The History of Astrology: From Ancient to Modern Times

An overview of the history of astrology over the past 4,000 years, starting in ancient times and ending in the present, with astrologer Chris Brennan.

The talk begins with the ancient Mesopotamian and Egyptian astrological traditions, where the concepts of the zodiac and birth charts originated.

Later we discuss Hellenistic astrology, where the fourfold system of chart interpretation was first established, which uses planets, zodiac signs, houses, and aspects.

After that we move into medieval astrology and the development of different branches of the tradition such as horary astrology and the study of Jupiter-Saturn conjunctions in world history.

Eventually we move into the Renaissance traditions and the decline of astrology during the scientific revolution, followed by the revival and flourishing of astrology in the 20th and 21st centuries.

This talk is based on a lecture that Chris has been giving at conferences since 2006 about how Uranus-Neptune conjunctions have historically coincided with periods in which there is a major transmission and revival of older forms of astrology, which are then synthesized with whatever the prevailing paradigm is at the time. 

Part of the purpose of the talk is to contextualize some of the current trends in our own time period, and the recent revival of older forms of astrology.

This is episode 280 of The Astrology Podcast:

#TheAstrologyPodcast

Timestamps

00:00:00 Intro
00:02:36 Mesopotamia
00:07:44 Invention of natal astrology
00:16:21 Egypt (Decans)
00:20:58 Conquest of Alexander the Great
00:24:23 Emergence of Hellenistic Astrology
00:32:04 Thema Mundi, rulerships
00:36:19 Aspects
00:37:42 Houses
00:39:08 Planetary Joys
00:41:45 Elements and Zodiac
00:43:00 House significators
00:44:48 Core of the New System
00:47:00 Roman Empire in the 2nd Century CE
00:47:42 Transmission to Persia and India
00:51:40 End of Hellenistic Tradition
00:54:20 Expansion of Islamic Empire
00:55:17 Early Medieval Astrology
01:01:30 Four Traditional Branches
01:05:34 Transfer of Light
01:06:51 Late Medieval Astrology
01:12:10 Renaissance Astrology
01:17:12 Late Traditional Astrology
01:23:30 The Astrological Recession
01:29:06 Rebirth in 20th Century
01:33:12 Modern Astrology
01:43:00 Revival of Traditional Astrology
01:54:33 Uranus Neptune Conjunctions
01:59:30 Chart of historical timeline
02:05:03 Value of Studying the Tradition
02:10:40 The Current Revival
02:15:40 Contributions of Each Tradition
02:21:58 The Hermetic Nature of Astrology
02:26:25 The Future
02:32:34 Further Reading
02:36:10 Concluding remarks

[TheAstrologyPodcast]

Let me know if you have any questions or if there are any other areas of the history of astrology that you would like to see me cover in future videos!

[devanirguna]

You probably do not take compliments easily but clearly scholarship and eloquence and combining it a very clear and artful way. So I learned so much and feel on firmer foundational ground for my life long practice of astrology that goes back to the 1970, s. I feel more curious and humbly competent than ever before so thank you for the great community work you do. I feel on your last points more and more the triplicities of view than the polarities. I can comfortably know have an overview from siderial that infuses my tropical approach. I know embrace whole sign houses as my basic systems but enjoy the nuance of some of the quadrant systems.. yes to the outer lanets rythyms and timing even though they are invisible we now know about them. So from the activity and fixed another mutable birthing can happen

[koadirt]

I am SO grateful to you Chris for being such an amazing scholar and great teacher. I would probably not have gotten into astrology if it wasn't for you. Modern astrology never resonated with me, but when I began listening to your podcast it all clicked - I had been looking for traditional astrology all along! I also appreciate that although you have preferences of style, you are so very respectful of all styles and encourage all your students to also be respectful and see value in the differences. We need that so much! I will try to live by your example. Thank you!

[LabutacadeUrania]

Thanks a lot… I started watching this episode 10 minutes ago and already feeling thankful. You are so clear when you speak, when you teach… English is not my native language so I really appreciate your clarity (and also your knowledge and how you share it).

[evewittenmyer]

This is an amazing university quality lecture. It’s wonderful to have all this information put together so well. Thank you so much!

[xcccassandra]

You are doing work for astrology that will be appreciated and remembered forever... it is so inspiring how one determined and passionate person can weave together the tapestry an entire field of study. I love that you are bringing everyone together to have conversations that enlighten us on all the faces of what astrology is and can be.

[EduNauta]

Can you do episodes talking about chinese and mayan astrology and how do they differ from western-vedic astrology? Thank you

[jenbrown]

Chris... seriously amazing. I've learned so much from this video. In all my years of study I've never heard all this explained so clearly. Love your ideas for moving forward... totally agree.

[AtempoVision]

Thank you Chris for all your videos!!! Greetings from Chile, now in enjoying your Book 💫

[LouValcourt]

This was so informative. I love history and astrology, and seeing how the different eras influenced different practices and techniques helps me to understand it better. Thanks for this informative and in depth lecture.

[DouglasSadownick]

Chris—I can’t tell you how much this lecture meant to me. I am so glad I found it. I am a psychotherapist and founder of the nation’s first LGBT Specialization in Clinical Psychology. I have just DISCOVERED astrology the past two years and your podcasts have helped enormously to inspire and clarify. I myself have become more active in my social media as I seek to return to my publishing life that I had before I became a psychologist for the community. I had a powerful dream last night as I was moving in and out of your lecture about the work and it focused on my learning from a very wise person about astrology. Anyway, I believe I will do a podcast reviewing your lecture here on “The History of Astrology” to honor your work. If I do, I will make sure you get it. I am on substack and will keep you updated. With much respect, Douglas Sadownick

[douglasdowns]

Chris, this is just the bomb! I've listened to your lecture 3 times, all the way through now, and I know I'll be returning to it on a regular basis! Thank you for your contribution to the Essential Documents of Astrology Podcasts!

[mysticrosetarot]

Thank you so much, Chris!
I will have to watch this in sections and take notes. This feels like it will be a perfect means of understanding the historical breakdown of astrology. Your knowledge is priceless. 🌙✨👍

[brendalomax]

An immensely valuable episode! Wow, thank you Chris. Your contribution to the popularization of Hellenistic astrology is unrivalled. Looking forward to more of your high quality content.

[masond]

You did it again. I don't think I would have kept going forward if it wasn't for these videos. Thank you Chris!!!!

[rfox]

This was a wonderful lecture, thank you. Your reminder about humility and respect within the community and the role of astrologers continuing this movement is really quite beautiful. I'm also grateful for the recommendations of where translation is still needed because I'd love to brush up on those skills and take part. I completed graduate studies concentrating on the Near East, mostly working with Greek and Arabic, with Arabic being my stronger language, but I left academia to follow other pursuits. I've been studying astrology for a few years but only recently began diving into the classical works, so this is a good push to have something to work towards. I could never quite fully put away that incredible period and move on, so it's nice to think I might one day have a go at translating again. One last thing -- watching your video was such a warm reminder of grad school (I know, who says that). You explain things with such ease and clarity! Anyhow, again, thank you!

[miri]

Chris, so grateful to you for this!!! I've been craving a historical overview of this kind for a while, and you deliver it with erudition and concision. Thank you.

[trish]

Thank you Chris for sharing your knowledge you are such a blessing to listen and learn from, a real gem.

[elisabethredlig]

I need to watch this over and over again. Have been so curious about the history of astrology and this has been really educating. Thank you!

[mrsdelacruz]

Thank you for this! I actually dedicated a notebook for this playlist. I appreciate the fact that your talk is very factual and isn’t fluffy.