The History of Astrology

 

Astrology is an ancient practice that different civilisations seemed to

develop independently.  Western Astrology was pract

from the way we practice it today, it has gone through many

transformations during 4000 years, of recorded history. 

 

The cultures of Babylonia, India, Persia, Egypt, Greece, Rome, the

Islamic world, Medieval and Renaissance Europe, 17^th century through

to Victorian England and 20^th century America have adapted astrology to

their way of life and worldview of their societies.

 

The Chaldeans who lived in Babylonia  (now Iraq)  established one of

the original forms of Astrology as early as 3000 BC.  By 2000 BC, the

Chinese were applying astrology. The Chinese and Aztecs charted the

moon cycles, they used these cycles as a guide to planting and

harvesting their crops.  For example seeds planted on the waning

(or lessening) phase of the moon did not grow as well as seeds planted

soon after the New Moon phase (this is when the Moon is in its growing

cycle, waxing).  Many present day gardeners use this system.

 

The first sign of the zodiac being Aries,  in the Northern Hemisphere this

is the first day of Spring. It is apparent, that the seasons and cycles of

life were meticulously recorded and observed in ancient times.

 

The movements of the planets were thought to honour the intentions of

the gods, in the Babylonian and Assyrian Cultures (second and first

millennia BCE).  The planets were thought to be  manifestations of the

Gods.  Astrologer-Priests of the day charted and observed the signs or

omens of the planetary Gods.  This information was given to the Kings,

with the hope that they would rule the land with divine will.

 

There was celestial phenomena which was thought to be omens of the

future such as eclipses, comets, meteors, lightening and thunder. 

Rituals were important, in order to invoke the Gods, to change their

minds and create an abundant future.   In India there are examples of

the earliest omen texts stressing the importance of rituals to pacify and

appease the gods anger.

 

Today with the advent of computers,  we can produce a chart in a few

minutes, early astronomers and astrologers worked with an instrument

called an Astrolabe.  The Greeks were ingenious at astronomy and

astrology and had expertise for constructing machines.  The astrologer,

Ptolemy describes the construction of an astrolabe, it is a small machine

with geared wheels, an instrument used for measuring the positions of the

stars and movements of the planets. An astrolabe was discovered in the

sunken wreck of a vessel of the 1^st century BC.  The astrolabe claims to

be the oldest scientific instrument. If some Greek ideas about the solar

system were somewhat unusual (Ptolemy’s not the least) their

understanding of mechanics and mathematics was brilliant. There are many

fine examples of astrolabes in museums, often magnificently decorated, a

pleasure to look at as well as to use.

 

The philosophers Plato and Pythagoras integrated astrology into their

study of religion and astronomy by 600 BC.

 

The first circular birth chart, which is used today, was designed by the

Greeks.  The birth chart incorporates the patterns of the solar system at

the very moment of birth, there by a map or grid form.  This includes the

12 signs.  The next element was dividing the 360 degree circular birth chart

into 12 houses, or areas of life experience starting with the sign on the

horizon at the time or the moment of birth, this is known as the Ascendent. 

Each birth chart presents 2,500 variables, from which interpretations can be

drawn: 12 signs, 10 planets and 12 houses.  Zodiac means ’’wheel of life’’

or ’’circle of animals’’. 

 

The ancient mythological names remain creating a veil of magic and

mysticism. Throughout the development of astrology in Pythagorean, Greek

times, the Arab civilisation, the Mayans and in the 16^th century, the reality is

that mathematics was and still is the base of astrology.

 

During the 16^th century, Scottish inventor John Napier, the father of modern

mathematics, scientist and astrologer, revolutionised astrology to its present

form through mathematics.  On the wall of his family’s castle, a family

member’s horoscope is carved on the wall.  Caravaggio, the Italian artist,

painted an astrological fresco for one of his patrons. 

 

The Kings, Popes and Holy Roman Emperors had astrological advisors. 

John Dee one of the greatest Renaissance scholars, was Queen Elizabeth 1’s

personal astrologer.  He was also a mathematician, navigator, geographer and

astronomer.  He also studied codes and was the first secret-service spy.

  

Astrologer Alcuin of York astrologer adviser to the powerful ruler Charlemagne 

in the 9^th century, initially studied astrology at the monastery in Iona in

Scotland.  Up until the 14^th century, astrology was studied in the ecclesiastical

(religious) colleges.   

 

It was not always a privileged position being an astrologer, the Roman

emperor, Tiberius threw astrologers onto the rocks from his hilltop  palace in

Capri, if their predictions annoyed him.

 

The first (astrological) almanacs to flood the market were written by the

best-known English astrologer of the 17^th century, William Lilly.  A yeoman’s

son from a tiny village in Leicestershire, who went to London as a servant to an

illiterate alderman and marrying his rich widow, learned astrology.  By 1635 he

was both practicing and teaching astrology.  He was consulted by Charles the

1^st, as well as servants, army generals, sea captains and rich merchants. 

