While modern astrology has formed a highly developed culture that it is now typically identified with, it has strong origins in many countries around the world. Each one of these countries has its own particular culture, and manner in which they honor astrology. This has led to an eventual combination that results in what western countries now identify to be modern astrology. By taking the time to understand where the fundamental beliefs originate, the practice as a whole can be better understood.
Mesopotamia
Babylonian history gives the most insight into the origins of astrology. While it has been briefly mentioned in previous blog posts, it is important to note that Mesopotamian astrology used gods and goddesses. While this has aged out of most modern beliefs, the Babylonians associated a god to each star sign and planet. As pictured above, a worshiping of these said gods can be seen carved into stone. While this sector of practice is not commonplace in western beliefs, they also used planets and moon phases. Therefore, this creates horoscopic astrology. As this idea became more developed and was perfected in the following centuries, the use of horoscopes has become one of the largest and longest lasting components of modern astrology.
China Photo Credit
Another culture that has contributed greatly to the rise of astrology is the Chinese Zodiacs. This system assigns twelve animals to each of the twelve signs and heavily relies on the concept of Ying and Yang. As pictured to the right, there are many similarities to the astrological wheel used in America, but with the inclusion of the symbol in the center and the aforementioned animals. The basic philosophy is the same, incorporating the use of zodiacs in daily life to provide answers on society, as well as personal behaviors and questions. The main difference is that in China the system is a twelve-year cycle, with each zodiac animal being assigned to a constantly differing year. However, in western astrology it is a twelve-month cycle, with each zodiac sign being assigned to a repeating month.
Rome & Greece
In the sense of the Romans and the Greek, astrology played a fundamental role in philosophy and daily life. However, these countries found their influence from the constellations. This is the aspect that western astrology has resonated with the most and is continually used in common practices. With the help of many important philosophers, such as Empedocles and Aristarchus, society was able to make correct calculations about Earth, Sky, planets and their surrounding stars. With these math advancements, the culture developed the belief of zodiac signs and better developed horoscopes. These zodiac signs, as displayed on the ancient roman globe pictured to the left, are the same signs modern astrology uses today.
Overall, it has taken centuries and eras for Western Astrology to become as developed and sophisticated as we view it to be today. With the help from countless cultures, such as the Babylonians, Chinese, Roman, and Greek, facets of theories have come together to make a melting pot of beliefs that thousands of people still believe in today.