astrology

The belief that the position of the stars and planets in the sky affects the destinies of individuals, and of larger human units such as cities and nations, and even the entire world, is the basis of astrology. Over centuries it has developed into complex methods of determining that infl uence in particular cases, combining precise calculations with intuitive insight. Astrology is not an essential component of any major religion, but has had relationships with most of them. Sometimes, as in the case of HINDUISM, the Chinese religions (see CHINA, RELIGIONS OF), and in some eyes JUDAISM and CHRISTIANITY, especially in the Renaissance, the relationship has been relatively positive. Astrology has been viewed as a confi rmation of the orderly working of the universe as a divine system or as GOD's creation, and a legitimate way of divining its secrets. Others, such as the Hebrew prophets, the Puritans (see PURITANISM), and many recent Jews and Christians—not to mention most scientists—condemn astrology as worthless, as destructive to the free will of both God and humans, or as an entry into dangerous aspects of occultism. But astrology has retained numerous believers today. Astrology is thought by most scholars to have originated in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, and to have then been developed into a thorough system by Greek thinkers during the Hellenistic period (approximately 300 B.C.E.–300 C.E.). It spread from the Mediterranean world to the Arab lands, India, and China, acquiring many distinctive elements from those cultures so that now Indian and Chinese astrology have important differences from Western astrology. All astrology, though, is based on the zodiac, the path through which the sun, moon, and planets move through the sky. That celestial band is divided into 12 "signs" or constellations. Each of them have particular traits or qualities, such as the balance or equanimity of Libra, or the secretive yet passionate nature of Scorpio. So do the sun, moon, and planets: the emotional moon, warlike Mars, and others. Figuring the total impact of all these elements as they were confi gured at the time of one's birth, or at important moments in personal or national or world history, is the task of the astrologer. Many astrologers today say that the art only determines, so to speak, the hand one is dealt by fate; how one plays it is left up to the person, and so it does not compromise free will. They also say it shows there is a fundamental pattern to the universe, and that astrology demonstrates that our human lives have cosmic meaning because we are interconnected parts of that cosmic pattern. Others say the basis of astrology is false and that true religion has no need of it.