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'''Astrology''' was originally the Greek science of heavens (αστρός = star | λόγος = word/speech), which  was based on a proper rule or method, the '''Astronomy''' (νόμος = law/rule), and which concerned the effects that the celestial world have generally in material world. The ancient astronomers, like [[Hipparchus]] and [[Ptolemy]], are no longer important astrologers, and saw in astronomy a mathematical (geometrical) means to obtain a more reliable astrological knowledge.
'''Astrology'''  


After the [[scientific revolution]], the word "science" gained a more restricted usage of investigative [[efficient causes]], rather than final ones of the phenomenal universe. In addition, many of the cosmological presuppositions that support classical ancient astrological knowledge, relations between stars and human life in general, have fallen into discredit. In that time, the ''scientific'' investigation associated to the celestial rule, searching for efficient causes of the stars' movements and processes, in a new un-earth-centered, planets-like-earth, stars-like-sun and perhaps infinite Universe, was made origin to [[Astrophysics]]; and Astrology, like other ancient disciplines (as [[Alchemy]] and [[Kabbalah]]) was legated to [[mysticism]], and not seriously recognized by most [[academics]].
Astrology (from Greek (astér, astrós), "star", and "logy" (Greek -logia logos "word, reason" and  -logos "speaking") [http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_1861699408/-logy.html] Astrology consists of belief systems and practices that relate the patterns and positions of celestial bodies to human personality, human affairs, and all terrestrial events. In astrology, the patterns of human life and nature in general, are seen as correspondent with celestial patterns, specifically with the position and movement of planetary bodies as they appear against the backdrop of the sky as viewed from Earth.  This is expressed in the fundamental astrological axiom, "As above, so below." <ref>Bobrick, Benson:  ''The Fated Sky: Astrology in History,'' Simon and Schuster, 2006,  p. 23</ref> 
Many traditions and applications of astrological concepts have arisen since its earliest recorded beginnings.  Beck and Denison  cite Greek astrology of 410BC as well as the earlier Bablylonia astrology of about 3,500 BC. <ref>Beck, Roger, ''A Brief History of Ancient Astrology,'' Blackwell Publishing, 2007, p. 12, 14</ref> <ref>Denison , Stephen, ''The American Antiquarian and Oriental Journal,'' Jameson & Morse, 1905</ref>Astrology was practiced in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamian <ref>Charles George Herbermann, et al. ''The Catholic Encyclopedia,'' Appleton Co., 1913 p. 19</ref>


Today, however, astrology is still a popular and active field of study, with many periodicals and newspapers having an astrological section.
Advocates have defined astrology as a symbolic language, an art form, a science, and a method of divination.<ref>''The New Encyclopaedia Britannica, Encyclopaedia Britannica,' v.5, 1974, p. 916</ref><ref>Dietrich, Thomas:  'The Origin of Culture and Civilization,'' Phenix & Phenix Literary Publicists, 2005, p. 305</ref>
 
The scientific community generally considers astrology as a pseudoscience or superstition.  While there is no widely accepted scientific evidence for the validity of astrology, numerous modern researches have conducted statistical studies, and some of these support the hypothesis of astrological influences.  A review of these may be found in ''Recent Advances in Natal Astrology, A Critical Review, 1900-1976.'' <ref>Dr. Dean, Geoffrey, & Arthur Mather BSc, ''Recent Advances in Natal Astrology, A Critical Review, 1900-1976,'' </ref>  See also:  "The tenacious Mars Effect," <ref>Dr. Ertel, Suibert, & Kenneth Irving, ''The tenacious Mars Effect,'' Urania Trust, 1996</ref> and "Cosmic Influences on Humans, Animals, and Plants, An Annotated Bibliography"<ref>Dr Burns, John T., ''Cosmic Influences on Humans, Animals, and Plants, An Annotated Bibliography,'' Scarecrow Press, Inc. 1997</ref>
 
==References==
{{reflist|2}}

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Astrology

Astrology (from Greek (astér, astrós), "star", and "logy" (Greek -logia logos "word, reason" and -logos "speaking") [1] Astrology consists of belief systems and practices that relate the patterns and positions of celestial bodies to human personality, human affairs, and all terrestrial events. In astrology, the patterns of human life and nature in general, are seen as correspondent with celestial patterns, specifically with the position and movement of planetary bodies as they appear against the backdrop of the sky as viewed from Earth. This is expressed in the fundamental astrological axiom, "As above, so below." [1] Many traditions and applications of astrological concepts have arisen since its earliest recorded beginnings. Beck and Denison cite Greek astrology of 410BC as well as the earlier Bablylonia astrology of about 3,500 BC. [2] [3]Astrology was practiced in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamian [4]

Advocates have defined astrology as a symbolic language, an art form, a science, and a method of divination.[5][6]

The scientific community generally considers astrology as a pseudoscience or superstition. While there is no widely accepted scientific evidence for the validity of astrology, numerous modern researches have conducted statistical studies, and some of these support the hypothesis of astrological influences. A review of these may be found in Recent Advances in Natal Astrology, A Critical Review, 1900-1976. [7] See also: "The tenacious Mars Effect," [8] and "Cosmic Influences on Humans, Animals, and Plants, An Annotated Bibliography"[9]

References

  1. Bobrick, Benson: The Fated Sky: Astrology in History, Simon and Schuster, 2006, p. 23
  2. Beck, Roger, A Brief History of Ancient Astrology, Blackwell Publishing, 2007, p. 12, 14
  3. Denison , Stephen, The American Antiquarian and Oriental Journal, Jameson & Morse, 1905
  4. Charles George Herbermann, et al. The Catholic Encyclopedia, Appleton Co., 1913 p. 19
  5. The New Encyclopaedia Britannica, Encyclopaedia Britannica,' v.5, 1974, p. 916
  6. Dietrich, Thomas: 'The Origin of Culture and Civilization, Phenix & Phenix Literary Publicists, 2005, p. 305
  7. Dr. Dean, Geoffrey, & Arthur Mather BSc, Recent Advances in Natal Astrology, A Critical Review, 1900-1976,
  8. Dr. Ertel, Suibert, & Kenneth Irving, The tenacious Mars Effect, Urania Trust, 1996
  9. Dr Burns, John T., Cosmic Influences on Humans, Animals, and Plants, An Annotated Bibliography, Scarecrow Press, Inc. 1997