Sun-sign astrology is the form of astrology most commonly found in many newspaper and magazine columns. It is a simplified system of astrology which considers only the position of the Sun, which is said to be placed within one of the twelve zodiac signs depending on the month of birth. This sign is then called the sun sign or star sign of the person born that month. Astrology refers to any of several systems, traditions or beliefs in which knowledge of the apparent positions of celestial bodies is held to be useful in understanding, interpreting, and organizing knowledge about human affairs and events on Earth. ... The Sun is the star at the center of Earths solar system. ... Western astrology employs the tropical zodiac which divides the ecliptic into twelve signs of equal length starting at the first point of Aries, which is defined as the point at which the ecliptic (the apparent path of the Sun through the heavens) crosses the celestial equator at the spring equinox. ... Western astrology employs the tropical zodiac which divides the ecliptic into twelve signs of equal length starting at the first point of Aries, which is defined as the point at which the ecliptic (the apparent path of the Sun through the heavens) crosses the celestial equator at the spring equinox. ... Western astrology employs the tropical zodiac which divides the ecliptic into twelve signs of equal length starting at the first point of Aries, which is defined as the point at which the ecliptic (the apparent path of the Sun through the heavens) crosses the celestial equator at the spring equinox. ...

Sun sign astrologers take this basic twelve-fold division, then relate all the current movements of all the planets to each other, using traditional rules to divine meanings for each sign separately. Paradoxically, because the Moon has the fastest apparent movement of all the heavenly bodies, it is often used as the main indicator of daily trends for sun sign astrology forecasts. Bulk composition of the moons mantle and crust estimated, weight percent Oxygen 42. ...

Despite its vast popularity with the general public (e.g. in the UK over 60% of adults are said to read their "stars" first on opening a newspaper, a slightly higher proportion in the USA), there is much argument about the validity of sun sign astrology, particularly amongst astrologers of different persuasions. The more traditional the astrologer, the more likely they are to dislike sun sign astrology.

History

Although William Lilly in the 17th century was the first newspaper astrologer (in fact some people believe that newspapers began as largely-astrological prediction-sheets), sun sign astrology was not invented until 1930. An astrologer named R. H. Naylor was claimed by his newspaper to have predicted the crash of the R101 airship. This led to pressure on Naylor to come up with a simplified system of astrology suitable for a newspaper column. After some experimentation, Naylor hit on sun signs. William Lilly William Lilly (May 1 (O.S.)/May 11 (N.S.), 1602 - June 9, 1681), was a famed English astrologer and occultist during his time. ... 1930 (MCMXXX) is a common year starting on Wednesday. ... R101 at the mast at Cardington One of the Beardmore engines (sectioned for display) View from the air of the crash site. ...

See also

• Sun sign
• Horoscopic astrology
• Horoscope