The older than any other known case, according to Jones. He continued, “We have a lot of horoscopes that are written down as a kind of document on papyrus or on a wall but none of them as old as this. It’s also older than any written-down horoscopes that we have from the Greco-Roman civilization.”
The discovery was published in the most current issue of the Journal for the History of Astronomy by Jones and StaoForenbaher, a researcher with the Institute for Anthropological Research in Zagreb.
Forenbaher told LiveScience that in 1999, the crew was excavating close to the entrance of the Croatian cave, a location well-known to archaeologists and residents of the surrounding village of Nakovana who simply referred to it as “Spila,” which translates to “the cave.”
However, no one was aware at the time that a portion of the cave had been closed off more than 2,000 years prior. Forenbaher’s then-girlfriend dug through the debris and found a broad, low tube that extended for over 33 feet in the dark (10 meters). “The unique King Tut experience, coming to a spot where nobody has been for a couple of thousand years,” was how Forenbaher put it when describing entering the corridor.
Forenbaher recalled that when he first entered the cavern, “there was a very thin limestone crust on the surface that was splitting under your boots, which meant that nobody walked there in a very, very, long time.”
It had been blocked off in the first century B.C., presumably in reaction to a Roman military campaign against the locals, the researchers would later discover.
When the archaeologists looked further, they discovered a stalagmite with a phallic shape, as well as several drinking containers that had been accumulated over a long period of time. Forenbaher recalled that during the excavation, “these incredibly minute bits and pieces of ivory came up, and we didn’t even know what we had at the time.”
The group got to work. Years of piecing them together, discovering further tidbits, and determining what they were, according to Forenbaher, followed. Finally, they came to a point where they were staring at the charred remains of the oldest known astrological board.
The board’s origin and how it got to the cave are both unknown to archaeologists. The Babylonians created their own kind of horoscopes about 2,400 years ago, which is when astrology first emerged in antiquity.
Then, about 2,100 years ago, astrology began to expand throughout the eastern Mediterranean and gained popularity in Egypt, which was then ruled by a dynasty of Greek monarchs.
The current type of astrology, which is what we typically refer to as the Greek style of astrology, is considerably modified, according to Jones. The Greek tradition served as the basis for astrology throughout the Middle Ages and into contemporary Europe, contemporary India, and other regions.
The ivory used to produce the zodiac images was created around 2,200 years ago, just before the advent of this new system of astrology, according to radiocarbon dating.
Egypt is a possibility, although researchers are unsure about the board’s manufacturing location. They believe that the ivory itself came from an elephant that was slaughtered or passed away in the nearby area. Given its value, the ivory would have been kept in storage for a long timepossibly even a centurybefore being used to create the zodiac. The board, which might have had other components that perished, would have been made by attaching these signs to a flat (perhaps wooden) surface.
It might have at some stage been loaded onto a ship sailing over the Adriatic Sea, a significant trade route that the cave looks out on. Illyrians were the name given to the inhabitants of Croatia at the time. Although they were generally denigrated by ancient writers, archaeological evidence indicates that they interacted with surrounding Greek colonies and played an important role in the Mediterranean region.
It’s probable that a Greek colony astrologer visited the cave to make a forecast. Although it might not have been practical for the astrologer, a session done under the flickering light of the cavern would have been a potent experience.
Jones said that it didn’t seem like a very practical location for performing astrological homework, such as computing planetary placements.
Another hypothesis is that the Illyrians did not completely comprehend the use of the astrology board and traded or stole it from someone. The board and the drinking utensils would have been offered to an unknown deity who was worshipped in the cave at that point.
Forenbaher stated that there is “certainly a probability” that the astrologer’s board appeared as an offering alongside other unique items that were either purchased or looted from a passing ship. He emphasized how meticulously selected drinking containers were discovered in the cave. Only a few specimens of simpler amphora storage vessels were discovered with them, and these were constructed elsewhere.
According to Forenbaher, “it nearly seems like someone was bringing out wine there, pouring it, and then throwing the amphora away because they weren’t good enough for the gods or to be placed in the sanctuary.”
The phallic-shaped stalagmite, which may have formed naturally there, appears to have served as a focal point for both these rites and the offerings made in the cavern. Forenbaher said that while all stalagmites exhibit certain phallic characteristics, it can be challenging to interpret their significance for the inhabitants of the cave. It undoubtedly had significant meaning, he added.
This is a location where valuable items that were once kept locally were given to a supernatural force, transcendental being, or whatever.
In This Article...
The zodiac signswho developed them?
The 12 zodiac signs, one of the earliest ideas in astrology, were developed by the Babylonians around 1894 BC. In Babylon, one of the most well-known ancient Mesopotamian towns, which is roughly where modern-day Iraq is located, resided the Babylonians.
Who was the first to develop astrology?
