Since the idea of connecting celestial movements to human affairs first appeared more than 2,000 years ago, some of the world’s best minds have looked skyward at night and asked these questions. Astrology predated the sort of daily horoscopes found in newspapers by thousands of years—this ancient practice was a respected, intellectual tradition investigated by scholars, scientists and rulers. Historically, tons of historical figures have devoted their lives to the study noting that planetary and stellar coordinates say much about life, personality and what will happen in the future.
So it is here at the unusual intersection of science and philosophy, mysticism appealing to everybody from ancient philosophers to Renaissance painters, and powerful emperors to first-rate astronomers. This would influence their other work as well, in some unexpected ways, and could have made history thoroughly different.
History of Astrology — The Ancient Seekers of Wisdom: Who Were Our Forefathers in Studying Astrology?
Ptolemy: The Mathematical Mind That Drove Astrological Systems
One of the most influential astrological texts ever written was by Greek-Roman mathematician and astronomer Claudius Ptolemy, living from 100-170 AD. He wrote the book Tetrabiblos which is the basis of most Western astrology even today and served as a textbook for astrologers until something like 1700 years after his death.
Ptolemy brought the same mathematical exactness to bear on his astrology as upon his astronomy. He believed science could calculate and interpret the positions of the planets. His contributions include:
- Established the star signs and house system that we use to this day
- Creating mathematical formulas for aspects of planets
- Relating Zodiac Signs with traits
- Creating step-by-step detailed birth chart readings
Ptolemy attempted to provide astrology with some scientific-like content. He didn’t believe in only traditional beliefs but tried to give explanations for astrological reasoning.
Aristotle: Logic Meets the Stars
The ancient Greek philosopher (384–322 BCE) Aristotle bound astrological ideas among his deductions of the natural world. Though predominantly famous for his logic, ethics, and natural science, Aristotle took the view that celestial bodies had to have some effect upon occurrences here on Earth.
Everything in the universe is connected according to Aristotle’s Great Chain of Being. In this system the heavens influenced earthly matters through their movements. His astrological beliefs included:
- Celestial influence on weather patterns
- Effects of planets on plants and animals
- What the moon has to do with tides and moods
- Linking of planetary positions with catastrophic historical events
One of Aristotle’s students, Alexander the Great, was said to consult with astrologers before each major military campaign, a further example of how deeply embedded Aristotelian teachings had become among even world conquerors.
Royal Star Gazers: Emperors and Kings Who Ruled by the Stars
Emperor Rudolf II — The Star Emperor of Prague
Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor from 1576 to 1612, made Prague the capital of alchemy in Europe. His enthusiasm for the occult sciences, however, earned him popularity amongst the leading scientists of his era including some of the best known astronomers, mathematicians and astrologers.
Rudolf’s court was referred to as “Magic Circle of Prague” because of its vast collection of:
- Ancient astrological manuscripts collected from all over the world
- High tech astronomical instruments for cosmic photography
- Personalized horoscope charts for him and his family
- Laboratories where chemists studied the effects of planets on metals
Important political decisions were taken with the counsel of astrology by the emperor. If the planets were in the wrong position, he postponed military campaigns or chose dates for the marrying off of royals accordingly. The patronage of people like him ensured that they saved many ancient astrological texts which might otherwise have been destroyed.
The First Astrological Ruler of Rome — Emperor Augustus
Gaius Octavius, the first emperor of Rome, Emperor Augustus, was a shrewd ruler and one of the greatest in history. He attributed so much of his political success to following astrological advice, and it became an integral part of the culture of imperial Rome.
Emperor Augustus had his astrological chart commemorated with a minting of the sign Capricorn. These views had an impact on Roman society in multiple areas:
Personal Practices:
- Consulted astrologers before taking important steps
- Synchronized the release of important announcements with planetary movements
- Had meticulous records of his family natal charts
- Constructed temples devoted to heavenly gods
Political Impact:
- Popularized astrology among Roman elites
- Created position of court astrologer as an official government post
- Employed zodiacal predictions to validate the authenticity of his political sway
- Inspired astronomical Roman calendar reforms
Renaissance Masters: The Artists and Inventors Who Embodied the Stars
The Artistic Genius and Student of the Heavens — Leonardo da Vinci
One of the most remembered Renaissance polymaths was Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), who studied astrology in addition to his work on art, engineering, and anatomy. His notebooks refer to the astrological principles, which can be applied in human health and behavior.
