Astrology

The study of heavenly bodies to learn what influence they may have on human life is called astrology. From the dawn of civilization, humans have looked with wonder and awe at the heavens, seeking to understand the nature of the sun, moon, planets, and stars. With the limited means available to them, ancient Mesopotamians, Egyptians, and Greeks studied the regular movements they saw in the sky. The calculations they made laid the foundation for the science of astronomy. A pseudoscience, astrology also originated in speculations about how the heavens influenced life on Earth.

Astrological advice and forecasts appear in many daily newspapers. Numerous magazines and books are published on the subject every year. Most of the advice that is given appears in a form called a horoscope--originally a chart drawn up to indicate what influences the heavenly bodies would have on the life of an individual born at a particular time.

An individual's astrological horoscope--that is the birth chart--is determined by the position of all the planets at the exact moment of birth. Astrologers divide the year into 12 equal sections, called the zodiac, which originally corresponded to 12 constellations lying in a great belt around the heavens.

Heavens Dawn seek available

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foundation forecast speculation chart

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Ex. 17. Answer the questions:

Why do you think astrology appeared?

In the text astrology is called a ‘pseudoscience’. How do you understand it?

What sources do astrologers use in their practice?

Do you believe in astrology?

Ex. 18. Read the characteristics of people born in different zodiacal signs.

Signs of Zodiac

Aquarius (January 21 - February 19)

Broad-minded, individual, self-confident, sociable.

Pisces (February 20 - March 20)

Sensitive, sympathising, idealistic and romantic. Workaholic.

Aries (March 21 - April 20)

A strong, enthusiastic, forceful personality, cheerful and energetic. An artistic sort of person.

Taurus (April 21 - May 21)

A good mixer (sociable), friendly and helpful. A homely sort of person. Tolerant and determined.

Gemini (May 22 - June 21)

Intellectuals and generalists. Rather flexible and versatile. A good sense of humour.

Cancer (June 22 - July 22)

Honest, patient, understanding. Rather self-possessed.

Leo (July 24 - August 23)

A good leader and organiser, responsible. Talents lie in Arts.

Virgo (August 24 - September 23)

Good organisers. Reserved and emotionless. Talents: Arts.

Libra (September 24 - October 23)

A sociable person. A good family person. Easily adaptable in a new environment.

Scorpio (October 24 - November 22)

Determined, strong-willed. Difficulties catalyse their energy.

Sagittarius (November 23 - December 21)

Easy-going, friendly, creative. Pragmatic.

Capricorn (December 22 - January 20)

Practical, serious, thoughtful of others.

Ex. 19. Answer the questions:

What is your sign?

What are the most characteristic traits of your character?

Do these traits coincide with those your sign suggests?

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Ex. 20. Read the poem. Every line of this poem describes the qualities of a man’s character the author admires. Choose the adjectives to describe these qualities in one word. Learn the poem by heart.

IF

By Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,

Or being hated don't give way to hating,

And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;

If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim,

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings;

And risk it at one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

And never breathe a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,

And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

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