) and spread to India, but during the Hellenistic era, Greek civilisation gave it its Western shape. Through learning Arabic in the Middle Ages, astrology returned to European culture after entering Islamic civilization as a component of the Greek legacy. Greek mythology holds that the 12 zodiacal constellations divide the heavens, and that the bright stars that appear periodically have a spiritual impact on human affairs. Ancient China also placed a high value on astrology, and during the imperial period, it was customary to have a horoscope made for each newborn child and at all significant turning points in a person’s life. Even though astrology’s dependence on a geocentric worldview was destroyed by the Copernican theory, astrological signs continue to be generally thought to have an impact on personality.
Who is the horoscope’s father?
William Frederick Allan, aka Alan Leo, was a well-known British astrologer, author, publisher, collector of astrological data, and theosophist. He was born in Westminster on August 7, 1860, and passed away in Bude on August 30, 1917. The “father of modern astrology” is how people frequently refer to him.
After falling out of favor in the West towards the end of the 17th century, his work sparked its resurgence. Leo was an ardent theosophist who incorporated many of its spiritual ideas, including karma and rebirth, into his astrology. He published, translated, and distributed his material throughout Europe and America using the Theosophical Society’s extensive global connections.
Horoscopes: Are they true?
Astrology: Is it true? Although reading horoscopes is a well-liked past time, is there any scientific evidence that it has any significance?
When you are lured by a familiar interruption and your willpower wanes, problems may result.
Up to 70 million Americans consult their horoscopes every day. At least that is what the American Federation of Astrologers claims. A Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life research conducted twenty years ago found that 25% of Americans thought that the positions of the stars and planets had an impact on our daily life. According to the General Social Survey from 2012, 34% of Americans asked think astrology is “extremely” or “kind of” scientific. The percentage of those who think astrology is “not at all scientific” has decreased from two-thirds to roughly one-half.
The concept that astronomical phenomena, such as the stars above when you were born or the fact that Mercury is in retrograde, have the ability to affect the daily happenings in our lives and our personality traits is commonly referred to as astrology. The study of astronomy, which is the scientific study of celestial objects, space, and the mechanics of the cosmos, is obviously very different from this.
An element of astrology in particular that is gaining popularity is the ability to predict one’s future or provide advise on daily actions through horoscopes. Horoscope pages had 150 percent more visits in 2017 than in 2016, according to publications like The Cut.
It’s obvious that many individuals are looking for methods of star interpretation. Understanding the locations of the stars, the basis of astrology, seems to be a sufficiently scientific endeavor. But can science support the idea that astrology has an impact on our personalities and our lives?
But since I have you for the remaining five minutes of this six-minute-or-so podcast, let’s examine the precise methods by which astrology has been put to the test.
Where did Zodiacs begin?
During the early half of the first millennium BC, Babylonian astronomy is where the zodiacal signs were originally divided into sections of the ecliptic. The MUL.APIN catalogue, which was created circa 1000 BC, is one of the early Babylonian star catalogues that the zodiac takes stars from. Other constellations, such as Gemini “The Twins,” from MA.TAB.BA.GAL.GAL “The Great Twins,” and Cancer “The Crab,” from AL.LUL “The Crayfish,” can be traced even further back, to Bronze Age (First Babylonian dynasty) origins.
What did Jesus have to say regarding astrology?
I believe that astrology was a tool God created for us to use as a spiritual tool and to better understand ourselves. I believe that astrology is supported by a number of biblical scriptures. I concentrate on what Jesus taught as a Christian. When Christ prophesied in Luke 21:25, “There shall be signs in the sun, moon, and stars,” he was referring to the significance of astrology. He talks to the disciples about the significance of astrology and how it might be interpreted as a sign of his coming back. Why would Jesus provide us this crucial information if we aren’t intended to interpret planetary energies and zodiacal signs and if he actually opposed it? Jesus warned us that there will be signals in the sky upon his return, just as the three wise men understood that Jesus would be born under the star in the sky that guided them to him lying in the manger.
What kind of faith is astrology based on?
The Chinese calendar, which is linked to Chinese astrology and prehistoric religion, serves as the foundation for the history of the zodiac. Taoism was one of the religions that had an impact on the zodiac. According to Taoist doctrine, a person’s “future” can be predicted using space and stars. This relates to the zodiac because according to Chinese astrology, a person’s future can be influenced by the locations of objects in space. The function of each zodiac sign in relation to the dates and hours was determined by the sun.
A yin-yang symbol, which symbolizes any two opposing principles in the cosmos and how everything functions, is frequently inserted in the core of various zodiacs. The Taoist faith is where the yin-yang symbol first appeared. One of Taoism’s well-known symbols is the idea that “a man is a microcosm for the cosmos.” The five elements of the Zodiac are joined with the yin-yang to read the 10 stems, which are used by the Zodiac to calculate days, months, and years. This is how the yin-yang and the Zodiac are related. The yin-yang, when combined, also influences the traits of the 12 zodiac animals.
Buddhism is another example of how the zodiac and religion are related. According to one of the traditions, Buddha invites all the animals that made up the zodiac. Because the majority of people in China follow this religion, which has had the most religious influence on China, it is significant to the culture of that country. The zodiac’s structure and development have been significantly influenced by religious thought.
Do scientists have any faith in astrology?
