torinusu*?) (△) | Major Aspects
 **Sextus** (五四度から六六度（セクストウス）, *Sekusutōsu*?) (⚹) | Major Aspects
 **Parallel** (〇度から一度（パラレル）, *Parareru*?) | Declinations

Astrology of this kind 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. Karasuma Fran is an example of a magician who practices Golden-style astrological magic. 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.

### Eastern Astrology

Onmyoudou makes use of certain aspects of astrology.

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.

## 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.

#### 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.