Astrology, << uh STROL uh jee, >> is the study of how the sun, moon, planets, and stars are supposedly related to life and events on Earth. Astrology is based on the belief that the stars and planets in the sky influence events on Earth through their mathematical relationships to one another and to Earth. An astrologer is a person who claims to read the patterns of the stars and planets and to tell people’s fortunes and characters from them. Many people around the world believe in astrology, though scientists have found no evidence that it is valid. Many other people see astrology as a form of entertainment.
Principles of astrology
Astrologers learn about the influence of heavenly bodies on Earth by casting (drawing) a circular chart called a horoscope or birth chart. A horoscope shows the position of the planets in relation to both Earth and the stars at a certain time. In most cases, it shows the position of these bodies at the time of a person’s birth. See Horoscope.
The system used by astrologers to cast a horoscope is based on a special view of the universe. This view involves four elements: (1) Earth, (2) the planets, (3) the zodiac, and (4) the houses.
Earth.
In casting a horoscope, astrologers place Earth at the center of the solar system. Therefore, all heavenly bodies revolve around Earth rather than around the sun. Astrologers use this arrangement to determine the positions of the heavenly bodies in relation to Earth. They believe that the study of the positions of the heavenly bodies can reveal a person’s character and future.
The planets.
In astrology, the moon, Pluto, and the sun are considered planets, along with Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, Neptune, Saturn, Uranus, and Venus. Each planet supposedly represents a force that affects people in a certain way. Astrologers believe the planets influence a person more than do any other heavenly bodies.
The zodiac
is a band of stars that appears to encircle Earth. It is divided into 12 equal parts called signs. Each sign of the zodiac has certain characteristics, which are determined by a particular planet and other factors. Astrologers believe the signs determine how the planets affect a person’s character. See Zodiac; and the articles on the signs of the zodiac, such as Aries.
The houses.
Like the zodiac, Earth’s surface is divided into 12 parts. Each of these parts, called houses, supposedly represents certain characteristics of an individual’s life. Astrologers believe the houses determine how the planets and the signs influence a person’s daily life. See House .
History
People have observed the motions of the heavens for thousands of years, and astrology developed independently in several ancient cultures. In ancient Babylonia, in what is now southeastern Iraq, the Sumerians identified specific groups of stars called constellations through which the sun, moon, and planets seemed to travel. Astrologers of that time knew of five planets—Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, Saturn, and Venus. By 3000 B.C., Babylonian astrologers had developed a system that linked seasonal changes with certain constellations. At that time, for example, heavy rainfall occurred in the Middle East when the sun was in a certain constellation. As a result, astrologers named the constellation Aquarius, the water bearer. The constellations Taurus, Leo, Sagittarius, and Scorpio were probably identified by this time and associated with the seasons.
Ancient Egypt developed a similar tradition. Egyptians observed that the annual flooding of the Nile River occurred following the reappearance of the star Sirius on the eastern horizon after months of being hidden. The 12-sign zodiac was probably developed in Egypt during the 1000’s B.C. and adopted by the Babylonians. They believed that the gods revealed omens or the fortunes of kings through the positions of the constellations and planets. Between 600 B.C. and 200 B.C., Babylonian astrologers began the casting of individual horoscopes.
By about 400 B.C., Babylonian astrology was introduced to the Greeks, who regarded it as a science and greatly influenced its development. They used precise mathematical calculations of the positions of the stars, planets, sun, and moon to cast horoscopes. The Greeks believed that the positions of the stars and planets determined the fate of human beings, which could be revealed through the horoscope. The Romans later adopted the astrology of the Greeks.The Roman names for the planets and the signs of the zodiac are still used today in Western culture.
Interest in astrology declined in Europe with the coming of Christianity but regained popularity during the A.D. 1100’s, following the Crusades, a series of Christian military expeditions to the Holy Land. Returning Crusaders introduced scientific, medical, and astrological works from the Islamic world to Europe. Interest in astrology increased again during the Renaissance, as European scholars and artists studied the learning and art of ancient Greece and Rome. By the 1600’s, several astrological almanacs were published.
By the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, interest in astrology had spread to many other nations. Newspapers in England began publishing horoscope columns during the 1930’s. Such columns soon appeared in newspapers throughout the world, and people became increasingly interested in astrology. Today, astrology is followed more widely than ever before.
Astrology today
Many people believe astrology is simply a superstition, and scientists declare that its whole basis is unscientific. Scientists point out that Earth’s position has changed in space since ancient times. As a result, the dates astrologers associate with the signs of the zodiac no longer match the positions of the constellations for which they were named.
Others, though they also believe in astrology, claim that it cannot be supported scientifically. They consider it a set of powerful symbols that can provide a deep understanding of human beings. Today, more people follow astrology than ever before.
