海外文化:英美民俗-占星术

【英文原文】

摘要：占星术是一种十分古老的伪科学，它试图通过观察日、月、星辰的位置和运动以达到预测未来的目的。占星术认为，人出生时的天象反映人的性格，因而也就决定了人的命运。

Astology is the study of how events on earth or people’s lives are influenced by the positions and movements of heavenly bodies, particularly the sun, the moon, planets, and stars. Astrologers believe that the position of heavenly bodies at the exact moment of a person’s birth and the later movements of the bodies reflect that person’s character and, therefore, destiny. For many years, scientists have rejected the principles of astrology. However, millions of people throughout the world continue to believe in or practice it. Some people ask the advice of an astrologer before making important decisions. Other people don’t take astrology seriously but have interest in it and occasionally read general advice published in newspaper “horoscope” columns.

Astrologers learn about the influence of the heavenly bodies on what happens on the earth by casting(drawing) a circular chart called a horoscope, which shows the position of heavenly bodies at certain times, such as when a person in born.

When casting a horoscope, astrologers have to take four elements into consideration: the earth, the zodiac, the planets, and the houses.