Constellations of ancient Egypt

In the last post I talked about the border line between two very old empires, I probably left you a bit ‘hanging’ in regards, to… so much more... *heh* well this is because it is not possible for anyone to explain something in short, especially not at the levels of how the ancient Egyptian worked.
There is even clear evidence that the constellations changed in ancient Egypt.

Let me present you with a picture from Sety I tomb:
Sety I Astronomical tomb ceiling
Sety the First belongs to the 19 Dynasty, which were around 1200 B.C.
He was not a king by blood (royal blood),
but he indeed was a true king of his time.

This image portrays some of the constellation of ancient Egypt, and how they choose to see them. The harmony which one can see everywhere in their writing and images, seem to be less preferred when it comes to this part of the tomb. Their placement seems as important as the images themselves. I completely understand why some descendants thought this to be a devils work, especially considering how the creatures look. But to understand the ancient Egyptian mindset, one has to open up for more possibilities than we have in this so-called modern time. The concept of the ‘devil’ descends from many older cultures too, just with other names and attributes. But I find the ancient Egyptians truly understood these concepts to their fullest, and understood how to depict it in a harmonious way (the story of Seth and Horus portrays their understanding of ‘evil,’ whom was never ‘just’ evil – a person fallen for his own personal inner demon, in the choices they made.)

No one can claim that they truly understand the Egyptian gods, even less can be said about their ‘star-gods.’ But they left us their thoughts and words, as the Greeks probably would call ‘The holy writing from the heavens.’

The Picture above is actually a mythological story about these 'star-gods'. It is believed that it is the battle of Seth and Horus, these images seems portrayed different in tombs. Some of these creatures (images) have been identified with our modern constellation chart.
These stars are called the circumpolar stars (In ancient Egypt they were known under the name ‘Khemiu-seku’), which is probably another word for ‘fixed’ as they did not rise or set, in the time of the Dendera temple.
In these ceiling images we probably find different mythological stories, because of their different looks.
I think that the man, that has his fist raised towards the crocodile’s nose, is a star-form of Sety I (in this case), he is helping Horus in the journey across the night sky. In the man’s other hand, we see his hand raised and a Bull is standing upon an odd looking ‘plate’.
This is actually interesting if you ask me. Because Sety I was known for is love of hunting Bulls, in the Temple at Abydos, is one of the only existing images of Sety I teaching his son Ramesses II how to catch the Bulls. This was also a form of exam for the boy, in that this would show Ramesses II strength, if manhood was upon him. This image above could be indicating his ‘triumph’ over the Bull, fitting perfectly into their stories about the constellations.

“In very many inscriptions the constellation which, as I have stated, represent the hippopotamus, is really represented as a crocodile, or as a crocodile resting on the shoulders of a hippopotamus, so that there is no doubt that the crocodile and the hippopotamus were variants; and we can quite understand, further, that the hippopotamus must have been brought into Egypt by a tribe with that totem, who must have come from a very long way up the Nile, since the hippopotamus was never indigenous in the lower reaches of the river; so that we have in the myth to do with a hippopotamus-worshipping tribe, which, for that reason, probably came from a region very far to the south.

From J. Norman Lockyer (1836-1920)


In the area more south of Aswan, the crocodiles were sacred animals, even being mummified.

Ancient Egyptian Astrology

I started this blog out by describing each constellation, somewhat through the Macedonian’s (Greeks) point of view. Their legends and myths change through each century and their rulers, and other factors.

- Now why did I go about it in this way, if I wanted to describe the ancient Egyptians point of view?

Simply because between these two Empires lies a truth, a distinct border between the ‘old ways’ and the new so-called ‘modernized people’, which we all descend from, as we also descend from the older ones of the ‘older ways.’
Ancient Egypt could probably be called the last great civilization from the more ancient world. And through this great society, we have their surviving documents and monuments, which teach us much from a ‘lost past.’ One thing which depicts the ‘border-line’ between the very ancient ones and the new world was the most basic to our nature, namely the writing systems, which became more like the Greeks.

Dendera temples zodiac circle

But surely it must be the zodiac representation that is the defining border between them. For the Greeks changed this to the circle and inside they placed the symbols of the constellations. Where as the ancient Egyptians portrayed it in lines, just as they normally wrote. In those most ancient of days, all knew about the setting of the sun and the coming of the stars and the Lovely Moon, and much more.
The Secret of Anubis written by Karima L.

I state that I believe that it is from the ancient Egyptians that the Greeks came to create their stories and legends about the constellation. Because in ancient Egypt they already had stories about the stars, they even gave them colors. Upon the walls of their toms can be found; the names of the stars as just being a small part of their great understanding of both life and death.
But there has not been found a star chart like we see in later Greek history, a circular one. Other ancient cultures do have circular forms just like the Greeks came to have, but Egyptians wrote it different. They also have the 36 Decans in boats, and the heaven of Nut. The only place so fare known, where we find something from ancient Egypt, which look a little bit like the circular star chart from the Greeks time period, is in the Valley of the Kings. One section of the tomb, gives illustrations which match the modern chart, which was to come later on.