Lilly dealt with almost 2,000 enquiries a year, after the publication of his

textbook Christian Astrology.  His earnings were 500 pounds a year (today this

would equal 200,000 pounds).   Lilly’s prediction of the Fire of London in 1666,

18 years before it happened,  led to his arrest and imprisonment. 

The authorities were convinced he was responsible for starting the fire, in order

to bring truth to his prediction.

 

A midwife, Dorothy Partridge, was one of the few women astrologers, was more

esteemed a century later.  She gave early love predictions. December, January

and February, were ’lusty’ months, and husbands were ardent and adventurous

when the moon was in Sagittarius.

 

In the Dark Ages astrology was less fashionable.  During the 16^th century in

Europe astronomers studied astrology .  Nicholas Copernicus, (1473-1543), an

eminent astrologer and a physician, wrote a book detailing a theory that if the

planets were moving , then they were moving ‘around’ the Sun.  Therefore the

Earth was ‘not’ the centre of the universe, as had been believed for centuries. 

Today we know his theory to be correct.  Copernicus and fellow astrologers

were persecuted, excommunicated or burnt at the stake.

 

Until the night of March 13^th, 1781, astrologers and astronomers were aware of

the existence of the moon, sun, mars, venus, mercury, Jupiter and Saturn.  

Uranus was the first of the outer planets to be discovered through the use of a

telescope.  William Herschel was exploring the sky with a seven-inch reflecting

telescope, and saw a greenish object, which proved to be a planet. 

The tradition was to name major planets after mythological deities The name

’’Uranus’’ was adopted.  The legend surrounding Uranus was the father of Saturn. 

Saturn became jealous of his father and killed his father so no more offspring

could appear.  Uranus was a Greek god whose name means ‘’heavens’’.  Uranus

was discovered during the time of the Industrial Revolution in Europe.  Uranus

rightfully has rulership over the sign Aquarius, both are unpredictable and have

revolutionary ideas.

 

In 1846, the outer planet Neptune was finally located by the Berlin Observatory. 

It is a beautiful bluish green colour, the colour associated with healing. 

In Greek mythology, Poseidon was the brother of Zeus and Pluto.  If angry he

caused storms and shipwrecks.  The Romans called Poseidon Neptune. Neptune

was given rulership over the water sign Pisces.

 

 In 1929, after extensive research the planet Pluto was discovered.  The Greek

mythology: when the kingdom of Kronos the Titan was divided, Pluto was given

rulership of the underworld while Zeus, his brother was to rule the upper realms. 

Pluto is ruler of Scorpio .  Pluto brings about revolutionary change.  Even though

it destroys and wipes out with one hand, it is ready to build anew with the other. 

 

Hitler banned all occult practices in 1938, and most astrologers were sent to the

concentration camps.  This included Karl Ernst Krafft, who had saved Hitler’s life

in 1939.  Krafft foretold that Hitler would be involved in an explosion, between

7^th and 10^th November.  Hitler and his entourage left a social function early on

8^th November, minutes later there was an explosion killing several people.

 

Historians recorded in 1774, North America had its constitution set by

astrologers, (though this is denied by others).  Both the founding fathers

Franklin and Jefferson were freemasons.  Masons have always been interested

in astrology.  Teddy Roosevelt in more recent times,  to remind himself not to

 

lose his temper, he kept a copy of his birth chart on the wall of his office in the

White House.  When in Britain, as US ambassador, father of President J.F.

Kennedy, Joseph Kennedy consulted astrologers.

 

No Western world leader has used astrology as much as US president Ronald

Reagan, with the exception of Boris Yeltsin, in the 20^th century.  Reagan’s

ex-chief of staff Donald Regan, published a book in 1988,  suggesting that the

first Lady’s astrologer was consulted and her advice taken seriously for the

most important business of the American Nation. 

 

The Swiss Psychoanalyst, Carl Jung, said that by understanding a birth chart ,

this gave him enough information equivalent to 2 years analysis with the same

patient. 

 

As technology continues to develop through the Aquarian Age, more planets,

asteroids, comets and solar systems will be discovered, and will give a

different vision of the Universe.

 

‘’Astrology is a science in itself and contains an illuminating body of knowledge. 

It taught me many things, and I am greatly indebted to it.  Geophysical

evidence reveals the power of the stars and the planets in relation to the

terrestrial.  In turn astrology reinforces this power to some extent.  This is

why astrology is like a life giving elixir for mankind.’’ Albert Einstein. 

 

Today there are several different areas of astrology: psychological, medical,

horary, financial, mundane, humanistic, esoteric and electional.

 

Every 2000 years approximately, the Earth moves into a different sign.  We are

moving into the much anticipated Age of Aquarius, one of the great epochs. 

There is a different stage of advancement of mankind, with each great epoch.

Let’s take a journey through time and follow the path of this ancient wisdom

that refuses to be forgotten.      

