Horoscopic astrology
Encyclopedia
Horoscopic astrology is a form of astrology
that uses a horoscope
, a visual representation of the heavens, for a specific moment in time in order to interpret the inherent meaning underlying the alignment of the planets
at that moment. The idea is that the placement of the planets at any given moment in time reflects the nature of that moment and especially anything that is born then, and this can be analyzed using the chart and a variety of rules for interpreting the 'language' or symbols therein.
One of the defining characteristics of this form of astrology that makes it distinct from other traditions is the computation of the degree of the Eastern horizon rising against the backdrop of the ecliptic
at the specific moment under examination, known as the ascendant
. As a general rule, any system of astrology that does not utilize the ascendant does not fall under the category of horoscopic astrology, although there are some exceptions.
, sometime around the late 2nd or early 1st century BCE. In ancient Hellenistic astrology
the ascendant demarcated the first celestial house
of a chart, and the word for the ascendant in Greek was horoskopos. This is the word that the English term "horoscope" derives from, which in modern times has come to denote the diagram of the heavens as a whole. It is also a fact that horoscopic astrology was practiced in ancient India and modern Vedic astrology is its surviving form.
Horoscopic astrology can, in essence, be summed up as the practice of casting astrological charts that reflect the apparent positions of a variety of celestial bodies and points from the perspective of the subject at any given moment in time. The most prevalent application of horoscopic astrology is to use it to analyze the birth charts of individuals in order to read character, psychological traits, and, to some extent, destiny. In theory, however, a horoscope can be cast for the beginning of any entity, including organisations, nations, animals, and even objects (for example ships, cars and aeroplanes).
based upon the concept that each individual's personality or path in life can be determined by constructing a natal chart
for the exact date, time, and location of a person's birth
. Natal astrology can be found both in Eastern and Western traditions.
to world affairs and world events, taking its name from the Roman
word Mundus, meaning "the World
". Mundane astrology is a branch of Judicial astrology
and is widely believed by astrological historians
to be the most ancient branch of astrology. Many modern and ancient mundane astrologer
s also believe correlations exist between geological phenomena
(such as earthquake
s, volcanic eruptions
, etc.) and astronomical phenomena (the movement of celestial bodies in relation to the Earth
).
for the exact time and place at which the question was asked. The answer might be a simple yes or no, but is, in general, more complex with insights into, for example, the motives of the questioner, the motives of others involved in the matter, and the options available to him.
Astrology
Astrology consists of a number of belief systems which hold that there is a relationship between astronomical phenomena and events in the human world...
that uses a horoscope
Horoscope
In astrology, a horoscope is a chart or diagram representing the positions of the Sun, Moon, planets, the astrological aspects, and sensitive angles at the time of an event, such as the moment of a person's birth. The word horoscope is derived from Greek words meaning "a look at the hours" In...
, a visual representation of the heavens, for a specific moment in time in order to interpret the inherent meaning underlying the alignment of the planets
Planets in astrology
Planets in astrology have a meaning different from the modern astronomical understanding of what a planet is. Before the age of telescopes, the night sky was thought to consist of two very similar components: fixed stars, which remained motionless in relation to each other, and wandering stars, ,...
at that moment. The idea is that the placement of the planets at any given moment in time reflects the nature of that moment and especially anything that is born then, and this can be analyzed using the chart and a variety of rules for interpreting the 'language' or symbols therein.
One of the defining characteristics of this form of astrology that makes it distinct from other traditions is the computation of the degree of the Eastern horizon rising against the backdrop of the ecliptic
Ecliptic
The ecliptic is the plane of the earth's orbit around the sun. In more accurate terms, it is the intersection of the celestial sphere with the ecliptic plane, which is the geometric plane containing the mean orbit of the Earth around the Sun...
at the specific moment under examination, known as the ascendant
Ascendant
The ascendant , or rising sign, is the zodiacal sign and degree that was ascending on the eastern horizon at the specific time and location of an event. According to astrological theory, celestial phenomena reflect or determine human activity on the principle of 'as above so below'...
. As a general rule, any system of astrology that does not utilize the ascendant does not fall under the category of horoscopic astrology, although there are some exceptions.
