Astrology vs Astronomy
Science and divination are two completely different things when it comes to beliefs and studies. There was a time where all our ancestors based their studies on the stars and some people even made predictions based on the stars positions in the constellations. In the beginning, astrology and astronomy were regarded as the same science. The horoscope, being a branch of astrology, comes together with these two sciences. It is in the present times when the two branches of studies are reported as different from each other due to certain beliefs and procedures. In essence, what are the commonalities and differences that lie between these two is a question that can be answered by a thorough comparison.
Difference between Astronomy, Astrology and Horoscope
Definition
Astronomy is a scientific learning of celestial bodies like planets, comets, stars, galaxies and the like and other phenomena observed outside the atmosphere of mother Earth. It also tackles the study of celestial bodies’ evolutions, chemistry, physics, meteorology, origination and movement. Finally, it also scopes the development and the formation of various aspects of our universe.
Astrology is a collection of organizations, customs and principles which claims that a specific positions of stars and other celestial bodies plus all the details thereof can give information about human activities, inclinations, group consciousness, weaknesses and other matters concerning terrestrial bodies.
A horoscope on the other hand is an astrological diagram which represents the locations of each planet, the sun, the moon and some asteroids and their astrological aspects and responsive angles at the geographical location and instance of a happening like the time of a human being’s birth, wedding, stock purchase, new job, etc.
Practitioners
One who studies the celestial bodies is called an astronomer. He is responsible for studying the stars and other celestial bodies in a field of specialty. An astrologer is a professional which practices the science of astrology. In the modern times, these astrologers describe astrology as a form of divine intervention. Compared to astrology’s previous meaning, even if they are not the same, there is a common belief that the positions of the celestial bodies have an effect on the happening here on Earth. Finally, as a branch of astrology, the horoscope is studied and practiced by the astrologer as well and is communicated to the person procuring such information.
Practices
Astronomers use scientific methods to research whether or not the universe has a center, and that is constantly changing and growing bigger. Astronomers specialize in telling us what it is they are observing, if possible. They cannot tell us about God, much of the physics involved with the space or answer many of the more profound questions humanity has regarding life and existence outside our atmosphere.
Astrologers are generally the first to see trends in humanity in relation to effects of the heavens upon us. Astrologers are not psychics and have a tradition dating back to the beginning of human civilization for presenting their findings for auspicious dates and times as well as warning of possible difficult periods or tendencies. Those who seek horoscope information are looking for guidance and insight into trends and such. Many non-psychic people find a comfort or amusement in their daily or lifetime forecasts.
Summary
- Astrology and horoscope are of the same scientific study which states that the movements of the celestial bodies have effects on the possible future of an individual or of events on the Earth.
- Astronomy is the study of stars and other celestial bodies in its entirety. It includes the structure, chemistry and the life span of everything found in the galaxy. Astronomy is better at telling us the “what” not the “why”.
- Astrology answers questions humans often ask about the best way to proceed in life to achieve the best results without being completely blind to forecasted trends.
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Look to the Stars: Astrology vs. Astronomy
“We are born at a given moment, in a given place and, like vintage years of wine, we have the qualities of the year and of the season of which we are born. Astrology does not lay claim to anything more.”
—Carl Jung
Astronomy is the scientific study of the stars, celestial bodies and the universe. Astrology is considered a pseudo-science that is used to predict a person's destiny and personality traits based on celestial events and the alignment of the planets. Both are fun and interesting and will expand your horizons. In keeping with the St. Tammany Parish Library's Summer Reading Challenge, A Universe of Stories, we are focusing on space and the celestial events and bodies out there.
You can choose which path to the stars will take you on an adventure this summer or you can feel free to choose both. So, make a day of it and work out your sun, moon and rising sign with these astrology books and/or break out that telescope and look up at the planets and map the constellations in the summer night sky! All of these books are available at your local library, so "space out" and study up for fun this summer.
"So remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and hold on to that childlike wonder about what makes the universe exist."
---Stephen Hawking
Astronomy Vs Astrology: 7 Common Questions Answered
Ever read your horoscope? You might be someone who thinks astrology is true science, or perhaps you believe astronomy is the only thing that's real.
There are certainly some similarities between the two subjects, especially how similar the spellings are and the fact that the both have to do with what's going on in the sky. So it’s no wonder that some people get confused about the differences between astronomy vs. astronomy. But if you think the study of horoscopes, zodiac signs, and astrology are just another kind of science, I'm sorry to be the one to tell you, but you're wrong.
Definitions of Astronomy Vs. Astrology
The most basic difference between astronomy and astrology is that they mean two entirely different things.
Astronomy is a natural science involving the study of the sun, moon, stars, planets, and other celestial or extraterrestrial objects and phenomena. People who study astronomy (astronomers) study space with research and observation based on the scientific method.
Astrology is not a science, but rather a type of divination — the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means — that happens to involve the forecasting or prediction of events through the observation and interpretation of many of those celestial bodies.
Although it was considered part of mainstream science until the late 1600s, astrology is no longer considered scientifically reliable. Astrology is more akin to a system of beliefs rather than anything provable by the scientific method.
People who study astrology (astrologists) attempt to learn about how the way celestial bodies (namely the planets and the stars) moving affects people and events on earth. Some consider astrology to be a pseudoscience, while others claim that astrology is proven by evidence (even though the “evidence” is generally just based on subjective personal experience).
