The mythological Graeco-Latin names of the planets (e.g., Aphrodite/Venus) are a sort of cultural translations from/correspondences with the original Babylonian deity names (in this case, Ishtar). Naturally there are no absolute one-to-one correspondences between the pantheons of different religious systems, but the closest hits were used. The same sort of process can be observed in the Germanic names of the days of the week, e.g., Friday (day of Freyja) for dies Veneris (day of Venus).

@M.G.

I'm aware that the beginnings of astrology will forever be shrouded in mystery, but I like to think that the ancients came up with those mythological names after studying those objects in the sky as well as astrologically in charts.

From our modern point of view, is there anything to suggest that the planet Ishtar/Aphrodite/Venus must be the natural ruler of love and beauty apart from the mythological association? What we think we find in astrological charts might perhaps just be confirmation bias.

Astrophilus wrote: Sat Jul 12, 2025 8:23 pm I'm aware that the beginnings of astrology will forever be shrouded in mystery, but I like to think that the ancients came up with those mythological names after studying those objects in the sky as well as astrologically in charts.

Personally, I tend to agree. I just wanted to make the simple point that once the original connection had been made between a planet and a Babylonian deity (and any qualities and significations associated with that deity), the rest of the process of assigning Greek and Latin mythological names to that planet was one of cultural translation. The nearest Greek deity to Ishtar was (at least in the minds of the translators) Aphrodite, who in turn found her nearest Roman equivalent in Venus.

I wonder, what could be the modern western equivalent for the ancient Ishtar/Aphrodite/Venus?

It's been 2000+ years - perhaps it's time for an update.

Mercury: The Messenger

• Sometimes dry, sometimes moist (varies)
  • Melancholy
  • Author of subtlety, tricks, devices, perjury
  • Literary men, mathematicians, astrologers, orators, ambassadors, solicitors, thieves, messengers, footmen
  • Metal - Quicksilver
  • Day - Wednesday
  • Greater Years - 76
  
  
  Mercury is a neutral planet—neither inherently benefic nor malefic. It shifts between dry and moist, and like Saturn, contributes to the melancholic temperament He is the author of subtlety, tricks, devices, and perjury.
  
  Mercury represents all literary men, philosophers, mathematicians, astrologers, merchants, secretaries, diviners, sculptors, poets, orators, advocates, schoolmasters, attorneys, ambassadors, clerks, solicitors, thieves, grammarians, tailors, carriers, messengers, and footmen.
  
  When well dignified, Mercury represents a man with a subtle and political brain, intellect and cogitation, an excellent disputant or logician, arguing with learning and discretion, and using much eloquence in his speech, a searcher into all kinds of mysteries and learning, sharp and witty. When ill dignified, Mercury creates a troublesome wit, an agitated man, a liar, boaster, rumor spreader, idiot, cheater, and thief.
  
  Among the metals, Mercury rules over quicksilver. Among the days of the week, he rules Wednesday and his greater years are 76.
  
  Discussed and presented here:
  https://youtu.be/hoNbvI6tjO0?si=nxJIk0kU-2MBU_Fe/

In traditional astrology, the signs are classified in several meaningful ways.

The first division is by season and mode. Each season has three signs:

• Spring - Aries, Taurus, and Gemini

• Summer - Cancer, Leo, and Virgo

• Autumn - Libra, Scorpio, and Sagittarius

• Winter - Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces

Within each season

• First sign is cardinal, initiating change (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn)

• Second sign is fixed, representing stability and the peak of the season (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius)

• Third is mutable, marking flexibility and transition (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces)

Signs are also divided by polarity—masculine and feminine—which alternate around the zodiac:

• Masculine signs are Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius, and Aquarius. They are outward, expressive, and active

• Feminine signs are Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn, and Pisces. These tend to be inward, receptive, and reflective

Another key classification is the triplicities, which group signs by the four classical elements:

• Fire signs—Aries, Leo, Sagittarius—are hot, dry, and choleric, embodying boldness, energy, and radiance

• Earth signs—Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn—are cold, dry, and melancholic, practical and grounded

• Air signs—Gemini, Libra, Aquarius—are hot, moist, and sanguine, social and intellectually active

• Water signs—Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces—are cold, moist, and phlegmatic, emotional and intuitive

Traditional astrologers also classify signs by hemisphere:

• Aries through Virgo are northern signs

• Libra through Pisces are southern

Additional groupings provide further nuance:

• Bestial signs—Aries, Taurus, Leo, Sagittarius, Capricorn—are linked to animal nature and instinct

• Humane signs—Gemini, Virgo, Libra, Aquarius—relate to social order and human qualities

• Fruitful signs—Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces—are associated with fertility and abundance

• Barren signs—Gemini, Leo, Virgo—are considered less fertile

• Feral (Leo and the end of Sagittarius), representing untamed energy

• Mute (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces), denoting silence and depth

Discussed and presented here:
https://youtu.be/e8aV82cFcjY?si=hKmrReErje0zOq0q/