| Astrology studies the celestial bodies affects on | | | | zodiac also has 12 signs like its western counterpart. |
| humanity. In particular human fate, destiny, and | | | | The western use of the sun as the foci for |
| personality were described by the celestial influences | | | | Astrological studies stemmed from the pre |
| of the stars and planets. The roots of Astrology can | | | | heliocentric model of the universe. In particular |
| be traced back to the first or second century BC. | | | | Egyptians may have contributed greatly to the earth |
| Many ancient cultures such as the Egyptians, | | | | centered model of the solar system. They believed a |
| Babylonians, and Chinese practiced forms of | | | | giant dung beetle pushed the sun through the sky like |
| Astrology. Although, the methods of Astrological | | | | a giant piece of dung. This earth centered model of |
| forecast differed slightly from culture to culture there | | | | our solar system coincidentally seemed to arise |
| still remained many fundamental similarities between | | | | around 1.5 BC right around the time the Egyptian and |
| them. | | | | Babylonian studies of celestial objects began. |
| For example Chinese Astrology which evolved | | | | As you may suspect there are different schools of |
| convergent to western Astrology had some major | | | | thought on Astrology. These include Moon signs, Sun |
| differences. The most fundamental difference being | | | | Signs, and animal signs. The popular horoscope used |
| the use of the moons 28 day cycle through the | | | | in your local newspaper for example is probably |
| heavens as opposed to the Suns* 365 day cycle | | | | based on your sun sign. In contrast the Indian Vedic |
| around the earth(*Note: The Sun does not revolve | | | | school of thought would be more concerned with |
| around the earth but during this period it was the | | | | your moon sign. While the Chinese system uses |
| popular belief). The earliest Chinese zodiac divided the | | | | animal signs in their zodiac and is based on the twelve |
| lunar cycles into 4 groups each corresponding to a | | | | year Jovan cycle. Some even speculate that there |
| different season and 7 sub groups corresponding to | | | | may be correlation between Astrological studies and |
| specific lunar mansions in the season. The seasons | | | | the Tarot deck. |
| were given animal based names for example: | | | | In conclusion, Astrology has substantial scientific, |
| Spring=The Green Dragon of spring, summer=The | | | | historical, societal, and spiritual foundations. However |
| Red Bird of Summer, fall=The White Tiger of | | | | you look at it the influences of the planets and |
| autumn, and winter=The Black Tortoise of Winter. | | | | constellations on our lives is evident in our every day |
| Even though the use of the moon in Chinese | | | | lives. From the ebbing and rising of the oceans' tides |
| Astrology opposed the use of the suns movement | | | | alone it should be apparent that the immense power |
| through the celestial bodies in the Babylonian and | | | | of the moon has profound affects on our planet. In |
| Egyptian disciplines some similarities still existed. These | | | | addition based on this it would stand to reason that |
| similarities included the use of elemental attributes | | | | as humans composed mostly of water the celestial |
| assigned to the planets. For example Saturn= Earth, | | | | bodies (ie the Moon) do have a profound impact on |
| Mars=Fire, Mercury=Water, Venus=Metal, and | | | | our moods, personality traits, and interactions with |
| Jupiter=Wood. In addition to this similarity the Chinese | | | | others. Wouldn't it? |