Astrology Final

prognostication

the act of predicting or forecasting future events or trends based on the analysis of celestial positions and movements

Claudius Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos

4 book treatise on astrological interpretation

Cosmology

the science of the origin and development of the universe

astrology vs. astronomy

astronomy is a scientific discipline that studies the universe, while astrology is a non-scientific belief system that claims celestial bodies influence human affairs - In this class: astronomer when we’re talking about measurement and observation; astrologer when we’re talking about prognosticative interpretation 

genethliacal astrology

a system that claims to reveal an individual's personality and life path by analyzing a natal chart (or horoscope) based on the exact date, time, and location of their birth

omen astrology

observed phenomenon that is interpreted as signifying good or bad fortune

catarchic astrology

determines the most favorable time to initiate a venture or undertaking based on the positions of celestial bodies

Babylonian astronomy

one of the earliest organized systems of celestial divination, linked the movements of stars and planets to earthly events, predicting omens and events for the state, and later, for individuals, based on the positions of celestial bodies

Enuma Anu Enlil

a series of tablets of Babylonian planetary omens and reference work

astronomical diary

ancient cuneiform texts from Babylon that document daily astronomical observations, alongside records of other events like weather, commodity prices, and historical events, providing insights into ancient Babylonian astronomy and culture

Hesiod, “Works and Days”

a source of early Greek poetry, a celebration of life and work (emphasizing the importance of labor) 

Wisdom literature

astrological texts or teachings that focus on philosophical insights, moral guidance, and understanding the human condition through the lens of the cosmos 

Alexander the Great

conquered Persian Empire in 331, took Babylon in 229 BCE

Library of Alexandria

a renowned center of knowledge in the ancient world, was a vast repository of scrolls and a hub for scholars, scientists, and poets, established in Alexandria

“fixed stars”

appear to move parallel to celestial equator

“wandering stars”

the 5 planets, sun, and moon

celestial sphere

an imaginary sphere of which the observer is the center and on which all celestial objects are considered to lie

poles

the point on the celestial sphere directly above either of the earth's geographic poles, around which the stars and planets appear to rotate over the course of the night

equator

the projection into space of the earth's equator; an imaginary circle equidistant from the celestial poles

ecliptic, zodiac band

sun and planets appear to move along the ecliptic (zodiac band)

latitude, longitude

a coordinate system used to pinpoint locations on Earth, with latitude measuring north-south distance from the equator and longitude measuring east-west distance from the Prime Meridian

solstice (tropic of capricorn, tropic of cancer)

equator and ecliptic at furthest distance from each other

equinox (vernal, autumnal)

ecliptic intersects the equator

axial tilt

angle between an object’s rotational axis and its orbital axis

horoscope

a forecast of a person's future, based on the relative positions of the stars and planets at the time of that person's birth

ascendant

the sign of the zodiac just passing the horizon at the moment of birth

horizon

the imaginary line that divides the celestial sphere into the visible (above) and invisible (below) hemispheres, with the observer at its center