Who Mapped the Zodiac Signs? Astrology 101 in Egypt!

by Cortina Jenelle | Apr 22, 2023 | ancestral connection, herbalism

If you’ve been following along with my podcast, you’ve experienced me teaching alot about astrology and sharing my personal journey with it. Surprisingly though, I come across alot of people who it is NOT a norm for to know the details of their birth chart, or to engage with astro-forecasts on a daily basis. What I also spend alot of time sharing about is what a journey connecting with cultural roots and our collective, or family ancestors. What I didn’t expect to find as I journeyed down that road was astrology. I mean, I knew my Sun placement was Cancer, but almost every article I read was telling me something depressing about my emotional neediness and overly high standards. It was dreary. Thankfully, we have come such a long way with astrology these days that it comes up in conversation more often, and more of us are sharing what we know. These days, a weekly rhythm of mine is to spend Sunday looking at the week ahead to see what moon phase we’re in, tracking the transitions of the planets and journaling reflections or setting my business/work agenda per that data. It’s a vibe.

And I want that for as many people that want it for themselves. So this article is meant to be a little more formal and research based because I want you to have the data and to fall down the rabbit hole for yourself. Depending on where you’re at in your journey of exploring and understanding astrology, you may be interested in traveling to the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, which were built to align with Lion’s Gate as well as other celestial events, or other sacred sites. If that’s you, definitely reach out to see how I can get you the BEST rate on that trip or any travel. At no cost to you. As a certified travel agent (and life-long digital nomad), I just pass on my perks literally at no financial cost to you. Why share? Because I believe our lives, hearts and mind open when we travel. Now! Back to our regularly scheduled program! Cue lofi music…

Astrology, the study of the movements and relative positions of celestial bodies in order to understand human affairs and natural phenomena, has a rich history dating back thousands of years. One of the earliest known examples of astrology can be found in ancient Egypt, where the practice was closely tied to religious beliefs and mythology. Although mainstream media has given us the impression that astrology is not as credible as astronomy because one was spiritual and here-say and the other was proven science. The kicker is at the origin point for the studies of the sky, stars and planets was married. Astrology and astronomy had not be separated (this happened in the last few hundred years), in my opinion because the ancient elders and scholars understood that a whole view of the universe and Self (holistic), needed to include both science and spirituality. I have often been left wondering in my late night solo research parties if this separation isn’t why things have gone to shit with all the oppression darts aimed at our heads? Keep an open mind as you continue reading or venture off.

The origins of Egyptian astrology can be traced back to the Predynastic period (c. 6000 – c. 3150 BCE), when the earliest signs of astronomical observations and alignments began to appear in the archaeological record. By the time of the Old Kingdom (c. 2686 – c. 2181 BCE), the Egyptians had developed a sophisticated understanding of the movements of the sun, moon, and stars, and had begun to use this knowledge to create a system of timekeeping and to predict the flooding of the Nile and other seasonal, nature rhythms, many of which we still rely on today.

The Egyptians believed that the gods controlled the movements of the celestial bodies, and that these movements had a direct impact on the lives of human beings. As a result, the study of astrology was closely tied to the practice of divination, which was used to predict the future and to gain insight into the will of the gods.

One of the most important figures in the development of Egyptian astrology was the god Thoth. According to mythology, Thoth invented the science of astronomy and gave the gift of writing to mankind. The Egyptians also associated different gods and goddesses with the various celestial bodies. For example, the god Ra was associated with the sun, while the goddess Nut was associated with the sky. The stars were also seen as having great significance, with certain groups of stars being associated with specific gods and goddesses.

Astrology was also an important part of the religious beliefs of the Dogon people of West Africa. Prior to their settling in West Africa, the Dogon people are thought to be Egyptian descendants dating as far back as 3000 BC, and following the settling of French colonization in Egypt they migrated and resettled in Mali. The Dogon are known for their advanced knowledge of astronomy, and for their belief that the universe is controlled by a small group of powerful deities.

According to Dogon cosmology, the universe is divided into a series of levels, each of which is ruled by a specific deity. The movements of the celestial bodies, particularly the stars, were seen as a reflection of the will of these deities, and were used to predict important events and to guide the lives of the Dogon people. The Dogon also believed that the universe was created by the god Amma, who is said to have formed the first humans from clay. Amma is also said to have created the stars and other celestial bodies, and to have placed them in the sky as a source of guidance and inspiration for mankind.

In conclusion, astrology has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. The study of the movements and relative positions of celestial bodies was closely tied to religious beliefs and mythology in ancient Egypt, the Dogon people of West Africa and many other ancient cultures. These early astrological beliefs were used to predict the future and to gain insight into the will of the gods.

References:

• “Astronomy in Ancient Egypt” by Peter J. James and Nick Thorpe, Ancient Inventions
• “The Dogon: Black Africa’s Secret Keepers of the Sanctity of Life” by Laird Scranton, Ancient-Origins
• “Ancient Egyptian Astronomy” by Edson C. Bentes, Tour Egypt
• “The Dogon of Mali: Guardians of the Secrets of the Ages” by Laird Scranton, Sacred Science Institute

Photo by neida zarate on Unsplash

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