The most recognizable pattern used for this purpose was the Big Dipper. The Big Dipper became a symbol of freedom for runaway slaves in America who followed it to Canada to freedom. The stars were also used by farmers as a guide for planting. They would look for certain constellations that appear only in the spring so they'd know it was time for planting. Then they'd look for fall constellations which would mean it was time to harvest the fields.
Astronomy is the scientific study of the stars, planets and the other celestial bodies.
While astrology is the ancient art of foretelling the future of human beings from the positions of the stars and other heavenly bodies.