Astrology in its Historical Background :
Philosophers and thinkers of ancient India, china, and Greece laid the first foundational stone of this systematic structure of calculation on the premises that there is relatedness between astronomical phenomenon and happenings in the human world the difference between them being of preferences . where as the indian astrology specialists were under the influence of spirtualy transcendentalist idelogy , the greek philosphers (All- Rounder-thinkers) had the support of rational thought. western astrology having thinkers and philosophers of scientific temperament and logical calculations lays more stress on horoscopes purporting to explain various aspects of our personalities and to predict our future events. They formulated their calculations on the positions of the Sun, The Moon and other heavenly bodies. at the time of the client’s birth. this system has roots in the calendrical systems used to predict seasonal changes and to interpret celestial cycles (Lunar and Solar) as signs of divine communications. This type of astrology was A form of astrology was practised in the first dynasty of Mesopotamia. Egyptian astrology mixed Babylonian astrology with Egyptian Decanic astrology in Alexandria and created horoscopic astrology. Alexander the Great’s conquest of Asia allowed astrology to spread to Ancient Greece and Rome. In Rome, astrology was associated with Chaldean wisdom. After the conquest of Alexandria in the 7th century, astrology was taken up by Islamic scholars, and Hellenistic texts were translated into Arabic and Persian. In the 12th century, Arabic texts were Brought to Europe and translated into Latin, helping to initiate the European Renaissance. Major astronomers including Tycho Brahe, Johannes Kepler and Galileo practised as court astrologers. Astrological references appear in literature in the works of poets such as Dante and Geoffrey Chaucer, and of playwrights such as Lope de Vega, Calderón de la Barca, Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare. Thus it became a search for signs and Symbols of heavenly bodies and their influences on lives and social situations of the human being.
Classical indian astrology has its basis links in the forms of ”Brihat Parasara Hora Sastra (Vol 1 & 2) ” by Maharishi Parashar and the celebrated astrological text ”Sarawali by Maharishi Kalaya.the astrological book published n Europe was the LIBER PLANETS ET MUNDI CLIMATIBUS ( book of the planets and religion of the world- 1010 to 1027 A.D.) but English astrology became popular in the 17th century. Astrologers became advisersto kings, Lords and the public ,but it gained popularity in the 19th century along with the revival of spiritualism and the modern philosophy. In the beginning of the 20th century, the great psychologist and psychiatrist, Carl Jung , worked on some concept concerning Astrology, which led to the development of Psychological Astrology. Today, along with horoscopic calculations , astrology is one of the essential shades of western occultism.
The earliest Vedic text on astronomy is the ” Vedanga Jyotisha ”. but later on vedic thinkers included Astrology in it. Hindu natal astrology originated with Hellenistic astrology by the 3rd century B.C.
though incorporating the Hindu lunar mansions. The names of the signs (e.g. Greek ‘Krios’ for Aries, Sanskrit ‘Kriya’), the planets (e.g. Greek ‘Helios’ for Sun, astrological Sanskrit ‘Heli’), and astrological terms (e.g. Greek ‘apoklima’ and ‘sunaphe’ for declination and planetary conjunction, Sanskrit’apoklima’ and ‘sunapha’ respectively) in Varaha Mihira’s are considered conclusive evidence of a Greek and indian collaboration and co-operation in the advancement of astrology. it is to be noted that Alexander invasion of India and later on mutual trade helped in the exchange of ideas.
Chinese astrology has a close relation with Chinese philosophy (theory of the three harmonies: heaven, earth and man) and uses concepts such as yin and yang, the Five phases, the 10 Celestial stems, the 12 Earthly Branches, and shichen (?? a form of timekeeping used for religious purposes). The early use of Chinese astrology was mainly confined to political astrology, the observation of unusual phenomena, identification of portents and the selection of auspicious days for events and decisions. The Chinese zodiac of twelve animal signs is said to represent twelve different types of personality. It is based on cycles of years, lunar months, and two-hour periods of the day (the shichen). The zodiac traditionally begins with the sign of the Rat, and the cycle proceeds through 11 other animals signs: the Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.
There is no doubt that , in these modern materialistic times, the scientific and rational approaches have gained the ground and the mystical , hypothetical and mysterious calculations ( i.g. romantic and spirtual approaches) are struggling hard to attain victory. in this global capitalist world , the selfie. culture has possessed the imagination of the people and has gained charming fascination over the people . but the Truth has its own values and the ultimate Existence. the intellectuals are still in the hope of knowing the ultimate reality in a scientifical and logical way. the thinker of modern times are struggling hard not to let the unknown to become more unknown. they understand the unavoidable transformations happening on the universal stage because of the play of ”Divine law of Evolution” .
but the Astrologers have their own problems.they base their calculations on the universal movements occurring because of the Law of Gravitation and Law of Motion in the universal play. this group of astrologers try to see a meaningful view of the universe. and an image of the authentic Existence. there is no doubt that counsulting horoscopes , astrology , tarot card reading , interpretation of omens, knowledge through mediums etc. becomes there area of study and calculations. Every effort and every action of these learned scholars and Astrologers conceal a desire for power over time. The Human ego wish to overcome and dominate the nature and the world. thus philosophizing in this intellectual and spirtual yearning flowers into the search and research in the field art , literature , astrology, divinity, spirituality, and what not ?
