Astrology is the study of the association between the relative positions of certain celestial bodies and life here on earth. Because the term astrology comes from the Greek words astron, meaning ‘star’ and logos, meaning ‘word’, we could literally interpret astrology to imply the language of the stars; a language and practice which has evolved over thousands of years by numerous cultures around the world since its earliest recorded beginnings from the third century BC.
Indian or Jotas The base of Jyotisha is based on the Sanskrit bandhu of the Vedas which describes the binding between the outer and inner world. Just like Western Astrology, Jyotisha is determined by the connection between the microcosm and the macrocosm. The microcosm is life in the world, while the macrocosm is the world. Although the terms Astrology and astronomy have been synonymous with one another, astrology actually predates both psychology and astronomy. The first known astrological records could be traced to Babylon as far back as 1645 BC. However, the history of astrology does not follow one specific timeline, but instead three separate branches we refer to as Western astrology, Indian or Jyotish astrology and Chinese or East Asian astrology.
Like Western and Indian Astrology, Chinese astrology is thought to have originated in China in the next millennium. Much like Hermetic law, as above, so below, Confucius said, Heaven sends down its bad or good symbols and wise guys behave accordingly. Astrology in China later became united with the Chinese practice called Feng shui.
The study of Western Astrology was thought to be practiced among the ancient Babylonians from the next century B.C. Babylonians believed that the Gods were responsible for all atmospheric phenomena, such as sunlight and rain. Egypt also has an extremely important place in astrological history. Star graphs dating back to 4,200 B.C. prove Egypt has an ancient history with business astrologer. The pyramids are oriented towards the North Pole of the sky as they functioned as astrological calculators, in addition to burial places for astrologically minded pharaohs. In Reality, Rameses II is often credited with adjusting the positions of the cardinal signs Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn. Some zodiac signs are said to be Egyptian in origin, such as Aries, and Leo.
Houses and Signs of the Zodiac that remains virtually unchanged today.
As Europeans became more literate, various periodicals and almanacs began publishing astrological info. Notable writers included Galileo and Copernicus, who were both practicing astrologers and founders of the modern scientific movement. However, the more popular astrology became, the more scrutinized it was. And when important astrological predictions failed to come true, astrology started to fall from favor.