BRIEF HISTORY OF ASTROLOGY

A B R I E F H I S T O R Y O F A S T R O L O G Y

Posted on the Net in the early 1990s by Dr. Jai Maharaj

The science of astrology originated in Bharat, also known as "India," and has been practiced continuously for more than 8,000 years. Records of astrological knowledge are to be found in the history of all nations and among the relics of all civilizations, past and present.

CHINA Aside from the Vedic records, perhaps the oldest records of astrological practice are to be found in China. The Chinese have been as scrupulous in preserving their records as the Hindus of Bharat.

CHALDEA Although mention is made by later writers of famous astrologers in Chaldea, particularly Berosus, who lived about 3,000 BCE, no actual manuscripts of Berosus are available if indeed such writings were ever made. But, undoubtedly the science of astrology was practiced at a very remote period in the history of the Chaldeans and the astrology of the Greeks and Romans was directly derived from this source.

BABYLON The first mention of astrology as it was practiced by the Babylonians appears to place the period at about 2,500 BCE, but no actual records of literature concerning the Babylonian contribution to the science have been discovered to date.