Deadly Sins And Heavenly Bodies: An Ancient Connection?

The seven deadly sins are a set of behaviours that are considered to be immoral in Christian theology. They include lust, greed, envy, anger, pride, and sloth. The seven heavenly virtues, on the other hand, are the opposite of these sins and include chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, kindness, patience, and humility. While there is no direct textual evidence linking the seven deadly sins to the seven heavenly bodies, it is possible that the two concepts are related metaphorically, with the seven deadly sins representing a departure from the virtuous path and the seven heavenly virtues representing a return to spiritual alignment.

Pride and Humility

Pride is considered the oldest and the worst of the seven deadly sins. It is usually described as a feeling of pleasure derived from one's actions. A famous proverb from the Book of Proverbs 16:18 states, "Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall". Pride is associated with Lucifer, the first angel to fall and the leader of Hell.

Pride's opposite, humility, is a modest view of one's importance. It is usually considered a synonym for humbleness. Humility is associated with St. Raphael the Archangel, who is mentioned in 1 Enoch and identified as the angel who stirred the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:2-4) and the angel who stands with a trumpet waiting to announce the Day of Judgment (Quran 6:73).

Pride is the devil's sin, and Satan wants us to hold ourselves up as gods. Everything we have and everything we do is derived from the gifts God has given us. By being modest, we can turn outwards and lift up those around us. Humility grounds us and helps us know the truth about ourselves.

Greed and Charity

The seven deadly sins, or the capital vices, originated from Tertullian, an early Christian author from Carthage. The seven deadly sins are: pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth. The seven heavenly virtues, considered the diametric opposite of the seven deadly sins, are: humility, charity, chastity, gratitude, temperance, patience, and diligence.

Greed, or avarice, is considered the want for material possessions to a large degree. Dante Alighieri’s Inferno from his Divine Comedy states:

> “That ignoble life, Which made them vile before, now makes them dark, And to all knowledge indiscernible”.

The association with greed is Mammon, a demon that was never mentioned in the Bible and was first mentioned by St. Cyprian (a bishop of Carthage) and St. Jerome of Stridon (known for writing the Vulgate). Greed is seen in popular culture, for example, in The Phantom of Manhattan by Frederick Forsyth and The Simpsons.

Charity, the opposite of greed, is defined as “generosity and helpfulness, especially toward the needy and suffering”. Charity is seen as the ultimate perfection because it reflects God and his nature. Charity is associated with St. Michael the Archangel, who is the chief of angels and is mentioned in early Jewish works. St. Michael is seen throughout history in images and sculptures. St. Michael is also enumerated in popular culture like in Paradise Lost by John Milton and in Supernatural.

Lust and Chastity

When considering the relationship between the seven deadly sins and the seven heavenly bodies, it is intriguing to explore how the sin of Lust and its corresponding virtue, Chastity, relate to the celestial realm. Lust, as one of the deadly sins, represents an unhealthy fixation on physical desire and sensual pleasure, often leading individuals away from their spiritual path and causing disharmony within themselves and their relationships. In contrast, Chastity, as the virtuous opposite, embodies the ability to control and transcend sexual urges, elevating the individual towards a more divine and harmonious state.

In ancient times, the seven heavenly bodies—the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn—were believed to exert profound influences on human affairs and personalities. Among these, Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty, has often been associated with Lust. Venus, as a celestial body, represents the romantic and passionate aspects of love, but when unbalanced, it can lead to excessive indulgence and the sin of Lust.

However, it is important to note that the interpretation of these heavenly bodies and their influences is not universally agreed upon. Some scholars and astrologers believe that the seven deadly sins are not inherently linked to the seven planets but rather to their negative expressions or excesses. In this perspective, the positive expression of Venus would be associated with harmony, beauty, and artistic pursuits, while its negative expression could manifest as Lust when unbalanced.

Chastity, as the virtuous counterpart to Lust, represents the ability to control and channel sexual energy in a healthy and harmonious manner. It is associated with self-discipline, respect, and the ability to form meaningful and committed relationships. In the context of the seven heavenly bodies, Chastity can be seen as a balancing force that tempers the excessive influences of Venus when it leads towards Lust.

Practicing Chastity involves cultivating a healthy relationship with one's sexual nature, recognizing that it is only one aspect of the self. It encourages individuals to channel their sexual energy into creative pursuits, spiritual growth, or meaningful connections that enrich their lives and those around them. By embracing Chastity, individuals can strive for a more harmonious existence, where their desires are balanced by self-control and a sense of higher purpose.

Envy and Kindness

Envy is one of the seven deadly sins, and it is considered to be the desire for someone else's possessions. Envy is often fuelled by animosity, resentment, and defensiveness. It is not a form of admiration, nor is it synonymous with jealousy. Envy is acquisitive, resentful, and selfish. It is always bad. It wants what others have simply because they possess it, bears grudges against those who have what it doesn't, and accuses God of being unfair.

Kindness is one of the seven heavenly virtues, which are the diametric opposite of the seven deadly sins. Kindness is defined as "an act of kind assistance". It is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22) that, when exercised in the power of the Spirit, glorifies God by displaying His character. It is also an expression of love, seeking the welfare of others.

Wrath and Patience

Wrath, one of the seven deadly sins, is characterised by uncontrolled feelings of anger, rage, and even hatred. It often stems from a desire for vengeance and can build up and permeate an individual over time, leading to destructive behaviour. According to the Catholic Church, anger becomes wrath when directed at an innocent person. In the Bible, Romans 12:19 states, "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'"

Patience, the virtue that opposes wrath, is about understanding the needs and desires of others before acting or speaking. It involves taking the time to reflect and respond in a thoughtful manner, rather than giving in to impulsive anger. By cultivating patience, individuals can prevent wrath from taking control and causing harm to themselves and others.

The pairing of wrath and patience highlights the importance of self-control and empathy in Christian teachings. Patience serves as a safeguard against the destructive nature of wrath, encouraging individuals to respond to challenging situations with maturity and compassion. By recognising the deadly sin of wrath and actively cultivating the heavenly virtue of patience, Christians can strive to live in accordance with God's teachings and avoid the negative consequences of uncontrolled anger.

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