While modern astrology can at times be strikingly different from its ancient roots many of the correspondences of the zodiac signs are drawn from the synthesis of astrology in the Islamic world.
A thread on the sign Cancer in astrology from the Islamic world-
A thread on the sign Cancer in astrology from the Islamic world-
Cancer or As Saratan is described as cold, moist, watery, nocturnal, feminine, and phlegmatic. Its season is from Spring to Summer.
Those born under the sign are said to be fickle and changeable emotionally and change jobs frequently. Biruni says they are inclined to inactivity
Those born under the sign are said to be fickle and changeable emotionally and change jobs frequently. Biruni says they are inclined to inactivity
They are described as having fine brows, pale complexions, not voiced, deep emotions, but reluctant.
They usually have many children.
Blue is a good color for them to wear and they find much of their fortune on Mondays, while troubles on Wednesdays.
They usually have many children.
Blue is a good color for them to wear and they find much of their fortune on Mondays, while troubles on Wednesdays.
They make good diviners and healers and have some artistic inclination.
Cancer is said to find its home in the Moon and is exalted in Jupiter. The Moon, the Lord of Cancer is depicted as a winged luminary.
Above you can see a depiction from the 14th C Kitab al Bulhan
Above you can see a depiction from the 14th C Kitab al Bulhan
It is said Cancer and Taurus have high esteem for one another and friendship. Cancers obey each other and command Gemini.
Cancers are also friendly with Sagittarius though Pisces and Scorpio are ideal friends and lovers.
Cancers are also friendly with Sagittarius though Pisces and Scorpio are ideal friends and lovers.
The span of life was divided up in the zodiac with Cancer linked to youth. Cancers are said to struggle at ages 20, 31, and 40.
The human body was divided up in the zodiac with Cancer linked to the stomach and spleen
The human body was divided up in the zodiac with Cancer linked to the stomach and spleen
Muslim astrologers also designated parts of the world as governed by the Zodiac with Cancer corresponding to Numida, Sudan, Balkh, China, rivers, places of worship, and tall to medium trees.
Cancer featured in several famous astrological talismans
One particular charm involves using the secret of letters to fashion a talisman when the Moon was in Cancer and favorably aspecting Jupiter to grant the person spiritual abilities and to be exalted by God.
One particular charm involves using the secret of letters to fashion a talisman when the Moon was in Cancer and favorably aspecting Jupiter to grant the person spiritual abilities and to be exalted by God.
A similar talisman could be made to cure ailments of the stomach if one avoids Saturn and Jupiter retrogrades.
Again, the formulae for astrological talismans overlap with medicine in premodern science.
Again, the formulae for astrological talismans overlap with medicine in premodern science.
Some famous Cancers in Islamic history include the 11th century Fatimid caliph, Al Mustansir who was the longest reigning caliph.
His mother, Sayyida Rasad was a Nubian or Sudanese concubine and upon his ascension ruled the court. She governed most of his early reign.
His mother, Sayyida Rasad was a Nubian or Sudanese concubine and upon his ascension ruled the court. She governed most of his early reign.
While he was a Cancer, his mother was from a region corresponding with Cancer and in true Cancerian fashion, she dominated his youth.
Shah Ismail, the 16th century founder of the Safavid dynasty was also a Cancer. He would formally adopt Twelver Shiism as the religion of his empire.
He was also a poet.
He was also a poet.
Astrologers like al Biruni, drawing heavily from Persianate sources, used the Zodiac in world calendars, dividing up history into ages. For example, he writes that in Zoroastrianism, the spirit or primordial human Gayomart began living on earth during the age of Cancer.
Because of the lunar connection, Cancer would go on to become an important sign for Islam.
Biruni for example would warn that Saturn and Mars conjunction in Cancer bode ill omens for Muslim lands.
Biruni for example would warn that Saturn and Mars conjunction in Cancer bode ill omens for Muslim lands.
Abu Mashar also linked Cancer to Islamic kingdoms. When Jupiter was in Cancer, trine and sextile aspects portend good things while oppositions portend change of rule and bloodshed and flood
The system of dividing up the history of the world astrologically is found earlier with Mashallah ibn Athari who identified the great conjunction in Cancer as the date of the flood of Noah
Drawing from Ptolemy, he would also argue the growth of life and formation of the four elements happened under Cancer.
Again, we see the cultural and intellectual synthesis that shaped the astrology of the Islamic world. The Hellenic use of the elements, the Persian calendar cycles, the Babylonian zodiac all are drawn together to make sense of world history.
I will cover the rest of the zodiac in future threads.
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