Horoscopes are a popular topic and have a place in many cultures. While some people believe them are nothing more than superstition, others see them as a valuable system of understanding our place in the universe and our relationship to the natural world.
According to a research project from the Institute for the History of Knowledge in the Ancient World, horoscopes originated around 2500 years ago in Babylon. The horoscopes are based on the positions of the sun, moon and planets.
Origins
Horoscopes can either be an ancient and valuable system of understanding the natural world with roots in early Mesopotamia, China, Egypt and Greece or complete rubbish, depending on whom you ask. For skeptics, horoscopes are a waste of time, while true believers love them.
Astrology is a practice that consists of interpreting the influence of stars and planets on earthly affairs and human destinies. It is rooted in astronomy and developed from a Babylonian star cult, which combined astronomy with mystical beliefs associating the celestial bodies with divine powers.
In ancient Babylon, the astrologers created a 12-part division of the heavens, and called it the zodiac. This idea spread to Greece and Rome, where it was first known as the zodiakos (Greek: “circle of little animals”).
A significant part of astrology’s evolution came from Greek mathematician and astrologer Ptolemy, whose work Tetrabiblos laid the foundations for Western horoscopic astrology. The book explained the basic elements of astrology, including planets, zodiac signs, and houses, while also setting down their function in a clear manner.
Another important astrologer was Dorotheus of Sidon, who wrote a didactic poem on horoscopic astrology and is remembered for his contribution to the evolution of Hellenistic astrology.
It is believed that the astrologers of ancient Babylon were aware of the precession of the equinoxes and thus were able to calculate the dates on which the sun would rise and set each year. They also observed the movements of the stars and planets, recognizing regularities and patterns, which led to the invention of the zodiac.
In the Middle Ages, astrology became a part of religious culture, and was practiced by doctors, astronomers, and mathematicians. However, belief in astrology began to decline as the church gained power and rationalism emerged in Europe. During the Inquisition and the Protestant reform movement, astrology was seen as heresy and superstition.
Signs of the Zodiac
Astrology is based on the position of the stars and planets in relation to each other. This is a concept that has been around for centuries and can be found in many cultures.
The zodiac is a belt of sky that stretches around the world, and it contains a number of constellations that correspond to specific stars that the sun passes through when traveling in a particular direction. A person’s sign of the zodiac is determined by which constellation the sun was in when they were born, and it can be used to predict the future based on the location of the stars in that part of the sky.
Originally, the zodiac was governed by seven celestial bodies that were believed to be associated with different qualities in human personalities. These were known as the “traditional” planetary rulers.
Modern astronomers have discovered other planets that can also influence the way people behave and react to situations. These newer planets have become the modern planetary rulers of the zodiac, and they bring different elements to the signs that they govern.
Some of the most prominent planets that can affect someone’s personality are Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury, Venus and Pluto. These planets have a significant impact on the zodiac, and they can help people live their best lives.
The planets are said to have a profound effect on a person's basic character traits, emotions and behavior. They can also play a key role in their thinking and their decisions, which is why astrology is so popular.
The zodiac is made up of 12 signs that are grouped into four different elements, each of which has unique traits and energies. These are fire signs, water signs, earth signs and air signs.
Sun Signs
Your Sun sign is the star that dictates your personality and shows how you present yourself to others. It’s the zodiac sign that’s based on your birthday, and it can reveal your positive and negative traits.
Your horoscope is based on your birth chart, which includes your Sun sign, Moon sign, Mercury sign and Saturn sign. It also reflects the planets that were in a particular part of the sky at your time of birth.
Astrology is a non-scientific practice in which the positions of heavenly bodies at certain times are thought to influence or be correlated with human behavior and events. The term horoscope is often used to describe a diagram of the heavens that maps the relative position of the planets and the signs of the zodiac.
The Sun Sign is a central character in your birth chart and, like the lead actor in a play, it represents your core motivations, drives and needs. By understanding the qualities of your Sun Sign (as well as its house – this post explains more) you can begin to see how to express them and build on them for greater fulfilment in life.
For example, if your Sun Sign is Pisces you may be drawn to intuition and psychic powers. Or if your Sun Sign is Virgo you may have great communication skills.
There are 12 sun signs, each a constellation that fills a 30-degree portion of the sky. These signs are Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio and Sagittarius.
Moon Signs
Your moon sign is the second most important influence on your personality. Unlike the sun, your moon signs don’t just affect you directly but also impact the people and experiences that are significant to you. The moon is responsible for guiding your emotions, intuition, and the experiences you’re happiest with.
It’s a little less well-known in the astrological world, but the moon’s role in your life is just as significant as your sun sign. The moon is often associated with love, relationships, and luck, so it’s no surprise that it has a big part to play in horoscopes.
According to Pennington, if your moon sign is Scorpio you’re a sensitive soul who can be vulnerable to others’ emotions. You can easily absorb their moods and vibes, so it’s important to maintain a healthy balance in your relationships.
You can also have a hard time dealing with negative vibes, so you’re likely to guard your boundaries and take a strong stand against negativity in your life. Your watery energy is also prone to anger and resentment, so it’s important to understand how to manage your emotional health as a Scorpio.
If you’re a Sagittarius, you may find yourself constantly looking for new experiences and interests. You’re the type of person who enjoys traveling, intellectual expansion, and philosophy.
Despite being a fire sign, Sagittarius moons tend to be more relaxed and open than their Scorpio counterparts. They’re always curious about new things, but are also more likely to be judicious and quick-witted when it comes to their judgments.
A Capricorn moon, on the other hand, is a stable and disciplined sign. They tend to be business savvy, and are good at achieving long-term goals in their careers and relationships. However, they also like to have firm boundaries, which can make it difficult for them to feel emotionally connected with someone else.
Planets
In astrology, the planets are the basic components of life and the forces that shape our daily experiences. They also represent different parts of our physical and mental anatomy.
The planets are positioned in the zodiac signs, as well as in the houses of a chart. The house positions represent areas of experience and expression, such as a person’s relationships with others, career, family, and money.
A person’s horoscope is also influenced by the position of the planets in their birth chart. This is why it’s important to know where the planets are in your natal chart, as well as how they interact with each other.
Astrologers use planetary positions to help predict things like a person’s love life, finances, health, and more. For example, a person’s love life might be influenced by the presence of Venus in their natal chart, while a person’s career might be impacted by the presence of Jupiter in their birth chart.
There are many more ways that a person’s natal chart can be influenced by the planets. One of the most interesting is how the planets affect your karma, or the impact that they have on your past lives.
Another way that the planets influence your karma is through their effect on your generation. For instance, if you have Pluto in Sagittarius, it will tell you that you’re a member of the millennial generation, while a person with Pluto in Scorpio will say that they’re a member of the zoomer generation.
Finally, the planets influence your ego and your desire to be powerful. If you have Jupiter in your natal chart, for instance, it means that you want to be the center of attention and lead people to success. It also means that you’re a magnetic force who can create change in your world.
