horoscope

1. the prediction of a person's future based on a comparison of the zodiacal data for the time of birth with the data from the period under consideration

2. the configuration of the planets, the sun, and the moon in the sky at a particular moment

3. a diagram showing the positions of the planets, sun, moon, etc., at a particular time and place

Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

An engraving of the famous horoscope of Jesus Christ’s birthdate from Ebenezer Sibly’s A New and Complete Illustration of the Occult Sciences, 1790. Reproduced by permission of Fortean Picture Library.

Horoscope (Astrological Chart)

(religion, spiritualism, and occult)

Among contemporary astrologers, the term horoscope (from the Greek hora, meaning “hour,” and skopos, meaning “watcher”) is used to refer to any astrological chart. Because of the popularity of newspaper astrology, which often presents itself as a “horoscope,” the word has become synonymous with “daily prediction” in the minds of the general public. Prior to the eighteenth century, however, a horoscope was applied only to the ascendant, which is the sign on the eastern horizon at the moment for which the chart is constructed.

The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

Horoscope

a diagram for so-called prediction of the future in the erroneous study of astrology. Horoscopes arrange the planets in 12 “houses” according to their position in the heavens at the moment of a person’s birth or the occurrence of a given event. Using the influence of the position of heavenly bodies (primarily planets) on terrestrial events, astrology “predicts” a person’s future or the outcome of an event.

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References in periodicals archive

SCORPIO Oct 24-Nov 21 EVERY week, you read your horoscope hoping for a sign that your ambition to appear on a TV genealogy show will be realised.

MYSTIC REG

Like everyone else, I always thought horoscopes were thousands of years old.

A view from dave trot Repackaging the future

Everything was going well until my mother checked our horoscopes, which are respected in my culture.

MUM PREDICTS A BLEAK FUTURE

In fact, Russell was the first astrologer in more than 300 years to present a horoscope forecast to a member of the royal family and he was later dubbed the "Royal Astrologer" in the media.

Russell Grant joins the Daily Post; Read star astrologer's new column every day

The bubbly astrologer said: "I editorial@examiner.co.uk never really set out to do horoscopes. I trained as an actor, but I started doing celebrity horoscopes and then there was the royal horoscope - the Queen Mother was a big fan."

FUTURE'S BRIGHT AS TOP ASTROLOGER RUSSELL SIGNS

I've always had interest in astrology, especially where my love life is concerned, and I read my horoscope as much as possible, whether online, or in newspapers and magazines.

MY STAR TURN

has sued Sun Media Corp., alleging the media chain infringed copyright by running horoscope columns without permission.

Unfortunately, that is not my horoscope. Things are askew in Zodiacland.

Oh, no! A 13th sign now?

My horoscope has alerted me to join a dance class, which chimes nicely with my own plan to take up bellydancing, fitting in with the tip to 'try my own thing'.

coverlines KIRSTIEMcCRUM

Every issue the horoscope for Leo and Virgo (I'm on the cusp) reads like we're annoying pushovers who want to be spoiled.

Demanding astrological equality