Tag: ancient history

  • Lion’s Gate 2024

    And just like that comes August!

    The Lion’s Gate portal is a phenomenal event I have been celebrating for 5 years, I think. It has been a portal of union and healing as well as clear communication with spirit.

    Also a fabulous time for the deepest poetry.

    Today, I’ll research the ancient history of this celebration.

    The Lion’s Gate Portal: A Journey Through Time from Ancient Egypt to Modern Spirituality

    The Lion’s Gate portal, an astrological and spiritual phenomenon observed during the peak of the annual Leo season, in August, has roots that extend deep into history.

    This essay explores the Lion’s Gate celebration’s evolution, tracing its origins from ancient Egypt to its contemporary spiritual significance.

    Ancient Egyptian Foundations

    The Lion’s Gate portal is closely linked to ancient Egyptian cosmology and worship. During the time of the Pharaohs, the heliacal rising of Sirius—known as the “Dog Star”—occurred around the same period as the Sun’s entry into Leo, the Lion.

    This alignment marked the start of the inundation of the Nile, a critical event that revitalized the land with fertile silt, ensuring the continuation of agricultural prosperity.

    In ancient Egypt, Sirius was associated with the goddess Isis, and its rising signaled the beginning of the annual flooding. The Lion, on the other hand, symbolizes strength and royalty.

    The convergence of these celestial events was seen as a divine blessing, indicating a period of renewal and spiritual awakening. The Egyptians believed that this time was sacred, marked by the increased spiritual energy and the gods’ alignment with earthly events.

    The Lion’s Gate in Greek and Roman Times

    The significance of the Lion’s Gate continued through Greek and Roman periods, albeit with different interpretations.

    In Greece, Leo was associated with the mythological Nemean Lion, a symbol of heroic strength and endurance. This mythological lion, slain by Hercules, became a symbol of overcoming challenges and personal transformation.

    For the Romans, the Lion’s Gate period was marked by various celebrations and rites that reflected their reverence for celestial cycles and their influence on human affairs.

    Roman culture, deeply intertwined with Egyptian beliefs through the syncretism of gods and practices, continued to honor celestial alignments, seeing them as signs of divine favor or omens.

    Medieval and Renaissance Views

    In medieval Europe, the Lion’s Gate was less emphasized, but the era’s astrologers and alchemists retained an understanding of celestial influences. The alignment was considered auspicious, and the Lion’s symbolism was often associated with royalty, courage, and divine intervention.

    Astrological texts from this period highlight the Lion’s Gate as a time of significant potential for personal and spiritual growth, though it was less celebrated in a formalized way.

    The Renaissance, with its renewed focus on ancient knowledge and the stars, saw a revival of interest in celestial events. Scholars and spiritual seekers of the time revisited astrological phenomena like the Lion’s Gate, interpreting them through the lens of rebirth and transformation, akin to the classical associations with strength and renewal.

    Contemporary Spirituality and the Lion’s Gate

    In modern times, the Lion’s Gate portal has evolved into a prominent event in New Age and spiritual communities. The period around August 8, when the Sun is in Leo and Sirius is prominently visible, is now celebrated as a time of heightened spiritual energy and transformation.

    Contemporary spiritual practitioners view this time as an opportunity for personal empowerment, healing, and manifestation.

    The Lion’s Gate is marked by rituals, meditations, and ceremonies designed to harness the perceived potent energies of this alignment. Spiritual readers and practitioners often focus on themes of courage, leadership, and personal growth, drawing inspiration from the lion’s attributes and the transformative power of the celestial alignment. The celebration is seen as a chance to release old patterns and embrace new potentials, mirroring the ancient Egyptians’ reverence for renewal and divine favor.

    Conclusion

    From ancient Egypt’s celestial alignments to today’s spiritual practices, the Lion’s Gate portal time has been a symbol of divine influence and personal transformation. Rooted in the significance of the Sirius rising and the lion’s symbolism, it has transcended cultures and eras, adapting to each period’s spiritual and astrological beliefs.

    Today, it remains a powerful reminder of the ongoing connection between the cosmos and human experience, inviting spiritual seekers to engage with the energies of the universe in their quest for personal and collective growth.

    Listening to the other side,

    Eve

  • Astrology was Ancient by the Time the Romans Started Using it.

    Salvete,

    I am Pisces.

    Pisces. We all know it means fish. But why do we not use fish as the name of this sign?

    I am studying Latin, which is why I’m immersed in everything Ancient Roman. Otherwise, I’d be studying astrology texts much more ancient. Is astrology as ancient as civilization?

