Philosophical Foundations of Hellenistic Astrology

This 2-hour lecture explores the philosophical roots that shaped Hellenistic astrology — a journey through the ideas of Plato, Empedocles, Ptolemy, and Epictetus.
 
The talk begins with Plato’s Timaeus, where the cosmos is presented as a living, intelligent being which is an ordered reflection of eternal Forms. From there, we move to Empedocles’ vision of the four elemental roots and Aristotle’s systematisation of nature, which together provided the groundwork for a unified, intelligible universe.
 
We then turn to Ptolemy’s Tetrabiblos, where astrology is framed as a natural philosophy grounded in causal reasoning rather than superstition. Finally, we explore the Stoic worldview through Epictetus, who shows how logos, fate, and human freedom coexist within the same cosmic order.
 
The lecture weaves together metaphysics, natural philosophy, and ethical reflection, showing how astrology emerged as a study of harmony between the skies and the human.
 
Ideal for students and practitioners who wish to deepen their understanding of the intellectual and philosophical foundations of astrology, this talk invites reflection on how ancient ideas of fate, reason, and order can shape our own practice today. 
 
This talk was originally presented for Nightlight Astrology's Autumn Speaker Series in October 2025.
 
Duration: 2 hours 10 minutes
File: Video
PDF: Slide Deck