Early Astrologers
The first organized system of astrology was developed in Mesopotamia in the second millennium BCE. The Babylonians' system of omen astrology was relatively simple and direct compared to later developments, foretelling mundane occurrences such as famine, war, peace, and so on based on predefined celestial indicators. Babylonian astrologers provided a service for those in power, advising them in their decision-making.
At this time astrology and astronomy were not distinguished as separate disciplines; the act of astronomical observation was often done by someone who had astrological motives for doing so. Indeed, astrologers' professional responsibility and desire for predictive knowledge for a large part spurred the advancement of astronomy, and the Babylonians developed a very precise ability to mathematically predict the location of celestial points and phenomena based upon their observable cycles.
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