Astrology probably evolved from primitive times when man first related the events of his life to a power stronger than himself. At the mercy of unknown elements affecting human life, he no doubt tried to find a rational solution by seeking to link his destiny with the heavenly bodies that were displayed in the night skies.
However, from the earliest records to which we have access, from the time of the earliest known civilizations, astrology was already established as a sophisticated system of knowledge. It identified the planets, symbolically divided the sky into zodiacal signs and what is more important, had some knowledge beyond the forms of celestial bodies as to the interpretation of their invisible influences upon the human psyche and life on our earth.
Every ancient civilization - Egyptian, Chaldean, Sumerian, Chinese to name a few, had their own astrological systems. And nearly all the ancient scriptures have interesting references to astrology. It increases our respect for this knowledge to know just how deeply it has been a part of human culture. Some claim that the first great astrologers mentioned in history are Petosiris and Necepso, believed to have lived in the reign of Rameses II of Egypt. Others such as the classical writer Simplicius in the sixth century AD says that he always heard that the Egyptians had kept astronomical observations and records for a period of 63,000 years. Diogenes Laertius dated Egyptians to 48,863 years before Alexander the Great. Martianus Capella corroborates this by telling that the Egyptians had secretly studied Astronomy for over 40,000 years before they imparted their knowledge to the world. Chinese knowledge of astronomy dates back to 18,000 years ago. The text Vedanga Jyotisha in Indian Vedic literature shows Astrology to have been known in times which pre-date known history.
There is a great deal of evidence to support that astrology and astronomy were both integral to the culture of people both east and west. Modern archaeologists confirm that many relics continue to come be found, that directly refer to both astronomy and astrology in past ages.
Obviously beyond studying the evidence that is available, we can only speculate as to the real time of the birth of Astrology but can feel very certain of its validity as a science and its serious application. In earlier times this would have been the province and responsibility of the priesthood who used it in the temples for healing; scholars within all cultures studied and assisted in advancing the science and it was certainly used by rulers in promoting the welfare of their country and in planning strategies for defence and campaigns to extend their power.
Although it is well known that rulers over the last centuries in the western world have employed astrologers to assist in determining 'auspicious' dates for events of importance, from Queen Elizabeth I to Napoleon and even some of our present day rulers, astrology now provides knowledge which is accessible to all.
There are many practical applications of both serious and more frivolous purposes which are presently being explored by enterprising people, and these include gardening, horseracing, weather prediction, animal breeding and many others.
Its most popular application in modern times however, has been to help the individual in self- analysis. As well, professional psychologists are beginning to observe the benefits in helping them understand the different types of personality and behaviour. This is perhaps the area most deserving of the old association as a 'sacred' science which relates the great natural forces outside our world to the activities and interests of humanity on our own planet.
Close your eyes, and picture that large, mouth-watering lobster waiting on your plate for you to crack open and enjoy. You'd be hard-pressed to think of anything that sounds better. However, don't rush out for a live lobster dinner just yet. Wouldn't it be fun to learn a little bit about the critter you're craving before you indulge?
Early Native Americans were a funny bunch. They had super-easy access to lobsters, but they refused to eat them. Instead, they used them to fertilize their farm fields or as fish bait. How sad is that?
When European settlers started arriving on America's shores, many of them starved to death, but they still wouldn't eat lobster meat. They used it for fertilizer, too, plus they fed it to the people they considered inferior: slaves, indentured servants, the poor, and their own children (children weren't spoiled in those days like they are now!). After word got around that indentured servants were being forced to eat this terrible fare, prospective indentured servants had promises written into their contracts that they wouldn't be made to eat lobster more than three times a week. Imagine that!
Up until the early 19th century, people could get all the lobsters they needed by snagging them from tide pools. They had no need for technological advances in the harvesting of live lobsters. The first lobster traps didn't come on the scene until the 1850s. The reason harvesters needed traps is because they had become able to sell their lobsters to canneries. No one ate the lobsters fresh, and the canned version was so tasteless that few people ate them canned, either.
With the advent of modern transportation, live lobsters became the delicacies they continue to be today. As it became possible to ship live lobsters to America's largest cities, they caught on with the well-to-do, and the rest is just history.
Did you ever choose a live lobster from a tank, watch while restaurant personnel remove him, and then have him appear cooked on your dinner plate? It gives you a weird feeling, doesn't it? Your feelings are only normal. You just have to resign yourself to the fact that the little qualms you feel are all a part of the lobster-eating experience.
During my lifetime I've known family members tracing clear back to my great grandmother who was born in 1873. Even when seafood came into vogue, she never ate it. As a Victorian lady, she would never have even wanted to think about throwing something live into a pot of boiling water. After all, women in the Victorian era were sheltered from the harsh realities of life.
At least we've finally learned to appreciate the quality of a live lobster dinner. The prices have even come down enough that middle-class citizens can afford to eat them, too. We can buy them in supermarkets or from online merchants and cook them in our own homes. We've come a long way, baby!
Both Michael Russell & Sherry Shantel are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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