Sylvia Rose
Difference Between Astrology & Astronomy in the Ancient World
Astrology and astronomy blur boundaries in the ancient world. Similar at a glance, the two serve different needs in society and progress....
top of page
Sylvia Rose
Aug 252 min read
Haruspices in History: The Gut Readers
In ancient Rome, the haruspex has a significant role in society as a trained specialist in the the practice of haruspicy. This form of...
12 views
Sylvia Rose
Aug 73 min read
Ancient Astrology: New Perspectives
As humanity evolves, so does study of astrology. Settlement, and the advent of writing c. 3200 BCE, lead to concise development of...
10 views
Sylvia Rose
Aug 76 min read
Babylonian Astrology: Destiny in the Stars
Babylonians are among the earliest astrologers. An ancient practice, astrology correlations the movements or habits of celestial bodies...
10 views
Sylvia Rose
Jul 186 min read
Zodiac Alchemy - Metals & Planets
Metals, planets, their properties and symbols give insight into nature and personality. The seven metals of antiquity correspond with the...
40 views
Sylvia Rose
Apr 223 min read
Ninkasi: Beer Goddess Mesopotamia
Ninkasi is a goddess of beer and brewing in ancient Mesopotamia. She's cognate or related to Siris and sometimes portrayed as her sister....
25 views
Sylvia Rose
Apr 223 min read
Beer Goddess Siris of Mesopotamia
Siris or Siraš is a Mesopotamian beer goddess. In Ebla she's called Zilaš. Siris connects to both the good and bad aspects of beer....
17 views
Sylvia Rose
Apr 195 min read
Mahaleb Cherry: Spice, Nature & Myth
Mahaleb cherry (Prunus mahaleb) or St. Lucie cherry is a species of fruit tree cultivated for a spice in the cherry stones. The fruit...
19 views
Sylvia Rose
Apr 187 min read
Nimrod: Lord of Chaos & Creation
Nimrod is a legendary Mesopotamian king in the early Bronze Age. A controversial figure, Nimrod has a savage nature and civilized mind,...
27 views
Sylvia Rose
Jan 13 min read
Apkallu - Seven Sages of Mesopotamia
When the gods come into being in Mesopotamia, they create the Igigi to act as their servants because they find work too exhausting. As...
28 views
Sylvia Rose
Dec 31, 20234 min read
Ishum: Night Watchman & Fire God
The God Ishum is the sukkal or divine attendant of Nergal, Lord of the Underworld, death and disease. Like many deified sukkals, Ishum...
34 views
Sylvia Rose
Dec 29, 20233 min read
Scorpion Men of Babylonia
Scorpion men (Akkadian: girtablullû, aqrabuamelu) make an appearance in various Akkadian language myths. They include the Enûma Elish...
38 views
Sylvia Rose
Dec 21, 20234 min read
Gibil - Fire God of Mesopotamia
Gibil, also called Girra in Akkadian, is the Mesopotamian Fire God. He's associated with both the positive, nurturing, benevolent aspect...
34 views
Sylvia Rose
Dec 19, 20235 min read
Dumuzi & Geshtinanna: Reasons for Seasons
Dumuzi (Dumu-zid, Dumuzid) and Geshtinanna are brother and sister deities in ancient Mesopotamia (today's Iraq). Dumuzi, a god of...
49 views
Sylvia Rose
Nov 28, 20232 min read
Ornithomancy - Prophecy by the Birds
Ornithomancy or augury is first recorded during the Hittite Empire (c. 1450 - 1180). From ancient Greek "take omens from the flight and...
77 views
Sylvia Rose
Nov 12, 20234 min read
Ereshkigal & the Mesopotamian Underworld
Among the many goddesses, gods, sukkals and spiritual entities in ancient Mesopotamia are the grim ghosts, gods and demons who dwell in...
111 views
Sylvia Rose
Nov 4, 20238 min read
Inanna: Goddess Queen of Heaven
Inanna is the goddess of love, sexuality and war in ancient Mesopotamia. She's equated with Ishtar and Hurrian Shaushka. A divine...
128 views
Sylvia Rose
Nov 3, 20235 min read
Care & Feeding of Ancient Gods - Enlil
An ancient Mesopotamian God, Enlil (Sumerian: Nunamnir) is a powerful deity associated with wind, air, earth and storms. He's the major...
60 views
Sylvia Rose
Oct 27, 20236 min read
Bronze Age Afterlife & Burial Beliefs
Afterlife beliefs varied in the Bronze Age, and burial practices reflect these. Cultures such as Egypt, Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley and...
25 views
Sylvia Rose
Oct 16, 20234 min read
Immortal - Quest for the Elixir of Life
The Elixir of Life has value beyond money. The concept first appears in Mesopotamia of the 2nd millennium BCE. Its discovery is one of...
72 views
bottom of page