Man has always been fascinated by the night sky. Cultures around the world have depended on stars to mark the seasons and for navigation. In joining the dots between sun, stars, planets and earth and invoking their supposed powers, astrology was shaped. The science of astronomy followed, blazing with technological advances that have heightened our understanding and imagination.

Astrology, the mystical interpretation of the astral positions, has been used for divination and guidance in life for centuries. Horoscopes were the star charts drawn up to depict the concept of celestial influence.

It is not difficult to imagine how the ancients looked into the starry night and traced out the forms of creatures — 43 of the 88 known constellations are based on animals. Many of us know the tropical Zodiac signs: Aries (ram), Taurus (bull), Gemini (twins), Cancer (crab), Leo (lion), Virgo (maiden), Libra (scales), Scorpio (scorpion), Sagittarius (centaur), Capricorn (goat), Aquarius (water-bearer) and Pisces (fish).

The study of the constellations has continued in modern astronomy, and new techniques of exploring and capturing scientific phenomena in the immensity of space has kept us in awe of the stars.

Featured in this set of stamps are four horoscope signs – Aries, Taurus, Gemini and Cancer.