How Astrology Is Viewed In Egypt?

Astrology was a complex system for understanding divine and human events, with Egyptians believing universal bodies had direct control over individual fate and state affairs. This led to complex astrological systems that played significant roles in temple rituals, agricultural activities, and architectural planning. The ancient Egyptians believed that the movement of celestial bodies had a direct influence on human affairs and natural phenomena.

Egyptian astrology was based on a different system than the one used in western cultures, with the signs of the zodiac not being the basis of interpretation. However, Egyptian astrology has some similarities to modern astrology, such as the use of traditional zodiac signs and unique Egyptian decans.

The Egyptians identified 36 groups of stars called decans, which made up twelve constellations. Each decan or group of stars was predominant in the constellations. Around 2,100 years ago, the concept intrigued people in the Eastern Mediterranean, leading to the Egyptians applying their gods to Greek zodiac signs. There are 12 Egyptian zodiac signs, each named after a god or goddess (except Nile, named for the river).

Egyptian astrologers began producing horoscopes to determine the fate of newborns and played a significant role in fixing the dates of religious festivals and determining the hours of night. Temple astrologers were especially adept at astrology. The earliest evidence for astrology comes from Babylon and spread to Greece.

Egyptian astronomy and astrology were not highly developed in Egypt, but they were refined by the Greeks due to their belief in the planets being gods or home to them. The names given to these planets, as well as the sun and moon, were derived from the Greeks’ belief in the existence of gods.

How did Egyptians view the universe?

Ancient Egyptian temples were not just homes for gods but also replicas of the universe at the moment of creation. In Egyptian mythology, the universe emerged from a vast cosmic ocean of nothingness, where the creator-sun god Atum drifted asleep. Atum awoke and willed a small island to emerge from the cosmic sea, which the Egyptians called the mound of the “First Event”. From this hill, Atum called all things into existence, starting with the male god Shu and the goddess Tefnut. Next came a third generation of deities, the male earth god Geb and the sky goddess Nut. After further generations, every feature of nature was born, each with a god or goddess to govern it.

Egyptian temples were replicas of this early universe, with inner sanctuaries representing the primeval hill. As visitors moved from outer courts to the holy of holies, the floor level rose, ceilings became lower, and the atmosphere became darker. This confined and shadowy atmosphere transported visitors back to the beginning of time, but only a few priests and Pharaoh could enter this holy of holies.

What does Allah say about astrology?

The Hadith, a collection of Islamic religious teachings, is a significant part of the Islamic faith. It outlines the instructions and practices of Muhammad, who criticized the legality and illegality of astrology. According to Abu Dawud, seeking knowledge from the stars is considered witchcraft, which is inherently forbidden in Islam. The Hadith also emphasizes that rain is a blessing bestowed only by Allah, and any belief that rain is a result of other beings is considered disbelief.

The Hadith also mentions the stars, stating that those who suggest rain originates from a star are considered disbelievers in Allah. This concept of astrology and the belief in celestial beings’ influence on anything other than what is enshrined in the Quran and Hadith constitutes shirk (blasphemy) and leads one to leave the fold of the religion.

Second-century Islamic scholar Imam Ali, the fourth caliph of Islam and cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad, views astrology as fundamentally forbidden in the Islamic religion. He warns followers not to learn the science of stars except for guidance on land or sea, as it leads to divining and an astrologer is a diviner. This aligns with the Quran, which points to stars and astrology as only a means of navigation.

However, prominent scholars like Ibn Arabi and Ikhwan argue that planets are not considered God but do suggest each prophet with a specific planet/celestial being. Prophet Idris, also known as Enoch, was gifted with great knowledge of the stars and used his gift to meditate upon God’s grandeur and teach others. He believed that the stars and moon contributed to mankind and founded the study of the stars.

Different sects of Islam offer varying perspectives on the concept of astrology.

What does the Quran say about astronomy?

The Quran references celestial bodies’ orbits and paths, aligning with modern scientific understanding. This aligns with the Islamic perspective on the relationship between science and faith, which views science as a means to uncover God’s creation mysteries. This perspective has led to significant contributions to fields like astronomy, mathematics, and medicine. Islamic scholars have offered interpretations of Quranic verses, ranging from literal interpretations to allegorical or metaphorical meanings. This diversity of interpretations has encouraged dialogue and inquiry within the Islamic community, fostering a deeper understanding of the universe.

