Hand-coloured version of the anonymous Flammarion woodcut (1888). Astrology (from Greek: ?st??? (astron), "star", and ????? (logos), "theory", "study": lit. study of the stars) is a group of systems, traditions, and beliefs in which knowledge of the apparent relative positions of celestial bodies and related details is held to be useful in understanding, interpreting, and organizing information about personality, human affairs, and other terrestrial matters. A practitioner of astrology is called an astrologer, or, rarely, an astrologist. Numerous traditions and applications employing astrological concepts have arisen since its earliest recorded beginnings in the 3rd millennium BC.[1][2] It has played a role in the shaping of culture, early astronomy, and other disciplines throughout history. Astrology and astronomy were often indistinguishable before the modern era, with the desire for predictive and divinatory knowledge one of the primary motivating factors for astronomical observation. Astronomy began to diverge from astrology after a period of gradual separation from the Renaissance up until the 18th century. Eventually, astronomy distinguished itself as the scientific study of astronomical objects and phenomena without regard to the astrological speculation of these phenomena. Astrology remains a pseudoscience after the separation of the two. Astrology is often defined as the study of the influences of the cosmos on life on earth.[3] Modern astrologers define astrology as a symbolic language,[4][5][6] an art form,[7] and a form of divination.[8][9] Despite differences of definitions, a common assumption of astrology is the use of celestial placements in order to explain past and present events and predict the future. The scientific community considers astrology a pseudoscience or superstition[10][11] as no scientific evidence has been found to support its claims. Belief in astrology remains widespread, with 31% of Americans believing in it and according to another study 39% considering it scientific.[12][13][14][15][16] Astrology Background History of astrology History of astronomy Astrology and astronomy Traditions Babylonian astrology Arab and Persian astrology Chinese astrology Hellenistic astrology Indian astrology Western astrology More... Branches of horoscopic astrology Natal astrology Electional astrology Horary astrology Mundane astrology More... Categories Astrologers Astrological texts Astrological writers Astrology Portal This box: view • talk • edit