Astrology: Locations of Origin

by Captain StarCastle

Born in the region of the river Euphrates over 5,000 years ago, astrology evolved from the observations of celestial movement made by civilizations dependent upon natural rhythms for their very survival. With the fall of Babylonia, the Chaldean astrologers relocated their schools, and the science of astrology spread to Egypt, Greece, and Rome as well as to the Orient. The structure of astrology as we know it today was fixed by the Romans at the beginning of the Christian era.

After the Crusades, much new astrological information and imagery filtered into Europe through Spain and Sicily, although many iconographic details were changed through Middle Eastern interpretations.

It is from the Greek that we have the word “zodiac,” meaning “little animal,” and from Greek mythology that western astrology for the most part derives its iconography. The heroes of Mt. Olympus became astrological symbols during the burst of Greek artistic advancement in the fifth century B.C. From the seventh to the twelfth century, astrological themes even appeared in Byzantine manuscripts and church ceilings. The Vatican itself is amply decorated with astrological themes, as are the cathedrals of Notre Dame, Armiens, and Rheims in France and St. Mark’s in Venice.

The ASTROLOGICAL BIRTHDAY BOOK
A permanent Diary of Treasured Dates
Rhoda Urman
1982

Scorpio October 24 to November 22 The Scorpion appeared as an astrological symbol in Babylonian boundary stones as early as 1100 B.C. In Egypt, the goddess Selket wore the scorpion on her head as her sacred animal. The goddess of conjugal union, she was also involved in preparing the dead for embalming. From the Greeks there is the legend of Orion the Hunter who was punished for a boast that he would kill off all the animals of Crete with the poisonous sting of the scorpion. As a result, when the constellation Scorpio rises, Orion disappears below the horizon.

Sagittarius November 23 to December 21 The human part of the centaur/archer shoots his arrows upwards, signifying the Sagittarian’s belief that humanity will prevail only by realizing its singular, enlightened purpose in the cosmic scheme. Sagittarius encourages a strong sense of faith in the future, knowing that the well-directed arrow is apt to reach its mark. For this reason, types of this sign may be endowed with a special prophetic foresight, an extraordinary ability to formulate likely potentials for the future by evaluating the past. It is also why this type enjoys the prospect of a future project much more than the one at hand.

Capricorn December 22 to January 20 It is true that Capricorn must strive consciously for contact with their “fishy” or feeling side, the submerged side that connects with the primordial source of life. Their natural affinity for earthly endeavor often deludes them into believing that achievement is everything. Capricorn types can be workaholics for whom life’s only boon is the achievement of prestige for their labors. Yet, it is revealing that the sign of Capricorn should include the birthday of Christ, who was symbolized as a “fish.”