He even felt that in order to render life-like art, and advance what was known of medicine, one had to study how celestial influences work. His work was influenced by his astrological studies in numerous ways:
Artistic Applications:
- Utilized astrological symbolism in paintings such as The Last Supper
- Embedded astrological motifs in architecture
- Illustrated astrological effects based on body parts
- Created star maps for the privileged over generations
Scientific Research:
- Investigated the effect of lunar phases on plant development
- Applied planet-related positions and their forecasting to weather predictions
- Investigated astrological components and human nature
- Timed his engineering projects with astrology
Analytical as he was, Leonardo tried to understand astrology. He not only took traditional learning at face value but also based his astrological theories on observations and experiments.
Astrological Art by Albrecht Dürer
Born in 1471, the German artist Albrecht Dürer must be considered one of the most important astrological artists in all of Europe. Surely, his highly detailed engravings and woodcuts served to illustrate the complex astrological concepts of the day in a way that more people could understand — taking an otherwise dense compilation of information into visual storytelling.
Dürer’s Melencolia I is one of the most grandiose astrological artworks ever constructed. Around those women are dozens — if not hundreds — of astrological symbols and references scholars are still trying to decode. His contributions to astrology include:
- Making elaborate calendars per zodiac sign for mass distribution
- Drawing precise diagrams for astrological textbooks
- Creating attractive, accurate celestial maps
- Printing inexpensive papers that brought astrological knowledge to the common man
Scientific Pioneers: The Scientists Who Linked Science and Astrology
The Mathematician Who Reformed Astrology — Johannes Kepler
Famous astronomer Johannes Kepler (1571-1630) is known for discovering the laws of planetary motion, but he also devoted much time to reforming and attempting to improve astrology. Even amongst his peers, Kepler was a skeptic of astrology even as he remained open-minded on the subject.
Kepler felt that astrology could be a true science if it needed to be cleansed of superstition and placed on a firm basis, but somewhere in his mind he knew that astrology contained truth. His scientific astrology approach encompassed:
Research Methods:
- Statistical analysis of astrological predictions
- Explicitly rejecting causal connection between celestial and terrestrial worlds
- Mathematics of planetary aspects and their effects
- A log of astrological prognostications that were correct and wrong
Reform Proposals:
- Eliminating unreliable traditional practices
- Focusing on established planetary effects such as tides and seasons
- Using astronomy calculations instead of rough values
- Creating new astrological concepts rooted in physical mechanics
Kepler contributed to the development of modern astronomical science as he carefully respected the possibilities offered by astrology and its contributions to the knowledge of humanity.
Tycho Brahe — From Heaven and Earth
Tycho Brahe (1546-1601) was a Danish astronomer who produced some of the most accurate pre-telescopic observations in history. He was also trained in astrology and would work as an astrologer at the court of several European rulers.
Employing a method of detailed observation with practical application characterized Brahe’s approach. His astrological work helped fund his other research, since the equipment he was using for his astronomical observations was expensive.
The Medieval Scholastics: Saving Ancient Wisdom in a Time of Darkness
Albumasar — The Islamic Scholar Responsible for Saving Astrology from Greece
The Persian mathematician and astronomer, Albumasar (787-886 AD), properly called Abu Ma’shar al-Balkhi, devotedly preserved Greek astrological knowledge during the Islamic Golden Age. His most important work was instrumental in restoring astrology to medieval Europe.
Albumasar’s contribution to astrological scholarship consists of:
- Translation and commentary on astrological works from ancient Greece
- Innovation of new methods for planetary position calculations
- Writing incredibly long and detailed astrological textbooks that have been used for many centuries
- Connecting archetypal astrology with other branches of science
His most widely read work, “The Great Introduction to Astrology,” became required reading for European scholars during the next 500 years and helped keep much of classical astrological knowledge alive that would have otherwise vanished.
Roger Bacon — The Scholastic Star-Lover from the Middle Ages
Roger Bacon (1214-1294), an English philosopher and scientist, maintained that astrology was a true field of natural science appropriate for scholarly investigation. In a period of strong Catholic opposition to astrology, Bacon defended its scientific value.
Astrology, Bacon thought, could be useful in medicine and agriculture, or even for predicting the weather. It served as a defense of astrology, and was influential in making it an acceptable subject of study to the entire learned class of medieval Europe.
The Astrological Legacy: How They Molded History
The men and women who examined astrology in history weren’t just learning an ancient art — they were working on making science, art, politics, and culture. Their work shows that the line between science and mysticism was more blurred in the past.
