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Astrology

Adapted from Wikipedia · Explorer experience

A historical diagram showing how ancient people connected parts of the human body with symbols of the Zodiac for medical and astrological purposes.

What Is Astrology?

Astrology is a fun way people use the stars and planets to think about life on Earth. Long ago, people watched the sky to learn about the seasons and important events. They believed the positions of the Sun, Moon, and planets could tell us something about our lives.

Many cultures, like the Hindus, Chinese, and the Maya, created their own special ways to connect the sky with what happens here below. Western astrology is one of the oldest kinds. It started in ancient Mesopotamia and traveled to places like Greece, Rome, and Europe.

Reading the Stars

Today, many people enjoy reading horoscopes. A horoscope is like a little story about what might happen in your life based on where the stars and planets were when you were born. It can be fun to see what your horoscope says about your personality or what might happen next.

Astrology was once thought of as serious study, and even famous writers like William Shakespeare wrote about it. Over time, scientists began to study astrology and found no proof that it works. But many people still find it interesting and comforting to read about what the stars might say.

Fun Star Signs

One popular part of astrology is the zodiac. The zodiac has twelve signs, each with its own picture and story. People believe that the sign you are born under can tell you a little about your personality. For example, some signs are thought to be very friendly, while others might be very brave.

In China, there is a different kind of zodiac with twelve animal signs, like the Rat and the Tiger. People there also look at the stars to think about their lives and what might happen in the future.

Images

Historical mosaic artwork from the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna, depicting Emperor Justinianus I in traditional Byzantine style.
A 17th-century painting of Saint Isidore of Seville, a renowned scholar and Doctor of the Church, holding a book.
The clockface of San Marco in Venice, a famous historical timepiece.
An old engraving showing two women representing the zodiac signs Libra and Scorpio.
A 15th-century Latin book titled Quadripartitum, printed in Venice in 1484.
A historical illustration from 1617 showing an astrologer casting a horoscope.
An old watercolor painting from an astrological book showing historical artwork.
Portrait of Avicenna, a renowned Persian polymath, from a 13th-century manuscript.
Title page of a historical book, 'The Woman in the Moon' by John Lyly, from 1597.

Related articles

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Astrology, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Images from Wikimedia Commons. Tap any image to view credits and license.