Who taught Egyptians astrology?

The practice of astrology has its roots in ancient Greek and Babylonian traditions, yet it was not introduced to Egypt until the time of the Ptolemies. The astronomical tables produced by the ancient Egyptians were not as well-researched as those of other civilizations and, at times, were challenging to use for identifying specific star groups.

Did Egyptians believe in astrology?

Babylonian astrology and astronomy spread to Egypt in the early second century BC, and Egyptian astrologers began producing horoscopes to determine newborns’ fates. These horoscopes required computing the zodiacal positions of the Moon, Sun, and five known ancient planets: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. Both Demotic and Greek horoscopes have been found in Egypt, and in 1999, American historian Alexander Jones proved that some Egyptian astrologers writing in Greek were using Babylonian methods.

However, little is known about the computational methods of native Egyptian astrologers writing in Demotic. Two newly identified Demotic texts with computational instructions shed new light on the mathematical skills of native Egyptian astrologers. Both ostraca contain instructions regarding three distinct Babylonian algorithms, each focusing on a particular phenomenon of Mercury. The inscriptions offer the first unequivocal proof that native Egyptian astrologers, like their Greek colleagues, were capable of computing positions of Mercury using Babylonian methods.

The instructions suggest that the native Egyptian scholars adapted these methods before their Greek colleagues and independently of them. They also use a Babylonian loanword for ‘degree’, unlike the Greek word used by the astrologers writing in Greek.

A surprising aspect of the instructions is that they employ a mathematical formulation unknown from Babylonia. Instead of directly computing the variable distance travelled by Mercury along the zodiac, Egyptian scholars first divided the zodiac into tiny steps of variable length. This formulation has not yet been identified in any Babylonian text, but it is now found in these two Demotic texts written by native Egyptian scholars.

Which country invented astrology?

Astrology, a form of divination that focuses on the influence of stars and planets on earthly affairs and human destinies, originated in Mesopotamia around the 3rd millennium BC and spread to India. It developed its Western form in Greek civilization during the Hellenistic period and was later incorporated into Islamic culture. Astrology was also significant in ancient China, where horoscopes were customary for newborns and life decisions.

Al-Bīrūnī, a Muslim astronomer, mathematician, ethnographist, anthropologist, historian, and geographer, served over six princes during a period of political turmoil in the eastern Islamic world. He served over six princes known for their bellicose activities.

Faust, a hero in Western folklore and literature, is a German astrologer who sells his soul to the devil in exchange for knowledge and power. There were two historical Fausts, one of whom alluded to the devil multiple times. Despite the Copernican system’s impact on astrology, interest in the subject continues into modern times, with astrological signs believed to influence personality.

How did Egyptians know about astronomy?

Egyptians were interested in astronomy due to the Nile River’s vital role in their agriculture and the occurrence of the first visible stars at dawn. This led to the development of a 365-day calendar, a significant breakthrough in ancient times. Egyptians also worshipped the Sun, as it played a crucial role in their culture and religion. The major Egyptian deity was Ra, the god of the Sun, who ruled over the sky, Earth, and underworld.

Early Egyptians were deeply interested in the night sky, focusing on two bright stars circling the North Pole: Kochab and Mizar, belonging to the Ursa Minor and Ursa Major constellations. These stars, known as “the indestructibles”, were used to accurately align pyramids or temples with the earth’s four cardinal points. The Nile River’s lifeblood and the occurrence of the first visible stars at dawn fueled their interest in astronomy.

Who is the Egyptian god of astrology?

Thoth Thoth, an Egyptian god associated with the moon and learning, is the patron deity of astrology. Various cultures have developed astrological systems, with modern Western astrology being largely based on ancient Greek astrology, which was heavily influenced by Babylonian traditions. Vedic astrology emerged in India and is closely linked to the Sanskrit Vedas, while Chinese astrology is based on yin and yang principles. Ancient Egyptians had a unique approach to astrology, identifying 36 small constellations ruled by an Egyptian god.

