Astrology: History of Astrology Impacts of Astrology

Astrology is a type of divination based upon the idea thatinformation about the future or about a person’s personality can be discoveredthrough the examination of heavenly bodies such as stars, planets, the moon,comets etc.

Astrology means the study that assumes and attempts tointerpret the influence of heavenly bodies on human affairs. American HeritageDictionary defines Astrology as the study of the positions and aspects ofcelestial bodies in the belief that they have an influence on the course ofnatural earthly occurrences and human affairs. The practice of astrology wasprevalent in the ancient times too.

Some of the well-known civilizations of the world used thisfield extensively. For example, the ancient Chinese civilization, the Egyptiancivilization, the ancient Indian civilization, etc all practiced astrology atsome point or the other. Arabs too practiced Astrology before the advent of Islam.

The ancient Babylonians were probably the first to useAstrology. After that this science moved to countries like Chinaand India.Greek astronomer Ptolemy was the first ever person to write a book onAstrology. He codified the sun sign astrology that we know today.  Ptolemy tried to predict the positions ofcelestial bodies relative to each other and the earth through knowledge oftheir orbital motions.

During his time, astrology was a part of astronomy. Later,astronomy became an exact science and Astrology remained a part of Theology.Planetary observation is the basis of Astrology.

History of Astrology is an important part of civilizationand goes back to the early days of the human race. Apart from being centers oflearning in medicine, Baghdad and Damascuswere also known as centers of astrology and astronomy. Arabs were pioneers inastronomy before the advent of Islam. The Babylonians were the first to namethe days of the week after the Sun, Moon, and planets.

They were also the first to set out the twelve houses of thehoroscope. Egyptwas one of the most important places in the development of astrology. It isthought that some of the astrological signs of the zodiac originated in Egypt.

Astrology was practiced even in the Vedic times in India.Astrology is one of the six disciplines of vedanga. The Hindus believe thathuman fortune or misfortune in life is due to karma, and karma is believed tobe influenced by the movements of the planets. Among the Hindus, Brahmins areconsidered to be the best authorities on astrology. In Modern India too,astrology is extensively used to determine the future and improve life.Astrology is studied and practiced by many in India.

It is regarded as vital in Indian culture. It is used tomake decisions about marriage, starting of new business, and moving into a newhouse etc. Ancient Hindu Scriptures too gives a lot of importance to thevarious aspects of planetary motions and its effects on humans. Chineseastrology stresses on the five elements, metal, wood, water, fire, and earth.Even the zodiac signs used by them are also different from other forms ofastrology. Chinawas isolated from the western for a long time.

That is why Chinese astrology was unknown to the westernworld. As Chinese astrology developed independently, a lot of difference can beseen between the western concepts of astrology and the Chinese version.