Astrology

Astrology is an ancient practice that different civilizations seemed to develop independently. Nowadays we read free horoscopes to reveal what the future has in store but the first astrologers from Ancient Egypt and Babylon were much more interested in knowing what the stars had to say about fertility and agriculture. That is why astrology was invented. The Chaldeans, who lived in Babylonia (now Iraq), developed one of the original forms of astrology as early as 3000 bc. The Chinese were practicing astrology by 2000 bc. Other varieties formed in ancient India and among the Maya of Central America. These people observed that certain astronomical bodies affected the change of seasons and the success of crops. Based on such observations they developed a broader system by which the movements of different bodies such as the planets affected or represented additional aspects of life. By the 500s bc, astrology had spread to Greece, where such philosophers as Pythagoras and Plato incorporated it into their study of religion and astronomy. Astrology was widely practiced in Europe through the Middle Ages.

Astrology, the study of the influence of celestial bodies on any behavior, activity or condition on Earth, how events on earth correspond to the positions and movements of astronomical bodies, particularly the sun, moon, planets, and stars. Nowadays, astrologers try to describe tendencies in the characters of individuals, to suggest dangers, challenges and opportunities which may come to them, and to advise how to react to those circumstances when they do arrive. Astrologers believe that the position of astronomical bodies at the exact moment of a person’s birth and the subsequent movements of the bodies reflect that person’s character and, therefore, destiny. Millions of people all over the world believe in the principles of astrology and practice it.

Every day thousands of astrologers create charts called horoscopes, which map the position of astronomical bodies at certain times. A horoscope is illustrated by a circle, called the ecliptic. The ecliptic is the plane on which the earth orbits around the sun in a year. It is divided into twelve sections, called the signs of the Zodiac, which include Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. Astrologers assign every planet with a particular sign, depending on where that planet appears on the ecliptic at the time for which the horoscope is cast. Each planet represents basic human drives, and each sign represents a set of human characteristics. When astrologers designate a person as a certain sign, they are referring to the person’s sun sign - the sign that the sun occupied at the time of the person’s birth. The horoscope also is divided into twelve houses, which make up the 24-hour period during which the earth rotates once on its axis. Each house deals with certain areas of a person’s life, such as marriage, work, health, travel, and death. Astrologers make predictions by interpreting the position of astronomical bodies within the signs and houses of the horoscope.

Astrology is a guide to who we are. At the same time, Astrology does not tie you to being a certain way, and it doesn't predict everything about you. Astrology explains the energy in your life and its potential challenges and possibilities. What you can learn from it can help you make a choice between free will and destiny.

Astrology also doesn't need to affect or change people's religious beliefs. In fact, most religions incorporate some idea linking the way you live your life to where you end up in the afterlife. Astrology deals with the same sort of idea through the concept of karma: What you do in this lifetime determines what will happen to you in your next lifetime.

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