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.
In This Article...
Where did the concept of the zodiac signs originate?
The idea that constellations were made up of star patterns and that the sun appeared to travel through them at particular times of the year was developed by the ancient Egyptians. All of these concepts are believed to have converged about the time that Alexander the Great invaded Egypt in 330 BC.
The zodiac signs were created by whom?
Astrology is the study of celestial body motions and alignments that are thought to have an impact on both the natural world and human affairs. The 12 zodiac signs, one of the earliest ideas in astrology, were developed by the Babylonians around 1894 BC.
What is said about star signs in the Bible?
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.
Greek or Roman Zodiac Signs?
Based on ideas inherited by Hellenistic astronomy from Babylonian astronomy of the Chaldean period (mid-1st millennium BC), which in turn descended from an earlier system of lists of stars along the ecliptic, the zodiac was in use by the Roman era. The Almagest, a thorough work written by Ptolemy in the second century AD, details the creation of the zodiac.
The term “zodiac” and the names of the twelve signs are now mostly linked with horoscopic astrology, even if the zodiac continues to serve as the foundation for the other ecliptic coordinate system used in astronomy. The region of the celestial sphere that includes the planets’ courses and corresponds to the band of roughly 8 arc degrees above and below the ecliptic may also be referred to as the “zodiac.” The band that contains a planet’s path is known as its zodiac; for example, the “zodiac of the Moon” is the band of five stars above and below the ecliptic. The band that includes the majority of short-period comets may be referred to as the “zodiac of the comets” as a result.
Greek mythology underlies the zodiac.
Numerous astrological ideas, including the zodiac signs, have their origins in Greek mythology. The stars and constellations in the night sky captivated the ancient Greeks. By associating a god or goddess with each sign of the zodiac, they gave the universe a profound significance.
The Babylonians created the zodiac for what purpose?
Astronomy and astrology were one and the same in antiquity. Babylon is credited with developing modern astrology. The idea that the fate of humans on earth is determined by the motions of the stars and planets and the idea that the Gods in the heavens preside over man’s destiny led to the development of this belief. The earth’s rotation around the sun, which results in the sun moving eastward against the background of the constellations, the planets and moon moving around the sky, and the constellations rising at different times of the year, is the primary cause of the movements of the stars and planets.
The Biblical phrase “hosts of heaven for the starry world” beautifully captures the idea held by the Babylonian astrologers, according to Morris Jastrow. The moon, planets, and stars formed an army that was constantly engaged in military operations that were the result of careful planning and had a specific objective in mind. The priestthe bdru, or “inspector,” as the astrologer and the “inspector of the liver was calledhad the responsibility of ascertaining this goal. To accomplish this, a system of interpretation developed that was less logical and complex than the system of hepatoscopy (liver divination), but still worthy of note as an illustration of both men’s pitiful desire to see inside the minds of the gods and the influence Babylonian-Assyrian astrology had on the ancient world. This astrology, which the Greeks accepted and integrated with Greek ways of thinking and ways of living, was passed down from generation to generation through the Middle Ages and right up to the dawn of modern science. But before we talk about this idea and its interpretation, let’s have a look at the celestial bodies that Babylonian and Assyrian astrologers paid particular attention to.
Babylonian Astrology and Constellations
The 12 zodiacal signs were first described by the Babylonians, who also used mythology to explain stars and astrology. The Babylonian astrological system was improved by the Egyptians, and the Greeks gave it its current configuration. Some of the myths that the Greeks and Romans created and took from the Babylonians. The Greek word for “star” is where the words “astrology” and “astronomy” come from.
Due to the significance of the animals and other creatures chosen, many of the constellations’ names and shapes are said to have originated with the Sumerians. It is believed that creatures like ibises, jackals, crocodiles, and hippos would have been present in their environment if the constellations were created by the Egyptians rather than goats and bulls. Why are there no tigers or monkeys if they are from India? The constellation Capricorn was known to the Assyrians as “munaxa” (the goat fish).
The constellations were given hero names by the Greeks. These were taken by the Romans, who gave them the Latin names we still use today. 48 constellations were listed by Ptolemy. His list includes celestial bodies that the Mesopotamians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans could not see, such as those in the southern hemisphere.
Is astrology not allowed?
Astrology is the study of celestial body motions and alignments that are thought to have an impact on both the natural world and human affairs. According to historian Emilie Savage-Smith, astrology (also known as ilm al-nujm, “the study of the stars”) was “by far” the most widely used of the “many disciplines aiming to forecast future events or perceive hidden phenomena” in early Islamic history.
Despite Islamic prohibitions, some Muslims in the Middle Ages were interested in studying the apparent motion of the stars. This was due in part to their belief that celestial bodies were necessary, as well as the fact that desert nomads frequently traveled at night and relied on knowledge of the constellations to direct them. The need for Muslims to determine the time of the prayers, the direction the Kaaba should face, and the proper orientation of the mosque after the advent of Islam helped give astronomy a religious impetus and contributed to the idea that celestial bodies had an impact on both terrestrial affairs and human condition.
