Astrology forecasts and predicts future events that are likely to occur based on the presumption that astronomical phenomena and events in the human world are interrelated. In most cultures astronomical events are crucial. The Indians, Chinese, and Mayans for example developed systems elaborately for the purpose of predicting events here on earth as accurately as possible by making certain observations from a celestial viewpoint.
In western cultures, a system of horoscopes is maintained that aims at explaining facets of personality of a person through which future events could be predicted based on the positions of the sun, moon, and other celestial objects on the day and exact time they were born which is essentially a system through which the future can be predicted nearly accurately.
Historically and traditionally, this is a subject which has been the strength of the learned. It was widely accepted in political and academic circles, and was linked with other studies; astronomy, alchemy, meteorology, and medicine for example.
In the late 17th century, with the advent of new and emerging scientific concepts in astronomy and physics such as heliocentric and Newtonian mechanics, the basic tenets were under scrutiny. The subject therefore lost its relevance both academically and theoretically and therefore the logic that the masses at one time had faith in, is slowly but surely dwindling.
Astrologers have been tagged as practicing a pseudoscience, which isn’t valid or fails to explain the universe. Issues are aplenty. There isn’t any recommended plan of action for example which explains how people and events on earth could be affected or are interlinked by the positions and motions of stars and planets that is not a contradiction in relation to the well accepted fundamental aspects of biology and physics. Scientific testing hasn’t yielded any results either with regard to finding evidence which would suggest that any of the hypothesis or effects is in sync with tradition. In one study, participants attempted matching natal charts with a psychological repository of profiles which yielded results that varied marginally in relation to randomly picked profiles.
As far back as the 2nd millennium BCE, predictions were made with regard to seasonal shifts and celestial cycles which were interpreted as though they signify divine intervention. Even to this day there are people who believe wholeheartedly and blindly do whatever it takes to remedy situations in their lives. Whether or not there is any tangible improvement is a matter of conjecture but the fact is many unsuspecting people seeking advice to overcome problems in their lives are actually taken advantage of which is really unfortunate. The fact is when people are in trouble they are desperate to look for a solution and they become vulnerable and this vulnerability is exploited by con artists in disguise.
