The zodiac was first clearly defined by the Babylonians some 2500 years ago, but until recently the basis of this original definition remained unknown. This zodiac of the Babylonians, known as the sidereal zodiac because it is specified in direct relation to the stars (Latin sideris, 'starry'), was used for centuries throughout the ancient world, all the way to India, and must be distinguished from the tropical zodiac in widespread use by astrologers in the West today, which was introduced only in the middle of the second century A.D. by the Greek astronomer Claudius Ptolemy. Such was Ptolemy's influence, however, that the tropical zodiac gained prominence and, except for its survival (in a variant form) in India, knowledge of the sidereal zodiac was lost. In this thrilling study of the history of the zodiac, first submitted in 2004 as his Ph.D. thesis, Robert Powell rescues the the sidereal zodiac from the dusts of time, tracing it back to the Babylonians in the sixth/fifth centuries B.C. The implications of this discovery-among them the restitution of the sideral zodiac to its rightful place at the heart of astrology-are immense, they key point being that the signs of the sidereal zodiac, each thirty degrees long, coincide closely with the twelve astronomical constellations of the same name, whereas the signs of the tropical zodiac, since they are defined in relation to the vernal point, now have no direct relationship to the corresponding zodiacal constellations, owing to the precession of the equinoxes.This revolutionary history of the zodiac includes chapters on the Egyptian decans and the Hindu nakshatras, showing how these sidereal divisions, which originated in Egypt and India, are related to the original Babylonian zodiac. It also sheds light on the controversy surrounding the 'zodiac question' (tropical vs. sidereal), illuminating the history of the tropical zodiac-showing that originally it was not a zodiac at all, but a calendar for describing the course of the seasons This book, the fruit of thirty years of research, is intended not only for scholars but for general readers as well, and offers the clearest and most comprehensive study of the history of the zodiac yet published.

This thoroughly researched book is a history of the development of Western horoscopic astrology from its origin among the Babylonians and its subsequent creation in its present form by the Alexandrians down to modern times. Special attention is given to background history and to the working conditions and techniques used by astrologers during the last two thousand years. Numerous footnotes provide additional information and bibliographic references. A separate bibliography lists reference sources of particular importance. Two comprehensive indices containing more than 2,800 individual entries enable the reader to locate persons, publishers, topics, and book and periodical titles that are mentioned in the history. The book also contains discussions of several questions and topics relating to astrology.

This comprehensive biographical dictionary of more than 2,200 Western astrologers from the ancient times (beginning with the 2nd century B.C.) down to the early 20th century includes living persons born prior to 1936, as well as some astrologers born in or after 1936 who are deceased. History is made by people, so biography is the basis of history. In this book the reader will find the names (and birth and death data) of most of the prominent Western astrologers of the past and some indication of what they did in the field of astrology. It is thus possible to learn much about the history of astrology simply by reading the lengthier biographical entries. However, the main purpose of this book is to provide a ready reference and to give enough information about these astrologers to enable the reader "to get to know" them. Lists of books written by the astrologers are included along with, in some cases, excerpts from their work.

A Book Lover’s Guide to the Zodiac marries astrology and literature by connecting both writers and fictional characters to the twelve different star signs and their particular traits.

Part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library, a series of stunning, clothbound, pocket-sized classics. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover.

Astrology and literature have so much in common: our star signs help us to understand ourselves, our motivations and our behaviour, whilst reading enables us to make sense of the world, our own characters and those around us. Read how the passionate and overly idealistic Madame Bovary from Flaubert’s masterpiece exhibits all the traits of a Gemini, whilst the unconventional Virginia Woolf and Lewis Carroll, with his groundbreaking stories, are typical Aquarians.

With a chapter devoted to each star sign, and featuring entertaining extracts and poetry by classic writers, there’s much to learn and entertain here about books, poetry and astrology, guided by Charlie Castelletti’s witty and expert commentary running through the book.

'Planetary Aspects' is a book that every astrologer would choose on their shortlist for their own library and a great tool for all levels of astrological practice. This comprehensive work focuses on the most challenging dynamics of the birth chart.

Samuel Jeake (1652-1699) was a merchant and nonconformist of Rye in Sussex with a passionate interest in astrology. His diary is here published for the first time; in it he not only recorded the events of his life in detail but subjected them to astrological scrutiny, interspersing his text with horoscopes. The resulting work is one of the most interesting seventeenth-century diaries to be published this century, throwing new light on the history both of astrology and on the topics with which this is juxtaposed in the course of the book - commercial, medical, religious, and intellectual. The text is prefaced by a lengthy and illuminating introduction which sets the diary in context. Apart from giving a full account of this little-known personality, it makes a significant contribution to our understanding of the preoccupations and priorities of Jeake's age, and not least the rationale and affiliations of astrology in the age of the Financial Revolution.

