Principles and practice

Advocates have defined astrology as a symbolic language, an art form, a science, and a method
of divination.[72][73] Although most cultural systems of astrology share common roots in ancient
philosophies that influenced each other, many have unique methodologies hich differ from those
developed in the !est. "hese include #indu astrology $also %non as &'ndian astrology& and in
modern times referred to as &(edic astrology&) and *hinese astrology, both of hich have
influenced the orld+s cultural history.
!estern
,or more details on this topic, see !estern astrology.
!estern astrology is a form of divination based on the construction of a horoscope for an e-act
moment, such as a person+s birth.[7.] 't uses the tropical /odiac, hich is aligned to the
equinoctial points.[70]
!estern astrology is founded on the movements and relative positions of celestial bodies such as
the 1un, 2oon and planets, hich are analy/ed by their movement through signs of the /odiac
$telve spatial divisions of the ecliptic) and by their aspects $based on geometric angles) relative
to one another. "hey are also considered by their placement in houses $telve spatial divisions of
the s%y).[73] Astrology+s modern representation in estern popular media is usually reduced to
sun sign astrology, hich considers only the /odiac sign of the 1un at an individual+s date of birth,
and represents only 4542 of the total chart.[77]
"he horoscope visually e-presses the set of relationships for the time and place of the chosen
event. "hese relationships are beteen the seven +planets+, signifying tendencies such as ar
and love6 the telve signs of the /odiac6 and the telve houses. 7ach planet is in a particular sign
and a particular house at the chosen time, hen observed from the chosen place, creating to
%inds of relationship.[78] A third %ind is the aspect of each planet to every other planet, here for
e-ample to planets 429: apart $in +trine+) are in a harmonious relationship, but to planets ;9:
apart $+square+) are in a conflicted relationship.[7;][89] "ogether these relationships and their
interpretations supposedly form &the language of the heavens spea%ing to learned men&.[78]
Along ith tarot divination, astrology is one of the core studies of !estern esotericism, and as
such has influenced systems of magical belief not only among !estern esotericists and
#ermeticists, but also belief systems such as !icca that have borroed from or been influenced
by the !estern esoteric tradition. "anya <uhrmann has said that &all magicians %no something
about astrology,& and refers to a table of correspondences in 1tarha%+s "he 1piral =ance,
organi/ed by planet, as an e-ample of the astrological lore studied by magicians.[84]