History of the Zodiac

History of the Zodiac PDF Author: Robert Powell
Publisher: Sophia Academic Press
ISBN: 9781597311526
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 224

Get Book Here

Book Description
The zodiac was first clearly defined by the Babylonians some 2500 years ago, but until recently the basis of this original definition remained unknown. This zodiac of the Babylonians, known as the sidereal zodiac because it is specified in direct relation to the stars (Latin sideris, 'starry'), was used for centuries throughout the ancient world, all the way to India, and must be distinguished from the tropical zodiac in widespread use by astrologers in the West today, which was introduced only in the middle of the second century A.D. by the Greek astronomer Claudius Ptolemy. Such was Ptolemy's influence, however, that the tropical zodiac gained prominence and, except for its survival (in a variant form) in India, knowledge of the sidereal zodiac was lost. In this thrilling study of the history of the zodiac, first submitted in 2004 as his Ph.D. thesis, Robert Powell rescues the the sidereal zodiac from the dusts of time, tracing it back to the Babylonians in the sixth/fifth centuries B.C. The implications of this discovery-among them the restitution of the sideral zodiac to its rightful place at the heart of astrology-are immense, they key point being that the signs of the sidereal zodiac, each thirty degrees long, coincide closely with the twelve astronomical constellations of the same name, whereas the signs of the tropical zodiac, since they are defined in relation to the vernal point, now have no direct relationship to the corresponding zodiacal constellations, owing to the precession of the equinoxes.This revolutionary history of the zodiac includes chapters on the Egyptian decans and the Hindu nakshatras, showing how these sidereal divisions, which originated in Egypt and India, are related to the original Babylonian zodiac. It also sheds light on the controversy surrounding the 'zodiac question' (tropical vs. sidereal), illuminating the history of the tropical zodiac-showing that originally it was not a zodiac at all, but a calendar for describing the course of the seasons! This book, the fruit of thirty years of research, is intended not only for scholars but for general readers as well, and offers the clearest and most comprehensive study of the history of the zodiac yet published.

History of the Zodiac

History of the Zodiac PDF Author: Robert Powell
Publisher: Sophia Academic Press
ISBN: 9781597311526
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 224

Get Book Here

Book Description
The zodiac was first clearly defined by the Babylonians some 2500 years ago, but until recently the basis of this original definition remained unknown. This zodiac of the Babylonians, known as the sidereal zodiac because it is specified in direct relation to the stars (Latin sideris, 'starry'), was used for centuries throughout the ancient world, all the way to India, and must be distinguished from the tropical zodiac in widespread use by astrologers in the West today, which was introduced only in the middle of the second century A.D. by the Greek astronomer Claudius Ptolemy. Such was Ptolemy's influence, however, that the tropical zodiac gained prominence and, except for its survival (in a variant form) in India, knowledge of the sidereal zodiac was lost. In this thrilling study of the history of the zodiac, first submitted in 2004 as his Ph.D. thesis, Robert Powell rescues the the sidereal zodiac from the dusts of time, tracing it back to the Babylonians in the sixth/fifth centuries B.C. The implications of this discovery-among them the restitution of the sideral zodiac to its rightful place at the heart of astrology-are immense, they key point being that the signs of the sidereal zodiac, each thirty degrees long, coincide closely with the twelve astronomical constellations of the same name, whereas the signs of the tropical zodiac, since they are defined in relation to the vernal point, now have no direct relationship to the corresponding zodiacal constellations, owing to the precession of the equinoxes.This revolutionary history of the zodiac includes chapters on the Egyptian decans and the Hindu nakshatras, showing how these sidereal divisions, which originated in Egypt and India, are related to the original Babylonian zodiac. It also sheds light on the controversy surrounding the 'zodiac question' (tropical vs. sidereal), illuminating the history of the tropical zodiac-showing that originally it was not a zodiac at all, but a calendar for describing the course of the seasons! This book, the fruit of thirty years of research, is intended not only for scholars but for general readers as well, and offers the clearest and most comprehensive study of the history of the zodiac yet published.

Travels in Upper and Lower Egypt

Travels in Upper and Lower Egypt PDF Author: Vivant Denon
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Egypt
Languages : en
Pages : 450

Get Book Here

Book Description


Mythology of the Zodiac

Mythology of the Zodiac PDF Author: Marianne McDonald
Publisher: MetroBooks
ISBN: 9781567995817
Category : Astrology and mythology
Languages : en
Pages : 120

Get Book Here

Book Description
Mythologist Marianne McDonald recounts and compares the tales that people of diverse cultures have projected onto the zodiacal constellations--and onto the Milky Way as a whole--for thousands of generations. Readers will find descriptions of each sign and examples of famous men and women who have shared those signs, and also how interrelated world cultures really are. 110 color and bandw photos and illustrations.

