| Astrology is a type of divination based upon the idea | | | | about marriage, starting of new business, and moving |
| that information about the future or about a | | | | into a new house etc. Ancient Hindu Scriptures too |
| person’s personality can be discovered through | | | | gives a lot of importance to the various aspects of |
| the examination of heavenly bodies such as stars, | | | | planetary motions and its effects on humans. Chinese |
| planets, the moon, comets etc. Astrology means the | | | | astrology stresses on the five elements, metal, |
| study that assumes and attempts to interpret the | | | | wood, water, fire, and earth. |
| influence of heavenly bodies on human affairs. | | | | Even the zodiac signs used by them are also |
| American Heritage Dictionary defines Astrology as | | | | different from other forms of astrology. China was |
| the study of the positions and aspects of celestial | | | | isolated from the western for a long time. That is |
| bodies in the belief that they have an influence on | | | | why Chinese astrology was unknown to the western |
| the course of natural earthly occurrences and human | | | | world. As Chinese astrology developed independently, |
| affairs. The practice of astrology was prevalent in | | | | a lot of difference can be seen between the |
| the ancient times too. Some of the well-known | | | | western concepts of astrology and the Chinese |
| civilizations of the world used this field extensively. | | | | version. But the Chinese and Indian astrologers were |
| For example, the ancient Chinese civilization, the | | | | in touch every now and then. |
| Egyptian civilization, the ancient Indian civilization, etc | | | | Therefore, these two schools have a few things in |
| all practiced astrology at some point or the other. | | | | common. In spite of the geographical isolation, there |
| Arabs too practiced Astrology before the advent of | | | | are a few surprising similarities between the western |
| Islam. The ancient Babylonians were probably the | | | | and the Chinese thoughts on astrology. It can only be |
| first to use Astrology. After that this science moved | | | | termed as a coincidence. Even though the science of |
| to countries like China and India. | | | | astrology was started and developed in the east, the |
| Greek astronomer Ptolemy was the first ever person | | | | west was never without its share of astrology. |
| to write a book on Astrology. He codified the sun | | | | Recently, the trend of reading the daily horoscopes |
| sign astrology that we know today. Ptolemy tried | | | | have caught up the western world. Suddenly, the |
| to predict the positions of celestial bodies relative to | | | | western world has woken up to the possibility of |
| each other and the earth through knowledge of their | | | | knowing and improving their future with the use of |
| orbital motions. During his time, astrology was a part | | | | astrology. |
| of astronomy. Later, astronomy became an exact | | | | More and more westerners have started to believe in |
| science and Astrology remained a part of Theology. | | | | the possibility of getting affected by the powerful |
| Planetary observation is the basis of Astrology. | | | | planets and stars. Western scholars have included the |
| History of Astrology is an important part of civilization | | | | subject of astrology in their research. Astrology was |
| and goes back to the early days of the human race. | | | | never scrutinized and researched ever before the |
| Apart from being centers of learning in medicine, | | | | way it has been done over the last few years. In |
| Baghdad and Damascus were also known as centers | | | | this regard, the Indian astrologers should come |
| of astrology and astronomy. Arabs were pioneers in | | | | forward and show the world the power that |
| astronomy before the advent of Islam. The | | | | astrology holds. |
| Babylonians were the first to name the days of the | | | | The astrologers in India claim that it is a scientific |
| week after the Sun, Moon, and planets. They were | | | | method to predict the future. They still club this field |
| also the first to set out the twelve houses of the | | | | of study within the parameters of Hinduism. They |
| horoscope. | | | | say they can prove that astrological predictions are |
| Egypt was one of the most important places in the | | | | indeed scientific. Hindus almost unanimously believe in |
| development of astrology. It is thought that some of | | | | astrological predictions. In fact, religious Hindus cannot |
| the astrological signs of the zodiac originated in Egypt. | | | | imagine life without Astrology. More and more Indians |
| Astrology was practiced even in the Vedic times in | | | | have started to build their houses according to the |
| India. Astrology is one of the six disciplines of | | | | principles of Vastu Shashtra. |
| vedanga. The Hindus believe that human fortune or | | | | This ancient Indian tradition is also governed by |
| misfortune in life is due to karma, and karma is | | | | astrological implications. Hindus believe that the overall |
| believed to be influenced by the movements of the | | | | prosperity and benefits of the occupants is |
| planets. Among the Hindus, Brahmins are considered | | | | dependant on the Vastu principles while building the |
| to be the best authorities on astrology. | | | | house. Feng shui is one of the ancient Chinese |
| In Modern India too, astrology is extensively used to | | | | practice of placement and arrangement of space to |
| determine the future and improve life. Astrology is | | | | achieve harmony with the environment. It is alsoan |
| studied and practiced by many in India. It is regarded | | | | off shoot of Chinese Astrology. This again is said to |
| as vital in Indian culture. It is used to make decisions | | | | be scientific in nature. |