'Mystic' Zo Graham took a look into her crystal ball to delve into the world of astrology.

Some of us associate astrology with star signs that talk of things which merely are coincidental with issues happening in our lives.

Others take the subject extremely seriously, believing that the planets have a genuine effect on their lives.

But the science behind astrology goes back to as early as 5,000 BC, when there is evidence of initial studies of the Heavens.

All over the world, ancient artefacts been found that use symbols to clearly represents the sun, moon and other planets.

The art of astrology is extremely old, with scripts dating to 3,700 BC which stem from an astrological tradition in existence from at least 6,000 BC.

Early astrology was not as we know it today. It concentrated on observing the movement of the sun, moon and other planets to find out the best times for sowing, harvesting, breeding animals and other activities connected with rural life.

Astrological writings from Mesopotamia, modern day Iraq, show that the planets positions were recorded as being 'X' number of degrees from a fixed star, showing that, at that time, there was no evidence of a ' Zodiac' - a clearly defined band of constellations, against which the planetary positions could be plotted.

By 500BC, evidence of a Zodiac had been found and introduced, and personal horoscopes were being cast.

Discovered in 410BC, the oldest horoscope was written in 'cuneiform', the language of the people who lived in Mesopotamia in 4000BC.

Robert Hand has translated a version of this horoscope:

1. Month...Nissan...Night of the 14th...

2. Son of Shuma-usur, son of Shumaiddina, descendant of Deke, was born

3. At the time the moon was below the 'horn' of the Scorpion

4. Jupiter in Pisces, Venus

5. In Taurus, Saturn in Cancer

6. Mars in Gemini, Mercury which has set (for the first time)

7. Was (still) in (visible)

This is a very rough horoscope, but it does show that planets were being plotted in constellations - that is star signs.

Horoscopes have obviously evolved over the thousands of years since the first 'rough outline'. But, which star sign are you?

Aries

21st March-20th April

Taurus

21st April-20th May

Gemini

21st May-20th June

Cancer

21st June-22nd July

Leo

23rd July-22nd August

Virgo

23rd August-22nd September

Libra

23rd September-22nd October

Scorpio

23rd October-21st November

Sagittarius

22nd November-21st December

Capricorn

22nd Decemebr-19th January

Aquarius

20th January-18th February

Pisces

19th February-20th March

Characteristics for your sign, according to Purple Ronnie's 'Star Signs' book...

Aries - you're fun, happy, adventurous, always coming up with crazy ideas. Ariens are very sociable and have lots of friends to party with.

Taurus - Like to be safe, happy, comfortable and have things in order. Taureans hate change, and could be difficult to get them to try something new. You make gentle, kind and easy friends.

Gemini - love to dash around, trying out new things all the time. Though Gemini's can be fidgety. Great to have a Gemini as a friend because they are interested in absolutely everything.

Cancer -like most to be happy at home. Can get very soppy and sentimental. Love spending time with their families. Cancerians can be worriers. Love nattering to friends and chatting about the good old days.

Leo - are happy and smiley people. Love partying, being silly, having fun and have lots of friends to do this with, but only one or two close confidants.

Virgo - shy, quite and extremely clever. Love facts and figures, and know all sorts of 'rubbish'. Sometimes can seem to be snotty and rude when all they are is shy, but they are kind, helpful and are good at their friends.

Libra - want everything to be beautiful and lovely. Adore music, gorgeous outfits and dancing. Librans are totally indecisive and useless at making up their minds. Hate being on their own, have to go everywhere with lots of friends. Love chattering, never stuck for something to say.

Scorpio - will do anything to be the best. They know what they want. Have a good imagination, and like thinking up things to do. You can always trust a Scorpio to keep your secrets.

Sagittarius - like to have their freedom to discover new places and travel all over the world. Love groovy and weird stuff. Great fun to be with, they are clever and can't resist telling a good joke. Say things with out thinking and not good at keeping secrets!

Capricorn - are very grown-up and sensible. Have lots of hobbies and interests. Capricorns are friendly and gentle, always willing to help. They are also very polite.

Aquarius - totally unique, think in crazy ways one else understands, often miles ahead of their time. Love having ideas about changing the world. Aquarians are fun people to be around, always have a mixture of friends.

Pisces - are dreamy and mysterious, can wander off into their own world. Can make friends easily with strangers. Have a funny way of knowing what you're thinking.

For more, check out the Internet, there's a wealth of information and expert sites out in cyber space. If it's horoscopes you're after check out www.jonathancanier.co.uk