“Western astrology originated in Mesopotamia, was consolidated during the Hellenistic-Egyptian era, diffused throughout the Roman Empire, returned to the Persian and Islamic empires in late antiquity, reintroduced into Medieval Europe in the twelfth century, spread northwards into France, Germany, and England during the Renaissance, and eventually made its way to America and the Antipodes in the twentieth century. It also spread eastwards. During the first century ce , it spread to India and from there to Tibet, China, Southeast Asia and Japan.”
- Demetra George, Ancient Astrology in Theory and Practice A Manual of Traditional Techniques, Volume I
Sources of Ancient Astrology (Western)
- Mesopotamia/Babylonian/Sumerian/Chaldean
- Zodiac
- Egypt
- precursor to 12 houses, Decans
“Hellenistic astrology is essentially the original tradition of western astrology, and it was practiced in the Mediterranean region from approximately the 1st century BCE through the 7th century CE. The study of ancient astrology can provide us with insights into how many of the techniques that astrologers still use today were originally developed. It can also help us to recover many important and powerful techniques that were lost in the transmission of astrology over the past 2,000 years.”
Basic components that emerged at this time (1st century BC)
- Planets
- Signs of zodiac
- Aspects
- 12 houses