Astrology is a group of systems , traditions , and beliefs in which knowledge of the relative positions of celestial bodies and related details is held to be useful in understanding, interpreting, and organizing information about personality, human affairs, and other terrestrial matters. A practitioner of astrology is called an astrologer , or, less often, an astrologist. Numerous traditions and applications employing astrological concepts have arisen since its earliest recorded beginnings in the 2nd millennium BCE. [1] It has played a role in the shaping of culture, early astronomy, and other disciplines throughout history.

Historically, astrology and astronomy were often indistinguishable, with the desire for predictive and divinatory knowledge one of the primary motivating factors for astronomical observation. Astronomy began to diverge from astrology after a long period of gradual separation in the 18th century , and has since distinguished itself as the scientific study of astronomical objects and phenomena, placing no significance on these phenomena's supposed astrological correlation.

Astrology is variously considered by its proponents to be a symbolic language, [2] [3] a form of art , [4] science , [4] or divination . [5] [6] The scientific community considers astrology to be a pseudoscience [7] or superstition [8] as numerous Western astrologers have failed empirical tests in controlled studies. [9] Despite questions of its validity, belief in astrology remains widespread. [10] [11]