the patterns and traditions of

Structured systems of planetary astrology began in Babylon in the second century BC though
there are some possible indications in Sumeria in the third century BC. It began as a system of
divination of the future and also the interpretation of omens. In 525 BC, Egypt was conquered by
the Persian Empire and it is very likely that Egyptian astrology was influenced by developments in
Mesopotamia. The astrologer and astronomer Ptolemy was an important figure in the
development of horoscopic astrology and his works form the basis of Western astrology.

In India, horoscopic astrology is regarded because of the interaction between Indian and Greek
culture although there's evidence of some earlier work. Greek was often spoken in the Indus
Valley area following the conquest of Alexander the Great. The earliest surviving documents,
such as the Yavanajataka or the Brihat-Samhita, can be dated to the second or third century A.D.
and among the earliest works is really a translation in Sanskrit of a document initially written in
Greek. Astrology and astronomy developed with each other. http://www.livestrong.com/

In China, astrology dates back to the third millennium BC and development is tied to that of
astronomy under the rule of the Han Dynasty. Chinese astrology features a close partnership with
Chinese philosophy and uses the principles of yin and yang along with other ideas which don't
exist in Western astrology. Astrology was held in high esteem in China even by sages like
Confucius and also the 60 year cycle combines the 5 elements with the 12 animal signs of the
zodiac.



Throughout the Renaissance in Europe, a form of scientific astrology was used in which
astrologers supplemented their study of horoscopes with genuinely new discoveries concerning
the nature of the universe. Several of the greatest scientists like Galileo and Johannes Kepler
themselves practiced astrology. In response to the new scientific discoveries, the 17th-century
astrologers made strenuous efforts to update astrology. Nevertheless, in between the years 1700
to 1900, astrology was seriously followed only by a couple of practitioners and many from the
techniques and practices of the earlier years were lost. By the year 1900, there was a resurgence
of interest in astrology due to groups such as the Theosophists and also the order of the Golden
Dawn and their interest in esoteric sciences. Nevertheless, astrology was now regarded as a tool
for character evaluation and psychology and the earlier focus on predictions was largely
downplayed.

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