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Our Zodiacs
What is Zodiac ?
Zodiac is imaginary belt in the celestial
sphere, extending about 8° on either side of the ecliptic, the apparent
path of the Sun among the stars. The width of the zodiac was determined
originally so as to include the orbits of the Sun and Moon and of the five
planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn) that were known to the
people of ancient times.
The zodiac is divided into 12 sections of 30°
each, which are called the signs of the zodiac. Starting with the vernal
equinox and then proceeding eastward along the ecliptic, each of the
divisions is named for the constellation situated within its limits in the
2nd century BC. The names of the zodiacal signs are Aries, the Ram;
Taurus, the Bull; Gemini, the Twins; Cancer, the Crab; Leo, the Lion;
Virgo, the Virgin; Libra, the Balance; Scorpio, the Scorpion; Sagittarius,
the Archer; Capricorn, the Goat; Aquarius, the Water Bearer; and Pisces,
the Fishes.
It is believed that the zodiacal signs
originated in Mesopotamia as early as 2000 BC. The Greeks adopted the
symbols from the Babylonians and passed them on to the other ancient
civilizations. The Egyptians assigned other names and symbols to the
zodiacal divisions. The Chinese also adopted the 12-fold division, but
called the signs rat, ox, tiger, hare, dragon, serpent, horse, sheep,
monkey, hen, dog, and pig. Independently, the Aztec people devised a
similar system.
Zodiac and Astrology
Astrology, the study of how events on earth correspond to the positions
and movements of astronomical bodies, particularly the sun, moon, planets,
and stars. Astrologers believe that the position of astronomical bodies at
the exact moment of a person’s birth and the subsequent movements of the
bodies reflect that person’s character and, therefore, destiny. For many
years, scientists have rejected the principles of astrology. However,
millions of people continue to believe in or practice it.
Astrologers create charts called horoscopes, which map the position of
astronomical bodies at certain times, such as when a person is born. A
horoscope is illustrated by a circle, called the ecliptic. The ecliptic is
the plane on which the earth orbits around the sun in a year. It is
divided into twelve sections, called the signs of the Zodiac, which
include Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio,
Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. Astrologers assign every
planet (which in astrology includes the sun and moon) with a particular
sign, depending on where that planet appears on the ecliptic at the time
for which the horoscope is cast. Each planet represents basic human
drives, and each sign represents a set of human characteristics. When
astrologers designate a person as a certain sign—a Leo or a Pisces, for
example—they are referring to the person’s sun sign— that is, the sign
that the sun occupied at the time of the person’s birth.
The horoscope also is divided into twelve houses, which make up the
24-hour period during which the earth rotates once on its axis. Each house
deals with certain areas of a person’s life, such as marriage, health,
work, travel, and death. Astrologers make predictions by interpreting the
position of astronomical bodies within the signs and houses of the
horoscope.
Astrology is an ancient practice that different civilizations seemed to
develop independently. The Chaldeans, who lived in Babylonia (now Iraq),
developed one of the original forms of astrology as early as 3000 BC. The
Chinese were practicing astrology by 2000 BC. Other varieties formed in
ancient India and among the Maya of Central America. These people may have
observed that certain astronomical bodies, particularly the sun, affected
the change of seasons and the success of crops. Based on such
observations, they may have developed a broader system by which the
movements of other bodies such as the planets affected or represented
additional aspects of life.
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Information gathered from
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