    Piscis means fish in Latin (I learned this on Duolingo), and Pisces is the plural form of the word. Latin grammar is complex, and other forms of this word were used in different times that we don’t use today. For example, piscem, but that’s beside the point.

    Ancient Roman Astrology. My research

    Ancient Roman astrology, like many aspects of Roman culture, was heavily influenced by Greek traditions. The Romans adopted and adapted Greek astrological practices, incorporating them into their religious beliefs, political decisions, and daily lives. Here are some key points about ancient Roman astrology:

    1. Greek Influence: Ancient Roman astrology was largely based on Greek astrology, which originated in Mesopotamia and was later developed by the Greeks. Greek astrological texts, such as those attributed to the legendary sage Hermes Trismegistus, were translated into Latin and circulated widely in the Roman Empire.
    2. Planetary Influences: Ancient Roman astrologers believed that the movements and positions of celestial bodies, particularly the planets and stars, had a profound influence on human affairs and events on Earth. Each planet was associated with specific qualities, such as Mars with war and aggression, Venus with love and beauty, and Saturn with restriction and discipline.
    3. Natal Astrology: Natal astrology, which involves interpreting the positions of celestial bodies at the time of a person’s birth, was widely practiced in ancient Rome. Astrologers would create astrological charts, known as horoscopes, to analyze an individual’s personality traits, strengths, weaknesses, and potential future events.
    4. Political Astrology: Astrology played a significant role in Roman politics and governance. Emperors and political leaders often consulted astrologers for advice and guidance on matters of state, such as military campaigns, succession, and the timing of important events.
    5. Astrological Texts: While many ancient Roman astrological texts have been lost over time, some survive in fragments or in later medieval manuscripts. One of the most famous astrological texts used in Ancient Rome is “Tetrabiblos” by the Greek-Egyptian astrologer Claudius Ptolemy, which was widely read and studied in the Roman Empire.

    Learning about Roman astrology:

    To learn more about ancient Roman astrology, you can explore ancient texts on astrology that have been translated into English or other modern languages. Some recommended resources include:

    • “The Anthology of Vettius Valens: A Roman Astrologer” translated by Robert Schmidt
    • “The Astrological World of the Greeks and Romans” by James H. Holden
    • “A History of Western Astrology” by S. J. Tester

    Additionally, you can consult academic journals and articles on ancient astrology for scholarly insights and research findings. By delving into these sources, you can gain a deeper understanding of the fascinating world of ancient Roman astrology and its impact on Roman society and culture.

    Hermes Trismegistus is the Egyptian Thoth

    Hermes Trismegistus, also known as Thoth-Hermes in the Greek-Egyptian tradition, is a legendary figure who was believed to be the author of a vast body of wisdom literature, including works on astrology, alchemy, magic, and philosophy. In Egyptian mythology, Thoth was the god of wisdom, writing, and magic, while in Greek mythology, Hermes was the messenger of the gods and the patron of travelers, merchants, and thieves.

    The fusion of these two figures, Hermes and Thoth, resulted in the creation of Hermes Trismegistus, whose name means “Thrice-Great Hermes.” He was revered as a divine teacher and the source of esoteric knowledge in both Egyptian and Greek traditions. The Hermetic writings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, such as the Corpus Hermeticum and the Asclepius, were highly influential in the development of Western esotericism, including astrology, alchemy, and mysticism.

    While the historical existence of Hermes Trismegistus as a single individual is debated among scholars, his mythical status as a repository of ancient wisdom has had a profound impact on Western intellectual and spiritual traditions.

    Whether scholars believe in Hermes Trismegistus or not is unimportant. We still find wisdom in these writings and they’re still widely studied today.

    PS. The Latin texts were translated, and thus, they would not have been the most accurate.

    Finally, did the Christians destroy Latin Ancient Roman texts.


    Amor et Lux (Love and light in Latin),

    Eve

  • Valentine’s Day is pagan! I asked ChatGPT about the origin of Valentine’s celebration.

    Valentine’s Day is pagan! I asked ChatGPT about the origin of Valentine’s celebration.

    Dear Lovestar,

    I have done this new thing again and I hope you don’t mind it.

    I have talked to AI. By the way, read tomorrow’s post about AI to read my cheeky AI lover poem. On that note, I don’t blog weekends, but I have scheduled posts for the weekend when I have an excess of content such as this week.

    Eve asks AI the origin of Valentine’s

    (more…)