Astrometeorology
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Astrometeorology (from Greek {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, astron, "constellation, star"; {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, metéōros, "high in the sky"; and {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, -logia, "branch of knowledge") or meteorological astrology is a pseudoscience<ref name=Solari/> that attempts to forecast the weather using astrology.<ref name=Jenks/> It is the belief that the positions and motions of celestial objects can be used to predict both seasonal climate and weather.<ref name=Taub2012/> 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.<ref name="Kassell"/>
HistoryEdit
Meteorological phenomena correlated to planetary configurations were recorded in Babylonia.<ref name=Frisinger/> Classical astrologers of note such as Claudius Ptolemy constructed a treatise on forecasting weather via astrological means.<ref name=Lehoux/> Astrometeorology is the oldest type of Hellenistic astrology.<ref name=Lehoux/> Evidence of the practice of astrometeorology in the Middle Ages is rare, however there are examples of prominent astrologers during the twelfth through fifteenth centuries such as John of Eschenden and Robert Grosseteste.<ref name=Jenks/> Johannes Kepler recorded meteorological observations starting in 1593 to support his belief that the conjunction of Saturn and the Sun would produce cold weather.<ref name=Kusukawa/> Starting in 1598 Kepler produced a calendar that included weather prognostications based on astrology.<ref name=Dilanian /> In 1686 a large volume written in English was devoted to astrometeorology by John Goad in his book Astro-Meteorologica<ref name=Goad/> published in London, England. Astrometeorological societies persisted in Great Britain until the mid-19th century but were not taken seriously by mainstream scientists.<ref name=Walker/> Farmers in India during the 21st century have used a form of astrometeorology based on Nakshatra that is not considered a viable practice.<ref name=De/>