Another name for astrology is "stargazing." Long ago it was the custom in some countries to call in an astrologer when a baby was born. The astrologer "read the stars" and from them told the baby's fortune. He told whether the child would grow up to be brave or timid, strong or weak, rich or poor. "Reading the stars" meant chiefly seeing where the planets were among the stars. Astrologers predicted such things as wars and famines, too. For centuries there was an astrologer in the court of almost every king.
Astrology is not a science. The stars, scientists agree, have nothing to do with the fortunes of people or nations. The astrologers of old predicted many things that never came true. But even now many people believe in astrology.
Astronomy is a science. It is the true study of the stars. It is an old science. But many of the early astronomers had to make their living by practicing astrology.
