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Mesopotamian Astrology ~
An Exhibition
Welcome!
 Introduction
The history of Mesopotamia can be seen as a series of empires
that rose and fell over an incredibly long span of
time. Success and failure. Glory and defeat. A reflection
here on this earth of the ever-changing skies above. The melding
of the human imagination and the stars. Timeless awe, wonder,
respect, and curiosity at the vision of the night skies.
It began with the Sumerians and their city-states around
4,000 B.C. The Babylonian empire arose around 1,830 B.C. which
then gave way to the domination of Assyria around 1,000 B.C. The
Second Babylonian empire destroyed that of the Assyrians in 612
B.C. In turn, this empire came to defeat at the hands of the
Persians in 538 B.C. The ultimate invasion by Alexander the Great
in 331 B.C. initiated the interaction of the cultures of Greece
and Mesopotamia, and thus, the birth of "modern"
astrology--a pivotal interaction in the history of humanity given
astrology's influence in all aspects of civilization.
Astrology
Astrology is defined as: "The study of the positions and
aspects of celestial bodies in the belief that they have an
influence on the course of natural earthly occurrences and human
affairs." [1] In ancient times astronomy and
astrology were almost indistinguishable from one
another (a key point to keep in mind!). The baru priests
(astrologers) scanned the heavens with the goal of
acquiring predictive and divinatory knowledge. The general
focus of omens and divinations was centered on the king, the
state of the land and its peoples, and the will of the gods.
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“In month XI, 15th day, Venus disappeared in
the west. Three days it stayed away, then on the 18th day it
became visible in the east. Springs will open and Adad will bring
his rain and Ea his floods. Messages of reconciliation will be
sent from King to King.”
~ Venus Tablet Of Ammisaduqa
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The Exhibition
The exhibition covers various aspects of ancient
Mesopotamian astrology/astronomy; however, this is by no means a
complete treatise on this fascinating glimpse into the history of
early humanity's interaction with the starry skies above.
Astrology is a wide-ranging subject and Mesopotamia's part in
it, though auspicious, is just one puzzle piece in the grand
scheme of how we philosphize about our place in the cosmos.
Explore and enjoy the exhibition, and may the stars and our very
own history bring something special unto all our exhibition
visitors!
- Writings
- Planets
- Houses
- Stars & Constellations
- Astrologers
Click on
the zodiac wheel to access the exhibition.
Exhibition Curator - Caileadair Etana
Links &
Resources:
* Studies of Occidental Constellations
and Star Names to the Classical Period: An Annotated Bibliography --
Gary D. Thompson
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Astrology.com
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Wikipedia
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Astro.com
* Gateways to Babylon
* Sacred
Texts
* Original Sources Texts of Astrology
* Nick Campion's On-line Astrology Resource
* Astrology and Judaism in Late Antiquity
* The Star Guide: A Unique System for Identifying the Brightest
Stars in the Night Sky -- Steven L. Beyer
References:
[1] "astrology." The American
Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth
Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. 13 Sep.
2007.
Art Credits :
* Site graphics: Caileadair Etana aka the
Starry One (bows to the Ancient One)
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Sumerian kudurru of the 12 constellations: L.W. King, Babylonian boundary stones and memorial
tablets (London, Trustees of the British Museum, 1912), pp.
76-79, plates I-IV
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Mul Apin: British Museum
A
starry offering
for AW's 2007 Goldfest V
music by the talented incomparable starry
poet
and musician Drakos Alexandros
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