Planets’ role in the Chaldean astrology (1)

Text
Diodorus Siculus 2.30.3-5:
But above all in importance, they say, is the study of the influence of the five stars known as planets, which they call “Interpreters” when speaking of them as a group, but if referring to them singly, the one named Kronos (= Saturn) by the Greeks, which is the most conspicuous and presages more events and such as are of greater importance than the others, they call the star of Helios (= Sun), whereas the other four they designate as the stars of Ares (= Mars), Aphrodite (= Venus), Hermes (= Mercury) and Zeus (= Jupiter), as do our astrologers. The reason why they call them “Interpreters” is that whereas all the other stars are fixed and follow a single circuit in a regular course, these alone, by virtue of following each its own course, point out future events, thus interpreting to mankind the design of the gods. For sometimes by their risings, sometimes by their settings, and again by their colour, the Chaldeans say, they give signs of coming events to such as are willing to observe them closely; for at one time they show forth mighty storms of winds, at another excessive rains or heat, at times the appearance of comets, also eclipses of both sun and moon, and earthquakes, and in a word all the conditions which owe their origin to the athmosphere and work both benefits and harm, not only to whole peoples or regions, but also to kings and to persons of private station.

Source (list of abbreviations)
Diodorus Siculus 2.30.3-5

Bibliography

Amar Annus

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