For this week’s blog, I thought we would go back to the beginning and take a look at how astrology arrived to what it has become today. The stars have been in the sky longer than human have populated the earth. All throughout this time as we know it humans have watched they sky, speculating and hypothesizing what was happening in the galaxies above them, and whether it was affecting how they lived. As a result of this phenomenon there isn’t one true place that invented the study of astrology, but rather many places that cultivated and bettered the practice over time. Before we get too deep, just as a refresher astrology is roughly defined as studying the influence of celestial events on human life. Historically it was not as deeply interpreted as it is today, but always studied. The best way to describe how this theory has become as developed as it is currently, is to give a general timeline.
2,400-331 B.C.
The Babylonians are credited with making many great societal advancements, many being is astrology and astronomy. While the first documented use of stars to track cycles was in 2,400-331 B.C., Babylon takes the credit of creating the zodiac wheel, as pictured to the left. This is the zodiac wheel we still currently use today, showing just how advanced and intriguing this theory has been form the beginning. The engraved stones that were used as a calendar featured the twelve houses and signs.
331 B.C.-4th Century A.D.
When Babylon was overtaken by Alexander the Great, the theories that were invented by the previous rulers became much better developed. Advanced philosophy and understanding allowed the zodiacs to be given modern names and descriptions.
5th Century
With the fall of the Roman Empire, astrology as known by the western world was put to a halt. This created a 500 year pause on the western study of the stars but allowed advancement on the research of Greek astrology.
6th-15th Century (The Middle Ages)
With the Middle Ages came a flourish in Astrology. In this point in time, the study of the stars was ingrained in almost all aspects of life. It could be found in medical practice, mathematical studies, and the culture of the time. These main three components worked together to advance astrology to a level that was never comprehensible before. Math is heavily credited as allowing the medieval calendar to be as accurate as possible in their complex version of the astrological chart, as shown on the right. However, as western religion took hold of the population in the late 14th through early 15th centuries, astrology was attempted to be phased out of society.
19th Century
With the emergence of the new century, the interest in Astrology finally reemerged. Starting in England many fields of study brought this theory to the surface again, such as Psychologist and Philosophy.
20th-21st Century
As seen today, astrology is a recognized component within society for many. This started to pick up significantly with the publication of horoscope in newspapers, magazine, and online. This can be considered a setback, though, as they are typically inaccurate and used solely for entertainment. Still, as accurate chart readings and education in the subject becomes more readily available, more people are able to realize the historical and practical significance of the subject.