The earliest humans would gaze out into the night, their terror over the sun’s disappearance turning into wonder over the countless twinkling lights illuminating the dark sky. Eventually, they noticed that these lights, remaining in the same configurations, were shifting; it was as though the constellations were slowly rotating around the world. They realised that by observing the position of the stars, they could keep track of time. This discovery allowed the ancients to measure out the seasons and years.

While that might not seem like much, understanding the passage of time is what gives us the ability to plan ahead. Mankind was able to figure out the best time of year for planting or harvesting specific crops. They could predict natural disasters — like floods and storms — and take measures to protect themselves. Something that we now take for granted was revolutionary at the dawn of civilization, and it propelled humanity forward even faster.

The Mesopotamians recognized the significance of the stars, Moon, and planets in their lives. Without them, they would not be able to enjoy the many benefits of forecasting the future. Before long, the stars became more than just a pretty calendar; they became gods. How else could the ancients explain their influence on the seasons? Their magnificent shining appearance? Their longevity in a time when the average life expectancy was thirty?

Fueled by their desire to understand these celestial bodies, the Mesopotamians dedicated centuries to studying them. They were even able to use their research to predict eclipses. Do you know how to do that? I don’t. I have the internet to help me, and I still miss them.

Over time, the night sky became a reference book to guide humanity in all areas. The constellations became symbols, each representing its own period of one month. The month in which a person was born allowed astrologers to chart out their fate. Throughout the civilised world, the study of astrology evolved and became more complex. 

Relationship astrology determines your compatibility with the people in your life. Medical astrology studies your health and predicts how illness will affect you. There’s even horary astrology, a practice that can provide answers to specific questions! No matter the issue, the stars seem to have a solution for everything.

But why are people so inclined to believe in them? Even when we only knew them to be tiny specks of light, why have we always had the collective instinct to revere them? At this point, we know that these brilliant constellations are composed of fiery gas balls hundreds, thousands, even millions of lightyears away. They aren’t even in the same configurations they were in when they were named. And yet, the practice of astrology has stood the test of time.

Perhaps we are compelled to believe in the stars because they have already given us so much. Without them, mankind might not have lasted as long as it has. Or perhaps the same wonder our ancestors felt under the glittering beauty of the night sky lives on in our hearts even now.

HANAN OMAR - An alien cosplaying as a big nerd. I like thinking about big questions and writing down whatever my brain pukes up.