primarily focuses on individual-level predictions (what we think of as “horoscopes”), astrologers in ancient times often took a more “big picture” focus as they attempted to use the stars to divine the will of the gods for all of humanity.

​

Astrological systems are often quite intricate, and predictions detailed, as can be seen in Professor Goodman’s conversation with modern-day astrologer Kathleen Medina. Intricacy and (alleged) detail are not new: ancient astrologers across cultures all sought better and better observations of the stars to “improve” their predictions. Babylonian sky-priests referenced Enuma Anu Enlil (‘When Anu Enlil’), a collection of seventy tablets containing around 7000 astronomical observations of planets, stars, and terrestrial events from the Old Babylonian period. A classic Chinese work called the Zi Wei Dou Shu (紫微斗数) dating back to sometime before 1000 AD was used by the emperor to tell his fortune based on the interpretation of the imperial “astronomers” interpreting the 28 Chinese constellations.

​

These collections of observed stellar data can be seen as a sort of forerunner to modern astronomy, a connection we will discuss in much more detail in the PredictionX feature “The Path to Newton.” It’s also important to keep in mind that Astrology is almost unique among ancient systems, because it’s input (see Framework diagram) is based on a fully #deterministic system (the positions of heavenly bodies), but is extremely #human in how it is interpreted. Most ancient systems rely instead on purposely #randomized" inputs (e.g. casting lots), or those occurring #randomly (e.g. augury--flight of birds) in nature. From almost the beginning of recorded history, it was clear people knew the positions of heavenly bodies had a rhythm to them that was not random.

​

Conversation with an Astrologer: