Constellations, are patterns of stars that are imagined to form shapes of identifiable objects, creatures or earthbound animals in the sky, they can appear near each other in the night sky, but they usually lie at a variety of distances away from earth. The word constellation comes from the late Latin term constellation, which can be translated as "set of stars". The International Astronomical Union formally recognizes 88 Constellations, many of which have names referring to mediological phenomena or streaming from mythological beliefs. In the past those names were believed to have originated in Ancient Greece, however examinations of Mesopotamian writings revealed that the majority of the Greek myths mirrored others from past civilizations and nations such as the Babylonians and the Assyrians.
Both astrologers and astronomers speak of the zodiac. Astrologers see it in the 12 “signs” listed in a horoscope. But astronomers would see these zodiac “signs” as being derived from the uneven cluster of the stars the real constellations in our night sky. In Astrology, each zodiac constellation is associated with a specific time of the year, known as a zodiac sign. These signs are used in astrology to predict personality traits, future events, and compatibility with others. These constellations are the same ones that contain the path of our sun (ecliptic) over the course of a year. In pre-modern times, most cultures did not make a clear distinction between the two disciplines, putting them both together as one, in ancient Babylonia, both functions were performed by the same person.
Today, Astrology is still alive thanks to the efforts of several great historical astrologers from several eras who were able to maintain the practice.
Traditional astrology was mainly practiced in the Hellenistic period 2nd CE around the Mediterranean area and Egypt, it was written in the Greek language after Alexander the Great's occupation of Alexandria in Egypt. The science of astronomy and astrology was practiced and registered by many astrologers, to name a few astrologers and astronomers:
Claudius Ptolemy, The master Vettius Valens, and Paulus Alexandrinus.
The Golden Age of the Abbasaid Islamic era in the 7th CE had flourished in alchemy, art, architecture, astrology, math, medicine, physics, music, poetry and science, which had extended until the Mogul invasions. Astronomers, astrologers, and scientists who were also known as religious scholars in that era had played a major role in translating astrological scriptures from the Greek books and had refined the ancient astrology by evolving in their own findings. They had an active role as consultants for the leaders in that area, and had worked on documenting their own studies of astronomy, astrology and other inventions that were used by the west at a later stage. Some of the famous scholars are: Al-Battani, who developed what we know of today as Trigonometry by using math and new calculations of the nature of the solar system. Jabir Ibn Aflah, the inventor of the Torquetum, and so many other profound scholars from: Al Kinid (The Theory of Stellar Rays, Magic & Sound, and Picatrix), Abu- Muasher (The Great Introduction to Astrology), Al Biruni (The Book of Instructions of the Art of Astrology), Ibn Sina/Avicenna (The Canon of Medicine).
The revival of Astrology took a new turn in our Modern times elevating psychology as one of the main streams and inviting the framework of archetypes that were presented by of Carl Jung, Modern Astrology introduces self-discovery that is infused with experiential projections and esoteric astrology. Nonetheless, traditional astrology is still widely practiced in the west and the east. The Father of Modern Astrology Alan Leo had popularized astrology in the early 20th century and from there astrology took a new turn giving birth to new thoughts, and new schools of astrology that had invited a mixture of traditional and modern astrology to be revived with a broader variety of great astrologers who passionately compose astrological forecasts and overviews.
The Moon and Venus - Photography by: Manal Soudani
The path of the stars drives our energies into profound awareness, inviting deep consciousness and divine work that speaks the language of the sky, while the actions within the movement of the stars, the elements of the planets and the characteristics of the souls embrace the collective on planet earth.
With utmost gratitude to my Mesopotamian ancestors and my Middle Eastern roots, I am honored to continue my knowledge and education in learning about the energy and language of the stars and to offer my service to others on their wellness journey especially to those who are enlightened by the path of Medical Astrology.
Medical Astrology, (or iatromathematics) is an ancient system linking celestial bodies (planets, stars, zodiac signs) to specific body parts, diseases, and remedies.
Part of my wellness offerings is developing a Medical Astrological report for a natal chart along a personal consultation, the developed report is a holistic blueprint map, which captures the date, time, location of the native during birth in order to translate the constitutional health predisposition, strength, and weakness in alignment with the position of the signs, planets, the houses, and the aspects in the natal chart.
My method covers the traditional Greek, Arabic and Ayurvedic systems that are set to analyze birth charts in order to identify potential health issues while providing a thorough consultation accompanied by alternative herbal medicine, diet therapy, and holistic practices that aligns with each individual.
The Planets - Earth Module, USA - Photography by: Manal Soudani
Planet Mars - Wadi Rum, Jordan
