Astrological Systems Across Civilisations
The development of astrological systems across civilisations provides a fascinating glimpse into how different cultures understood the cosmos and its relation to human life. Astrology, with its roots in ancient times, evolved independently in various parts of the world, leading to distinct astrological systems such as those of the Mesopotamians, Chinese, Mayans, and Indians.
The cradle of Western astrology was Mesopotamia, where the Babylonians developed an intricate system based on celestial movements. They observed the sky, correlating the positions of celestial bodies with earthly events. This system, later inherited and refined by the Greeks and Romans, laid the foundation for Western astrology and horoscopes.
Chinese astrology, on the other hand, is intertwined with Chinese philosophy and includes concepts from Confucianism and Taoism. The Chinese Zodiac, comprising twelve animal signs that run in a twelve-year cycle, is a well-known aspect of this system. Unlike Western astrology, which focuses on the position of the sun at birth, Chinese astrology emphasizes the lunar year of birth.
The Mayan astrology is another unique system that stems from the advanced astronomical knowledge of the Mayan civilisation. The Mayans used several calendars to track time, the most famous being the Tzolk'in, a 260-day sacred calendar. Each day in the Tzolk'in has a specific astrological significance, giving it a unique energy or influence.
The Vedic astrology, or Jyotish, from the Indian subcontinent, is a lunar-based system with a 27-fold division of the zodiac into lunar mansions or "nakshatras". Vedic astrology places a lot of emphasis on the karmic tendencies that are revealed in a person's birth chart.
These astrological systems, developed across different civilisations, underscore the universal human desire to understand our connection with the cosmos. Despite their distinct methodologies and philosophies, they all seek to interpret the celestial patterns to provide insight into human life, character, and destiny. This shared purpose underscores the significant role astrology has played in shaping human culture and thought across the globe.
- Mesopotamian Astrology: Origin of Western astrology, with a focus on the movements of celestial bodies.
- Chinese Astrology: Rooted in Chinese philosophy, it emphasizes lunar cycles and includes the twelve-year cycle of the Chinese Zodiac.
- Mayan Astrology: A unique system based on multiple calendars, the most famous being the 260-day sacred Tzolk'in calendar.
- Vedic Astrology: A lunar-based system from India that emphasizes karmic tendencies and features a 27-fold division of the zodiac into "nakshatras".
Further Reading