 

The Age of Leo:  10,000-8000 BC

Leo represented by the lion, ruled by the Sun, fearless, creative, warm and

family oriented.  Pinnacle of self-expression, they felt power was in them rather

than coming to them.  Golden age of triumph, magnificent cities.  The beginning

of agriculture, the farming of grains.  The age of the hunter-gather, wild flocks

are rounded up for breeding and sustenance, though animals are not

domesticated, yet.  Early man’s presence is recorded in Rock paintings. 

 

The last Ice Age has ended

 

The Age of Cancer:  8000-6000 BC

Cancer represented by the crab, ruled by the Moon, is family, tribe-oriented . 

Final days of Atlantis, turmoil and water everywhere.  Communities began living

 

in settlements to protect themselves from wild animals. The Moon and the Great

Mother were considered providers of fertility and were worshipped.  In the Middle

East people lived in sun-dried mud huts.

 

 

The Age of Gemini: 6000-4000 BC

Gemini, symbolised by the twins, ruled by Mercury, is the planet of

communication.  Development of drawings or pictographs, which is a picture

drawn to represent a word, in order to communicate.  The introduction of

hieroglyphs starting with cuneiform  (early writing which uses small

wedge-shaped characters).  Derived from an earlier system and used for trade,

barter and more often used for administration.  Mediterranean like world--talk,

socialising and travel.  Travelling in tribes.

 

The Age of Taurus:  4000-2000 BC.

Taurus, represented by the bull, associated with, security, comfort and culture. 

This was the start of the nomads forming together in groups to cultivate land

and create agricultural communities.  Back to the land to make it productive,

using oxen.  Long slow lives.  Along the Nile Delta, the Egyptian civilisation was

flourishing by 3500 BC.  The planet Venus (which rules Taurus), describes the

beauty and wealth of Egypt.  Underground gods, sacrificial rites. 

The Sarcophaguses (ancient stone coffins)were decorated with sculpture of the

The Great Bull.  Worship of the bull.     

 

The Age of Aries: 2000 BC - AD 0.

Aries, represented by the ram, the sign of the warrior.  People desperately

needed leaders to guide them.  Exploration and conquest were at its peak.

God, chose Moses to be a great leader, and he gave him new commandments. 

These commandments are still followed today.  This brought the development

of metal which replaced wooden and stone utensils and was used in the

household, for weapons and agriculture.  Empires rose and fell, The Minoan

Bronze age flourished.   Aries’ competitiveness was incorporated in the Greek

culture as sport, this became their greatest achievement.  Proclamation of

laws for the sake of self-preservation of the tribe.  Trade increased markedly,

during this time, displaying the pioneering spirit of Aries’. 

The expansion of military activity, saw Europe’s immense defensive fortresses

evolve.   Roman soldier’s wore emblems of the rams horns on their uniforms. 

Bronze technology was ultimately replaced by iron.  Aries rules iron.

 

The Age of Pisces:  AD 0 - 2000

The age of inspiration through religion.  During this time Rome wanted world

peace and total acceptance.  Alas, the Roman Empire fell into decadence and

decay which is a manifestation of Pisces negative side.  We saw Christ,

Buddha and Mohammed as the vision of mankind.  Compassion for others -

brotherhood of man principle.  Pisces represents individual sacrifice for the

good of all.  Buddhism is passive, opposed to killing, compassionate, and

aspiring to Nirvana  (a state of bliss, removed from the suffering on earth). 

Jesus the spiritual leader of this age, was called the Prince of Peace, but

also, the Man of Sorrows, both Piscean phrases.  Pisces is spiritual, creative

and connected to the realms beyond, where revelations are received by

prophets like Mohammed, who bring this knowledge to the people.  Christians

adopted the symbol of the fish as their symbol.  Jesus was referred to by

many as Ichthus, meaning fish. There are stories in the Christian New

Testament about fisherman feeding the multitudes.  The fish being the

symbol for Pisces. 

 

The Age of Aquarius: 2000 - 4000 Spreading knowledge--conferences. 

Travel by air, undersea laboratories.

Science and technology is a religion, a high tech., computer age and genetic

engineering are two developments which, even 50 years ago, would have been

inconceivable.  Man has developed supernatural powers by controlling our

species and the environment.  A world which George Orwell and Aldous Huxley

strangely forecasted, with, cloning, test-tube babies, frozen sperm and eggs

and spare-part transplants, this is now impossible to stop. Aquarius is friend

rather than family oriented and emotionally detached.  There is already a

break down in the old domestic structures, this evidence is part of the picture.

The Prometheus myth, (associated with Aquarius), tells us, of the dangers

when playing with the power of the Universe.  Aquarius the sign of knowledge,

appreciates culture, customs, creed, tolerance and humanitarianism, the

coming of a golden age has been spoken of during this time. 

 

I hope that I have inspired you to look further into the vast realms of Astrology.