The rules for how Islam views astrology are laid down in Islamic law, the Quran, the Hadith, Ijma (scholarly consensus), and Qiyas (analogy). The concept’s classification is further broken down into halal (authorized) and haram (forbidden) categories (forbidden). Astrology is prohibited by the authorities, as stated in the Quran and Hadith, according to all Islamic sects and experts.
What sign is Jesus in?
There are twelve astrological ages, which correlate to the twelve zodiacal signs. An astrological age is a period of time in astrology that parallels significant changes in the evolution of Earth’s inhabitants, notably in relation to culture, society, and politics. The precession of the equinoxes, which causes astrological ages to exist, lasts for approximately 25,920 years and is known as a Great Year or Platonic Year.
Between 1 and 2150 AD, we are in the age of Pisces. Many Christian icons for Christ employ the astrological symbol for Pisces, the fishes, since the account of Christ’s birth coincides with this day. Since the personification of Christ embodies many of the temperamental and personality characteristics of a Pisces, he is regarded as an archetype of the Piscean. A code name for Jesus was the Greek word for fish, “Ikhthus,” and the twelve apostles were referred to as “fishers of mankind.” Early Christians also dubbed themselves “little fishes.” This marks the beginning of the age, or the “Great Month of Pisces,” which is also considered to be the start of the Christian religion. The Piscean sign’s apostle is known as Saint Peter.
Zodiac signs: fact or fiction?
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.
Does astrology hold a theistic view?
I’ve been asked to discuss the compatibility of astrology and religion numerous times over the course of my many years of counseling with deeply religious customers. I have noticed an amazing ideological connection between organized faiths and the ordered cosmos of astrology, despite the fact that some fervently religious people regard the practice of astrology as heretical.
Astrology and strict religious belief are mutually compatible. The idea that God created the universe, in which even the planets and stars are governed by high ideals, is actually a smooth leap.
My position is supported by history, which demonstrates that the study of the planets and stars predates and has influenced religious doctrine and practice all throughout the world. Evidence for this can be found in ancient literature, sculptures, and works of stained glass art. Our earliest historical locations of religious worship contain representations of the astrological signs and planets. Astrological alignments that synchronistically confirmed their advent were linked to the rise of important religious personalities including Jesus, Mohammed, Moses, Buddha, and Mary Baker Eddy.
It is possible to trace the origins of some fervent religious followers’ resistance to a time when priests and other religious authorities sought to mediate and interpret every religious experience from their positions of authority. Our forefathers sought divine inspiration straight from the stars and believed themselves to be an intricate part of an active universe unfolding before the rise of male-dominated organized religion. A discipline and belief system based on an enchantment with the divine orchestrations of the heavens, astrology was accessible to everyone. Astrology assumes an infinite and purposeful intelligence that penetrates the skies and the earth in a vast symphony of meaning rather than the worship of a single godhead or leader.
The Latin word religio, which means to connect together, is the word’s root. The motions of the skies and the experiences and happenings on Earth are inextricably interwoven.
Through the interpretation of the 9th and 12th houses as well as the archetypes of the planets Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune, astrology recognizes the significance of religion and spirituality. The 9th and 12th houses represent regions of life where a person may look for spiritual or religious direction, experience, or ordination. Saturn might represent a severe God image, Jupiter can represent a strong spiritual or religious leader, and Neptune can represent mystical encounters and the rapture.
A reputable, objective astrologer can assist a customer in strengthening their ties to their religion. Through an examination of their chart, I have assisted some clients in reclaiming and activating their religious roots, directing them toward the power they can find in following a religious path. For some people, religion is a crucial component of their psychological and mental health.
Contrary to many established religions, astrological activities and beliefs are not burdened by sexism, racism, homophobia, or other forms of oppression. Even the traditional metaphors used in astrology to distinguish between male and female planets and energies have been reinterpreted as receptive and active energies that are non-gendered in their expression. Everybody has a significant seat at the cosmic table, just as every planet and star in the sky has its own place.
astrology and institutionalized religions:
- generating meaning
- are not supported by science
- dated back countless years
- based on legend and myth
- have produced amazing, creative writing and art
- Make people feel like they belong and have an identity
- Assisting people in overcoming extreme sorrow and loss
- discussion of the concepts of fate and free will
- have a history of group rites
- have calendars for important occasions
Contrary to religion, astrology
- Lacking places of worship
- has no requirements or commitments to join
- possesses no moral laws
- does not make a meritorious superiority claim
- lacks a human saint
- lacks a scale of worthiness
- doesn’t suggest an afterlife
- provides no concrete guidelines for social behavior
- There is no mention of a written agreement requiring training
- has no authorized uniforms or costuming for practitioners
- doesn’t require worship
These lists demonstrate how astrology and religion could work together very effectively.
Religion is a Saturn word in astrological terms because it is structured, spells out right and wrong, and is founded on and on agreements and structures. The more Uranian astrology is