Impact on Scientific Development
Astrology stimulated thinking and its search for perfection brought many scientific advances from scholars who were trying to make better astrological calculations:
- Improved equipment for observations of faint stars and planets
- High-level mathematics for calculating planetary positions
- Better calendars based on astronomical cycles
- Greater understanding of planetary movements and celestial mechanics
Cultural and Artistic Influence
Because so many Western artists, authors and architects were astrologers themselves, the themes of astrology abound in Western art, literature and architecture:
- Decorations adorned with zodiac signs and planets for church decor
- Astrology in literary works
- Compositions based on planetary harmonics and celestial rhythms
- Astronomy-aligned architectural designs
Political and Social Effects
Rulers and aristocrats’ involvement in astrology impacted government policy making and social protocols:
- Planetary matchmaking: the regimen of princesses at court
- Judicious sequencing of military campaigns in accordance with the movement of planets
- Astrology predictions driving economic policies
- Cases where there are references to astrological factors in legal systems
Modern Interpretations: What Can We Learn Now?
Although modern science has spurned traditional astrological beliefs, the fact that so many intelligent people cared about astrology for so long is instructive in itself and provides some valuable lessons.
The Evolution of Scientific Thinking
Changes from astrology to astronomy exemplify the long evolution of scientific thought. The early astronomers like Kepler and Galileo didn’t forsake astrology overnight, but they slowly developed more accurate means of interpreting celestial events.
The Importance of Observation
A great many astrologers were good observers of nature. Their detailed observations of celestial phenomena, weather and human history have served as significant data for modern sciences.
Cultural Context Matters
Exploring why it makes sense that smart people once believed in astrology makes clearer how ideas shape up as functions of their cultural environments. Most of the things we see as common sense now, were not always apparent to people living in other historical times.
Fascinating Facts About Historical Astrology
If you have ever found astrology to be of interest, then there might be more peculiar facts tying the topic with some famous historical names that you might not be aware of.
Royal Astrology:
- All the way back in the 16th century, Queen Elizabeth I enlisted mathematician John Dee to serve as her own astrologer
- Queen Catherine de’ Medici consulted astrologer Nostradamus on the futures of her children
- French King Louis XIV planned his engagements on a daily basis with astrological advice
- Emperor Napoleon carried astrological charts when he was preparing his military campaigns
Scientific Connections:
- Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) was known to have cast horoscopes for rich patrons in order to make ends meet and finance his research
- Isaac Newton had more books on astrology than astronomy
- Carl Jung based some of his psychological theories on concepts borrowed from astrology
- Some medieval universities made astrology courses required for medical degrees
Artistic Inspiration:
- Shakespeare included superabundance of astrological allusions in his plays
- Dante allegorically uses astrology as a unifying principle in his “Divine Comedy”
- Secret astrological messages hidden in Renaissance art
- Gothic architecture rooted in astrological principles can be seen in many old cathedrals
Conclusion: Stars, Scholars, and Seeking the Truth
The role astrology played in the lives of many famous people tells a fascinating story about the development of human intellect. Throughout the history of human thought, key figures such as Ptolemy and Aristotle (in ancient times) through Leonardo da Vinci and Johannes Kepler (during the Renaissance), have attempted to make sense of the interactions between celestial movements and earthly events.
Those who lived through historical events were not ignorant or superstitious — they were arguably the most intellectual individuals of their era. Their extensive involvement with astrology shows the intricate tale of humanity’s knowledge development and our age-old journey to extract patterns and signals from nature.
Although science has developed more advanced methods of studying the stars, particularly with telescopes and digital technology, astrology as a branch of historical study has added to the understanding that modern scientists have regarding astronomy and mathematics. Many of the scientific methods we use today benefited from the kind of painstaking, detailed observations and calculations that astrological practice demands.
Now that you know this history, you don’t need to subscribe to astrology’s claims for it to offer the clever reader insight as to how humans learn things. The shift from astrology to astronomy shows how science can be honed over the centuries and emphasizes why it is so important never to lose our wonderment of the world around us nor challenge what we are being told in favor of tradition.
The legacy of these famous astrological compilers is to remind us that the pursuit of knowledge can be a rather unconventional path. Some of the most important breakthroughs have been made by those willing to entertain unusual theories and dismiss accepted dogmas. And they did so by developing methods of careful observation, mathematical innovation and sheer artistic ingenuity that would come to influence our culture for centuries into the future—whether we are trying to predict what lies ahead or simply understand some aspect of human personality, history or meaning.
Their stories remind us that, for as long as there were stars in the sky, humans have gazed up, inserting themselves into a conversation about our “cosmic weight” — learning of greater existential questions to ask ourselves.
