.................................................................................................................................................
Astrology and Astronomy
Darlene Zagata
What is Astrology?
Astrology and astronomy are similar in their
observation of celestial bodies but they are two distinct subjects.
There is much more to astrology than the daily
horoscope you read in the morning newspaper.
Astrology is an ancient art that seeks meaning
in the movements and aspects of heavenly objects in relation to earthly events.
Astrology uses cosmic phenomena to predict
events in human life.
Astrologers believe that celestial objects
influence human affairs and earthly events.
They study the positions and aspects of these
objects to determine and predict their influence on individuals as well as
countries and even the entire planet.
What is Astronomy?
Astronomy is the scientific study of the origin
and evolution of the universe.
Astronomy studies space beyond earth. It is the
study of the physics and chemistry of cosmic bodies as well as the calculation
of their movements and positions.
Astronomy focuses on understanding the formation
and development of the universe and its myriad celestial objects rather than
studying the influence of those bodies on human life as astrology does.
The History of Astrology
Astrology is an ancient art practiced by
cultures such as varied as the Mayans, Aztecs, Babylonians and Assyrians.
Astrology is believed to have originated with
the Chaldeans in Babylon and the Mesopotamian region in the 4th millennium BC.
Astrology was practiced in the religious
temples.
The Babylonians were the first to introduce the
zodiac.
The Greeks called it “animal circle” and
provided its name.
India had a system of astrology that dates back
to perhaps 1000 BC.
China had its own system of astrology and some
believe the practice originated there as early as the 3rd millennium BC.
The Chinese were very skilled astrologers.
Throughout history, astrology has gained and
lost its appeal and then experienced resurgence.
Astrology again gained popularity in the United
States in the early 1900s.
Although in modern times, astrology is viewed as
more of an artful indulgence than a science, there are still many astrologers
that work judiciously at their craft and many believers who look to the zodiac
for insight.
The History of Astronomy
Astronomy is the oldest of the natural science
with origins found in religious and astrological practices.
The ancient Chinese placed a great importance on
tracking the movements of fixed stars. They catalogued observable stars.
Throughout the centuries Chinese astrology made
great progress.
Advances in mathematics during the Renaissance
gave rise to modern astronomy.
As astrology was relegated to the realm of
pseudo-science, astronomy branched out into new fields.
Astronomy now covers several branches, such as
astrophysics; the study of the universe and its physical properties of
temperature and chemical composition.
Cosmology studies the origin and evolution of
the universe as a whole, and stellar astronomy studies the origins and
evolution of stars.
What is the Difference Between Astrology and
Astronomy?
New discoveries and technological advancements
may have changed the way we look at the heavens but the fact remains that we
still look upward and outward for insight into our own lives as well as that
which lies beyond the scope of earth.
Amateur astronomers and astrologers both search
the vast repository of knowledge as ancient cultures did so long ago,
continuing to learn and discover.
Darlene
Zagata is a freelance writer
specializing in health and pet care topics. She is the author of two books and
a contributing author to several anthologies.
Bright
Hub is an online community of experts
and life-long enthusiasts who help brighthub.com visitors make better
decisions, easily solve problems, and learn more about their interests with
wide-ranging and highly informative articles.
Our
success is defined simply: we want to equip you with the knowledge to improve
the way you interact with the world. We’re enabling a community where ideals
are discussed and where you can read unbiased reviews and technology tips;
where you can find buyer’s guides that exist to equip you with knowledge; where
you can tap the minds of business, educational, and computing professionals to
learn the must-do’s and the don’ts for your home, family or business.
No comments:
Post a Comment