Astrology's inportance highlighted in the article:
"In the Middle Ages, astrology had two interpretations in Central Asia. The first interpretation was based on mathematical and astronomical theories and measurements. The second interpretation, while based on magical elements, was not rational and was not supported by mathematical facts. In the Muslim world, astrology was subject to considerable criticism, as it was largely interpreted as a magical theory rather than a scientific one.
Al-Biruni became one of the first scholars to distinguish between these fields in the 10th-11th centuries. Indeed, he emphasized the scientific nature of astronomy, describing it as the science of the stars. He differentiated astrology from astronomy, viewing it more as an art form or practice. As an erudite scholar, he criticized astrology, emphasizing its "weak foundations." Moreover, he emphasized his theory that astrology is not a science, deeply analyzing the astrological doctrines of ancient Greece, the Indian subcontinent, Iran, and Central Asia. Al-Biruni stated that astrological questions and the meaning of the zodiac signs were viewed differently depending on the region.
However, despite these criticisms, astrology was quite popular in the Muslim world. Some scholars, such as Al-Khwarizmi and Ulugh Beg, accepted astrology as a science alongside astronomy. In their works on astronomy, these scholars devoted chapters to astrology. For them, astrology shared the same concepts as astronomy, but these concepts were studied using additional astrological elements. For example, the word "horoscope" (from the Greek horos, meaning time, and skopein, meaning determine) was originally defined as "the rising or ascending degree of the ecliptic." Astrology was then used to determine the timing of events through planetary coordination.
Astrology was of great importance in Central Asia and the Muslim world. This led to people's interest in astrology; rulers also governed and made decisions by paying attention to astrological elements.
Despite various understandings, astrology remained deeply connected to astronomy. Both subjects were developed thanks to the research of scholars conducted outside their respective regions along the Silk Road. Therefore, astrology and astronomy remain important elements of our shared heritage."
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