Babylonean Origin of Astrology

In Babylon, astrology was an integral part of the Babylonian polytheistic religion. Babylonian priests used the connections between our planet and other planets with the gods to predict the future.

In Babylon, astrology was an integral part of the Babylonian polytheistic religion. Babylonian priests used the connections between our planet and other planets with the gods to predict the future. They did so by inspecting the liver of a specially sacrificed animal and reading omens in the sky.

It is believed that the oldest known astrological texts are related to the first half of the Hammurabi Dynasty. The cuneiform tablets which are also known as the Enema Anu Enlil Series contain extensive collections of astronomical observations, ideas and predictions. The oldest known horoscope is a natal horoscope dated at April 29, 410 BC.

Babylonians recognized five planets which are the Jupiter, the Venus, the Saturn, the Mercury and the Mars. The planets were associated with the gods of the Babylonian pantheon as follows:

Jupiter with Marduk
Venus with the goddess Ishtar
Saturn with Ninurta (Ninib)
Mercury with Nabu (Nebo)
Mars with Nergal
 
While predicting the occurrences on the earth, the activity of the five gods along with the moon-god Sin and the sun-god Shamash was identified through the movements of the Sun, the Moon and the five planets. Perfecting the system of interpretation of the phenomena to be observed in the heavens was the main task of the Babylonian priests.

Their interpretations were based on two factors with the first one being the recollection and the second one being the written records of what had taken place in the past. For instance, if the rise of the new moon in a cloudy sky was followed by a victory over an enemy, the sign was assumed to be a favourable one and its recurrence was considered as a good omen. Such traditional ideas were gathered which later became a guide to the priests for all times. The astrology in its early stages had three characteristic limitations.

The movements and position of the heavenly bodies are of public import and affected the general welfare. The individual’s interests were not considered. In Babylonia and Assyria, this cult was mainly centered on the ruler as the country was dependent on his well-being and favour with the gods.

The astronomical knowledge was presupposed and was limited and flawed. The ecliptic theory of the Sun along with the twelve constellations was not perfected until after the fall of the Babylonian empire in 539 B.C. Even the other accomplishments of Babylonian astronomers, such as their systems of moon calculations and the drawing up of planetary tablets, belong to this late period. It is also found that certain expressions used in astrological texts belong to the accomplishments after 400 BC.

Even though the combinations of prominent groups of stars with outlines of pictures fantastically put together in the days of Hammurabi around 2000 BC, there is no evidence prior to 700 BC that more than a number of the constellations of our zodiac had become the part of the current astronomy.