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The Etymological Meaning Of Astrology
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Matthias Zeitler
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By Matthias Zeitler
Published on 10/18/2008
 
Everybody understands what a horoscope is, but the history of astrology requires more explanation. This article tries to define and explain the most important aspects.

The lexical meaning of the word astrology is a pseudoscience that claims divination on the basis of the placements/location/positioning of the sun, the moon, the planets and other such celestial bodies. It is the set of ideas or supposition or statement of celestial principles and its practice or application of the placement/situation and aspects of heavenly entities with the conviction that such planetary positions and movements have an astrological influence on the affairs of human beings and natural earthly happenings.

Astrology made easy for you

The sun, the stars and the planets dot the celestial sphere or the night sky. During the night, the sun is of course invisible to earth-bound observers. You can detect with your naked eye a few of the TRAVELLING CELESTIAL BODIES and they are SATURN, JUPITER, MARS, VENUS and MERCURY. There is also the moon.

Zodiac

All these five planets and the moon and the sun i.e. the 7 TRAVELLING STARS have been accorded the name of the SEVEN PLANETS OF ANTIQUITY. A sky-gazer who is bound on earth will find the five planets and the moon to hover in a narrow stretch. The latter is fixed at the centre on the ecliptic orbit.

The term ZODIAC refers to this. The area surrounding it is referred to as the zodiac belt. An earth bound sky gazer will always feel that this celestial highway on which these SEVEN PLANETS OF ANTIQUITY seem to travel is known as the zodiac belt.

While traveling over this celestial highway the twelve zodiac constellations have been positioned along the path of the ecliptic. The names bestowed on these 12 zodiac constellations range from PISCES to ARIES.

Horoscope

All through the ancient eras, human beings have represented the zodiacs in various ways. Horoscopes are the metaphoric representations of zodiacs.

An astrologer's diagram of the relative position of planets, stars and other such celestial entities and the prediction of incidents which are based on these astrological calculations is known as a horoscope.

A horoscope is an astrological chart that indicates the placement/location/positioning of the SEVEN PLANETS OF ANTIQUITY, in the way they are related to each other and the earth and in the cosmos, at a certain time.

Etymological meaning of Astrology

The etymological source of astrology can be traced back to ancient Greece, to a Greek word meaning SCIENCE OF THE STARS.

It is an ancient philosophy or metaphysics , estimated to date back to 3000 B.C. and practiced by Babylonians (Chaldeans) and the Egyptians , later by the Chinese in Asia and by the ancient Greeks like the celebrated philosopher Plato (around 500B.C.).

It was used to determine the event of highest importance to civilization - the rising of the waters and the outcome of their agricultural labor.

The ancient Greeks can be credited with evolving the theory that heavenly bodies can influence life and astrological calculations can predict important future events.

One can look upon astrology as a wonderful medium of self discovery.