Astrological Origins

A Brief History of Ancient Astrology explores the theory and practice of astrology from Babylon to Ancient Greece and Rome and its cultural and political impact on ancient societies. Discusses the union between early astrology and astronomy, in contrast to the modern dichotomy between science and superstition. Explains the ancient understanding of the zodiac and its twelve signs, the seven planets, and the fixed circle of 'places' against which the signs and planets revolve. Demonstrates how to construct and interpret a horoscope in the ancient manner, using original ancient horoscopes and handbooks. Considers the relevance of ancient astrology today.

This is the first systematic presentation of Hellenistic astrology to the modern astrological world, and as such it uncovers rigorous techniques that have been lost to us for centuries. How exactly did ancient astrologers assess a chart for fame, career, and parents, love, and happiness? This book surveys ancient depictions of planets, affiliations between the planets and the zodiac, lots, houses or places, aspects, orientality, and fixed stars. The final chapters survey predictive systems used by ancient astrologers. Ancient natal and predictive techniques are applied to the charts and lives of over forty well-known historical and contemporary figures.Students and professional astrologers will find this book a treasure of astrological insight, technique, and new interpretative possibilities. Not only will you gain knowledge of how ancient astrologers practiced their trade, but you will also have new tools that apply to modern life.

Lively account examines the nature, philosophy, and mythology of the zodiac in ancient Mexico, Tibet, China, India, Greece, Rome, Babylon, and Egypt. Anecdotes and illustrations enhance a text that includes fascinating material on zodiacal gems and birthstones. An absorbing, well-researched study that will fascinate students, scholars, New Agers, and anyone interested in the zodiac's colorful history.

This scintillating history traces the key role astrology has played in the mainstream of Western intellectual life for more than two millennia. Peter Whitfield brings together research from ancient, classical, medieval, and modern times -- and then relates astrology to the religion, philosophy, and science of each period. The unique historical manuscripts and works of art that illustrate the text, many drawn from the superb collections of the British Library, show how Western astrology evolved among different cultures and reconciled itself with many different belief systems.This lucid, thoughtful, and stimulating work -- the first serious, comprehensive history of astrology -- gracefully illuminates a significant chapter in the history of ideas.

Superb general account.' Times Literary Supplement The story of the history of Western astrology begins with the philosophers of Greece in the 5th century BC. To the magic and stargazing of Egypt the Greeks added numerology, geometryand rational thought. The philosophy of Plato and later of the Stoics made astrology respectable, and by the time Ptolemy wrote his textbook the Tetrabiblos, in the second century AD, the main lines of astrological practice as it is known today had already been laid down. In future centuries astrology shifted to Islam only to return to the West in medieval times where it flourished until the shift of ideas during the Renaissance.

Appendices (p. 127-193):--Måashåa allåah's Date of prophet's birth.--Måashåa allåah's Fi qiyåam al-khulafåa .--Måashåa allåah's Kitåab al-mawåalåid.--Additional horoscopes of Måashåa allåah.--A note on the Flood date, and five horoscopes from an Erfurt MS.--Another note on the Flood dat