Zodiac
Zodiac (Greek: zoidion, an image of an animal)
The Zodiac is derived from the visible part of the night sky, divided into 12 equal portions.
It contains the 12 major constellations associated with the 12 major signs of astrology, as well as the 12 major stages of transubstantiation as outlined in medieval alchemical lore.
While the validity of astrology has been variously championed, questioned and lampooned, in India commercially obtained horoscopes are frequently used to determine suitable marriages, a practice stemming back for decades.
As Calcutta grew in size and the social composition of the city became more mobile and diverse, matrimonial advertisements and marriage bureaus that served the function of matchmaking as well as various other types of marriage-related services such as matching horoscopes seemed better suited to the needs of the urban householder. In fact, many matrimonial bureaus combined the task of brokering marriages with astrological functions. Advertisements such as the following littered contemporary newspapers and journals: “Undertake marriage negotiations of respectable families-Jyotirbid Pundit K. Samajpati B. A. (Medical Astrologer)-Residence, 4 Guruprasad Chaudhury Lane, Calcutta” (Amrita Bazar Patrika, November 14, 1929, n.p.). Others were even more precise, stating, “if you send your date, year, and place of birth to the address below, you will be provided with your horoscope at the lowest possible price-Sri Motiranjan Kabyatirtha, P.O. Sarutiya, Jessore” (Bijali, February 18[1922]:6).
Rochona Majumdar, “Looking for Brides and Grooms: Ghataks, Matrimonials, and the Marriage Market in Colonial Calcutta, circa 1875-1940,” The Journal of Asian Studies, Vol. 63, No. 4, (Nov., 2004: 911-935), p. 920.
» Alchemy, Aquarius, Aries, Cancer, Capricorn, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Pisces, Sagittarius, Scorpio, Taurus, Virgo
Image Credit:
- Ecliptic path.jpg by Tauʻolunga, Creative Commons License.
Add to this, report errors, suggest edits or voice your opinion by posting a comment
Posted on May 16, 2008, in Z and tagged alchemy, Aquarius, aries, Asia, astrology, Cancer, Capricorn, gemini, horoscope, india, leo, libra, marriage, Pisces, Rochona Majumdar, Sagittarius, Scorpio, Taurus, Virgo, zodiac. Bookmark the permalink. 2 Comments.
![Eigerøy lighthouse III [Explored #4]](http://static.flickr.com/2879/8805431526_732f27a085_m.jpg "Eigerøy lighthouse III [Explored #4]")
The zodiac, numerology, and astrology have always left me in wonder… if there is truth out there that can be foretold… what then of destiny and purpose? are we destined from the moment of conception, birth, thought… is it destiny or simple math?
I believe there is a grand scheme… a map of answers out there… astrology and numerology could be a key… so then can be the zodiac… a map.
or then it can simply be an overactive imagination
I think we also have to consider theological critiques, where the Holy Spirit is said to override natural forces and originate from a whole other level of existence. This harkens back to earlier discussions about immanence…
Although many astrologers do talk about a “higher self” and such, I’m not completely convinced that some of them are in a place to appreciate the quality and character of the Holy Spirit.