Tomorrow is an eclipse.
For medieval people these celestial events were dramatic moments rife with anxiety.
One such eclipse was used by a prince to predict his own death.
A thread-
For medieval people these celestial events were dramatic moments rife with anxiety.
One such eclipse was used by a prince to predict his own death.
A thread-
According to Ibn Zakariyya in the 9th century there was a prince named, Muhammad Ibn Abdallah Ibn Tahir. He was a regional governor and the commander of the elite forces of Baghdad.
He was also, like many elite and scholarly inclined Muslims of the era, an astrologer
He was also, like many elite and scholarly inclined Muslims of the era, an astrologer
One day while casting his annual horoscope, a solar revolution chart astrologers use to forecast the year ahead usually on their birthday, he noted a “qat”
This was a specialized technique combining calculated points known as Arabic lots, transits of planets, and the horoscope
This was a specialized technique combining calculated points known as Arabic lots, transits of planets, and the horoscope
He noted an upcoming eclipse in Cancer. Cancer was also the Ascendent of the year and the Moon was his planetary lord of the year, AND he was a Cancer himself.
Combined with the Lots, the qat was clear.
He predicted he would die.
Combined with the Lots, the qat was clear.
He predicted he would die.
On the appointed day he had a servant climb on the roof with some nuts with instructions to drop them at each stage of the eclipse.
The servant observed carefully.
At 1/3 of the eclipse he dropped the first nut. The prince gathered his house and told them he was to die
The servant observed carefully.
At 1/3 of the eclipse he dropped the first nut. The prince gathered his house and told them he was to die
At 2/3 of the eclipse the servant dropped another nut.
The prince wrote his will donating his lands and wealth to endowments for the poor.
The prince wrote his will donating his lands and wealth to endowments for the poor.
Finally when the eclipse was full and the third nut dropped, the prince readied himself.
In true emo Cancer fashion he wrapped himself in the traditional Muslim burial shroud and waited for his fate.
In true emo Cancer fashion he wrapped himself in the traditional Muslim burial shroud and waited for his fate.
Shortly there after his brother came home to find all the servants waiting outside the prince’s room.
He inquired what was going on and the nervous servants informed him.
Rushing forward he burst into the room. There he found the prince on the bed.
He was dead.
He inquired what was going on and the nervous servants informed him.
Rushing forward he burst into the room. There he found the prince on the bed.
He was dead.
Heartbroken he composed a poem for his brother:
The moon was eclipsed with the prince,
The moon disappeared and the prince fell.
The light of the moon is back,
But the light of the prince is never to come back.
The moon was eclipsed with the prince,
The moon disappeared and the prince fell.
The light of the moon is back,
But the light of the prince is never to come back.
The story is interesting for several reasons, firstly it gives a glimpse into how acutely aware medieval Muslims were of the heavens
It also reveals the complexity of astrology: the technique here combines observational astronomy with advanced mathematics.
These calculations were only possible thanks to the introduction of Indic mathematical concepts fused with Hellenic astrological theories
These calculations were only possible thanks to the introduction of Indic mathematical concepts fused with Hellenic astrological theories
It also opens up an interesting debate among medieval Muslims.
While astrology was at times theologically contentious, it enjoyed wide support from many segments of society including religious scholars themselves
While astrology was at times theologically contentious, it enjoyed wide support from many segments of society including religious scholars themselves
Muslim astrologers debated whether the planetary motions caused events or were omens of events in either case careful to attribute all cause to God alone
Finally it is a reminder that since time immemorial, people have looked to the heavens to try to make sense of their lives
If you want to learn more about astrology or Islamic history check out my patreon where I just released a podcast on the zodiac Gemini and its meaning from the perspective of astrologers from the Islamic world patreon.com/headonhistory
We’ll keep exploring Islamic history in future threads
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