| Astrology is the study of the relationship between | | | | Houses and Signs of the Zodiac that remain |
| the relative positions of certain celestial bodies and | | | | virtually unchanged today. |
| life here on earth. Because the word astrology | | | | As Europeans became more literate, various |
| comes from the Greek words astron, meaning | | | | periodicals and almanacs began publishing |
| 'star' and logos, meaning 'word', we can literally | | | | astrological information. Notable authors included |
| translate astrology to mean the language of the | | | | Galileo and Copernicus, who were both practicing |
| stars; a language and practice that has developed | | | | astrologers and founders of the modern scientific |
| over thousands of years by numerous cultures | | | | movement. However, the more popular astrology |
| around the world since its earliest recorded | | | | became, the more scrutinized it was. And when |
| beginnings in the third millennium BC. | | | | major astrological predictions failed to come true, |
| Indian or Jyotish The foundation of Jyotisha is | | | | astrology began to fall out of favor. |
| based on the Sanskrit bandhu of the Vedas which | | | | It wasn't until much later with the birth of Princess |
| describes the binding between the inner and outer | | | | Margaret in 1930 that Astrology experienced a |
| world. As with Western Astrology, Jyotisha relies | | | | revival. To commemorate her birth, the British |
| on the connection between the microcosm and | | | | newspaper, London Sunday Express, ran the |
| the macrocosm. The microcosm is life on earth, | | | | princess' astrological profile, thus giving birth to the |
| while the macrocosm is the universe. | | | | modern newspaper horoscope column. |
| The History of Astrology | | | | Horoscopic |
| Although the terms astrology and astronomy | | | | Developed in Hellenistic Egypt, Horoscopic |
| have long been synonymous with each other, | | | | Astrology uses a visual representation of the |
| astrology actually predates both astronomy and | | | | heavens called a horoscope, derived from the |
| psychology. The earliest known astrological | | | | Greek word, horoskopos, meaning "a look at the |
| records can be traced to Babylon as far back as | | | | hours". This visual representation usually takes the |
| 1645 BC. However, the history of astrology | | | | form of a chart or diagram (below) that |
| doesn't follow one particular timeline, but rather | | | | represents the positions of the Sun, Moon, |
| three independent branches we refer to as | | | | planets, the astrological aspects, and angles at the |
| Western astrology, Indian or Jyotish astrology and | | | | time of a particular event, such as a person's |
| Chinese or East Asian astrology. | | | | birth. |
| Chinese | | | | Horoscopic Astrology is divided into the four main |
| Like Western and Indian Astrology, Chinese | | | | branches of Natal, Mundane, Electional and Horary. |
| astrology is believed to have originated in China in | | | | 1. Natal Astrology is the most commonly practiced |
| the third millennium. Similar to Hermetic law, "as | | | | form of Horoscopic Astrology and is based upon |
| above, so below", Confucius said, "Heaven sends | | | | the idea that each individual's personality or path in |
| down its good or evil symbols and wise men act | | | | life can be determined by constructing a natal |
| accordingly." Astrology in China later became | | | | chart for the exact date, time, and location of a |
| combined with the Chinese practice known as | | | | person's birth. |
| Feng shui. | | | | 2. Mundane Astrology is one of the most ancient |
| Western | | | | forms of astrology and takes its name from the |
| The study of Western astrology was believed to | | | | Roman word Mundus, meaning "the World". |
| be first practiced among the ancient Babylonians | | | | Mundane Astrology is based upon the idea that a |
| in the third millennium B.C.. Babylonians believed | | | | correlation exists between individuals and world |
| that the Gods were responsible for all | | | | events, world affairs (wars, assassinations, etc.) |
| atmospheric phenomena, such as rain and | | | | and even geological phenomena such as |
| sunshine. Egypt also has a very important place in | | | | earthquakes. |
| astrological history. Star charts dating back to | | | | 3. Electional Astrology is the practice of |
| 4,200 B.C. prove Egypt has an ancient history | | | | determining an individual's astrological profile to |
| with astrology. Even the pyramids are oriented | | | | determine how and when he or she should |
| towards the North Pole of the sky as they | | | | partake in a particular undertaking or event such |
| served as astrological calculators, as well as burial | | | | as opening a business. |
| places for astrologically minded pharaohs. In fact, | | | | 4. Horary astrology is the practice in which the |
| Rameses II is often credited with fixing the | | | | astrologer attempts to answer an individual's |
| positions of the cardinal signs Aries, Cancer, Libra, | | | | specific question by constructing a horoscope |
| and Capricorn. Some zodiac signs are even said to | | | | centered on that specific question. For example, |
| be Egyptian in origin, including Aries, and Leo. | | | | "Am I going to get a promotion at work? |