Skyscript Astrology Forum

Hello,

I am looking for the moment when the Sassanian passed from a sidereal Helleno-Sassanian zodiac to a tropical zodiac. Early writings (Masha'Allah or Abu'Mashar, as translated by Dr Benjamin Dykes in Persian Nativities I-III) seem to show it was based on sidereal zodiac. About al-Qabisi, I can't tell. In any case the reference was the star zeta Piscium. James Holden (A History of Horoscopic Astrology) seems to have same opinion. Perhaps I think it was around the 9th or 10th century and because sidereal tables (the "zij") may have not been available anymore. Am I correct? Maybe Martin Gansten will want to briefly comment on this issue?

carriere.francois wrote:

I am looking for the moment when the Sassanian passed from a sidereal Helleno-Sassanian zodiac to a tropical zodiac. Early writings (Masha'Allah or Abu'Mashar, as translated by Dr Benjamin Dykes in Persian Nativities I-III) seem to show it was based on sidereal zodiac. About al-Qabisi, I can't tell. In any case the reference was the star zeta Piscium. James Holden (A History of Horoscopic Astrology) seems to have same opinion. Perhaps I think it was around the 9th or 10th century and because sidereal tables (the "zij") may have not been available anymore. Am I correct? Maybe Martin Gansten will want to briefly comment on this issue?

As this question is historical and concerns a change in technique I would suggest you repost this in the Traditional forum. I think your more likely to get responses there too.

regards,

Mark

carriere.francois wrote:

I am looking for the moment when the Sassanian passed from a sidereal Helleno-Sassanian zodiac to a tropical zodiac. Early writings (Masha'Allah or Abu'Mashar, as translated by Dr Benjamin Dykes in Persian Nativities I-III) seem to show it was based on sidereal zodiac. About al-Qabisi, I can't tell.

I had this exact same question. When I looked into this question a while ago, I think I came to the conclusion that the change-over began during Al-Qabisi's time period since Masha'Allah was clear in using a sidereal zodiac. (Persian Nativities I, p. 16) Of course if we had the dates when specific tables were introduced we would have our answer. I'll see if I can find my notes on this and post my findings a little later.

There is now a thread on this question on the traditional form so please post any further replies there.

http://skyscript.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9870

Thanks

Mark