What Is It
Astrology Defined
Astrology is composed of various divination systems according to the premise about the human world events and astronomical phenomena relationship. Several cultures had integrated astronomical events’ essence.
The Chinese, Mayans, and Indians had created the elaborate systems in prediction of terrestrial events coming through celestial observations.
In some of the Western countries, astrology is usually comprised of the horoscope system that explains the aspects of the personality of a person; at the same time, it predicts future events according to the positions of moon, sun and planetary objects during their birth.
The Transition of Astrology
In ancient Babylonia, Astrology has been practiced by priests for deciphering the gods’ will. From here, the Greeks adopted it and they rely on the oracles and stars to forecast the events in the future.
The Indian Hindus had explored it from 5000BC to 3000BC. They developed some similar signs that people are now using in the present.
The Egyptians were the ones who used astrology for the first time in foretelling the person’s character according to his or her birth date. Way back 4300 BC in Egypt, the star charts were discovered. Chinese developed the astrology system in 2800 BC.
Greeks had influenced the astrology of the Egyptians through what they had learned from Babylonians. On the other hand, Ptolemy had written an astrology book that contains the present practices of using houses, signs and planets.
Astrology had become an essential aspect of various ancient people’s culture. Augustus, the Roman ruler (63 BC to 14 AD) created coins that adorn Capricorn, his astrological zodiac sign. Later on, the Persians and Arabs followed the astrology teachings including other sciences such as medicine and mathematics of the Greek. These practices have been shared with Europeans during the 12th century and paved the way for Renaissance. Most Muslim and Persian astronomers had refuted this concern for religious and scientific reasons.
The Decline
Astrology started to decline in its popularity after the fall of Rome. Christians claimed that it has been a devil’s work, as Church had grown in power; these people had taken up the astrology practice for personal uses. For instance, St. Thomas Aquinas believed that planets are controlling all things. During the Renaissance period, astrology became favorable again. The seventeenth century became the Age of Enlightenment wherein it started to hold scientific accomplishments. For the very first time, astrology turned into 2 distinct disciplines.
The Revival
It remained in a background until the interest has been revived during the early 20th century. In 1930S, US came up with a famous astrology program that aired on a radio. It eventually made a spark interest among the people. At present, it is no surprise knowing that the international leader consults the stars. Some remain to refuse believing in the predictions while many take this so seriously.