Q: Was Astrology Practiced in Middle-earth?
ANSWER: As a devout Roman Catholic J.R.R. Tolkien does not seem to have expressed much interest in astrology but he did include a few vague references to the practice of studying or watching the stars among the Numenoreans. I believe the reader is meant to infer that the stargazers were developing astrological practices.
These hints about astrology should not be confused with the stories about Eärendil or Varda Star-kindler, whose connections to the stars are intended to be real events with no significant astrological connotations. That said, the appearance of Earendil’s star was intended to be a sign of hope for Elves and Men (and Dwarves).
In fact, the story of Varda making/kindling stars just prior to the awakening of the Elves might be interpreted by some people as a “mythological root” cause for astrology, since it was her intention to portend the awakening of the Elder Children.
Nonetheless, there appears to be no personal connection between the positions of the stars and constellations in Middle-earth and any of the handful of significant prophecies that are recorded in Tolkien’s stories. “Foretelling” among the truly gifted Ainur, Elves, Dunedain, and Dwarves does not bear much resemblance to modern astrological practices.
One interesting incident where I have seen people ask if there might be an astrological connection is the crown of seven stars that Frodo sees in the MirrorMere near Moria (“Durin’s Crown”). Supposedly the seven stars would appear in the water (which did not reflect the observer’s own image) until Durin awoke (again) — and thus would the Dwarves of Durin’s Line ever know when he was reborn among them.
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Wasn’t Tar-Meneldur (fifth king of Numenor) an astronomer? Faramir refers to withered men in “high cold towers” asking “questions of the stars” (‘The Window on the West’), which sounds like astrology. But no, there doesn’t seem to be any evidence of practical applications.
Durin’s Crown is surely the constellation Corona Borealis (the Northern Crown), which has seven stars in its main pattern. Traditionally it was a possession of the Cretan princess Ariadne. In Welsh legend it has the related name Caer Arianrhod, Arianrhod’s Castle, being mentioned in the Mabinogion thus:
I have been three periods in the prison of Arianrhod
– ‘Hanes Taliesin’ l.17
According to Robert Graves this means it is a sort of Purgatory, but only for privileged persons: kings, chieftains and such (The White Goddess pp.81,98).
I believe you’re right about Tar-Meneldur. Unfortunately I’m still laboring under a very heavy schedule and don’t have time to look up all the proper citations.