Astrology: Is it Fact or Fiction?

“The truth is out there.” That is the adage made popular by the sci-fi series “The X-Files” starring David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson. Though debunked, the interest for what is out there is still rooted in such arts and crafts – one of which is astrology.

They say that the future is written in the stars. The positioning of the stars (dependent on your time, date and place) pretty much serve as factors on what you are like as a person. Some soothsayers even claim that your destiny is already written for you.

So here is a good question – is astrology fact or fiction? Sure, it’s up to the person. Some believe that the stars are somehow responsible. Others know that they make their own destinies.

But here is one thing this article will clarify. The word ‘astronomy’ we’re pertaining here is the belief that the cosmic objects influence the lives of people living on Earth. This isn't the science that deals with celestial objects.

First and foremost, let’s discuss the history. Ancient people tried to come up with the answer to this question 6000 years ago. In Mesopotamia during the period of the “Cradle of Civilization,” there was a tribe called the Chaldeans who turned to the stars when they were in need of guidance.

While they were staring up in the sky during the evening, the Chaldeans made an important discovery. They noted that the zodiacal constellation most visible from dusk up to dawn was located in the East. Therefore, their belief on astrology was connected to the study of the celestial objects, as presented by Copernicus.

It was also the Chaldeans who selected the twelve constellations which represent the night sky and also each month of the year. They came up with the zodiacal path where the Sun, the Moon and the planets orbit around. The Chaldeans actually made the foundation for the study that is now known as astrology.

In Astrology, the primary question is, “What’s your sign?” Now, by logic, everyone would say their zodiac (Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces).

For astrologers, the Sun is located in each sign for 30 days. This is popularly known as “horoscope” which you find in magazines or newspapers. For example, a person who was born on September 20 is born under the sign of Virgo the Virgin. Oddly enough, when we look up in the sky on September 20, the sun isn't located in Virgo but in Libra the Scales.

This is where ‘the load of bunkum’ begins for some people. According to non-believers, how would everyone born under a particular sign have the same luck or misfortune on the very same day?

Regardless of this disbelief, avid astrologers continue to prepare the horoscopes by relying on their astronomical researches and theories tested by science in order to calculate which positions the various planets will be in on a given day. Science is the first step in this method, therefore ‘astrology’ pertains to both the study of the stars influencing the lives of individuals as well as the study of the cosmic beings.
Yet at the moment, even if we are connecting the influences of the stars and the planets in our lives, as how the Chaldeans, Babylonians, Egyptians and Greeks did 22 centuries ago, astrology is the calculated system that ahs been developed, thanks to scientific principles.

Therefore, it isn't just a mixture of myth and magic. There is something cosmic and celestial with the whole creation of astrology. It really depends on which ‘astrology’ we really are talking about.

Astrology has become popular throughout the years – that is ‘astrology’ as the influence it has on the lives of people. In fact, a total of 84 millions American are into Astrology all because of the following reasons.

1. It has a universal and strong appeal. It tackles the self amidst its surrounding and the roots or personal nature. Therefore, it has become a pastime for most.

2. Astrology offers decision making for those who don't want to do it themselves. This applies to those who believe in ‘astrology’ – the one connected to fate and horoscope.

3. Those who are avid astrologers are more confident because they feel that they have uncovered secrets and knowledge most people don't have an inkling of.

Yet, despite the hype, a poll recently revealed that seven out of ten Americans don't believe in the craft. Simply because it doesn't completely answer the question “how exactly does it work?”

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