Posts Tagged ‘sumerian’
History of astrology
Author: Psychic
History of Astrology
Babylonian astrology
The history of astrology can now be traced back to ancient Babylonia, and indeed to the earliest phases of Babylonian history, in the third millennium B.C.[1][2]
In Babylonia as well as in Assyria as a direct offshoot of Sumerian culture (or in general the Mesopotamian culture), astrology takes its place in the official cult as one of the two chief means at the disposal of the priests (who were called bare or “inspectors”) for ascertaining the will and intention of the gods, the other being through the inspection of the liver of the sacrificial animal.
The earliest extant Babylonian astrology text is the Enuma Anu Enlil (literally meaning “When the gods Anu and Enlil…”), dating back to 1600 B.C. This text describes various astronomical omens and their application to national and political affairs. For example, a segment of the text says: “If in Nisannu the sunrise appears sprinkled with blood, battles. Nisannu is the Babylonian month corresponding to March/April in the Western calendar.
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