Astrologer

An 1863 broadside advertisement for an astrologer's services in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

An astrologer practices one or more forms of astrology. Typically an astrologer draws a horoscope for the time of an event, such as a person's birth, and interprets celestial points and their placements at the time of the event to better understand someone, determine the auspiciousness of an undertaking's beginning, etc. However, the methods employed by astrologers are variable and depend on the particular astrological tradition they employ and the information desired.

In the far past, the role often entailed astronomical observation or manual calculation of celestial phenomena. In more modern times, however, these methods have largely been replaced by pre-calculated ephemerides and astrological software.

Historically the term mathematicus was used to denote a person proficient in astrology, astronomy, and mathematics.^[1][2]

No accredited universities in the United States or the United Kingdom offer degrees in astrology though a number of Indian schools do. While there are a number of astrological associations throughout the world, there is no central governing body that has special license to certify astrologers.

Practice

In the United States, the practice of astrology is largely unregulated. Certification is not required by legislation for an astrologer to offer his or her services. However, there are various examinations offered by private organizations such as the American Federation of Astrologers^[3] and the National Council for Geocosmic Research^[4] that allow those wishing to become professional astrologers to demonstrate their proficiency.

Early astrologers

The first organized system of astrology was developed in Mesopotamia in the second millennium BCE.^[5] The Babylonians' system of omen astrology was relatively simple and direct compared to later developments, foretelling mundane occurrences such as famine, war, peace, and so on based on predefined celestial indicators. Babylonian astrologers provided a service for those in power, advising them in their decision-making.

At this time astrology and astronomy were not distinguished as separate disciplines; the act of astronomical observation was often done by someone who had astrological motives for doing so. Indeed, astrologers' professional responsibility and desire for predictive knowledge for a large part spurred the advancement of astronomy, and the Babylonians developed a very precise ability to mathematically predict the location of celestial points and phenomena based upon their observable cycles.^[6]

Education

Education in astrology is offered in a number of countries of the world:

United States

In the United States, astrological education is offered at institutions such as Kepler College, a liberal arts college with an emphasis on astrology in Lynnwood, Washington, near Seattle, which opened in 2001^[7] and awarded its first 8 Bachelor of Arts degrees in Astrological Studies in 2004.^[8] However, unless they are completing a course of study, students attending Kepler College after March 9, 2010,^[9] are not awarded degrees but certificates of completion of a course of study.^[10] The degrees granted by Kepler are not recognized by national or regional accrediting agencies.^[11] Other astrological organizations offer study programs and correspondence courses to certify astrologers.

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, astrological education is offered at a number of institutions, some offering a diploma upon completion of the course and an examination. In addition, the University of Wales Trinity Saint David at Lampeter offers an MA in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology.^[12]

India

In February, 2001, vedic astrology, Jyotish Vigyan, was introduced into the curriculum of Indian universities. Graduate (called "undergraduate" in North America) post-graduate and research courses of study were established. "Beneficiaries of these courses would be students, teachers, professionals from modern streams like doctors, architects, marketing, financial, economic and political analysts, etc."^[13] In April 2001 the Andhra Pradesh High Court declined to consider a petition to overturn the curriculum guideline on the ground that astrology was a pseudoscience, a decision affirmed by the Supreme Court in 2004 which declined as a matter of law to interfere with educational policy. The court noted that astrology studies were optional and that courses in astrology were offered by institutions of higher education in other countries.^[14]

Modern astrologers

In modern times astrologers provide services, or advice to the general public, and about 90 percent of American newspapers carry horoscopes.^[15]

See also

Astrology portal

• List of astrologers
• Astrology

References