The Origins of Astrology
In ancient society, astrology was one of the original spiritual belief systems, as many people grew to believe that gods lived amongst the stars.
In ancient China and India, intricate systems were developed to explain the positioning of the stars. In the West, the practice originated in Mesopotamia around 1950 BC, and spread throughout ancient Greece following the conquest of Asia by Alexander the Great.
The Origins of Astronomy
Between 600 to 130 BC, the Greeks began transitioning away from religious astrology and towards more of a theoretical science that was primarily concerned with discovering the structure of the universe.
But astrology was still a common feature in the spiritual lives of people. It wasn’t until the 17th Century and the "Age of Reason" that astrology and astronomy became completely separate. As the intellectual elite became more and more concerned with evidence and scientific research, astrology was reduced to a mere superstition.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Astrology Vs. Astronomy
1. Why do people get astrology and astronomy confused with each other?
People most likely get astronomy and astrology confused because they both study the same things, i.e., the solar system, the planets, the stars, and the way they move. They also both use similar tools, namely, star charts or star maps. Below is a celestial map by the Dutch cartographer Frederik de Wit that dates back to 1670.
By Frederik de Wit - Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons. Scanned by Janke, Public Domain
Since an article published in 2017 reported that “58 percent of 18-to-24-year-old Americans believe astrology is scientific,” it seems like this is the time to set the record straight.
There are clear distinctions between the two and it’s important to know the difference. The easiest way is to remember that one is scientific and provable (astronomy), and the other is a belief (astrology).
2. What do astronomy and astrology have in common?
Apart from the fact that they both study the objects in the sky, astronomy and astrology do share a common history.
Since ancient times, societies have looked to the sky to determine time and seasons. Historically, this was used to plant and harvest crops. Thus, studies about celestial bodies became a means of predicting the recurrence of events.
Ancient astrologists and astronomists used tools like sundials, such as the Indian Nadivalaya Yantra, pictured above, to track solar movements. Below is a picture of the world oldest sundial (c. 1500 BC), found in Egypt's Valley of the Kings.
Though we now have more scientific evidence that separates astrology and astronomy, they serve a similar purpose in tracking events and changes within our solar system, and both seek to improve our understanding of the universe.
3. Why is astronomy considered a science while astrology is not?
As mentioned earlier, astronomy is the scientific study of astrological objects, while astrology is more of a theoretical study of how these objects relate to the human experience.
Astronomy relies on fact-based research, and any speculations must be confirmed with evidence and science in order to be validated. Astrology, on the other hand, doesn’t seek to confirm all of its theories; in fact, doing so would take the fun out of it.
While astrology does use many factual elements such as planetary movements and star positioning, the beliefs drawn from these elements remain unconfirmed. Instead, astrology is used to connect humans with a more spiritual, inquisitive, and introspective experience than astronomy.
4. What is cosmology, and why is it different from astrology and astronomy?
Just when you thought things were becoming clearer, here’s another planet-related-ology to throw into the mix.
Cosmology is the study of the origin and evolution of the universe. The most well-known and dominating aspect of this study is the Big Bang Theory (not the TV series), but cosmology also deals with the future of the universe, and how the planets may alter and evolve over time.
Cosmology bears vague similarities to astrology in that many of its predictions and theories remain unproven, but it is far more science-based and research-oriented than horoscopes and zodiac charts. Cosmology is technically a branch of astronomy, but it is so defined and large that it nearly exists in a scientific league of its own.
5. Do astronomers believe in astrology?
The short answer to this is probably not. Astronomers typically look down on astrology since their study is based on years of detailed scientific methods and not ruled by feelings and assumptions.
But, as with any spiritual movement, it is possible to follow and benefit from a belief system without wholeheartedly placing your faith in it. That is to say that there are certainly astronomers out there who enjoy reading their horoscope from time to time, and setting new moon intentions once a month.
Shown below is a star chart of the south polar projection used for Chinese astronomer Su Song's celestial globe circa 1020–1101.
By PericlesofAthens - Science and Civilization in China, Volume 3 by Joseph Needham, Public Domain
6. Do astrologers believe in astronomy?
Again, we can’t generalize. But astrologers do, to an extent, need astronomy in order to have the basis for their beliefs. It is thanks to astronomy that we can continue to track stars and planets.
Astrologers can learn a lot from astronomy, and used the facts gathered from this science to inform their understanding of the universe. Astrology is kind of like astronomy with some decorative sprinkles on top.
While astronomy stops at tangible evidence, astrology goes a little further and makes spiritual links between this evidence and human experience.
7. Why are people so obsessed with astrology?
Why astrology is so popular has always baffled me. To me, the positioning of the planets and stars doesn’t seem to have much of an effect on me or the people around me, but that doesn’t stop it from being increasingly popular.
According to an article from 2018, astrology is making a comeback with the millennial generation. The article speculates that this is due to the fact that “people tend to turn to astrology in times of stress,” and millennials are known for being the most stressed-out generation.
Maybe the popularity of astrology stems from the mere human need to turn to your horoscope for comfort, or an excuse for your poor behavior. Maybe astrology is just a great source of entertainment for this generation.
Or, maybe more people really are just starting to believe in astrology and use it to make decisions.
The popularity of astrology is explained by the popularity of things like religion and faith, in general. In both cases, people need something to believe in.
We all want to feel like there is a purpose to this life and that everything happens for a reason. That everything in the universe is destined to be a certain way (so we can justify that things will “work out eventually”).
Astrology seems to fill that void in a world with so many problems.
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