Kepler: Astronomia e Astrologia, uma Harmonia Geométrica

Boner, Patrick J., Kepler's Cosmological Synthesis: Astrology, Mechanism and the Soul, 42 e 42 n.20.

Yet despite the many differences Kepler identified between astrology and astronomy, he claimed the two shared in geometry the same metaphysical foundations. As a consequence, Kepler applied geometrical principles to the two areas by way of analogy. He also extended these principles to the study of music. In fact, Kepler argued that all material phenomena, from the motions of the planets to the effects of the heavens on the weather to the production of particular melodies, derived from the same singular set of geometrical principles. Seen in this way, astrology, astronomy, and music shared the same archetypal origins. Kepler even described astrology as “a silent music” whose appreciation was made possible by a soul that could “dance to the tune of the aspects.” As Kepler made clear, the universal nature of geometrical principles accounted for the underlying consistency of the cosmos, where the idea of harmony encompassed far more meaning than our modern understanding. On the occasion of accepting three new aspects as influential, Kepler wrote to Herwart in 1599 on his discovery of an “absolute analogy” between astrology, astronomy, and musical theory:

. . . The analogy [analogia] with music and astronomy is absolute. I show that the analogy must necessarily be seen in this way, since the origins of all things are derived from geometry. Nature confirms these principles in the creation of a single species and employs these principles in everything that is capable of them. This occurs in music, the motions of the planets, the operation of the planets [on earth], the measure of musical notes according to time, the dances of men, and the composition of songs. For although these things are the discoveries of men, nevertheless man is the image of the creator.

n.20: JKGW, 14, no. 130, 640–651: “. . . perfecta sit analogia musices et astronomiae. Quam analogiam necessariò spectandam hoc medio demonstro, quia omnium rerum origines ex eometria petitae sunt, et quas natura rationes probat in creatione unius generis rerum easdem adhibet in omnibus omninò rebus, quae earum sunt capaces. Propterea in musica, in motibus planetarum, in operatione planetarum, in dimensione notarum musicalium causâ temporis, in hominum saltationibus, in ratione carminum. Nam etsi sunt haec hominum inventa, tamen homo imago conditoris est.”

Fonte:

Boner, P. J., 2013, Kepler's Cosmological Synthesis: Astrology, Mechanism and the Soul.

Leiden/ Boston: Brill.