The argument is as old as the practice itself. Some vehemently postulate that

astrology is a philosophy. Some lecture and debate that astrology is a science, and

can be considered nothing else. How does one begin to sort out their views on the

subject? Let us begin with the very words themselves.

Philosophy is the rational investigation of the truths and principles of being, of

knowledge, or of conduct. Additionally, philosophy is the critical study of the basic

principles and concepts of a particular branch of knowledge, esp. with a view to

improving or reconstituting them. IE: the philosophy of science.

Science is a particular branch of knowledge or study dealing with a body of facts

or truths systematically arranged and showing the operation of general laws.

Astrology, in today's dictionaries, is defined as the study that assumes and

attempts to interpret the influence of the heavenly bodies on human affairs.

It was not until the late 17th century a differentiation began to limit the word

"astrology" to "reading influences of the stars and their effects on human

destiny." Until that point astrology and astronomy were exactly the same thing.

Astrology is from the Greek word "astrologia" which means "science of the stars."

(astron "star" + -logia "treating of," comb. form of logon "one who speaks in a

certain manner") Originally identical with astronomy, it had also a special sense of

"practical astronomy, astronomy applied to prediction of events." This was divided

into natural astrology "the calculation and foretelling of natural phenomenon"

(tides, eclipses, etc.), and judicial astrology "the art of judging occult influences of

stars on human affairs" (also known as stromancy, 1652).

Astronomy is defined as the scientific study of matter in outer space, especially

the positions, dimensions, distribution, motion, composition, energy, and evolution

of celestial bodies and phenomena. Astronomy is a system of knowledge or beliefs

about celestial phenomena, and science is study dealing with facts or truths

systematically arranged and show operation. Thus, there is no difference between

astrology and science.