FROM almost the beginning of human history, all sorts of methods of divination, from consulting oracles to gazing into crystal balls, have been used in order to predict the fortunes of individuals and countries.
In present times, advancements in science and technology and the consequent removal of many of the uncertainties of life that beset ancient peoples have limited the influence exerted by astrology, palmistry, and other pseudo-sciences. Even so, while many people today dismiss these practices as quaint superstition or indulge in them as a diversion, others take them seriously.
Astrology, the interpretation of the influence of stars and planets on terrestrial matters, originated in Mesopotamia in the third millennium BC, and has existed in many other parts of the world. Western astrology acquired its present form in Hellenistic Greece, spreading to the Arab world and from there onwards to China, which had an indigenous astrological system, and mediaeval Europe. Although it lost its credibility as a result of Copernicus’s heliocentric world view and thus became separated from astronomy, it continues to find favour. In India, some universities to this day offer advanced degrees in astrology. Of all the many methods of fortune-telling available on the Internet, astrology is the most popular.
At http://www.0800-horoscope.com/birthchart.html you can compile a birth chart, which is essential to gauging the effects of celestial bodies on your personality and future prospects, and also check out your horoscope (from the Greek word horoskopos, i.e., ‘hour-watcher’). Although this web page has many features in common with other astrology-related sites, such as insights on relationships and compatibility, it is unique in its emphasis on accurately predicting one’s horoscope without relying on the generalized, ‘one-size-fits-all’ forecasts usually available.
If you are not a believer in Western astrology and are looking for a less earnest approach to the subject, visit http://www.emode.com/emode/tests/astrology_makeover.jsp. This web page, which is part of a home and lifestyle web site, features a three-page quiz based on the assumption that the signs of the zodiac, that are assigned to us based on our date of birth, may not accurately describe our personalities. The quiz, therefore, attempts to determine the test-taker’s ‘real’ astrological sign. This tongue-in-cheek quiz is listed as a ‘Fun test’; under ‘Premium tests’, which the web site claims are Ph.D-certified, you can find out which sign of the zodiac you would be most compatible with through ‘The Zodiac Match Test’.
As far as Chinese astrology is concerned, http://www.chinesefortunecalendar.com offers some of the best insights. According to a myth, the months of the Chinese lunar calendar are named after the twelve animals that came to the Buddha to bid him farewell before he left this world. The web site helps visitors who are new to Chinese astrology figure out their animal sign, find out their ying-yang lucky elements and Chinese age, and learn about feng shui (the art of rearranging one’s living space to maximize one’s happiness, health, and wealth). Some of the more interesting features of the site include case studies of the fortunes of political newsmakers like Saddam Hussein and George W. Bush.
Feng shui has a counterpart in vastu, one of the tenets of Indian astrology, an introduction to which is available on http://astroexpert.com/htdocs/general/default.asp. This web page covers all the defining characteristics of Vedic (Jyotish) astrology, allowing the visitor to find out his or her mantra and astral gem. In addition, this primer on Indian astrology, unlike other web sites on the same subject, offers such eye-catching links as ‘Rectify your time of birth’ and ‘Song of breath’, which further expose the visitor to a wide range of Indian beliefs, including yoga. Skeptics can test a theory at the ‘Astro lab’, or ruffle the feathers of believers on the web page’s discussion forum, the ‘Astro cafi’.
Most web sites on astrology rarely let escape the opportunity to advertise their services; as a consequence, a person who wishes to consult an online astrologer finds it very hard to pick one. Most people do not know what to look for when choosing a professional astrologer, or what to expect once they have chosen one. The first of these two difficulties is dealt with on http://koti.mbnet.fi/neptunia/essays/choose1.htm, the second on http://koti.mbnet.fi/neptunia/essays/counsel1.htm, which also links to some cautionary words by selected astrologers regarding counselling.
Without a doubt one of the best and most famous astrologers of all time was Nostradamus, who, though no longer on hand for consultation, continues to make his presence felt through his quatrains, one of which is said to have foretold the events of September 11, 2001. The Nostradamus Society of America’s web site, http://www.nostradamususa.com, perhaps appropriately enough, furnishes some of the most complete information available on this Renaissance-era physician on the Internet. Although his writings do not feature on the web site, research by Nostradamus expert Victor Baines, the society’s founder, is prominently on view. The society, which is Internet-based, offers free membership and chat facilities; you can also hear an account of Nostradamus’s life rather than read the somewhat long biography.
The stars and planets affect not only the fate of individuals and nations but also the performance of stock markets around the world, if some web sites are to be believed. One of the most organized of these is the International Society of Business Astrologers’ web site at http://www.businessastrologers.com. The society’s mission is to disseminate knowledge of financial astrology through conferences, congresses, and its journal. The site does not cover the principles of business astrology; instead, under the ‘Literature’ link it recommends books on the subject. A brief synopsis of some of the books is also provided. Membership is open to not only business astrologers, or consultants, as the web site calls them, but also lay-people with an interest in astrology.
While traders can consult online financial astrologers, cricket buffs and bookies can read predicted results of international fixtures on http://www.cricketastrology.com. This web site does not appear to have been updated since the 2003 World Cup; however, cricket aficionados can read the very precise predictions as to the performance of a given team as well as its individual players and compare them with the actual outcomes by clicking the flag of a particular country. In the same way, one can also view the current horoscopes of individual team members, which include the number of runs to be scored and wickets to be taken and a general overview of their performance.
This web site on cricket notwithstanding, ultimately, more women than men swear by astrology, and the Internet reflects this gender bias, even where astrology-related web sites for kids are concerned. Web pages such as http://www.zodiacgirlz.com/index_flash.html target the teenage girls demographic with the liberal use of Flash animation and bright and colourful graphics. On this age-appropriate, family-oriented web page, the Sun signs are represented as teenagers whom visitors would identify with and want to emulate. Younger children can download and print drawings and colour them, whereas teenagers can e-mail poetry to Pisces or seek fashion advice from Taurus.
