Astrology and astronomy are the concepts related to the universe. Although the practices of astrology and astronomy have common roots, there are certain differences in the concept
Astronomy is a science that studies everything outside of the earth's atmosphere, such as planets, stars, asteroids, galaxies and the properties and relationships of those celestial bodies. Astrology is the belief that the positioning of the stars and planets affect the way events occur on earth.
Until the late 1600s, Astrology continued to be part of mainstream science. It is said that people studied the motions of the planets and hoped to used them to predict not only the behavior of the heavens, but also wars, natural disasters, the rise and fall of kings, and other earthly matters. However, around the time of Johannes Kepler, Galileo Galilei and Isaac Newton, astronomers came to realize that astrology was different from astronomy. The two concepts were separated gradually from the 17th century onwards until they were declared to be entirely independent of each other.
From that time on, the primary job of an astronomer was to use physics to understand what was going on in the sky. Prior to this, especially during the late medieval period, astronomy was treated as the foundation upon which astrology operated.
According to Curious Astro, Astrologers use computer programs that tell them the positions of the planets and they do not look through telescopes or learn about stars and planets and galaxies and so forth like astronomers do
The report further states that Astrology has some of the trappings of genuine science, such as the use of certain mathematics and complex charts and a specific terminology, however astrologers don't pursue the logical strategy. Scientists make cautious estimations in well-controlled investigations. Astrologers don't do trials to demonstrate their speculations.
Astronomy
According to Star registration, Astronomy advanced with the progress of science encompassing many fields. It is subdivided into different subject areas depending on the objects to be examined:
- Observing Astronomy examines the celestial bodies based on the radiations and particles that reach the earth
- Astrophysics deals with the physical basis of celestial bodies
- Astrometry measures and calculates the positions and movements of the stars in detailed reference systems
- Celestial Mechanics relates the movement of celestial bodies to physical theories and mathematical modeling
Astrology
Although, there are many types of astrology, we usually know about two kinds, i.e Western astrology and Vedic astrology.
Western Astrology is relatively new as compared to Vedic Astrology, as the latter has been practiced since thousands of years, having written documents in the Vedas as well
The major difference between Vedic and Western astrology is that one uses the fixed zodiac while the other uses movable zodiac to decide the starting point of the zodiac.
According to Astrobix, Vedic astrology is divided into three parts:
The first is
Ganita which deals with Mathematical astrology.The rules of ganita are compiled in a treatise called Sidhanta.
The second is
Samhita which is a compendium or collection of laws of any branch of learning like the narada Samhita, garga Samhita, Vasistha samhita.
The third is
Jataka or hora shastra which is a predictive astrology for the individuals. It deals with the birth chart of a person at a given time and a given place.
The report further states that there are other Branches of Astrology which help us in understanding various aspects of prediction:
Prashna Astrology, In the absence of the birth data, the question is asked by a person about his query to an astrologer and the astrologer prepares a chart at the time of question to answer his query.
Muhurta Astrology, This branch deals with determining the auspicious time for doing any work.Panchanga is seen to establish a proper muhurta for carrying out a particular work in a given time which will facilitate the completion of the task in an auspicious time.
Tajik Astrology, This branch of astrology deals with varshphal or annual astrology which has some set rules to decipher the predictions based on the date of solar return of the natives date of birth.
When compared to western system, Vedic astrology seems upright because it relies on more accurate astronomical principles.
Well, as technology and space instruments improve and we can see ever further into space, astronomers are making new discoveries at an unprecedented pace. Astrology, despite its lack of logical evidence or scientific proof is undergoing a parallel rise in popularity and significance in the popular sphere.
