Western astrology began in ancient Mesopotamia over 5000 years ago. This is when the ancient people, particularly the Babylonians, began observing the stars and identifying the constellations. In the beginning, astronomy and astrology were considered one discipline.
The Babylonians were the first to divide the sky into 12 regions, now referred to as the zodiacal houses. They watched the movement of the night sky and tracked the corresponding planting seasons and weather patterns, as well as human events. They collected centuries of empirical data that still informs astrology today.
Many people think that astrology is just a form of fortune telling. That is a very simplistic and inaccurate point of view. The creation of an astrology chart requires the use of extensive mathematical calculations to construct a precise two-dimensional star map from three-dimensional data. Back when I was first learning astrology, I learned to do this by hand and the process took a couple of hours. Now computer programs construct the charts in seconds.
Astrology is the thoughtful reading of planetary energy and examining how those patterns play out in an individual’s personal experience. I firmly believe that the stars merely inform the nature of our experience, rather than determining outcomes. We still retain the ability to adjust our perspective, exercise our free will, and shape our own destiny. In other words, I do not see astrology as a fortune telling tool. I see it as a map for personal growth, self-actualization, and success.