BELIEF ABOUT CONSTELLATIONS/ STARS

ASTROLOGY- is a system of beliefs and methods of calculation in an attempt to find out about future
events from the study of objects from the sky ( sun, moon and planets).

Zodiac- derives from Latin zōdiacus, which in its turn comes from the Greek ζῳδιακὸς κύκλος
(zōdiakos kyklos), meaning "circle of animals"

Mesopotamia (Babylonia)
-originates in prediction of the fates of rulers and their state.
-believed that keeping track of the sky would help them know beforehand what will happen
concerning everyday understanding.
Example:
If the sky is bright when new moon appears, the year will be good.

BABYLONIAN
- developed system of using objects in the sky to foretell success or misfortune is still being used on
modern-day astrology.
-zodiac sign is divided into 12 familiar signs
ZODIAC SIGNS
1. Aquarius: The Water Bearer

In Greek mythology Aquarius was Ganymede, "cup-bearer to the gods". Alpha Aquarii ("Sadalmelik")
and beta Aquarii ("Sadalsuud") are twin supergiants with nearly identical names. The names mean,
respectively, "The Lucky One of the King" and "The Luckiest of the Lucky". Gamma Aquarii shares in
the good fortune: "Sadachbia": "The Lucky Star of Hidden Things" Incidentally, if the "Age of
Aquarius" was celebrated in the 1960s, the real event is still some 600 years off: at that time
Aquarius will contain the vernal equinox, marking the return of the Sun into the northern
celestial hemisphere.
2. Aries: the Ram
- an ancient constellation which was of considerable importance since the sun passed
through it at the vernal equinox.
There is some reason to believe that the Greeks just took over a much older horned animal at this
time of the year; the horn being a symbol for fecundity, renewal, and so on. As the Sun came into this
constellation, at the vernal equinox, the year itself was being renewed.

3. Cancer The Crab

The name comes from the Latin; cancer means crab. The crab in question is the one sent by Hydra to
attack Heracles. It was only a bit part, but one which secured its immortality.

4. Gemini The Twins

-are really only half-brothers. They share the same mother (Leda) but have different fathers. Castor's
father was a king of Sparta, Tyndareus - who would be chased from his throne but later rescued by
Heracles (who nevertheless wound up killing him). The father of Pollux was none other than Zeus, or
Jupiter. Zeus visited Leda on her wedding night in the guise of a swan. Thus the twins would be born.
5. Leo: The Lion
The first on the list of Heracles' labors was the task of killing the Nemean Lion, a giant beast that
roamed the hills and the streets of the Peloponnesian villages, devouring whomever it met. The
animal's skin was impervious to iron, bronze, and stone. Heracles' arrows harmlessly bounced off the
lion; his sword bent in two; his wooden club smashed to pieces. So Heracles wrestled with the beast,
finally choking it to death. He then wrapped the lion's pelt about him; it would protect him from the
next labor: killing the poisonous Hydra.

6. Libra: The Scales

Libra means "The Scales" or "Balance", so named because when the zodiac was still in its infancy,
some four thousand years ago, the sun passed through this constellation at the autumnal equinox (21
September). At the two equinoxes (Spring and Autumn) the hours of daylight and darkness are equal.
As a symbol for equality, the constellation came to represent Justice in several middle Eastern
cultures. However, the Greeks had a different perspective; at one time Scorpius, which lies just to the
east, was much larger, and the stars that make up Libra were then known as the Claws of the
Scorpion.
7. Pisces: The Fish
Pisces is an ancient constellation derived, some say, from the story of the terrible Greek god Typhon.
The Modern Greek equivalent is spelled "tau upsilon phi omega nu" and means "cyclone".)
8. Sagittarius
It was the Romans who named the constellation Sagittarius ("sagitta" is Latin for `arrow'), although
several stars carry Arabic names which identify just which portion of the constellation they represent.
Sagittarius has a muddled history. In ancient times the asterism of three bright stars in a curved line
was seen as a bow to some, leading both Greek and Roman writers to confuse the constellation with
Centaurus.

9. Scorpius: The Scorpion

As mentioned regarding Orion, Gaia may have sent the scorpion to kill the mighty hunter, as he had
vowed to rid the earth of all wild animals. Or Apollo might have told Gaia of Orion's boast, fearful that
Orion had designs on Apollo's sister Artemis. In any case it was Gaia who sent the scorpion to kill
Orion. Later the animal would chase Orion across the heavens, but it could never catch him, for the
scorpion was so placed that it would rise in the east only after Orion had safely disappeared
over the western horizon.

10. Taurus: The Bull

The horn was a symbol of fertility and bountiful riches in many cultures for thousands of years, and it
is probably the case here, for the constellation would have announced the Vernal Equinox at around
4000 BC.
11. Virgo: The Virgin
Virgo has a number of ancient myths and tales. The Sun passes through Virgo in mid-September,
and is therefore the constellation that announces the harvest. Virgo is often represented as a
"maiden" (as its name indicates). In antiquity, she may have been Isis, the Egyptian protectress of the
living and the dead and the principal mother goddess.
12. Capricorn
- comes between Sagittarius and Aquarius
-has a symbol of goat
The sign of Capricorn takes the tenth 30 degrees of the zodiacal circle, and begins with the first day
of winter. This is a cardinal sign, meaning it marks the beginning of the season and the change it
brings with it

13. Ophiuchus: serpent-bearer

-better known as Serpentarius, the Serpent Holder. It is included in the list of 48 constellations
described by Ptolemy

-The thirteenth constellation that crosses the ecliptic that is between the zodiac signs Scorpio and
Sagittarius.

Western Astrology- based on the creation of a horoscope(tropical zodiacs), involve the occurrence
of the equinox; transpiring every two years. Between March 20-September 22, respectively based on
the movements, relative positions of the different celestial bodies (planets, the sun and the moon).

- The study about their motions are being critically and carefully analyzed through the different zodiac
signs, their aspects or angles which are presumed to be proportionate to each other. Generally, most
frequently utilizing the zodiac sign of the sun in consonance with one’s date of birth.
Chinese/East-Asian Astrology- foundations of Chinese philosophies

These philosophies encompass the theories of the three harmonious elements according to their
traditional beliefs. Chinese believes in this study and analysis of heavenly constellations for the keen
and critical observation of several phenomena, portents or omen identification; and the choosing of
auspicious days for important events and crucial decision making.

East –Asia Astrology- in some parts of Western Asia and Europe, zodiac constellations were not
used and applied in their people’s way of living. But, astrological practitioners were mainly dependent
on the principles of “The Three Enclosures and “The Twenty-Eight Mansions”.
Hindu astrology- predict one’s future or destiny a qualified practitioner has to maintain the
constellation alignment by making the necessary adjustments within the sky’s constellation
(ayanamsa).
While in the PHILIPPINES (Tawi-tawi)
The Badjaos uses several asterisms or star groups which they use in their activities.

Farmers in Tawi-tawi now use clock position to indicate the stars’ location in the sky. It is at 6 o’clock
when a star is seen in the east or in the west and is at 12 o’clock when it is at the zenith.