Overview
Based on literal sources, it is held that Horoscopic astrology first appeared in the Mediterranean region, likely Hellenistic EgyptEgypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, sometime around the late 2nd or early 1st century BCE. In ancient Hellenistic astrology
Hellenistic astrology
Hellenistic astrology is a tradition of horoscopic astrology that was developed and practiced in Hellenistic Egypt and the Mediterranean, whose texts were written in Greek , mainly around the late 2nd or early 1st century B.C.E...
the ascendant demarcated the first celestial house
House (astrology)
Most horoscopic traditions of astrology systems divide the horoscope into a number of houses whose positions depend on time and location rather than on date. In Hindu astrological tradition these are known as Bhāvas. The houses of the horoscope represent different spheres of life, described in...
of a chart, and the word for the ascendant in Greek was horoskopos. This is the word that the English term "horoscope" derives from, which in modern times has come to denote the diagram of the heavens as a whole. It is also a fact that horoscopic astrology was practiced in ancient India and modern Vedic astrology is its surviving form.
Horoscopic astrology can, in essence, be summed up as the practice of casting astrological charts that reflect the apparent positions of a variety of celestial bodies and points from the perspective of the subject at any given moment in time. The most prevalent application of horoscopic astrology is to use it to analyze the birth charts of individuals in order to read character, psychological traits, and, to some extent, destiny. In theory, however, a horoscope can be cast for the beginning of any entity, including organisations, nations, animals, and even objects (for example ships, cars and aeroplanes).
Natal astrology
Natal astrology, also known as Genethliacal astrology, is the system of astrologyAstrology
Astrology consists of a number of belief systems which hold that there is a relationship between astronomical phenomena and events in the human world...
based upon the concept that each individual's personality or path in life can be determined by constructing a natal chart
Natal chart
In astrology, a natal chart is a stylized map of the universe with the "native" at the center. It is calculated for the exact time and location of the native's birth for the purposes of gaining insight into the native's personality and potential...
for the exact date, time, and location of a person's birth
Childbirth
Childbirth is the culmination of a human pregnancy or gestation period with the birth of one or more newborn infants from a woman's uterus...
. Natal astrology can be found both in Eastern and Western traditions.
Mundane astrology
Mundane Astrology (also known as political astrology) is the application of astrologyAstrology
Astrology consists of a number of belief systems which hold that there is a relationship between astronomical phenomena and events in the human world...
to world affairs and world events, taking its name from the Roman
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
word Mundus, meaning "the World
World
World is a common name for the whole of human civilization, specifically human experience, history, or the human condition in general, worldwide, i.e. anywhere on Earth....
". Mundane astrology is a branch of Judicial astrology
Judicial astrology
Judicial astrology is the art of forecasting future events by calculation of the planetary and stellar bodies and their relationship to the Earth...
and is widely believed by astrological historians
History of astrology
Astrology, the belief in a connection between the cosmos and terrestrial matters has played an important part in human history.Regional branches of astrology include Western astrology, Indian astrology, and Chinese or East Asian astrology.-Early origins:...
to be the most ancient branch of astrology. Many modern and ancient mundane astrologer
Astrologer
An astrologer practices one or more forms of astrology. Typically an astrologer draws a horoscope for the time of an event, such as a person's birth, and interprets celestial points and their placements at the time of the event to better understand someone, determine the auspiciousness of an...
s also believe correlations exist between geological phenomena
Geology
Geology is the science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates...
(such as earthquake
Earthquake
An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. The seismicity, seismism or seismic activity of an area refers to the frequency, type and size of earthquakes experienced over a period of time...
s, volcanic eruptions
Volcano
2. Bedrock3. Conduit 4. Base5. Sill6. Dike7. Layers of ash emitted by the volcano8. Flank| 9. Layers of lava emitted by the volcano10. Throat11. Parasitic cone12. Lava flow13. Vent14. Crater15...
, etc.) and astronomical phenomena (the movement of celestial bodies in relation to the Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
).
Electional astrology
Electional Astrology concerns itself with determining the most auspicious moment to begin an enterprise or undertaking, such as starting a business or founding an organization. It takes into account the individual person or persons involved, and the place where the action is to be performed, to suggest the best time to perform the activity.Horary astrology
Horary astrology is a method by which an astrologer attempts to answer a specific question by constructing a horoscopeHoroscope
In astrology, a horoscope is a chart or diagram representing the positions of the Sun, Moon, planets, the astrological aspects, and sensitive angles at the time of an event, such as the moment of a person's birth. The word horoscope is derived from Greek words meaning "a look at the hours" In...
for the exact time and place at which the question was asked. The answer might be a simple yes or no, but is, in general, more complex with insights into, for example, the motives of the questioner, the motives of others involved in the matter, and the options available to him.
Sources
- AstrologyNotes' article on Horoscopic astrology - retrieved 1/16/2006 under the GNU Free Documentation License