Astrometeorology

Astrometeorology (from Greek ἄστρον, astron, "constellation, star"; μετέωρος, metéōros, "high in the sky"; and -λογία, -logia) or meteorological astrology is a pseudoscience[1] that attempts to forecast the weather using astrology.[2] It is the belief that the position and motion of celestial objects can be used to predict both seasonal climate and weather.[3] Throughout most of its history astrometeorology was considered a scholarly tradition and was common in academic circles, often in close relation with astronomy, alchemy, meteorology, medicine, and other types of astrology.[4]

A discourse on astrometerology (1686)

Meteorological phenomena correlated to planetary configurations were recorded in Babylonia.[5] Classical astrologers of note such as Claudius Ptolemy constructed a treatise on forecasting weather via astrological means.[6] Astrometeorology is the oldest type of Hellenistic astrology.[6] Johannes Kepler recorded meteorological observations to support his belief that the conjunction of Saturn and the Sun would produce cold weather.[7] In 1686 a large volume written in English was devoted to astrometeorology by John Goad in his book Astro-Meteorologica[8] published in London, England. Astrometeorological societies persisted in Great Britain until the mid-19th century but were not taken seriously by mainstream scientists.[9] Farmers in India during the 21st century have used a form of astrometeorology based on Nakshatra that is not considered a viable practice.[10]

References

Solari, Giovanni (2019). Wind Science and Engineering: Origins, Developments, Fundamentals and Advancements. Springer. p. 31. ISBN 978-3030188153.
Jenks, Stuart (June 1983). "Astrometeorology in the Middle Ages". Isis. 74 (2): 185–210. doi:10.1086/353243. JSTOR 233102.
Taub, Liba (2012). "Astrometeorology". The Encyclopedia of Ancient History. Wiley Online Library. doi:10.1002/9781444338386.wbeah21051. ISBN 9781444338386.
Kassell, Lauren (5 May 2010). "Stars, spirits, signs: towards a history of astrology 1100–1800". Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part C: Studies in History and Philosophy of Biological and Biomedical Sciences. 41 (2): 67–69. doi:10.1016/j.shpsc.2010.04.001. PMID 20513617.
Frisinger, H. Howard (2003). History of Meteorology to 1800. Psychology Press. p. 2. ISBN 9780415161954. They have also indicated that meteorology developed a new character in Babylonian culture. For by trying to connect atmospheric phenomena with the movement of the heavenly bodies, the Babylonian astronomer-priests founded astrometeorology.
Lehoux, Daryn (June 2004). "Observation and prediction in ancient astrology". Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A. 35 (2): 227–246. doi:10.1016/j.shpsa.2003.12.009. Astrometeorology is the oldest branch of astronomy/astrology in the Greek tradition. As early as Hesiod (c. 700 b.c.), who is among the earliest of extant Greek authors, we find...
Kusukawa, Sachiko (1999). "Kepler and Weather Prediction". University of Cambridge: Department of History and Philosophy of Science. Retrieved 11 Feb 2011.
Goad, John (1686). Astro-meteorologica. London: J. Rawlins for Obadiah Blagrave.
Walker, Malcolm (January 2016). "Astro-meteorology in the 1860s" (PDF). James George Tatem, William Henry White, and Early Meteorological Societies in Great Britain. United Kingdom: The Royal Meteorological Society. pp. 47–53. ISBN 978-0-948090-42-4.
De, U.S.; Joshi, U.R.; Prakasa Rao, G.S (April 2004). "Nakshatra based rainfall climatology" (PDF). MAUSAM: Quarterly Journal of Meteorology, Hydrology & Geophysics. 55 (2): 305–312. Retrieved 28 October 2019. Indian farmers normally rely on Nakshatras for their agricultural activities during monsoon season. As the above study shows high amount of rainfall variability during the Nakshatra period, it is not a good practice to totally rely on Nakshatra based agricultural activities.

Astrometeorology

References

See also