Astrology

From PathfinderWiki
This article covers the occult science associated with augury. For the physical science of stars and celestial bodies, see astronomy.
The Cosmic Caravan, the primary zodiac of Avistan and Garund.
Celeste, a lunar naga navigator and astrologer.

Astrology, also known as the Dance of the Heavens, is an occult magical science of deriving meaning from the relationships and movements of celestial bodies (such as planets, comets, and stars) and constellations.12 Those who practice astrology are called astrologists.

On Golarion

Among more structured arcanists and scientists, the interpretive nature of astrology—and lack of causal evidence of any meaningful relationship between the cosmos and mortal beings—leads it to being viewed as unreliable and disreputable. Nonetheless, the record of connections between astrological events and history leads to astrology being a better-funded science than the more evidential study of astronomy.2

Astrology is used for augury as well as to determine a person's personality based on their birth date and location.2

Zodiacs

The zodiac used by astrologers varies depending on race (c.f. blink dog below), culture, and location.3

Cosmic Caravan

Astrologers in the Inner Sea region use the thirteen signs of the Varisian Cosmic Caravan as the basis for their studies and predictions.4 It is suspected of having an Azlanti origin, potentially making it a cousin of similar Lergeni astrology systems.2

Dragon Empires zodiac

The Dragon Empires zodiac of Tian Xia comprises twelve figures heavily associated with imperial dragons and Tian legends. This zodiac is also more concerned with specific points in time, including the daylight hours, and with phases of the moon.56

Known astrologers

Haron esh Kazzar, palace astrologer.
See also: Category:Astrologers

The following list highlights some of the known astrologers of Golarion, living or dead:

Astrological organizations

Among the organizations that deal with astrology are:

Peoples and species

Tools

Tools used in astronomy also aid in astrology.17 Spellcasters can use cosmograms and star charts as foci for arcane augury.18

Magic items

Certain magic items can enhance the predicative properties of astrology.

  • An idol of the eye is capable of answering questions through astrological analysis.19

References

Paizo published a major article about astrology in Occult Mysteries.

For additional as-yet unincorporated sources about this subject, see the Meta page.

  1. Chris A. Jackson. Pirate's Honor, 312. Paizo Inc., 2013
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Jason Bulmahn. “Esoteric Traditions” in Occult Mysteries, 36. Paizo Inc., 2014
  3. 3.0 3.1 Chris A. Jackson. Stargazer. Paizo Inc., 2013
  4. James L. Sutter. “Into the Black” in Children of the Void, 52. Paizo Inc., 2008
  5. Richard Pett. “Forest of Spirits” in Forest of Spirits, 53. Paizo Inc., 2011
  6. James Jacobs, et al. “Life in the Dragon Empires” in Dragon Empires Gazetteer, 51. Paizo Inc., 2011
  7. Judy Bauer, et al. “Lost Treasures” in Lost Treasures, 62. Paizo Inc., 2014
  8. James L. Sutter. “Chapter 1: The Solar System” in Distant Worlds, 4. Paizo Inc., 2012
  9. Andrew Penn Romine. The Fate of Falling Stars. Paizo Inc., 2013
  10. Robert G. McCreary. Voice in the Void, 3. Paizo Inc., 2009
  11. Adam Daigle, et al. Meyi Pahano (Lich)” in Undead Unleashed, 25. Paizo Inc., 2014
  12. Neil Spicer. “Ashes at Dawn” in Ashes at Dawn, 13. Paizo Inc., 2011
  13. Amber Stewart, et al. “Mwangi Campaigns” in Heart of the Jungle, 33–34. Paizo Inc., 2010
  14. Wolfgang Baur, et al. Abendego Gulf” in Lost Kingdoms, 5. Paizo Inc., 2012
  15. Paizo Inc., et al. “Monsters A to Z” in Bestiary 2, 47. Paizo Inc., 2010
  16. Erik Mona, et al. Mwangi Expanse” in World Guide, 93. Paizo Inc., 2019
  17. Andrew Penn Romine, et al. Astronomy” in People of the Stars, 26. Paizo Inc., 2014
  18. Andrew Penn Romine, et al. Astronomy” in People of the Stars, 27. Paizo Inc., 2014
  19. Monte Cook. Curse of the Riven Sky, 30. Paizo Inc., 2010