Origins of Zodiac and AstrologyThe Babylonians are generally acknowledged to have originated the practice and science of astrology. Their astrological charts enabled them to predict the recurrence of seasons and certain celestial events. So, in the beginning and for more than 2,000 years, astrology and astronomy were the same science. Babylonian astrology was introduced to the Greeks early in the 4th century BCE and, through the studies of Plato, Aristotle, and others, astrology came to be highly regarded as a science. It was soon embraced by the Romans (the Roman names for the zodiacal signs are still used today) and the Arabs and later spread throughout the entire world. While earliest astrology was used to bring a sense of order out of apparent chaos, it was soon employed to predict weather patterns, primarily for agricultural purposes. It was eventually widened to include forecasts of natural disasters, war and other events in the affecting the human condition. Once success in these fields was established, it was a natural evolution for astrology to be used as a means for advising for kings and emperors and, in time, the population at large. The zodiac (which is derived from the Greek word meaning circle of animals) is believed to have developed in ancient Egypt and later adopted by the Babylonians. Early astrologers knew it took twelve lunar cycles (i.e., months) for the sun to return to its original position. They then identified twelve constellations that they observed were linked to the progression of the seasons and assigned them names of certain animals and persons (in Babylonia, for example, the rainy season was found to occur when the sun was in a particular constellation which was then named Aquarius, or water bearer). Around the year 2000 BCE, Babylonian astrologers believed that the sun, moon, and the five planets known at that time (Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, Saturn, and Venus) possessed distinct powers. Mars, for example, appeared to be red and was associated with aggression and war. Other Astrology and Your Life ArticlesAstrology of the Greeks – Fundamental Astrology Numerology Astrological Predictions Astrology Skeptics Astrology Love Signs Astrology, Medicine, and Astronomy Planetary Influence on Astrology Elements in Astrology Astrology and the Ascendant sign Tropical Astrology Sidereal Astrology Astrology Natal Chart Zodiac and Human Compatibility Zodiac Sign Sun Zodiac Sign Aquarius (January 20 to February 18) Zodiac Sign Pisces (February 19 to March 20) Zodiac Sign Aries (March 21 to April 19) Zodiac Sign Taurus (April 20 to May 20) Zodiac Sign Gemini (May 21 to June 21) Zodiac Sign Cancer (June 22 to July 22) Zodiac Sign Leo (July 23 to August 22) Zodiac Sign Virgo (August 23 to September 22) Zodiac Sign Libra (September 23 to October 22) Zodiac Sign Scorpio (October 23 to November 21) Zodiac Sign Sagittarius (November 22 to December 21) Zodiac Sign Capricorn (December 22 to January 19)
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