Did Hermes Create Astrology?

Astrology has been a subject of interest for centuries, and people have always been curious about its origins. One of the most common questions that arise is whether Hermes created astrology or not. Although there is no concrete evidence to support this claim, many scholars believe that Hermes played a vital role in its development.

Hermes was known as the god of knowledge, communication, and commerce in ancient Greek mythology. He was also associated with magic and alchemy, making him an ideal candidate for the creation of astrology.

The earliest written records of astrology date back to the Babylonian civilization, which flourished around 2000 BC. However, it was during the Hellenistic period (323-31 BC) that astrology became popular in Greece.

During this time, Greek scholars started incorporating Babylonian astrological practices into their own culture. They also began developing their own systems of astrology using concepts from Greek mythology and philosophy. This fusion of different astrological traditions led to the creation of a new form of astrology that we now know as Western Astrology.

Although there is no direct evidence linking Hermes to the creation of Western Astrology, many scholars believe that he played a significant role in its development. Hermes Trismegistus, meaning “Thrice-Great Hermes,” was a legendary figure who was said to have possessed immense knowledge in various fields such as alchemy, magic, and astrology.

According to legend, Hermes received his knowledge from Thoth, an Egyptian deity associated with wisdom and writing. Thoth was said to have written down all his knowledge on scrolls made from papyrus and hid them inside a secret chamber in Egypt’s Great Pyramid.

Hermes supposedly discovered these scrolls during his travels and used their contents to develop his own system of astrology. His teachings were later passed down through various texts such as “The Corpus Hermeticum” and “The Emerald Tablet.”

Despite these claims, some scholars argue that the idea of Hermes being the creator of astrology is nothing more than a myth. They point out that there is no concrete evidence to support this claim, and that it is merely a product of ancient Greek imagination.

In conclusion, while there is no concrete evidence to support the claim that Hermes created astrology, many scholars believe that he played a significant role in its development. Whether true or not, the legacy of Hermes lives on through his mythical teachings and continues to inspire modern astrologers today.