List of astrological traditions, types, and systems
Most human civilizations – India, Greece, Egypt, Mesopotamia, Rome, and Persia, among others – based their culture[1] on complex systems of astrology, which provided a link between the cosmos with the conditions and events on earth.[2] For these, the astrological practice was not mere divination because it also served as the foundation for their spiritual culture and knowledge-systems used for practical purposes such as the calendar (see Mesoamerican calendrical shamans[3]) and medicine (e.g. I Ching).
Astrology |
---|
![]() |
Background |
Traditions |
Branches |
Astrological signs |
Symbols |
Astrological tradition even contributed to the development of astronomy as the study of the skies provided invaluable insights about celestial bodies. For instance, the Ptolemaic astrological tradition has already listed some of the planets in the Solar System and their movements.[4]
The following is an incomplete list of the different traditions, types, systems, methods, applications, and branches of astrology.
By theoretical framework
By culture (contemporary forms)
By time (historical development)
- Babylonian astrology (c. 1800 – c. 1200 BCE)
- Chinese astrology (c. 1050 BCE – present)
- Hellenistic astrology (2nd century BCE – 7th century CE)
- Hindu astrology (2nd century CE – present)
- Western astrology (2nd century CE – present)
- Jewish astrology (c. 350 CE – present)
- Early Irish astrology (7th – 11th centuries CE)
- Islamic astrology (7th century CE – ?)
- Heliocentric astrology (c.1640 - present)
- Christian Astrology — a book written in 1647 by the English astrologer William Lilly
- Psychological astrology — rooted in the work of psychologist-astrologer Carl Jung, beginning c. 1920
By type or function
- Electional astrology – Form of astrology used for planning events
- Agricultural astrology – Electional astrology for horticulture
- Katarchic astrology – Historical form of electional astrology
- Heliocentric astrology – Form of astrology based on the heliocentric model
- Horary astrology – Form of astrology for answering questions posed
- Horoscopic astrology – Astrology defined by the ascendant
- Judicial astrology – Form of astrology for forecasting events
- Locational astrology – Astrology that factors in locations on Earth
- Medical astrology – Astrology of the human physiology
- Meteorological astrology – Using astrology for weather forecasting
- Mundane astrology – Branch of astrology dealing with politics, government, and law
- Natal astrology – Form of astrology based on time of birth
- Psychological astrology – Astrology based on psychology
Recent Western developments
Traditions which have arisen relatively recently in the West:
Relationships with other disciplines and systems of belief
References
- Campion, Nicholas (2019-05-23). "Astrology in Ancient Greek and Roman Culture". Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Planetary Science. doi:10.1093/acrefore/9780190647926.013.46. ISBN 978-0-19-064792-6. Retrieved 2023-01-21.
- Frawley, David (2005). Ayurvedic Astrology: Self-healing Through the Stars. Twin Lakes, Wisconsin: Lotus Press. p. 3. ISBN 8120831349.
- Burns, William (2018). Astrology through History: Interpreting the Stars from Ancient Mesopotamia to the Present. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO. p. 225. ISBN 9781440851421.
- Mancuso, Piergabriele (2010). Sefer Ḥakhmoni. Leiden: BRILL. pp. 321. ISBN 9789004167629.