The roots of Western Tropical astrology (the type of astrology most Westerners are familiar with today) date all the way back to ancient Mesopotamia (2300 BC). From there, perhaps as early as 600 BC, astrology began making its way into ancient Greece. Astrology's entrance into Greece coincided with the beginning of the first great Greek philosophers and with the rise of the Greek state and culture.

Socrates - 469 to 399 BC
Plato - 427 to 347 BC
Aristotle - 384 to 322 BC


Then Alexander the Great burst onto the scene beginning his famous conquests over much of the entire (then known) world. Alexander's conquests lasted between the years of 336-323 BC. Due to Alexander's powerful influence and control - and his having been tutored by the master philosopher Aristotle - Greek culture and thought was then spread throughout much of Alexander's vast conquered domain.

In this process of "hellenizing" the world - Alexandria, Egypt became the established cultural center of ancient Hellenistic Greek thought and philosophy between the years of 323 - 31 BC. It was during this 300 year period of time that the study, development, and acceptance of astrology flourished among many of the prominent thinkers of the day... and it was during this period of time, when the roots of horoscopic, zodiacal, individualized astrology (much as we recognize it today) first came into existence.

In this Hellenistic Greek atmosphere, astrology was no longer reserved for royalty. Later ancient Hellenistic sky watchers such as the famous Ptolemy (85-165 AD) served in dual roles as both the scientifically minded mathematical astronomer searching out the skies and as the metaphysically minded astrologer divining the purposes of the heavens.