Astrology

The sun rising over the back of the lion or, astrologically, in back of the lion, has always been considered symbolic of power and rulership. A symbol very similar to the one above appears on the flag of Persia, whose people have always been sun worshipers. Kings and emperors have frequently associated their terrestrial power with the celestial power of the solar orb, and have accepted the sun, or one of its symbolic beasts or birds, as their emblem. Witness the lion of the Great Mogul and the eagles of Caesar and Napoleon. MPH

The Three Suns

From Lilly’s Astrological Predictions for 1648, 1649 and 1650

The following description of this phenomenon appears in a letter written by Jeremiah Shakerley in Lancashire, March 4th, 1648:

"On Monday the 28th of February last, there arose with the Sun two Parelii, on either side one; their distance from him was by estimation, about ten degrees; they continued still of the same distance from the Zenith, or height above the Horizon, that the Sun did; and from the parts averse to the Sun, there seemed to issue out certain bright rays, not unlike those which the Sun sendeth from behind a cloud, but brighter. The parts of these Parelii which were toward the Sun, were of a mixt colour, wherein green and red were most predominant: A little above them was a thin Rainbow, scarcely discernible, of a bright colour, with the concave towards the Sun, and the ends thereof seeming to touch the Parelii: Above that, in a clear diaphanous ayre [air], appeared another conspicuous Rainbow, beautified with divers colours; it was as neer as I could discern to the Zenith; it seemed of something a lesser radius that the other, they being back to back, yet a pretty way between: At or neer the apparent time of the full Moon, they vanished, leaving abundance of terror and amazement in those that saw them." MPH

The Solar Face

From Montfaucon’s Antiquities

The corona of the sun is here shown in the form of a lion’s mane. This is a subtle reminder of the fact that at one time the summer solstice took place in the sign of Leo, the Celestial Lion. MPH

The Equinoxes and Solstices

The plane of the zodiac intersects the celestial equator at an angle of approximately 23° 28´. The two points of intersection (A and B) are called the equinoxes. MPH

The Microcosm

From Schotus’ Margarita Philosophica

The pagans believed that the zodiac formed the body of the Grand Man of the Universe. This body, which they called the Macrocosm (The Great World), was divided into twelve major parts, one of which was under the control of the celestial powers reposing in each of the zodiacal constellations. Believing that the entire universal system was epitomized in man’s body, which they called the Microcosm (the Little World), they evolved that now familiar figure of "the cut-up man in the almanac" by allotting a sign of the zodiac to each of twelve major parts of the human body.

The Circular Zodiac of Tentyra

From Cole’s Treatise on the Circular Zodiac of Tentyra, in Egypt

The oldest circular zodiac known is the one found at Tentyra, in Egypt, and now in the possession of the French Government. Mr. John Cole describes this remarkable zodiac as follows: "The diameter of the medallion in which the constellations are sculptured, is four feet nine inches, French measure. It is surrounded by another circle of much larger circumference, containing hieroglyphic characters; this second circle is enclosed in a square, whose sides are seven feet nine inches long... The asterisms, constituting the Zodiacal constellations mixed with others, are represented in a spiral. The extremities of this spiral, after one revolution, are Leo and Cancer. Leo is no doubt at the head. It appears to be trampling on a serpent, and its tail to be held by a woman. Immediately after the Lion comes the Virgin holding an ear of corn. Further on we perceive two scales of a balance, above which, in a medallion, is the figure of Harpocrates. Then follows the Scorpion, and Sagittarius, to whom the Egyptians gave wings, and two faces. After Sagittarius are successively placed, Capricornus, Aquarius, Pisces, the Ram, the Bull, and the Twins. This Zodiacal procession is, as we have already observed, terminated by Cancer, the Crab." MPH

Hieroglyphic Plan, by Hermes, of the Ancient Zodiac

From Kircher’s OEdipus AEgyptiacus

The inner circle contains the hieroglyph of Hemphta, the triform and pantamorphic deity. In the six concentric bands surrounding the inner circle are (from within outward): (1) the numbers of the zodiacal houses in figures and also in words; (2) the modern names of the houses; (3) the Greek or the Egyptian names of the Egyptian deities assigned to the houses; (4) the complete figures of these deities; (5) the ancient or the modern zodiacal signs, sometimes both; (6) the number of decans or subdivisions of the houses. MPH

Atlas Céleste

From John Flamstéed’s Atlas céleste de Flamstéed

The following illustrations are from John Flamstéed's Atlas Céleste, originally published by Chez F.G. Deschamps [et chez] l'autuer, Paris, 1776.

Fortin, a globe maker for the French royal family, was commissioned to produce a revised edition of Flamsteed's star atlas. All of Flamsteed's twenty-six plates were re-engraved on a much smaller scale, only 23x18 cm. In Flamsteed's 1729 Atlas Coelestis, the original plates were 55x41 cm.

In the PRS Library's Special Collection are 10 of these plates, hand colored, depicting the twelve Signs of the Zodiac.