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....
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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....
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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....
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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...
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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,...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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