Astrology: Signs of the Future
Astrology is considered a religion, an art, and a practical science. It developed among religious beliefs as people began to identify the different gods with different planets (Jordan 49). As time went on, "Astrology was accepted as a way to gain knowledge of details in the general macro-micro-cosmic harmony" (Bolle 3000). Astrology, thought of as a new phenomenon, was really just a translation within a common matrix when it appeared and was diffused in late antiquity, grafted onto existing cosmogonic and cosmological traditions (Bolle 2998). Astrologers provide a clear explanation of immediate and long-term futures of their patients. These explanations help people determine their future. Astrology is an ancient Hellenistic religion and science that provides believers with a strong sense of direction regarding their own personality traits, relationships with others, and future problems. Believers place great trust in their astrological signs and strollers so their life's path provides direction, purpose, and joy.
Astrology, rather than being added to "scientific" information, was inserted into religious tradition as was fitting. New discoveries lead to further revelations of religious reality. Hinduism and many other religions greatly rely on the authenticity of astrology and it's powers. Astrology is taken extremely seriously to determine the appropriate day for a wedding ceremony, opening a business, or moving into a new home. A babies name is often chosen based on a person's astrological chart (Bolle 3000). Most religions are open to astrology and it’s rituals. One religion that strongly disagrees with astrology is Christianity. Christianity and astrology are two extremely conflicting ideas. Astrology is based on the fact that the planets, stars and moon affect a being’s day-to-day life and that by avoiding certain days your outcome in life will be different. Christianity has a supreme being that has a plan in store for a person since birth. These ideas conflicted because if God already has a plan, there is no way a person can change it like astrology says some one can. In the early ages, Christians attacked astrological ideas. They began to associate it with determinism and Gnosticism (Burns 162). Determinism is the principle that all events, including human choices and decisions, have sufficient causes. Christians did not believe the movement of celestial bodies was a cause. It was believed to be associated with Pagan cults (Jordan 51). Greek philosophers were extremely critical of astrology. Thus, the falsehood of it was reinforced under the influence of biblical traditions (Bolle 3000). Christians began to include astrology in strong anti-divination laws that were however, only sporadically enforced (Burns 162). Christians never integrated astrology into religious traditions. In fact, astrology was condemned in all Christian teachings (Jordan 51). People often believed they could perform certain ceremonies and traditions in order to make their afterlife more positive and become more supreme beings. In earlier ages it was believed, "Wiseman could wield cosmic power to achieve health and longevity and otherwise alter the natural flow of the stellar influences" (Wilson 433). The preparation of elaborate talismans from herbs and minerals selected for their astrological virtues could help them yield power (Wilson 433).
Astrologers, the practitioners of astrology, were usually called "Chaldeans" (Culianu 565). They were also known as trained scholar-practitioners or magus, which means sorcerer. (Wilson 433). Astrologers are the people who study predispositions and tendencies in human life. They use this to predict a person’s future. People base their entire day or their entire week of these predictions. Astrologers and believers use these particular predictions to control their future and their destiny. An astrologer’s job begins at the birth of a child. The relation of a person to the