History of Astrology

The history of Astrology begins with creation itself. Sage Garga says that the science was propounded by the creator Himself and the Brahma handed it down to him at the time of creation. From Garga, other sages learnt it and it was spread over.

In western countries there is a certain belief that Seth (3,769 B.C.) was the world's first astrologer. This can be inferred from three astrological books written later by Arabic, Egyptian, Jewish and Persian writers.

Westerners believe Seth was the first person to study the planets, their motions and their pathway. It is he who divided the zodiac into twelve equal parts, as he found that the Sun ever follows a particular path in the Heavens, year after year; and, he also noticed that the circular route of the Sun was spaced out by twelve full moons. Full Moon occurs once a month. Therefore the Sun's path is divided into equal parts called "Mazzaroth' which term we designate to "Signs" as Rasis or solar mansions.

Around 2,600 years ago, the priests and the shepherds of Chaldea took this science for serious study and developed it. Their period was called the `Golden Ages' of Astrology, because they connected the movements of the planets with all kinds of events in human life.

Dr. Thompson says that the Akkadina and Sumerians observed the heavens and heavenly bodies and tried to note their courses. The Babylonians and the Egyptians attribute some influence over animate and the inanimate objects on the earth. Astrology was popular and it wielded great influence over the rich, the priests, the princes and the kings. Maspero said that, in his time, the Mistress of the world was Astrology.

Some are of the opinion that Astrology had its origin in CHALDEA from immemorial. They suggest that the very name Chaldean means `Astrologer". The Pythogoreans further advanced the concepts of the Chaldeans. They applied higher mathematics. Later, Astrology came into the hands of the Greeks. They concentrated more on Natal Astrology (life of humans), as they had deep rooted religion nature and an enquiring mind. They always posed the questions: "Who am I? Why am I born? What for do I live? Why are there so much of inequalities in life?" They had the answers only through Astrology.

Many of the records of the early astrologers of Nineveh, and Babylon are found among the early tablets in the British Museum, some of their findings are dated early 5,000 years ago.

The Greeks were also enthusiastic in following astrology. They erected the horoscope for the time of birth and presaged the finance, family, fate, fortune and future (the famous five `f's) of the individuals. One of the Greek horoscopes written in Papyrus about 2,000 years ago is kept in the British Museum. The Chaldeans who practiced this art of Astrology were held in high esteem even at time of Alexander the Great.

The Egyptians were equally interested in Astrology which played an important role. They were also responsible for shaping the future of the nation. As can be seen from the monuments, the inscriptions and modern investigations, this science dates back to 5,000 B.C.

Pharaohs gave much respect to the astrologers of whom Babilus was the leader. He was always consulted and the duty of Babilus was to find out the charts of those who might per chance gain power, become a rival and create trouble to the emperor. Whenever Babilus foresaw any such native, he informed the king, who put such people to death. Pharaos had faith in their astrologers. Often they were consulted to interpret the dreams also, of the king.

In Persia the kings honored the astrologers for their sound knowledge of this science. It is only Gjamasp, otherwise known as `Al Hakim" (meaning Learned), an astrologer in Persian court who precisely predicted the time of birth of the Prophets.
The Saracans spread the Science in Spain in 711 AD. And the North Africans, the Moors, in 1,237 AD carried the science to Europe.

Dr. Browster admits that in China about 2,752 BC from the days of King Fohi, they developed astronomy nobly for studying Astrology and emperors were chosen according to the profound knowledge possessed by them in Astrology. In 2,513 BC Cheuni was elected as the King in that manner.

Henry Cornelius Agrippa, born in 1486, was the astrologer to Francis I of France when he was 38 years old. John Dee was the favorite astrologer of Queen Elizabath of England. Albu Mezar of Bulah was the professor of Mundane Astrology at Baghdad. The Caliph Mammonarrasheed translated many ancient astrological works into Arabic.

Therefore, like as above, every nation is to be credited with the knowledge of this science. In India, it is said that it was the sage Garga, who handed down science to his disciples. Further there are recorded evidences that Yavanas were very learned astrologers and that they lived many centuries before Varahamihra, who admired, in the text-books, the progress made by Yavanas in this subject. There are records to show that around 3,102 BC the Trivalore Tables were used solely for astrological purposes.

.The following list furnishes the names of a few renowned Indian Scholars who expounded, explained and interpreted the Science: Garga, Viddha Garga; Asita; Aryabatta; Bhrigu; Brihaspathi; Badarayana; Baradwaja; Bhadalla; Devaswami; Devala; Dravyavardhana; Garutman Jeevasamon; Kapila; Kanabuk; Kashyapa; Latacharya; Manu; Manitha; Maya; Parasara; Panlisa Pithamaha-Romaka;Rishiputa; Sidasena; Simhacharya; Saka; Sapatharishi, Saraswatha; Savitha; Sathyacharya; Sidhasena; Yavanachara; Varahamihra; Bathothpala; Prithyuyasas; Vaidhyanatha Dikshithar;and many others.

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