Egyptian Astrology

Egyptians pyramids

Astrology has been a part of human civilization for thousands of years, with many ancient cultures using the positions and movements of celestial bodies to make predictions about the future and understand the world around them. One such culture was ancient Egypt, where astrology played a significant role in their society and was used for everything from divination and prophecy to setting the calendar and determining holidays.

To understand how ancient Egyptians used astrology, it is important to first understand their beliefs about the universe. The ancient Egyptians saw the universe as a hierarchy, with the gods at the top and humans at the bottom. They believed that the gods were responsible for the movements of the celestial bodies and that these movements were connected to the natural world and human affairs.

In ancient Egypt, the most important celestial body was the sun, which was seen as the physical manifestation of the god Ra. The sun was central to the Egyptian calendar and was used to mark the passing of time and the changing of the seasons. The ancient Egyptians also believed that the sun had the power to heal and protect, and they would often pray to Ra for protection and guidance.

In addition to the sun, the ancient Egyptians also placed great importance on the stars and the planets. They believed that the stars were the souls of the deceased, and that they were responsible for guiding the dead to the afterlife. The planets were seen as the gods themselves, and their movements were believed to be connected to the cycles of life and death.

The ancient Egyptians used astrology in many different ways, including divination and prophecy. They believed that the positions and movements of the celestial bodies could reveal important information about the future, and they would often consult astrologers or study the stars themselves to gain insight into what the future held.

Astrology was also used to set the calendar and determine holidays. The ancient Egyptians had a lunar calendar, which was based on the phases of the moon. The calendar was divided into 12 months, each named after a different constellation or celestial body. The ancient Egyptians would also observe the movements of the planets and use them to determine when certain holidays should be celebrated.

Astrology was also used to predict the outcome of important events, such as wars or political decisions. The ancient Egyptians believed that the positions and movements of the celestial bodies could reveal important information about the success or failure of a particular venture, and they would often consult astrologers or study the stars themselves to gain insight into the likely outcome of a particular event.

Astrology was not just used by the elite in ancient Egypt, but was also practiced by the common people. Many common people would consult astrologers or study the stars themselves to gain insight into their own lives, such as their health or relationships. Astrology was also used in everyday life, with the ancient Egyptians using it to determine the best times to plant crops or perform certain tasks.

Overall, astrology played a significant role in ancient Egyptian society and was used in a variety of ways, from divination and prophecy to setting the calendar and determining holidays. It was seen as a way to connect with the gods and understand the mysteries of the universe, and it was practiced by both the elite and the common people. While astrology may not hold the same level of importance in modern society, it is still a fascinating aspect of ancient Egyptian culture and continues to be studied and practiced by many people today.