Astrology transcends all borders and unites people of all ages, communities, and religions all over the world. In fact, a recent study showed that up to thirty one percent of people believe in it and thirty nine percent consider it to be scientific. This is a popular fascination.

Meaning of Astrology

The belief in the system that the position of heavenly or celestial bodies can influence our lies, fate, personalities, and future among other earthly matters is known as Astrology. These celestial bodies are the sun, the seven planets, and the moon. This is the reason Astrology is also referred to as reading the stars. In Western Astrology however, it is only the moon and the planets that are believed to play a major part in how our lives events shape up.

How Astrology works

Astrology is the combination of divination, mysticism, and basic astronomy. It focuses on the relative position of the planets, with each other and with the zodiac signs. An Astrologer is the one who practices astrology, perceiving it as a symbolic language which explains themes of love, life and death. Where as many others place more specific emphasis of mundane affairs and human life’s events, as the direct influence on our lives.

Western and Hindu Astrology focus on the casting of a horoscope or an astrological chart in relating to the happening of the event based on the position of the celestial bodies at the time of the event. They differ however in the sense that the Hindu Astrologers use the constellational zodiac while the western astrologers use the seasonal zodiac. The third traditional Astrology is the Chinese Astrology and it differs from the other two in the sense that the twelve zodiac signs divide the celestial equator and not the sky.

History of Astrology

The term ‘Astrology’ comes from the Latin word ‘Astrologia’ which means astronomy and is in turn derived from the Greek word ‘Astron’ meaning a celestial body or constellation. There have been innumerable applications and traditions of Astrology over the centuries but the earliest recordings have traced its beginnings to the third millennium BC.

Over the centuries royals have turned to it for guidance and numerous great wars and battles have been fought on the advice and sightings of royal astrologers. Speaking of Western Astrology the connection between the constellation and sign was irrevocably broken in around 222AD. In contrast though, Hindu Astrology still gives paramount importance to the constellations.

Astrology is more of a science than a tradition given its global impact on people of all kinds of culture and races. Based on the fact that many Astrology books that have turned into international bestsellers in recent years, the subject doesn't appear to be diminishing over time.