The History of Astrology
Updated: Jan 21, 2022
Mysterious Beginnings
According to ancient historical text, Astrology has its roots in the ancient city of Babylon (1894BC - 539 BC); the city that flourished the most during the Mesopotamia Era (3400BC - 539BC) which is now modern day Iraq. For those that know their human history, then you know this is also considered the area of the beginning of mankind. The history of Mesopotamia, its culture, writing and religion is one of significant importance when we attempt to try to make sense of our mystical past. Astrology is said to have first been used and applied during the Babylonian Empire. A good description of what this time in humanity was like is summarized by Joshua Mark from Ancient History Encyclopedia. He writes;
"Unlike the more unified civilizations of Egypt or Greece, Mesopotamia was a collection of varied cultures whose only real bonds were their script, their gods, and their attitude toward women. The social customs, laws, and even language of Akkad, for example, cannot be assumed to correspond to those of Babylon; it does seem, however, that the rights of women, the importance of literacy, and the pantheon of the gods were indeed shared throughout the region (though the gods had different names in various regions and periods)." (ancient.eu/Mesopotamia)
Because of the diversity of Mesopotamia, I theorize that the beginnings of Astrology can be attributed to the ability of mankind to converge within himself through race and culture thus producing the early practices of Astronomy and Astrology. It can be said that Astrology in its origin was created from multiple races of people and cultures. In the beginning, Astronomy and Astrology were considered one in the same. Ancient Intellects and Leaders of knowledge readily blended the two fields together. Well known
Greek teachers in Plato and Aristotle both taught, lectured and practiced Astrology. Catholic Encyclopedia Astrology - New Advent writes:
"Astrology soon permeated the entire philosophical conception of the nature among the Greeks, and rapidly attained a commanding position in religious worship. Plato was obliged to take astrology into consideration as a "philosophical doctrine", and his greatest disciple, Aristotle, was the first to separate the science of astrology from that of meteorology, which was reserved for the phenomena of the atmosphere." (newadvent.org)
The fall of Astrology from its ancient origins can be attributed to a combination of Government, War, and Religion. During the rise of Catholicism/Christianity in Europe, Scientists and Astrologers alike were persecuted, tried and imprisoned for the practice of outlawed practices (Astrology, Science, Paganism) and or the open disbelief in God and Religion. These types of radical social movements divided the practices, as well as individuals. With imprisonment and even execution on the line, it is easy to see how the intellects from both sides were terrified to have anything to do with each other. In fact during the peak of the Medieval Medicine/Astrology Era in Europe, Astrologers were sought out like modern day doctors, guidance counselors and mentors. Dramatic comes to my mind, when I think of a time when people were persecuted for their belief systems and this is also when the labeling of Satan with Astrology.
Astrology Today
.The ancient art of marrying the stars with mankind is not just surviving but thriving. Long gone are the medieval ages and the times where Astrologers were persecuted and imprisoned for their practices. Though Astronomy and Astrology remains separated and the overall scientific view of it is pseudo; the old knowledge still has its supports, followers, and devoted students. It is a unique time in human history to where much of the old conservative power over knowledge and information was removed by the rise of the Internet.
Now, as an individual one can learn, research, investigate and conclude - all on the basis on self-discovery. Humans have went centuries of informational control and manipulation and only the few and or royal and wealthy was allowed to study into the depths. In 1999, the internet was not considered a respectable source of reference or education. In 2017 the internet is a respectable source for both.
Hundreds and thousands of people each year complete their education in online settings. Doctors now have one on one relationships with their patients from the basis of their phones and laptops. Millions of dollars worldwide is produced and transmuted through the internet on a daily basis. And every major corporation around the world is at this point expected to have social media pages and multiple ways to stay in touch with their customers on a real time basis.
In today's ultra connected world, once again Astrology finds a way to evolve and is thriving in a world, drastically different then just one century ago. Astrology is not a science or a fortune-telling system. It is not something that requires you to lessen yourself to attain its fruits, instead it provides a platform. Astrology is grounded in the literal gravity of the solar system, other words as long as the Moon is shifting the tides, and the Sun's solar rays passing through the zodiac constellations, Astrology will be here.
This ancient art was here before Egypt, Alexander the Great, and the U.S. Government. Figures like Nostradamus, Edgar Cayce, and Isaac Newton were all three influenced by Astrology in some way - before their major contributions. What if the Allied forces in World War II hadn't assigned an Astrologer to respond to the one that Hitler used? All of yesterday's great navigators and travelers, what if they had none of the ancient tools literally descended from the same systems as that of Astrology and Science used by humans for hundreds of years as a means of travel?
How is it that we can bestow praise and importance on the brother (Astronomy), and not the sister (Astrology)? In today's world of over zealous advertisements and insatiably greedy corporations, people's desires, emotions, and ambitions are feed on as if it is all available in packaging. There is only one subject. One tried and true system that is still providing healing and guidance to mankind without sucking the energy directly from him. I end this with interpreting the message of Nikola Tesla's famous quote, through Astrology: “If you only knew the magnificence of the three, the six and the nine… then you would have a key to the universe.” -Nikola Tesla In Astrology the 3 represents Gemini and the third house. Which can be summed up with the word communication. The 6 represents Virgo and the sixth house which can be summed up with the word service. The 9 is associated with Sagittarius and the ninth house which can be summed up with the two words higher knowledge. Communication, Service, and Higher Knowledge is what Nikola Tesla was referring to.