Ancient Egyptian Astrology

Ancient Egyptian astrology was a complex system of divination and celestial observation practiced in Kemet (Ancient Egypt) that sought to interpret the will of the gods through the movements of celestial bodies. This practice, known as astrologiya in Hebrew and astrologie in French, was deeply intertwined with the religious and agricultural cycles of Egyptian life. The Egyptians believed that the stars and planets were deities or manifestations of divine will, and their positions and movements could influence events on Earth. Key celestial figures included the sun god Ra (or Re), the moon god Thoth, and the star Sopdet (Sirius), which was closely associated with the goddess Isis and the annual flooding of the Nile. The Egyptians used a lunar calendar and later a solar calendar to track these celestial events, which were crucial for predicting the flooding of the Nile, a vital event for agriculture. The study of astrology was often conducted by priests and scribes, who were also responsible for recording astronomical observations and maintaining the calendars. The Egyptians also developed a system of decans, groups of stars that rose helically, which were used to divide the night into manageable segments for timekeeping and divination. This system was later adopted and adapted by other cultures, including the Greeks and Romans, contributing to the development of Western astrology.