When the Macedonian-Greeks under Alexander installed themselves as rulers of Egypt in 323 BCE, they brought their system of astrology with them. Modern Western astrology is closely linked with Greek astrology and uses the same twelve signs of the zodiac, but was completely new to the Egyptians in the 4th century BCE.

What is the origin of Egyptian astrology?

The zodiac, a symbol of the planetary system, was imported to Egypt during the Ptolemaic or Roman Period and is found in temples, coffins, and tomb ceilings. It was likely brought directly from Egypt or influenced by Hellenistic examples. Zodiacs were also used for horoscopes. Although some zodiacs survive, few papyri provide analysis of horoscopes. An old Coptic papyrus lists each star constellation and its associated events. Further research on the zodiac in Egypt is needed.

Did Egypt know about the planets?

Ancient Egyptian culture, dating back to around 2000 BCE, is primarily based on the five visible planets: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. These planets are religiously connected to the falcon-headed god Horus, Venus with Osiris’ father, and Mercury with Osiris’ brother Seth. The knowledge and understanding of these planets are transmitted through texts and images rediscovered and translated since the 19th century by modern scholars. However, understanding and interpreting these sources is hindered by several obstacles.

Modern knowledge of the Egyptian language is still far from perfect, and nuances of lexical meaning may be lost on interpreters. Additionally, details of the verbal system are disputed between different scholars, and the traditional hermeneutic methods of philology are still crucial for understanding texts and images.

The dry desert climate in Egypt plays a crucial role in preserving organic material, including papyrus, which is the most important text carrier for information storage. Papyri dealing with planets are often preserved in tombs, but some planet lore may be lost to the modern world. Documentation improves with the recovery of preserved documents from temple libraries, particularly at Tebtunis and Soknopaiou Nesos in the Fayum region.

Did Muslims believe in astrology?

The earliest Islamic stance against astrology can be traced back to individuals such as Abd al-Jabbar and Abu Ma’shar al-Balkhi, who sought to justify the causal influence of celestial beings on terrestrial life forms. Historical texts like Kitab al-Daraj provide evidence of the presence of astrology in early Islam. However, even before these individuals, historians and theologians like Al Hashimi sought to justify the role of astrology in influencing Islamic adherents’ religion.

Al Hashimi, through philosophers like Masha Allah, explored the possibility of the influence of stars on one’s morality and religion in general. He cited Masha Allah’s idea that the Islamic prophet Muhammad’s birth was a result of a coming together of celestial objects, essentially pointing to the inherent birth of Muhammad as a result of astrological events. Both Masha Allah and Al Hashimi draw upon similarities but draw upon their inherent stance in pointing to the planets, stars, and other celestial beings as the primary means by which divine rule is exercised, i. e., how God emanates control over all life forms.

Early Muslims relied on the sun and moon to determine important things such as the direction of Mecca, fasting times for Ramadan, and the beginning and end of each month. They used astrology and the position of the planets to predict the health and well-being of individuals, with eclipses in Libra, Aquarius, or Gemini being predictions of worldwide plagues, and comets or shooting stars being predictions of famine and sickness.

Many interpretations of the Quran point to astrology as that which goes against the fundamental principles preached by the Islamic religious tradition. Astrology ultimately points to the role of celestial beings in influencing terrestrial life and the everyday lives of individuals, ultimately hindering their destiny. Various excerpts from the Quran are interpreted to disprove this theory, with the Quran in Surah Al-Jinn suggesting that any such presence of extraterrestrial influence on mankind is not plausible and is therefore haram (forbidden) in Islam.

The Hadith, a reference to the instructions and practices of Muhammad, encourages adherents of the Islamic faith to embody the concept of astrology. Muhammad made various claims regarding the legality/illegality of astrology with regards to the Islamic religious tradition, such as the belief that rain is a bounty bestowed only by Allah (God). The Hadith makes specific mention to the stars, suggesting that those who suggest rain originates as a result of a star are a disbeliever in Me (Allah).

This works to fundamentally embody the concept of astrology and the consequent belief in the idea that celestial beings have an influence on anything other than what enshrined in the Quran and Hadith as shirk (blasphemy), leading one to leave the fold of the religion.