Thread by @aaolomi

Astrology from the Islamic world influences some modern interpretations of the zodiac. Synthesizing Hellenic, Persian, and Indian knowledge, Muslim astrologers wrote about the character of each sign in dairat al buruj

A thread on Taurus in astrology from the Islamic world-

Taurus or Athawar is described as dry, cold, melancholic, and feminine.

Those born under its sign are said to be of good judgement, lustful, and fond of food. They usually have thick lips, pleasant voices, and small families

Taurus is said to find its home in Venus, but is exalted or has its kingdom in the Moon.

Venus, often described as Taurus’ Lord, is depicted as a beautiful lute-player.

It is said Taurus and Cancer have high esteem for one another and friendship. Taurus is also friendly with Aquarius and Libra while obeying Leo and commanding Pisces.

Lifespan was divided up in the zodiac with Taurus linked to childhood and Spring.

The human body was also divided up in the zodiac with Taurus associated with the throat.

The correspondence of the body and diseases to the zodiac show an interesting way in which astrology and medicine intersect in pre-modern healing.

Muslim astrologers also divided up regions based on the zodiac and planets. Taurus corresponds to the Kurds, Cyprus, Oman, parts of Iran, Herat, and mountains and orchards.

It is also associated with large domesticated animals.

The religion of Ahura Mazda and the Mithraitic religion was also linked to Taurus.

But pre-modern astrology was more than the character analysis we often find in contemporary sun-sign astrology.
The goal was diagnosis and prognostication.

Taurus therefore was one of the “fortunate” signs indicating a good life in the chart.

This significance was also employed in astrological magic.

One famous formula for love says to craft a talisman of wax or bronze when there is a favorable ascendant and the Moon and Venus are in Taurus.

For bounty a silver talisman was cast when the Moon was in Taurus and Taurus was rising

These talismans were usually accompanied with invocations of the angels, jinn, and spirits of the planets and zodiac and burning corresponding incenses

Some famous Taureans from the Islamic world include Caliph Al Hadi from the 8th century and the red-haired and freckled 12th century caliph al-Mustarshid

The polymath, calendarist, and epicurean poet Omar Khayyam was also a Taurus.

There was also the famous 15th century Timurid prince, Iskandar whose horoscope is preserved in a beautiful fashion.

Courtly culture simultaneously saw horoscopes as a practical way to consult the stars on material matters, but also as a sign of prestige

Horoscopes would be presented as gifts, or in celebration of the ascension of a ruler. Iskandar's horoscope is a beautiful example of all of these considerations: power, prestige, a hint of propaganda, and practicality

Here it is from the Wellcome collection.

Cast by the astrologer Imad al Munajjim, the stylistic horoscope emphasizes the Sun in Taurus for good fortune, Mars in Scorpio for victory in conquest, and Venus in Pisces for beauty and the arts.

While astrology from the Islamic world can be quite different from the contemporary practice, the threads of commonality are still there.

The study of the history of astrology is of particular interest for historians of science and religion

I'll be covering the rest of the zodiac in future threads.