A Brief History of Ancient Astrology

A Brief History of Ancient Astrology PDF Author: Roger Beck
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 0470775378
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 176

Get Book Here

Book Description
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.

Encyclopaedia Britannica

Encyclopaedia Britannica PDF Author: Hugh Chisholm
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Encyclopedias and dictionaries
Languages : en
Pages : 1090

Get Book Here

Book Description
This eleventh edition was developed during the encyclopaedia's transition from a British to an American publication. Some of its articles were written by the best-known scholars of the time and it is considered to be a landmark encyclopaedia for scholarship and literary style.

The Art of the Occult

The Art of the Occult PDF Author: S. Elizabeth
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
ISBN: 0711254168
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 243

Get Book Here

Book Description
A visual feast of eclectic artwork informed and inspired by spiritual beliefs, magical techniques, mythology and otherworldly experiences. Mystical beliefs and practices have existed for millennia, but why do we still chase the esoteric? From the beginning of human creativity itself, image-makers have been drawn to these unknown spheres and have created curious artworks that transcend time and place – but what is it that attracts artists to these magical realms? From theosophy and kabbalah, to the zodiac and alchemy; spiritualism and ceremonial magic, to the elements and sacred geometry – The Art of the Occult introduces major occult themes and showcases the artists who have been influenced and led by them. Discover the symbolic and mythical images of the Pre-Raphaelites; the automatic drawing of Hilma af Klint and Madge Gill; Leonora Carrington's surrealist interpretation of myth, alchemy and kabbalah; and much more. Featuring prominent, marginalised and little-known artists, The Art of the Occult crosses mystical spheres in a bid to inspire and delight. Divided into thematic chapters (The Cosmos, Higher Beings, Practitioners), the book acts as an entertaining introduction to the art of mysticism – with essays examining each practice and over 175 artworks to discover. The art of the occult has always existed in the margins but inspired the masses, and this book will spark curiosity in all fans of magic, mysticism and the mysterious.

A History of Horoscopic Astrology

A History of Horoscopic Astrology PDF Author: James H. Holden
Publisher: American Federation of Astr
ISBN: 0866904638
Category : Astrology
Languages : en
Pages : 402

Get Book Here

Book Description
This thoroughly researched book is a history of the development of Western horoscopic astrology from its origin among the Babylonians and its subsequent creation in its present form by the Alexandrians down to modern times. Special attention is given to background history and to the working conditions and techniques used by astrologers during the last two thousand years. Numerous footnotes provide additional information and bibliographic references. A separate bibliography lists reference sources of particular importance. Two comprehensive indices containing more than 2,800 individual entries enable the reader to locate persons, publishers, topics, and book and periodical titles that are mentioned in the history. The book also contains discussions of several questions and topics relating to astrology. James Herschel Holden is Research Director of the American Federation of Astrologers and has been especially interested in the history of astrology.

A History of Western Astrology

A History of Western Astrology PDF Author: S. J. Tester
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Ltd
ISBN: 9780851152554
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 274

Get Book Here

Book Description
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.

Black Sun Signs

Black Sun Signs PDF Author: Thelma Balfour
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 0684812096
Category : Family & Relationships
Languages : en
Pages : 240

Get Book Here

Book Description
A new perspective on the stars--tailored to the experience, interests, and culture of the African-American community--Black Sun Signs features profiles revealing the general positive and negative traits of each sign, followed by specific descriptions of the man, woman, employee, and child typical of that sun sign.

Signs of the Zodiac

Signs of the Zodiac PDF Author: Carlota Santos
Publisher: Artisan
ISBN: 9781648291418
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 160

Get Book Here

Book Description
In this beautifully illustrated astrology handbook, author and artist Carlota Santos guides readers on an astral journey through the constellations. Included are expansive zodiac sign profiles that cover the important details—personality summaries, compatibility charts, and the structure and story behind each sign—as well as representative tarot cards, amulets to balance each sign’s qualities, and rituals to nurture positive traits. For those looking to dig deeper and explore their full astrological chart, Santos shares her celestial knowledge on everything from the relationships between planets and their rulers to the phases of the moon, from ascendents and descendants to the twelve houses. With this valuable material at their disposal, readers are guided to create their own birth charts as a closing ritual, using beautifully illustrated fill-in pages.