BMS301 Notes

BMS301
Lec1
A. Astrology in Mesopotamia
1. The First Civilization: Mesopotamia
2. Cuneiform: The World’s First Writing System
3. Astronomy vs. Astrology in the ancient world
1) Astronomy: study of celestial bodies
· Babylonians: Developed early star charts and predicted lunar
eclipses.
· Greeks: Figures like Ptolemy and Hipparchus made significant
advancements in understanding planetary motion.
· Egyptians: Used astronomy to align their pyramids and track
the flooding of the Nile.
2) Astrology: interpretation of celestial phenomena to predict
human events and
personal destinies
·Babylonian Astrology: Early astrology was based on the belief
that gods communicated through celestial signs, and
astrology was used for divination.
·Greek Astrology: The Greeks integrated astrological practices
with
philosophical thought, creating the basis for Western
astrology.
4. Babylonians are the first astrologers.
1）Made detailed calculations that predicted:
·The fate of kings and city states
·The health of the king
·Success in battle
·Natural disasters like floods or droughts
2 ） Using a rudimentary form of omen astrology, the Babylonians
created the zodiac, a designated ecliptic plane of the night sky
divided into 12 areas, or “signs.”
·These astrologers advised authorities on everything from war and
peace, plentiful crops and famine, rebellion and stability, and
more.
·Cosmogony
·Babylonian astrology focused on the god Marduk or Bel, who was
believed to have
created sun, moon, stars, and five planets.
·Marduk was the patron god of Babylon, drawing interest from
astronomers in tracking Jupiter’s movements, as it was
believed the largest planet was the manifestation of Marduk.
5. Omen Astrology: meaning “sign”
observing visible natural phenomenon, which might represent a god
or goddess’s attempt to communicate their intentions or
instructions to people on earth.
6. Babylonian calendar was lunisolar (based on moon’s phases and
sun’s position)
B. Astrology in Egypt
1. Egyptian tradition of Decanic astrology used to create horoscopic
astrology: 36 groups of stars to divide the 350 degree elliptic into 36
parts of 10 degrees per part.
2. With the influence of the Greeks, especially after Alexander the
Great's conquest, Egyptian astrology evolved and merged with
Hellenistic practices, leading to the creation of the zodiac system.
• For example, Egyptian astrologers began to create horoscopes to
determine the fate of newborns
3. Ptolemy and Astrology in Alexandria
Ptolomy:
·book: Algamest: Examines the motion of the sun, moon, stars, and
planets, and how to predict their position in the zodiac, along with
other subjects.
Tetrabiblos: covers the theoretical principles of astrology,
including the zodiac, planetary aspects, and the casting of
horoscopes, while distinguishing astrology as a scientific discipline
grounded in natural phenomena rather than superstition.
C. Hellenistic Astrology
1. Emerges in the late Hellenistic period (circa 2nd century BCE),
influenced by Egyptian and Babylonian tradition.
2. introduced the idea of personal horoscopes based on the exact
moment of birth significant change focused more on omens and
general predictions
3. each sector of the sky was associated with different aspects of life
D. Astrology in Rome
1. elite are more actively concerned with astrology to curtail its
practice among the masses.
2. astrological widespread, astrologers are called Chaldaeans.
3. association with imperial power helped astrology gain further
acceptance and popularity.
4. led to periodic crackdowns, with several emperors (担心会左右政治决策)
E. Astrology in China
1. Found in Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BCE), formalized during the
Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE), well-established in Tang and Song
Dynasties (618-1279 CE)
2. 12 animals through race, change every year
3. connect with yin yang and five elements
4. political purposes: make decisions and legitimize their rule
5. general population: perfect dates
F. Astrology in India
1. 1200 BCE, when the monk Lagadha compiled the Vedanga-Jyotisa
on the basis of Vedas
2. called Jyotisha in India, the history can back in Vedic period
(1500-500 BCE)
3. Greek astrology brought to India in 2nd-3rd centuries CE, similar
but modified to adapt to Indian culture, as seen with the doctrine of
metempsychosis (transmigration of souls), the Indian theory of five
elements (earth, water, air, fire, and space), Indian systems of
values, and the caste system.
G. Astrology in the Middle East

1. combined with medical practices
2. trans to Latin
3. Astrolabe: instrument used for many purposes during the Middle
Ages, including timekeeping, navigation, surveying, prayer,
astronomy, and astrology. Features a star chart and physical model
of visible celestial bodies, along with mechanisms for variety of
calculations. Used in antiquity, the Islamic Golden Age, Middle
Ages.
H. The Catholic Church and Medieval Astrology

1. The Catholic Church and Medieval Astrology Relationship
complicated
1) Natural Astrology: observation of positions of the stars and
planets, commenting on their influence on natural phenomena such
as weather patterns and the human body. 普遍接受
2) Judicial Astrology: predicting human fate, personal destiny, and
free will based on the positions of the stars 强烈谴责(condemned)
2. Renaissance leads to clashes with astrology.

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BMS301

G. Astrology in the Middle East

H. The Catholic Church and Medieval Astrology

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