It originated in ancient Babylonia and spread from there to China, India, and the West. Today it is popular around the world, and people follow it in their daily newspapers. What is it?

The practice of interpreting the movements of celestial bodies to predict earthly events has its roots deep in ancient Babylonia. Around 4,000 years ago, Babylonian priests meticulously tracked the stars and planets, believing they were divine messages. Initially, these omens were not for individuals but were used to forecast the fate of the entire kingdom, such as the outcome of a harvest, the threat of war, or the health of the ruler.

This system of celestial divination spread and evolved as it traveled. The ancient Greeks were particularly influential, adapting Babylonian knowledge to create the personal horoscope and the twelve-sign zodiac system that is still widely recognized today. From the Hellenistic world, it journeyed along trade routes, influencing distinct traditions in India (Vedic astrology) and China, while also becoming deeply embedded in Roman and later European thought.

The leap to the daily newspaper is a much more recent phenomenon. The modern newspaper horoscope column was popularized in the 1930s after a British astrologer wrote a chart for the newborn Princess Margaret that appeared to predict future events. This sparked a public fascination that led to simplified, sun-sign horoscopes becoming a staple in publications around the globe, connecting millions of modern readers to an ancient tradition.