Astrologer

Not to be confused with Astronomer.
An 1863 broadside advertisement for an astrologer's services in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

An astrologer practices one or more forms of astrology. Typically an astrologer draws a horoscope for the time of an event, such as a person's birth, and interprets celestial points and their placements to better understand someone or determine the auspiciousness of an undertaking. However, the methods employed by astrologers are variable and depend on the particular astrological tradition they employ and the information desired. Today, astrology is largely considered a pseudoscience.

In the far past, the role often entailed astronomical observation or manual calculation of celestial phenomena. In more modern times, however, these methods have largely been replaced by pre-calculated ephemerides and astrological software.

Historically the term mathematicus was used to denote a person proficient in astrology, astronomy, and mathematics.[1][2]

No accredited universities in the United States or the United Kingdom offer degrees in astrology though a number of Indian schools do. While there are a number of astrological associations throughout the world, there is no central governing body that has special license to certify astrologers.

Practice

In the United States, the practice of astrology is unregulated. Certification is not required by legislation for an astrologer to offer his or her services. There are various examinations offered by private organizations such as the American Federation of Astrologers[3] and the National Council for Geocosmic Research[4] that allow astrologers to demonstrate their proficiency.

Early astrologers

The first organized system of astrology was developed in Mesopotamia in the second millennium BCE.[5] The Babylonians' system of omen astrology was relatively simple and direct compared to later developments, foretelling occurrences such as famine, war, peace, and so on based on predefined celestial indicators. Babylonian astrologers provided a service for those in power, advising them in their decision-making.

At this time astrology and astronomy were not distinguished as separate disciplines; the act of astronomical observation was often done by someone who had astrological motives for doing so. Indeed, astrologers' professional responsibility and desire for predictive knowledge for a large part spurred the advancement of astronomy, and the Babylonians developed the ability to mathematically predict the location of celestial points and phenomena based upon their observable cycles.[6]

Modern astrologers

In modern times astrologers provide services, or advice to the general public, and about 90 percent of American newspapers carry horoscopes.[7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Ultralingua Latin-English Dictionary". Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-23.
  2. ↑ Miller, Jeff. "Earliest Known Uses of Some of the Words of Mathematics". Archived from the original on 15 July 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-23.
  3. ↑ "AFA Exams". Archived from the original on 2007-08-27. Retrieved 2007-09-12.
  4. ↑ "NCGR Education for Certification". Archived from the original on 13 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-12.
  5. ↑ Hand, Robert. "The History of Astrology — Another View". Archived from the original on 19 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-23.
  6. ↑ Roger, Beck. A Brief History of Ancient Astrology. Blackwell Publishing. p. 12. ISBN 978-1-4051-1074-7.
  7. ↑ Martin, Douglas (2003-01-04). "Sydney Omarr Dies at 76; Popular Astrologer and Leo". The New York Times.