The Role of Astrology on World Culture

Astrology is a body of beliefs, systems and traditions wherein knowledge of the relative placement of heavenly bodies and other related details are used in analyzing, interpreting, and gathering information about human affairs, personality and other terrestrial concerns. A number of applications and traditions that practice astrological concepts came about since its beginnings dating back from the 2nd millennium BCE. Throughout history, astrology has contributed in the molding of cultures, in shaping early astronomy and other disciplines.

Oftentimes, astrology and astronomy are perceived to be much alike, as astronomical observation mainly involves the desire for divinatory and predictive knowledge. However, astronomy started to veer away from astrology in the 18th century after a long and gradual period of separation. Since then, astrology has distinguished itself as the study of astronomical phenomena and objects. The types of astrology that modern astrologers use as their main traditions include Chinese, Indian, Mayan and Western astrology.

Western astrology has greatly diversified over time with the introduction of new movements and different approaches. Among the recent developments in Western astrology include Cosmobiology, Hamburg School of Astrology, Modern tropical and sidereal horoscopic astrology and Uranian astrology which is a subset of the Hamburg school.

For over a thousand years now, Astrology has created a profound influence both on Eastern and Western cultures. Even in the middle era, the system of celestial sphere and heavenly bodies was said to have had an impact on the branches of knowledge and the world as a whole.

Moreover, astrology continues to play an important role in language, literature and the arts. For instance, the term influenza was coined as such because doctors once though t that this epidemic was caused by bad influences among the planets and stars. The term also comes from the Latin dis-aster, which means 'bad star', lunatic from Luna or the moon; mercurial from Mercury; jovial from Jupiter or Jove, venereal from Venus and Saturnine from Saturn. These words describe personal qualities that are said to be greatly influenced by the planet's astrological characteristics. Also in literature, writers such as Sir William Shakespeare and Geoffrey Chaucer made use of astrological symbolism to their masterpieces that helped describe their works' characters. In fact, it is even said that you must have a background of astrological symbolism if you are to well appreciate their literature.

Even modern thinkers like Carl Jung believe in the descriptive power of astrology concerning the mind. In education, Dante Alighieri also saw the role of astrology in shaping modern science. Astrology has also influence the music scene with the orchestral suite known as "The Planets' by British composer Gustav Holst.

Jack Moundon is a writer of http://www.astrology-answers.com/, a site which provides information on astrology, astrological predictions, Chinese elements, zodiac signs and more.