Numerous belief systems known as astrology hold that there is a connection between astrological phenomena and occurrences or personality descriptions in the human realm. The scientific community has rejected astrology as having no ability to explain the universe. The premises and alleged consequences detailed in astrological traditions have not been supported by scientific research.
A religion or a science?
Astrology is a perfect fusion of science and art that uses the positions of celestial bodies, whereas every religion merely consists of a set of laws based on a set of beliefs. Therefore, despite the fact that Hindus and Christians both adhere to “the science of light” or “Jyotish Shastra,” fortune telling is still essentially the same.
Surprisingly, these predictions or prophecies appear in all cultures and religions. The outcomes remain the same, regardless of the methods used. Have you ever wondered how these ideas can be related despite the fact that the belief ecosystem is so dissimilar? That being said, it should go without saying that everyone is and will continue to be concerned about their future, strive to be their best selves, and overcome obstacles with ease. Nearly everyone else wants to know what will happen in advance so they can act appropriately when things do interact. People of many faiths and civilizations can attest to this.
Though the specifics may vary, all faiths involve computations. However, the outcomes are the same. Nearly everyone else wants to know what will happen in advance so they can act appropriately when things do interact. People of many faiths and civilizations can attest to this. There are many perspectives on the matter, but learning is the key. Choose an astrological school from the various online astrology courses that teaches you everything. Online astrology classes are available, as well as distance learning astrology courses.
Have you ever thought about how our festivals are set up in relation to astrology and religion? The celebrations show how astrology and religion are related. If one looks closely enough, they will see that all of the festivals are determined by the positions of the sun, moon, and stars. This happens in all religions, to the extent that astrology has taken on a crucial role in religious rituals.
As a result, if you look for evidence from antiquity to the present, you will see a wide range of astrological systems that grew out of many other systems but ultimately pointed to a tie between astrology and religion. One of the most well-liked astrologies in India is the old Vedic astrology.
Astrology is the foundation of Hinduism. People hurry to their astrologer as soon as a baby is born to get his “Janam Patri” made and to select the best name for him. Astrology is mentioned in a number of Hindu epics, including the Mahabharata. At once, astrology knowledge was only available to “Brahmins.” Then they would sit within the temples and see into the future. Thus, a connection between Hinduism and astrology was established.
As time went on, the general public in the region had greater access to the idea of astrology. In 2020, lessons and study materials will be available for everyone with even a passing interest in astrology. The movement of the planets is calculated in astrology, which then interprets the results. It doesn’t depend on irrational predictions. Many Hindu households consult their astrologer before making any significant decisions.
Islam also holds this concept in astrology. Their ancestors believed that the motion of the sun, moon, and other celestial bodies might affect the lives of humans who lived on the planet, according to the top astrologer in India. Fewer and fewer people still hold this belief in astrology as it has lost popularity over time. Everything is dependent on the person. Astrology may not be accepted by someone who practices Islam to the letter, but it may be trusted by someone who rejects all organized religion.
Christianity is the only faith that stands out when it comes to astrology belief. The Bible outright condemns people from putting their faith in astrology. Despite this, there are numerous astrologers in the west. They assert that the Bible has been misinterpreted and that it contains warnings regarding the misdeeds of particular people. Western nations have much fewer astrologers than a location like India. Additionally, it shows how little astrology is respected in the West. The Bible only validates the general skepticism that people previously had about astrology. As a result, very few Christians hold astrology to be true.
India is probably the country with the highest belief in astrology. At least once in their life, more than half of people have consulted an astrologer. It is plausible to suppose that astrology adherents are common in India because both Hinduism and Islam are widely practiced there. Astrology does a fantastic job of foretelling the future and providing solutions to issues.
Different people have different belief systems, and it is up to each individual to decide what they choose to believe. Astrology is still in use today despite being 5000 years old. This increases our confidence in astrology.
Several crucial details:
- When priests and other religious leaders attempted to interpret and mediate all religious experiences from their positions of authority, this is when some devout religious believers’ objections first surfaced. Before the emergence of male-dominated organized religion, our ancestors looked to the stars for divine inspiration and believed that they were an intricate part of an evolving universe.
- Anyone could practice astrology as a method and adopt the belief system that it is based on, which is an enchantment with the divine orchestrations of the heavens. Astrology asserts the existence of an unlimited and purposeful intellect that permeates the skies and the earth in a great symphony of meaning rather than requiring the worship of a specific deity or figurehead.
A client’s confidence might be boosted by a reliable, objective astrologer. I’ve helped some clients rediscover and activate their religious roots through an analysis of their chart, guiding them toward the strength that comes from following a religious path.
For some people, religion is essential to their psychological and mental health. Astrological concepts and practices are devoid of sexism, racism, homophobia, and other forms of oppression, in contrast to many organized faiths. Even the outdated astrological metaphors of male and female planets and energies have been replaced with receptive and active energies that express themselves in a unisex manner. Every person has a significant place at the cosmic table, just as every planet and star has a certain location in the sky.
I don’t know if I’ve covered everything there is to know about this incredibly broad subject. To find such a topic in the future, please subscribe to my column.