Thread by @aaolomi

For much of history, the zodiac were far more than personality traits. In fact, in most treatise by medieval Muslim astrologers nativity temperament is often the shortest section

A thread on special categorizes of the zodiac including gemstones, plants, herbs, and groupings-

Royal Signs- Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius

Some astrologers also include Libra and Virgo

Noble Signs- Virgo and Pisces

Just Signs- Virgo, Libra, and Sagittarius

Lusty Signs- Aries, Taurus, Leo, Sagittarius (Al Biruni includes Pisces here as well)

Lecherous signs- Scorpio and Capricorn

Promiscuous signs- Aries, Gemini, Libra, and Sagittarius

Marriage Signs- Taurus, Leo, and Pisces

Blessed/Fortunate Signs- Taurus, Leo, Sagittarius, Pisces

Afflicted Signs- Scorpio and Aquarius

Vengeful signs- Aries, Scorpio, and Capricorn

Bestial Signs- Aries, Taurus, Leo, One-half of Sagittarius, Capricorn

Feral Signs- Leo

Humane Signs- Gemini, Virgo, Libra, and Aquarius

Signs of the Astrologer- Sagittarius and Aquarius

Magic and Divination Signs- Pisces, Sagittarius, Cancer, Scorpio

Signs of Secrets- Scorpio and Capricorn

Jinn Signs- Libra and Pisces

Cardinal Signs- Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn

Fixed Signs- Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius

Double-Bodied Signs- Gemini, Virgo*, Sagittarius, Pisces

The Zodiac also included gemstones and metals

Aries is carnelian and iron

Taurus is lapis lazuli, emerald, and copper

Gemini is yellow stones and mercury

Cancer is lighter carnelians, stones found in rivers, steel, and silver

Leo is garnet, ruby, and gold

Virgo is green stones

Libra is emerald with silver

Scorpio is dark carnelians, coral, and steel

Sagittarius is emerald and gold

Capricorn is turquoise, sapphires, and silver

Aquarius is black stones and gold

Pisces is lapis lazuli, translucent stones, and silver.

the stones and metals were used to craft magic rings and talismans

Zodiac were also associated with plants, herbs, and foods

Aries- peppers, ginger, and cinnamon

Taurus- sweet fruits and thyme

Gemini- trees, citrus, and dill

Cancer- rice and sugar

Leo- Food made with fire, saffron, and ginger

Virgo- Planted fields and seeds

Libra- Date palms

Scorpio- Salt, minerals, mustard, and clay

Sagittarius- hunted animals, nuts, and licorice

Capricorn- herbs, shrubs, and crops, myrrh

Aquarius- Tall trees and frankincense

Pisces- sugar and sandalwood

All of these associations point to the way in which scientific categorization was used to organize, order, and imagine the world.

Muslim astrologers were part of this effort and saw the zodiac and the planets part of a celestial order reflected in the world.

i'll cover astrology in the Islamic world in more future threads

me: the zodiac isn’t just about personality these associations are how medieval thinkers organized the world around them

you: so I’m a royal sign cusp blessed sign with a ginger moon

me: