The History of Astrology

A strongly held belief in ancient Babylon, astrology spread to the Mediterranean world, and was widely used by the Greeks and Romans. It was also popular in Assyria, India, and Egypt. In Europe during the Middle Ages it had a powerful influence, as kings and other public figures had their own astrologers; astrological beliefs are reflected in Elizabethan and Jacobean literature.

In Chinese and Hindu thought, the universe is seen as forming a pattern in which everything is linked. Human life should be lived in harmony with this pattern, and astrology is seen as one way of helping people to do this. During the latter part of the Middle Ages, and even as late as the 18th century, individual astrologers often enjoyed positions of high privilege, because it was thought that they could forecast the future. Hindus use astrological forecasts for important occasions such as marriage. Their belief in astrology is closely linked to reincarnation, for the time of birth is thought to reveal the nature of the individual's past life.

The nucleus round which astrology developed was the belief that divine energy was manifested in the movements of the Sun and the planets. The correct interpretation of the position of these was a key to the will of heaven.
Source: The Free Dictionary