 |
| Signs of the zodiac |
It all started back in ancient times when people would study the appearance of the sun, moon, and a variety of constellations in order to determine the best time for planting their crops. The Ancient Greeks believed that every person's life was predetermined based on the constellations in the sky during that person's birth. The ancient Maya had astrologer-priests that would use horoscopes in order to determine whether a new born baby would be a warrior, priest, public servant or human sacrifice.
During the Middle Ages, horoscopes were seen as taboo, while Christianity became the dominant belief system. It wasn't until the 17th century when William Lily, a British astronomer, deemed horoscopes "Christian astrology." This statement eventually led to the popularity of horoscopes in modern day.
Perhaps horoscopes have become so popular today because of their incredible significance in the past. In ancient times, horoscopes didn't just determine little insignificant parts of your life, but rather, whether you would be a warrior or a human sacrifice. The random organization of stars at certain times of the year meant the difference between life and death for an innocent little baby.
Horoscopes seem to have quite a tragic history. If they caused people to die in the past, it frightens me to think how seriously avid believers could take them even today. Perhaps if one's horoscope reads that a Virgo friend will get into an argument with you, and the person takes this too seriously, they could sever the friendship, all on the probably unrealistic tale of someone's imagination. I know that today most horoscope writers simply make up everything, not bothering to study astrology or the elements that have made the horoscope powerful.
ReplyDeleteI've always been kind of confused as to why people pay so much attention to horoscopes. It definitely disturbs me that they used to have so much more affect on one's life.
ReplyDeleteI loved the article, but I do have one question. Did you do any research on the Chinese zodiac? There's is very different but can also be very much the same (some Zodiacs are strikingly similar to some Western horoscopes). Not to mention that the Chinese took (and some still take) them very seriously, for example when parents urge their children to marry or have children in a certain year.
ReplyDelete