Atlas Coelestis of Andreas Cellarius Northern Hemisphere of the Christian Heavens
The Pagan Heaven And The Christian Earth
First published in an illustrated supplement to The Horizon Vol. 6 No. 3, Winter 1946
By Manly P. Hall
The zodiac is an imaginary zone of the heavens paralleling the ecliptic, about sixteen degrees in width. It is divided into twelve signs, each of which is thirty degrees in extent. Each of the signs is marked by a constellation, and the symbolical figures associated with the signs are supposedly traceable in the star groupings which form the corresponding constellation. In many instances, however, there is little resemblance between the two.
The origin of the zodiac is one of the unsolved mysteries of ancient times. A variety of explanations has been offered, but none has the stamp of general approval or acceptance. The popular belief that the signs of the zodiac were delineated by ancient shepherds guarding their flocks at night is untenable. The system did not originate among untutored herdsmen, but bears witness to a high degree of intellectual organization. Perhaps the legend of the shepherds has reference to the myths of the shepherd kings, the priest-initiate-rulers of the world of long ago. The selection of certain animals and figures to represent the star groupings gives us a clue to the origin of the system. In the classical zodiac that we know, all the star symbols pertain to a way of life which developed in Mesopotamia, North Africa, and south-eastern Europe. Had the zodiac its beginning in Asia the symbolism would have been different. In fact, Eastern zodiacs to this day include several forms peculiar to Eastern regions.
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The origin of the zodiac is one of the unsolved mysteries of ancient times. A variety of explanations has been offered, but none has the stamp of general approval or acceptance. The popular belief that the signs of the zodiac were delineated by ancient shepherds guarding their flocks at night is untenable. The system did not originate among untutored herdsmen, but bears witness to a high degree of intellectual organization. Perhaps the legend of the shepherds has reference to the myths of the shepherd kings, the priest-initiate-rulers of the world of long ago. The selection of certain animals and figures to represent the star groupings gives us a clue to the origin of the system. In the classical zodiac that we know, all the star symbols pertain to a way of life which developed in Mesopotamia, North Africa, and south-eastern Europe. Had the zodiac its beginning in Asia the symbolism would have been different. In fact, Eastern zodiacs to this day include several forms peculiar to Eastern regions.
Subscribe to the New PRS Journal to read on...
Nothing comes from nothing. Manly Hall’s vision for the All-Seeing Eye was entirely supported by contributions from its readers who paid for their subscription with gifts made according to their means. Manly Hall wrote,
“This magazine is published and distributed privately to those who make possible with their financial support its publication. The magazine cannot be bought and has no fixed value. Like all of the ancient teachings which it seeks to promulgate, it has no comparative value, but the students must support it for its own intrinsic merit.”