The present volume offers a critical edition of the Hebrew texts, accompanied by English translation and commentary of Reshit Hokhmah (Beginning of Wisdom) and Mishpetei ha-Mazzalot (Judgments of the Zodiacal Signs) by Abraham Ibn Ezra (ca. 1089-ca. 1161). The first, the summa and by far the longest of his astrological works, the target of the most cross-references from the rest of that corpus and the most influential, enjoyed the widest circulation among Jews in the Middle Ages and after. The second, by contrast, is the most obscure. It is never referred to elsewhere by its author and is the only work for which Ibn Ezra's authorship must be substantiated. Reshit Hokhmah and Mishpetei ha-Mazzalot were written in order to explain concepts common to the various branches of astrology that Ibn Ezra addressed elsewhere and to elucidate the worldview that underlies astrology. These two treatises are the richest and most varied with regard to the astrological information they present. Reshit Hokhmah and Mishpetei ha-Mazzalot also exemplify the close collaboration between astronomy and astrology in medieval science and are the two components of Ibn Ezra's astrological corpus with the most extensive, comprehensive, and significant astronomical content. "A critical edition with English translation of Reshit Hokhmah was published in 1998 by Epstein. Sela has not only aspired to improve it but also supplied a commentary to render the text more comprehensible. Sela's mission is successfully accomplished for both treatises. This multifarious book is another important contribution to a deeper understanding of the life and work of one of the most important medieval Jewish polymaths." - Ilana Wartenberg, Universitat Bern, in: Journal for the History of Astronomy 50.1 (2019)

The original bestseller from the world's most respected astrological authority Embark on your cosmic path to self-discovery with this comprehensive guide to the twelve signs of the zodiac. Your sun sign is determined by the day and month of your birth and is the foundation of your horoscope. Taking each of the twelve signs in turn, world famous astrologer Linda Goodman explains the importance of the sun - the most powerful of all stellar bodies. She describes the characteristics of each sign and how these can be used to really get to know the men, women, children, bosses and employees in your life. This newfound knowledge allows us to feel closer to one another and to understand that, as Goodman says, 'Not all Capricorns are meek, not all Leos are outwardly domineering and not all Virgos are virgins.' Learn all this and much, much more from the world-famous astrologer who has helped millions divine their way to success, happiness and love by studying the sun signs. Before publication of Sun Signs in 1968, astrology as we know it had a very limited following in the United States and around the world. With this book, Linda Goodman changed that forever, bringing metaphysical consciousness to millions of readers around the world for the first time. Newspapers began running astrology columns, and Goodman herself contributed to these in the larger mass circulation women's magazines. An increasing number of people knew their sign and how to interpret the signs of others, introducing the study of astrological tendencies as we now know it.

Wild Alchemy is a culinary and medicinal bible that brings together traditional alchemical practices with plant lore. Alchemy is the ancient art of transforming nature for the benefit of body, mind and soul. This book is an invitation to connect back to ourselves, and rediscover how our ancestors lived in harmony with the seasons by foraging for food and medicine. Through illustrated botanical and astrological guides and practical recipes, Wild Alchemy takes the reader on a journey of enquiry to become alchemists in their daily lives.

Finally, a Guide to the Zodiac About Us and For Us!

If you love following your sun sign but never seem to feel what you read is directed toward you, wait no more. Here's a guide to the zodiac that will make you say, "Wow, that's me!" From the fiery Arian to the charismatic Aquarian, you'll find examples of yourself, friends, loved ones, and even your children in this down-to-earth guide. No more cosmic adventures into your planets! Now here's a book that tells you the real deal about you and those special people in your life. You'll gain an insight into that practical Virgo brother who's always saving a penny for a rainy day or that energetic Sagittarian sister who just doesn't keep still for a minute.

Black Sun Signs offers light-hearted advice on romance, tips on money matters, discussions about health concerns, and more. You'll also find out what famous African American brothers and sisters share your sign. Whether you're a sexy Leo like Halle Berry or there's a reserved Capricorn like Denzel Washington in your life, you're sure to get the 411 on yourself and everyone you know in Black Sun Signs.