The Babylonians had already divided the zodiac into 12 equal signs by 1500 BC — boasting similar constellation names to the ones familiar today, such as The Great Twins, The Lion, The Scales — and these were later incorporated into Greek divination.
The term zodiac derives from Latin zōdiacus, which in its turn comes from the Greek ζoδιακoς κύκλος (zōdiakos kuklos), meaning 'circle of animal'. Ancient records show that the Greeks inherited their knowledge of the heavens primarily from the Mesopotamians, who in turn inherited their knowledge from the Sumerians.
This division of the ecliptic into zodiacal signs originated with Babylonian astronomy during the 1st millennium BC. Babylonian astronomers divided the ecliptic into 12 equal "signs".
In theory, the constellations that represent the 12 astrological signs each take up one-twelfth of this belt, though in reality these constellations aren't perfectly proportioned in shape or size. They have also changed in location since the zodiac sign system was first charted by the Babylonians about 450 BCE.
The current iteration of Western Astrology is highly influenced by ancient Greece and ancient Babylon. In addition, Zodiac history is primarily derived from the mathematician and astronomer Ptolemy's Tetrabiblos, which was published roughly 1,800 years ago. This typically marks the beginning of astrology.
There is no biblical evidence that God has given authority to the stars or astrologists. Pursuing predictions about our destiny or personality takes power from God and gives it to something other than God, and that is biblically sinful.
The earliest Zodiac found in Egypt dates to the 1st century BC, the Dendera Zodiac. Particularly important in the development of horoscopic astrology was the Greco-Roman astrologer and astronomer Ptolemy, who lived in Alexandria during Roman Egypt.
Ancient Egyptians adopted astrology late in their reign
Egyptians were introduced to astrology quite late in their rule, during Greco-Roman times. "The zodiac itself is part of Babylonian astronomy and does not appear in Egypt until Ptolemaic times," said Leitz.
Ruled by strict, boundary enforcing, status upholding Saturn, Capricorn is the uncontested daddy of the zodiac.
1. Rat. According to legend, in the competition held by the Jade Emperor to decide the zodiac animals, the quick-witted rat asked the diligent ox to take him on a ride to cross the river and jumped down before the ox crossed the finish line, so the rat won the race and became the first of the zodiac animals.
The names of the constellations of the western zodiac actually come from the twelve Olympian gods of Greek mythology. Each god is the protector of his own sign, and every sign denotes a different personality type with its own strengths and weaknesses. Each sign is influenced by a planet or star.
In the 3rd century bc and perhaps somewhat earlier, Babylonian diviners began—for the purpose of predicting the course of an individual's life—to utilize some planetary omens: positions relative to the horizon, latitudes, retrogressions, and other positions at the moment of birth or of computed conception.
Astrologically and astronomically, zodiac signs are representative of various pattern formed by stars. Ancient astronomers had named each zodiac by the shape formed by a few important and bright stars resembling the shape of animals, located in that section of the sky.
The Leo zodiac sign is associated with the Greek god Zeus, king of the gods. Like Zeus, Leos tend to be powerful and passionate individuals, always looking for new ways to express themselves.
The killer made national news by taunting investigators with cryptic letters sent to newspapers, threatening to continue killing if his letters were not published. In all, the Zodiac Killer claimed to have committed 37 murders, but has never been identified and is officially tied to six murders.
Taurus – Hestia
Tauruses are ruled by Venus, a planet commonly linked to the Greek goddess Hestia, also known as the virgin goddess. Hestia was thought to possess a maternal and motherly presence and was somebody who thrived under consistency and stability — she was also nicknamed the protectress of homes.
A study done in the U.K. showed that May is the luckiest month to be born, and October is the unluckiest.
Gemini is represented by the twins, Castor and Pollux, known as the Dioscuri in Greek mythology. It is a positive, mutable sign.
The history of the zodiac is based on the Chinese calendar, which is associated with Chinese astrology and ancient religion. One of the religions that influenced the zodiac was Taoism.
Selket, also spelled Selqet, or Serqet, in Egyptian mythology, goddess of the dead. Her symbolic animal was the scorpion.
It originated in Mesopotamia (c. 3rd millennium bc) and spread to India, but it developed its Western form in Greek civilization during the Hellenistic period. Astrology entered Islamic culture as part of the Greek tradition and was returned to European culture through Arabic learning during the Middle Ages.
The practice probably began as soon as humans first started to observe astronomical cycles, with some of the earliest evidence dating from the 3rd millennium BCE. Throughout much of history, and up until the 17th century, astrology was considered an academic discipline across much of Eurasia.
The murders associated with the Zodiac killer took place between 1968 and 1969 in Northern California's Bay Area.
Zodiac killer, unidentified American serial killer who is believed to have murdered at least five people in northern California between 1968 and 1969.
The year is a wheel of seasons where spring represents the first season. The first sun sign, Aries, denotes the beginning of the spring season. Aries governs the period from March 21 to April 19. While people get excited for the warm time of the year, this season is also ideal for planting and harvesting.