Sky and Ancient Wisdom: The Historical Journey of Astrology

Astrology is a branch of knowledge as old as humanity itself. Our relationship with the sky and the stars has not been limited to mere curiosity and observation; it has also played a key role in the rise of civilizations and the formation of religions and philosophies. The foundations of what we know as astrology today are based on the celestial observations of ancient civilizations thousands of years ago.

Everything began in Mesopotamia, particularly with the Sumerians and Babylonians. From the 3rd millennium BCE onwards, priest-astronomers in these lands meticulously recorded the movements of planets and stars. To them, the sky was a reflection of the gods' will, and planetary movements offered prophecies about important events such as the fate of the king, agricultural yields, or the outcome of wars. The famous Babylonian zodiac system formed the basis of the 12-sign structure we use today. Their assignment of specific timeframes and symbolic meanings to each constellation was the first concrete step in astrology.

Ancient Egypt was also a significant center of astrological wisdom. The Egyptians linked celestial events to the flooding cycles of the Nile River, considering the heliacal rising of the star Sirius (Sopdet) as the beginning of the new year and abundance. Egyptian astrology utilized 36 star groups called decans (each lasting approximately 10 days) and associated each decan with a specific deity. Even in the construction of the pyramids, astrological alignments are thought to have played a role; the inner corridors of the Great Pyramid of Giza were precisely aligned with the stars of Orion's Belt.

The Greek civilization synthesized the astrological knowledge they acquired from Babylon and Egypt with their own philosophies and mathematical approaches. Particularly during the Hellenistic period, astrology evolved into individual destiny interpretations, and the concept of "horoscope" emerged. Stoics and Platonists attempted to explain the harmony between the cosmos and humans using astrological principles. Ptolemy's work, "Tetrabiblos," is the most comprehensive compilation of this Hellenistic astrological tradition and served as the foundational text for Western astrology for centuries.

During the Roman Empire, astrology became widespread among both the populace and in imperial courts. Emperors and generals consulted astrologers before making important decisions. Roma mozaiklerinde ve sanat eserlerinde zodyak sembolleri sıkça kullanılmıştır. Ancak, bazı imparatorlar astrolojinin siyasi gücü nedeniyle onu yasaklamaya çalışmış, astrologları sürgün etmiştir.

Islamic civilization made significant contributions to astrology in the Middle Ages. They led the preservation and development of astrological knowledge by translating ancient Greek and Persian texts into Arabic. Muslim scholars developed astronomical tables (zijes) that calculated planetary movements more precisely and integrated astrology with medicine, mathematics, and philosophy. Scholars like Al-Biruni and Ibn Sina attempted to blend astrological principles with scientific methodology.

In Medieval Europe, astrology was a respected scientific discipline taught in universities. Physicians would examine patients' birth charts to determine treatment methods. Kings received predictions about the future through court astrologers. However, the Church's occasional opposition to astrology hindered the development of this science.

With the advent of the Renaissance, astrology experienced a golden age. Leonardo da Vinci, Tycho Brahe, Johannes Kepler gibi bilim insanları ve sanatçılar, astronomi ve astrolojiyi birlikte incelemişlerdir. Kepler's laws of planetary motion helped make astrological calculations more precise. During this period, astrology regained popularity in courts and intellectual circles.

With the rise of modern science, from the 17th century onwards, astrology began to lose its "scientific" status and was increasingly regarded as an esoteric teaching. However, in the 20th century, the archetype theories of psychologists like Carl Jung gave new psychological depth to astrological symbolism. Today, astrology continues to exist as a tool for personal growth, self-discovery, and connecting with the universe for many people.

Systems developed in different geographies, such as Chinese astrology, have also offered their own ancient wisdom independently of Western astrology. The Chinese zodiac, with its 12-animal cycle and five-element theory, approaches the cyclical nature of time and human character from a different perspective. Indian (Vedic) astrology, on the other hand, emphasizes karma and spiritual evolution with its unique methods like the Sidereal Zodiac, nakshatras, and dasha systems.

Astrology is a product of humanity's endless curiosity about the sky and its quest to understand universal order. Although it has taken on different forms throughout history, its fundamental purpose has remained the same: to guide us in living in harmony with cosmic cycles and discovering our own potential. The stars in the sky are not just points of light; they are carriers of a millennia-old legacy of wisdom. Their story is also a part of human history.

This journey of ancient science across time and cultures shows that astrology is not merely a tool for divination, but also a philosophical and psychological map that delves into the depths of humanity's collective subconscious. Walking this bridge from the past to the present allows us to better understand both our individual journey and our mystical connection with the universe. The history of astrology proves that the sky is not just a place to observe, but a book to be read. This book will continue to be filled with new pages in every era.