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My online research has shown that some constellations found in the modern Western zodiac date back 2000-4000 years whereas the personal horoscope, or using the stars to determine personality traits and a person’s future, did not develop till medieval times, much after the development of the zodiac constellations.
But does anyone know exactly when each of the groups of stars associated with the signs of the modern zodiac were identified and how that sits in relation to the chronological development of ideas about Zodiac signs and personality?
In other words, what came first: (a) people notice that lots of people born in November act like a scorpion and therefore that pattern is found in the sky and called Scorpio or (b) the Scorpio zodiac constellation is developed for other reasons and then people born in November are said to have scorpion-like qualities? (Scorpio’s just an example here.) I believe it’s (b) but my husband won’t believe it can’t be (a) until he see exact dates.
I think I need to clarify. I don’t care whether the zodiac or horoscopes “work” or are “real.” I want to know the history. No one needs to convince me about the Bible, what I should believe, or why astrology doesn’t work. I already believe it doesn’t work.
What I want to know is very specific: (a) did attributes of people born at a certain time cause the zodiac constellations to be named that way? Or (b) vice versa: did the final names and constellation shapes of the zodiac come first and then people born under that sign were later believed to have traits of that sign.
A scenario of how the former could occur is this: in some town, townsfolk notice all children born in November tend to grow up to be sarcastic and say stinging words so they propagate the belief that those people are like scorpions. This belief spreads through Europe and therefore, somehow, the constellation that month is dubbed Scorpio.
So, what happened, historically: scenario A or B?
Soul Level Work
What you may be looking for is something about constellations. The primary reason is to find certain star. The modern names are of course based on Roman myths and differed in other cultures and times.
But the idea of let’s say Libras being more balanced than others. This is an attempt to validate a pseudoscience. If it does not fit make it fit. Making stereotypes is one thing astrology excels.
There is also “Asterism” It is a variety that deals only with certain fixed stars even in non-zodiac constellations and ignoring the Sun and planets. This is due to most stars being variable in their brightness.
“The stars have larger agendas in which the preocccupations of human pettiness do not figure”
“Unweaving The Rainbow” Richard Dawkins
Astrology, once the domain of Babylonian magicians and Himalayan gurus, and arrived in the 20th-century suburbs. You see zodiac names on belt buckles and bumper stickers and medallions. You hear horoscope hypes in the top ten records. Zodiac magazines, charms, earrings, bracelets, patches, potholders, license-plate holders, calendars, and other assorted rubble sell like never before.
So far, no problem. Everyone enjoys a harmless fad, if it doesn’t go too far.
Unless. Unless you start to believe that it’s something more than a fad. For the plain facts are that astrology is—
A. An ancient form of magic.
B. Absolutely without objective evidence or scientific support.
C. A rotten way to make life’s decisions.
D. Satan’s counterfeit for real prophecy.
E. All of the above. (
It dates BC! Thousands of years ago.
The Zodiac”:
From the Greek “zoe” (animal, life) and “diskos” (wheel), means “the wheel of life”, or “the parade of animals”. There are 12 “signs”, one for each month, without any scientific basis, not even any common sense, but some Astrologers set up, also arbitrarily, 8, 14, or 24… Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces..
“The Horoscope”:
from the Greek, means “scope of the hour”. It is determined with the geographical spot at birth and the date and hour of delivery, to council the future, weather or not conditions are deemed favorable to pursuit a business transaction, a career, an airplane trip, a marriage, etc…
The bible (this is how old it is, this is the Old test written thousands of years ago)
There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. (Deut 8:10-12)
For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you. (Jer 29:8)
Stand now with your enchantments and the multitude of your sorceries, in which you have labored from your youth; perhaps you will be able to profit, perhaps you will prevail. You are wearied in the multitude of your counsels; let now the astrologers, the stargazers, and the monthly prognosticators stand up and save you from what shall come upon you. Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame. (Isaiah 47:12-14)
You know, the study of the stars go back into prehistory. It was ancient’s man television. They watched the skies like we watch TV. If you find info, it’s just going to be someone’s guess. You might think from my name that I have some connection to the Zodiac but, alas, no. My father did believe in UFOs. Your 1st answer is sorta correct but it might better describe the tarot which I like to play more. Heaven is in the stars and in your eyes.
People love to study each other, behaviors, actions, reactions; all these similarities and differences were recorded and study until a system was created to catorgorize and organize human behaviors and traits to the patterns of planets and star systems. I feel the horoscopes dont have definite truths, but they offer an opportunity for an individual to do some self-reflection and realizations. “Am i like this, am i really like that . . .?” Only you know your deepest thoughts and intentions.