Astrology

Astrology is a range of divinatory practices that suggest we can learn about human life and events on Earth by looking at the positions of celestial objects. People have used astrology for thousands of years, starting from at least the second millennium BCE. These practices began with simple calendrical systems that helped predict seasons and understand messages from the heavens.

Many cultures, including the Hindus, Chinese, and the Maya, created detailed ways to connect what happens in the sky with events on Earth. Western astrology, one of the oldest types still used today, started in 19th–17th century BCE Mesopotamia and later spread to Ancient Greece, Rome, the Islamic world, and Europe. Today, many people read horoscopes to learn about their personalities and future events based on where the stars and planets are positioned.

For much of history, astrology was seen as a serious scholarly tradition, often linked with astronomy, meteorology, medicine, and alchemy. Famous writers like Dante Alighieri, Geoffrey Chaucer, William Shakespeare, Lope de Vega, and Pedro Calderón de la Barca all referenced it in their works. However, during the Enlightenment, astrology began to lose its respected status.

Since the late 1800s, scientists have studied astrology using the scientific method and found no proof that it works. As a result, belief in astrology declined in the Western world, though interest in it grew again starting in the 1960s.

Etymology

The word astrology comes from an early Latin term meaning "account of the stars." It has roots in ancient Greek language and entered English through Latin and medieval French. For a long time, the words "astrology" and "astronomy" were used together, but by the 17th century, "astronomy" became the term for the scientific study of stars and space, while "astrology" came to mean predicting events in human life.

History

Many cultures have always paid attention to what happens in the sky. Ancient groups like the Indians, Chinese, and Maya created special ways to guess what would happen on Earth by watching the stars and planets.

Astrology started a long time ago, even in places like old Babylon around 1800 BCE. It mixed with other ideas over time, like from Egypt and Greece. Important books and ideas spread astrology to many parts of the world. Even famous scientists like Tycho Brahe and Johannes Kepler used to work as astrologers for kings and queens.

For a long time, people thought astrology was a serious study, like science. But by the late 1600s, new discoveries in science made people question astrology. It slowly lost its place as a respected knowledge, though many people still enjoy reading their horoscopes today.

Principles and practice

Advocates have defined astrology as a symbolic language, an art form, a science, and a method of divination. Many cultures have their own forms of astrology, including Hindu astrology (also known as "Indian astrology" or "Vedic astrology") and Chinese astrology, which have both shaped the world's cultural history.

Western astrology is a type of divination that creates a horoscope for a specific moment, like a person's birth. It looks at the positions of celestial bodies such as the Sun, Moon, and planets. These positions are examined through the tropical zodiac, which aligns with the equinoctial points.

Hindu astrology began with ancient Vedic texts and later mixed Greek and Babylonian ideas. Chinese astrology is linked to Chinese philosophy and uses ideas like yin and yang and the Five phases. It features a zodiac of twelve animal signs, including the Rat, Ox, Tiger, and others, which are used to predict personality and destiny. The Korean zodiac matches the Chinese one, while the Vietnamese zodiac swaps a few animals, like using the Water Buffalo instead of the Ox.

Theological viewpoints

See also: Christian views on astrology, Jewish views on astrology, and Muslim views on astrology

Many religious leaders have questioned astrology over the years. For example, Augustine argued that astrology's ideas about fate clash with the Christian belief in free will. In the Middle Ages, some Muslim scholars, like Al-Farabi, Ibn al-Haytham, and Avicenna, also criticized astrology because they felt it tried to predict God's will. They believed that while stars might influence Earth, we cannot fully understand or predict these influences.

Later, Martin Luther spoke out against astrology, pointing out that identical twins can grow up very differently even though they are born at the same time. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that trying to predict the future through astrology goes against the idea of free will and proper respect for God.

Scientific analysis and criticism

Scientists do not support astrology because they find no real proof that it works. Studies trying to check if astrology predictions are true have not found any strong evidence to back it up. They say there is no good way to explain how stars and planets could change what happens on Earth.

People who believe in astrology often remember when a prediction is right and forget when it is wrong. This is called confirmation bias. Scientists say astrology is not a real science because it has not changed or improved over many years and has not solved any problems. Some philosophers also say that astrology does not follow the rules of good reasoning and evidence.

Cultural impact

In the West, some political leaders have turned to astrologers for guidance. For example, after reports that Adolf Hitler used astrology, the British intelligence agency MI5 hired an astrologer. Later, Nancy Reagan, the first lady of the United States, used a secret astrologer during her husband’s presidency.

Interest in astrology grew strongly in the late 1960s. Many people enjoyed reading simple astrology columns in newspapers, finding comfort and a sense of belonging. Some became more deeply involved, using astrology to understand their place in the world.

In India, astrology is widely used in daily life and is part of traditional knowledge. It influences important decisions like marriage and career paths. In Japan, beliefs about certain birth years have affected family planning and societal attitudes.

Astrology has also appeared in literature and music for centuries. Famous writers like Geoffrey Chaucer and William Shakespeare included astrology in their works. The orchestral suite The Planets by Gustav Holst is based on the astrological symbols of the planets.