Podcast episodes – The Secret History of Western Esotericism Podcast (SHWEP) Prayer to the Gods of Night: The Near-Eastern Roots of Astrology
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Oct 25, 2017 AI Snips
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Imagining A Third-Century Night
- The host imagines a third-century BCE night with only sun, lightning, and oil lamps as artificial light.
- In that context the moon and stars shape activity, fear, and the feeling that celestial bodies are alive.
Astronomy Grew Out Of Astrological Needs
- Astrology began as interpreting celestial movements as omens tied to gods rather than abstract mechanics.
- Early astronomy developed because people needed reliable predictions to read those celestial omens.
Mul-Appen: Zodiac Roots In Babylonia
- By 700 BCE Babylonians compiled constellation lists, heliacal risings, lunar motions, and calendar rules.
- These texts (Mul-Appen) show the zodiacal foundation of later astrological systems.