Astrology

Astrology (from Greek: αστήρ, αστρός (astér, astrós), "star", and λόγος, λόγου (lógos, lógou), "treatment", "theory", "study": lit. study on the stars) is a group of systems, traditions, and beliefs in which knowledge of the relative positions of celestial bodies and related details is held to be useful in understanding, interpreting, and organizing information about personality, human affairs, and other terrestrial matters. A practitioner of astrology is called an astrologer, or an astrologist. Numerous traditions and applications employing astrological concepts have arisen since its earliest recorded beginnings in the 2nd millennium BCE.[1] It has played a role in the shaping of culture, early astronomy, and other disciplines throughout history.

Historically, astrology and astronomy were often indistinguishable, with the desire for predictive and divinatory knowledge one of the primary motivating factors for astronomical observation. Astronomy began to diverge from astrology after a long period of gradual separation from the Middle Ages up until the 18th century, and has since distinguished itself as the scientific study of astronomical objects and phenomena, placing no significance on these phenomena's supposed astrological correlation.

Proponents have defined astrology variously, as a symbolic language,[2][3] an art form,[4] a science,[4] and a method of divination.[5][6] The scientific community generally considers astrology as a pseudoscience or superstition.[7][8] While there is no scientific evidence behind the principles of astrology, belief in astrology is widespread.