Topic: Astrology & astronomy
If you knew that this is the second day of Psychic Week, you may also know today marks the 1926 birth of Sidney Kimmelman. Better remembered as astrologist Sydney Omarr, today's birthday boy was born under the sun sign Leo with Libra rising.
We're casting aside the zodiac in favor of examining the more mundane aspects of the distinction between astrology and astronomy.
Astronomy is the older term: it dates back to the 13th century and has its origin in the astro- plus -nomy that combine to name the "system of laws governing, or the sum of knowledge regarding the field of stars, the heavens, or outer space."
Since its coining, astronomy has had the sense "the study of objects and matter outside the earth's atmosphere and of their physical and chemical properties." But up until the early 18th century, astronomy was also used in the sense we moderns associate with astrology.
Astrology first appeared in English in the 14th century as a synonym of astronomy. The logy in astrology meant "doctrine"; "science"; "theory," back then, understanding the practical aspects of the heavens was part of everyday life.
Then, in the 16th century, astronomy and astrology diverged, and astrology developed its sense used by the late Mr. Omarr: "the divination of the supposed influence of the stars and planets on human affairs and terrestrial events by their positions and aspects."
Questions or comments? Write us at wftw@aol.com Production and research support for Word for the Wise comes from Merriam-Webster, publisher of language reference books and Web sites including Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh Edition.
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