How would you relate astrology to symbols?? do u think symbols play a part in astrological predictions? or was astrology supposed to be predictive or not?

No idea about the symbols, but i think, no i am sure, that astrology was meant for predictions too.

may be predictions started later..

If one treats astrology as a religion ... by which I mean the asrologer has an absolute and blind faith in what some book says, without an understanding of any underlying principles .... then this is how a child believes in God.

And, personally, I do not have a high opinion of this approach.  

If, however, one takes a more adult approach to the subject, and looks for understanding -- than one might (say) take Carl Jung's psychological approach, which suggests that most of us are totally unconscious of our motivations.

Further, and Jung makes a strong case for this, the ancient views on the Gods (planets) as an arbitrary and impulsive influence are the result of our own unconscious complexes, then one can conclude that the more unconscious is an individual, the more predictable they are.

I would go along witht this, since I have observed this sort of behavior in my long life -- and again and again.

For example, one might say "_______", (a certain word) to one individual and be absolutely certain they will start raging in fury.  In the jargon of psychology, that means a 'complex' attached to certain subject matter.

Finally, to say prediction is possible is to eliminate free will completely.

just my opinion

marbeh

so wud u say prediction is good or bad... doesnt it make people start thinking about it than actually do something in life? of course if taken in balance, it will help u grow.. what about extremes?