Astrology and Cultural Traditions: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Astrology has developed in diverse cultural settings and has been used to interpret celestial patterns, human affairs, time, social order, and important life events. Although different traditions share an interest in the relationship between the sky and human society, their concepts, calendars, symbols, techniques, and cultural meanings differ substantially. This paper presents a comparative study of astrological traditions, focusing on Mesopotamian celestial divination, Indian jyotisha, Chinese astrological traditions, and Western or Hellenistic astrology. The comparison examines historical development, cosmological ideas, zodiac systems, calendars, social functions, relationships with religion and governance, and contemporary transformation. Historical scholarship indicates that astrology developed through both local traditions and intercultural exchanges, while some systems also developed independently. Indian astrology, for example, interacted with Hellenistic and other traditions while developing distinctive South Asian forms; Chinese calendrical astronomy followed a substantially different developmental trajectory. The paper argues that astrology is best understood as a culturally embedded system rather than a single universal practice. Comparing traditions highlights both shared human interest in celestial order and the importance of local cultural contexts in shaping astrological knowledge.