Babylonian  Astrology

Early Origins

“Babylonian astrology” was the first organized system of astrology, arising in the second millennium BC. There is speculation that astrology of some form appeared in the Sumerian period in the 3rd millennium BC, but the isolated references to ancient celestial omens dated to this period are not considered sufficient evidence to demonstrate an integrated theory of astrology. The history of scholarly celestial divination is therefore generally reported to begin with late Old Babylonian texts (c. 1800 BC), continuing through the Middle Babylonian and Middle Assyrian periods (c. 1200 BC).

By the 16th century BC, the extensive employment of omen-based astrology can be evidenced in the compilation of a comprehensive reference work known as “Enuma Anu Enlil”. Its contents consisted of 70 cuneiform I clay tablets comprising 7,000 celestial omens. Texts from this time also refer to an oral tradition – the origin and content of which can only be speculated upon. At this time Babylonian astrology was solely low, and prior to the 7th century BC the practitioners' understanding of astronomy was fairly rudimentary. Because of their inability to accurately predict future celestial phenomena and planetary movement very far in advance, interpretations were done as the phenomena occurred or slightly before. By the 4th century, however, their mathematical methods had progressed enough to calculate future planetary positions with reasonable accuracy, at which point extensive calendars began to appear.

Babylonian Concept of Divination

The history of Babylonian astrology shows the development of astronomical knowledge within the context of divination. A collection of 32 tablets with inscribed liver models, dating from about 1875 BC, are the oldest known detailed texts of Babylonian divination, and these demonstrate the same interpretational format as that employed in celestial omen analysis. Blemishes and marks found on the liver of the sacrificial animal were interpreted as symbolic signs which presented messages from the gods to the king. The gods were also believed to present themselves in the celestial images of the planets or stars with whom they were associated. Evil celestial omens attached to any particular planet were therefore seen as indications of dissatisfaction or disturbance of the god that planet represented. Such indications were met with attempts to appease the god and find manageable ways by which the god’s expression could be realised without significant harm to the king and his nation.

Consideration of Planets and Gods

The Patron God of Babylon was “Marduk”, and this god was recognized in Babylonian astrology as the planet Jupiter. Marduk was recognized as the most powerful god, but not the one and only god. The Babylonians were polytheistic, believing in many gods with different purposes, and they associated certain gods to certain planets.

The Babylonians used horoscopic astrology. By observing the seasonal movement of the sun, moon, and planets, the Babylonians connected their beliefs of divine intervention in their everyday life to space and time. They would forecast their future circumstances by observing space through time and relating ominous events, such as lunar eclipses, to social, political, and environmental problems in aspects of their everyday lives, such as giving birth to deformed children. The Babylonians believed their gods' activities influenced their own lives. These celestial events were viewed by the Babylonians as divine intervention in their lives using the influence the sun, moon, and planets, and to communicate when bad or good events were going to occur.

Horoscopic astrology is significant to Babylonian beliefs, because associating the sun, moon, and planets with their gods shaped the way the Babylonians lived their lives and viewed the world around them.

Of the planets only five were recognized- Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Mercury and Mars—to name them in the order in which they appear in the older cuneiform literature.

These five planets were identified with the gods of the Babylonian as follows:

• Jupiter with Marduk,
• Venus with the goddess Ishtar,
• Saturn with Ninurta,
• Mercury with Nabu,
• Mars with Nergal.

The movements of the Sun, Moon and five planets were regarded as representing the activity of the five gods in preparing the occurrences on earth. If, therefore, one could correctly read and interpret the activity of these powers, one knew what the gods were aiming to bring about.

PIONEERS OF BABYLON

Astrology grew slowly but steadily over hundreds of centuries and flourished as a full-fledged science around 2000 BC. The 'recorded' root of astrology lies in Babylon. The Babylonian empire (626 BC - 539 BC) was the most powerful empire after the fall of the Assyrian empire (2500 BC - 609 BC). But it should be known that the city of Babylon existed during the early days of the Assyrian Empire.

Here is a law that was set forth by the pioneers from Babylon.

“If the sun appears to be a reddish fire ball during dawn and white clouds set off from it while heavy winds blow from the east on the 5th day of the month of Nissanu, then the country shall shed its head on the solar eclipse occurring on the 24th of the same month and a new head shall take the olds place.”

The “… shed its head…” is a metaphor for the demise of the king. The “new head” is the king’s son who will take his place after his passing.

Sometimes, these predictions may have come across as false and void. On such occasions, these predictions came up with new laws and exceptions. The text on a clay tablet belonging to “King Ashurbanipal” stands testimony to this.

“If a solar eclipse is seen throughout the country except for the capital, then it, along with its effects, shall be overlooked. A capital that has the (solar) eclipse hidden to it will hide its king from death.”

If and when the king is left unharmed, it should be thought of as the mercy of the gods, living in the capital, to spare the king from evil through their might. So, even the kings waited on Augurs or Predicts for their unavoidable fate of their country. Little did the less unfortunate kings know that astrology though rudimental at that time, could be used against them by any who had the right influence.