This border gives clear evidence, that something major was happening behind the scenes in the days of Alexandria the great and his descendants. The way that people ‘saw’ our universe was slowly changed, and subjects became separated, just as you see in the topic of Astrology vs. Astronomy – two sides of one coin. The creative force meets the scientific mind.

Astrology in Religion

The question is what is the view of astrology from a religious point of view?
- First off, very different, individual.



But it is truly a mistake to think that ‘The Lord’ strikes down upon astrologers for their passion of this field. Actually most religions mentions the stars in some sort of way, they are guides, givers, and takers, they can strike down, or be like a miracle.
Many religions have it termed as a devils’ work (one article I am writing is actually about this, and how one version of these religions go). But it has never been the devils work, rather you should see the term astrology in a completely new way; It is a substance to our humane race, a place where thoughts/creativity and the scientific mind can meet, either through the planets existence or through the symbols we write.
The best way to understand religious thoughts and astrology if you ask me would be through the ancient Egyptians.
One statement, which have existed even to this day, but is originally from Ancient Egyptians belief is; “I am the morning Star, I am the evening star” Many people should recognize these words from somewhere, and they are over 2000 years old. I personally state, that religions were born from the stars, in one way or the other. I love all beings upon this earth, so I find it ignorant to state any religion as ‘one sole truth’ for they are all some part of mankind’s history (it would also be disrespecting religions if I state one was more correct than the other, I find them all as being a part of man, and yet so much have been added out or written into the books, and it is easy to see).

It was through the knowledge of Astrology/astronomy that the three wise men were able to find Jesus.

Psalms 104:19:
The moon marks off the seasons, and the sun knows when to set.

In Psalms 147:3-4 :
God heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of stars and calls them each by name.

Luke 21:25 :

At the end of this Age there will be signs in the sun, moon and stars…the heavenly bodies will be shaken.

From the Book of Job Chapter 38:
http://www.drbo.org/book/20.htm
The Book of Job is part of the Hebrew bible:
31 Shalt thou be able to join together the shining stars the Pleiades, or canst thou stop the turning about of Arcturus? 32 Canst thou bring forth the day star in its time, and make the evening star to rise upon the children of the earth? 33 Dost thou know the order of heaven, and canst thou set down the reason thereof on the earth? 34 Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that an abundance of waters may cover thee? 35 Canst thou send lightnings, and will they go, and will they return and say to thee: Here we are?

I have a direct translation of the Dead Sea scrolls, and here some of what they said (Wrote down about this subject):
‘Horoscopes’ or Astrological Physiognomies (4Q186):


II… and his thighs are long and lean, and his toes are thin and long. He is of the second Column. His spirit consists of six (parts) in the House of Light and three in the Pit of Darkness. And this is his birthday on which he(is to be/was?) born: in the foot of the Bull. He will be meek. And his animal is the Bull.

THE QURAN
The Chapter called “The Star” Is yet another example, but it must be understood, that each interprets the books individually. Many Muslims see astrology and astronomy as the devils work – Ye must not predict for this is only for the most holy Lord. I hope they only view the predicting-astrology as the Devils work, because if we did not notice the heavens, many things would go even more astray in our world today.
I will only bring you some paragraphs of the Quran’s chapter ‘the Star’
44. That it is He Who granteth Death and Life;
45. That he did create in pairs, male and female,
46. From a seed when lodged (in its place);
47. That He hath promised a second Creation (raising of the Dead)
48. That it is He Who giveth wealth and satisfaction;
49. That He is the Lord of Sirius (the Mighty Star).

In Religions, the Lord is much more than the stars, They abide to He.

Let me give you a piece of Ancient Egyptian astrology;
First off back over 2000 years ago, they had astrologers, which their called ‘horoscopist’ But I do not find any real evidence that they used it like we do today, in the more individual way. They also had the Zodiac, and many other stars and constellations.

Personally I am like Socrates, who was standing in front of death and said; I shall drink for the Sun and for the Moon, for they have always been here with us, they never fail their path.

Native American Astrology

Native American Astrology - by Karima Lachtane
The Native Americans are the people that have always lived in what is now known as America, both the North and the South. They a like the Berber’s that I descend from a tribal people, that still practice the ancient ways of thinking.
Actually their ‘Astrological symbol’ is their Totem (look into totem polls), it was also an identification mark for each clan (each tribal group). In these astrological charts, I would be classified as being a Crow, an animal of the Wind/air.
Native American astrology - the Wolf


Look up your own birthday, and see what Zodiac sign you are in Native American astrology:
http://www.xtraastrology.com/native_american_astrology.html

http://www.whats-your-sign.com/native-american-animal-symbols.html

Native American Astrology - The Deer