Traditions of Astrology
The way people view astrology varies. That’s why it’s never surprising to know why so far there are a lot of traditions of astrology existing. Some of the traditions have similar features and peculiarities because of the many akin influence and doctrines between cultures and races.
However, if there are some traditions that are similar in terms of features and peculiarities, well there are also some that are purely unique because of lack of exposure to influence and varied doctrines.
Basic Classifications
At present, traditions of astrology are divided into three basic categories: current traditions, historical traditions, and esoteric traditions.
Current Traditions
So far, there are three main traditions that are typically used by most modern astrologers – the Vedic astrology, the Western astrology, and the Chinese astrology.
Among the three, it is the Vedic and Western astrology that share common features because of their ancestry and nature, which is basically horoscopic. But on the flip side, Vedic astrology and Western astrology are opposite in terms of the type of zodiac used. Well, the Vedic astrology practices the sidereal zodiac, while the Western astrology practices the tropical zodiac.
The Chinese astrology on the other hand, because it does not share similar features and doctrines with the other two traditions is considered a unique system and tradition of astrology. Basically, it stands in contrast with the other traditions of astrology for it implies that the twelve signs of the zodiac do not divide the sky, but rather the celestial equator.
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Historical Traditions
Historically, there are many astrological traditions that have existed long before that are considered really significant. They’ve been an important source of some astrological doctrines and principles.
However, though considered significant, these traditions were not already widely used as of the moment. But there are still a few astrologers who have remained interested on them.
For the record, historical traditions of astrology typically include:
- Arab and Persian astrology – prevalent during the middle ages near the East
- Babylonian astrology – prevalent during the ancient times near the East
- Egyptian astrology – prevalent during the time after Alexander the Great has conquered Egypt
- Hellenistic astrology – prevalent in Hellenistic Egypt and the Mediterranean during the later part of the 2nd or early 1st century BCE
- Mayan astrology – prevalent in Maya communities particularly in Guatemala and southern Mexico.
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Esoteric Traditions
Esoteric traditions are basically considered unique by nature mainly because of their doctrines and beliefs. One proof is the Kabbalistic astrology which is founded based on Kabbalah, by which encourages believers to incorporate elements of astrology into their own traditions.
Historically, Esoteric traditions include, however are not restricted to:
- Alchemy – known for being intertwined with the traditional Babylonian-Greek style of astrology
- Chiromancy – famed for being a system that foretells the future through the study of the palm
- Kabbalistic astrology – based on Kabbalah which incorporate elements of astrology with distinct traditions
- Medical astrology – a tradition and system that links different parts of the body, diseases and drugs with the influence of planets and the twelve astrological signs.
- Numerology – believes that every number from 0 to 9 is ruled by a celestial body found in the sky
- Rosicrucian or “Rose Cross” – practices esoteric knowledge and doctrines
- Tarot divination – a system that uses Tarot cards to do some fortune-telling and divination stuff.