Home Astrology Astrology - lrresistible Magic Picture Writing in the Sky The Origin of the Horoscope Christianity and Astrology Stargazing and Star-Reading Fitness Vitamins Minerals Training and Diet Dietary Mistakes Is salt intake necessary during effort? The Achilles Tendon Gastronomy, a Modern Discipline Health Health Status and Health Costs Health Insurance - Demographic Factors and Income High Blood Pressure Medicare Issues Health Services - How Should We Decide How Much to Spend Fashion Fashion Questions & Answers Revolt or Style - The Designer Culture Sport Sport and Tourism Partnerships Sporting Superstars - Pele, Muhammad Ali Tourism and Culture Partnerships Olympic Memorabilia Collecting Sport and physical activity Family Recipes Some Characteristic of Second Home Towns The care of the dog The Problem of Ageing - Long Term Care More Is Anything at Rest in the Universe? Computer Graphics	Picture Writing in the Sky The most popular form of astrology, fortunetelling by the twelve signs of the zodiac, developed much later than interpretation of the planets. These constellations were preferred above others because they formed the path through which the seven wandering stars moved. They took their names from the figures a patient eye can put together out of the various dots of light. The Scorpion, with its gnashing teeth and curved tail, could not be missed. The Lion and the Twins could also be recognized fairly easily. Same imagination was required to see the partial outlines of the Fish, the Scales, and the Ear of Grain (later the Great Mother and the Virgin). The Water Bearer, the Goat-fish, and the Crab were real picture-puzzles. And how the Babylonians arrived at the Archer, the Bull, and the. Day Laborer (later the Ram), remains utterly obscure. Probably the Oriental impulse to create fables had more to do with the naming of these constellations than anything seen by the eye. Once these names had been sanctified by use over two or three millennia, they could no longer be considered human inventions. The belief arose that meaningful picture writing existed on the sky. The Scorpion with his poisonous bite undoubtedly prophesied evil. The Lion would surely have an influence consonant with his character; the only question was on what this influence would operate. The Babylonians assumed that its effect would be felt on the planet that happened to be passing through the Lion. To them such an assumption was only logical. No one could deny, after all, that the Sun was strongly influenced by the zodiacal sign through which it passed. When the Sun was in the Fish or the Water Bearer, there was a rainy season. The seasons changed; how else could this be explained but that the god of the daylight employed servant spirits who waited at the various constellations to fire up or dampen his flame, to mix his rays with heavenly water or dry them out, as happened when he entered the Crab or the Lion? There seemed every reason to believe that these constellations would have similar effects upon the other "eyes of the gods." The Moon, for example, could just as easily be dried out by the Crab as could the Sun. Formerly, the weather had been an affair of the phases of the Moon; now it could be predicted by subtler signs. if the Moon stood in Cancer, it was not a good time for sowing; farmers had best wait a few days until it shifted into the wet constellations. in many peasant localities this rule is followed to this day. A small step further, and the picture writing in the sky was ascribed independent significance. if the Scorpion rose on the horizon while some undertaking was in progress, the hour was surely not favorable. Someone born under the rising Lion would undoubtedly be fierce, courageous, and probably extremely strong. The Greeks took over the Babylonian doctrines along with the zodiac. Without more ado, they attached their own mythology to images in the sky. The Water Bearer they identified with their cupbearer to the gods, Ganymede; consequently, a person born under the Water Bearer was destined to be the favorite of great lords. The Ear of Grain they assigned to the virgin goddess of agriculture; hence the sign promised prosperity, but no children. Around the signs of the zodiac there now developed a network of relationships similar to the one which embraced the planets, but even more closely woven. All of medicine depended on the stars. The lands of the Earth were divided among the twelve signs. An qualities, senses, colors, temperaments, and humors stood under their dominion. A relentless passion for system seized the learned men of all nations.