Astrology, Medicine, Astronomy

There was a time when astrology was an accepted science and was a a part of medical diagnoses, as much as had been a patient’s physical signs and symptoms. It is difficult to say whether or not we’ve e-volved or de-volved, as we no lengthier think about residing in harmony with cosmos. We consider ourselves too advanced scientifically to believe that movements within the stars and planets may have a severe impact on our every day lives and our health.

But are we correct. Who is anyone to say that man, with his limited brain, can really comprehend the workings of the universe, or how he fits inside it. Western civilization is predicated on conquering, not understanding. However it wasn’t usually so.

Astrology is among the most important historical contexts in which astronomy created. The Babylonians carefully assembled tablets from the position of Venus, as it was believed to denote omens for weather, war, famine, illnesses, rulers and kingdoms. Claudius Ptolemy composed the Tetrabiblos, believing that astrology could be placed on a rational footing, despite being a conjectural art like medicine. In practice, belief in astrology meant that horoscopes were cast for new-born kids, prospective spouses and political enemies, public buildings were opened and marriage along with other ceremonies carried out on auspicious days. Many records of astrological practice may be found in the Roman occasions and physicians routinely consulted astrological charts as part of the diagnostic process.

For instance, each and every sign of the zodiac was considered to rule a a part of the human physique: the Sagittarius ruled the thighs, Pisces the feet, and so forth. Once the moon was in the zodiac ruling a specific a part of the physique, bloodletting from that part was to become avoided, since the attraction from the moon may cause extreme bleeding. Numerous medical manuscripts and almanacs consist of the figure of the 'zodiac man' as a reminder of the specific influence from the moon. In addition, the power from the moon's pulling power varied by its phases, and thus almanacs usually showed the phases of the moon.