The Celestial Bodies Known To The Ancients.
Of the planets that are currently known in the solar system, the following were known to ancient civilisations, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. The Sun and the Moon were also amongst the heavenly bodies, studied by the ancients. Of the remaining planets, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto, these are fairly recent discoveries, and would have been unknown, being far too distant to be seen unaided.
Pluto was not discovered until 1930, the single moon of Pluto, named Charon, was discovered in 1978. Neptune was discovered in 1846, Triton a moon of Neptune, is the only large moon in the solar system to orbit 'backwards' around its planet. Uranus, was discovered by William Herschel in 1781, Uranus is notable because of the fact that it is tipped on its side. The poles are not on the top and bottom like the Earth's, but instead on its sides. The planet spins from north to south instead of west to east like on Earth
The Sun, the giver of life, plays an important role in the ancient civilisations. Many of the worlds primitive people's regarded the sun as a deity.
The Ancients and modern astrologers, consider Mercury to be neutral, it is neither masculine nor feminine, positive nor negative.
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun and the seventh largest. In Roman mythology Mars was the god of war.
Jupiter is fifth from the Sun and the largest. Jupiter was called the "Greater Benefic" by the Ancients, an extremely positive influence.
The closest astral body to the Earth, has had the most profound influences on mankind than any of the other heavenly bodies. The moon provided ancient man with their first calendar.
Venus is the second planet from the Sun, the Ancients called Venus the Lesser Benefic, named after the Roman goddess of love and beauty.
Saturn is perhaps the best known and recognized astronomical object by picture. Chronos, the Greek name for Saturn, is the father of time.
- The Elements
- More Sections..
- Tables of Correspondences
- Days of The Week
- The Planets
- Contents
- White Goddess..
- Home
- Online Shop
- About This Site
- Contact Us
- Sections..
- Articles
- Introduction to Paganism
- The Elements
- The Wheel of the Year
- The Phases of the Moon
- The Goddess
- The Gods
- Book of Shadows
- Divination
- Tarot
- The Herborium
- The Muse
- Historic Sites
- Site Map
- Per-Ankh
Saturday, 31 July 2010
Last Quarter Aug 3 04:59New Moon Aug 10 03:08
First Quarter Aug 16 18:14
Full Moon Aug 24 17:05
Nothern Hemisphere
Yule - Dec 21st/22nd
Imbolc - Feb 2nd
Ostara - Mar 21st/22nd
Beltane - April 30th/May 1st
Lithia - June 21st/22nd
Lammas - July 31st/Aug 1st
Mabon - Sept 21st/22nd
Samhain - Oct 31st
Northern Hemisphere
Yule - Dec 21st/22nd
Imbolc - Feb 2nd
Ostara - Mar 21st/22nd
Beltane - April 30th/May 1st
Lithia - June 21st/22nd
Lammas - July 31st/Aug 1st
Mabon - Sept 21st/22nd
Samhain - Oct 31st
Southern Hemisphere
Yule - June 21st
Imbolc - August 1st
Ostara - September 21st/22nd
Beltane - Oct 31st/Nov 1st
Lithia - Dec 21st/22nd
Lammas - Feb 1st/2nd
Mabon - March 21st
Samhain - April 30th/May 1st












