This page is dedicated to my two loves: etymology and astrology.
Etymology is the study of the true sense of words. It is key to any area of study because
a) words are used to convey ideas, so if we are studying various concepts, we must have mastery of these tools, and
b) word meanings and usages are evidence of culture and the mindset of a society.
For example- Today, we use the word consider to say "ponder or think about something", but it
literally means "with the stars", as ancient societies used the placement of the stars and planets to make decisions. If they did not follow the stars or if the planets had a malefic effect, the result would be a disaster (literally, a "bad star"). THis shows that the ancients placed high value in astrology, as they created words just to convey astrological ideas.
Here, we will look at etymology in relation to astrology; the names of the planets, signs, days of the week, mythological creatures associated with the planets, etc... can give more insight into the ancient science.
Etymology is the study of the true sense of words. It is key to any area of study because
a) words are used to convey ideas, so if we are studying various concepts, we must have mastery of these tools, and
b) word meanings and usages are evidence of culture and the mindset of a society.
For example- Today, we use the word consider to say "ponder or think about something", but it
literally means "with the stars", as ancient societies used the placement of the stars and planets to make decisions. If they did not follow the stars or if the planets had a malefic effect, the result would be a disaster (literally, a "bad star"). THis shows that the ancients placed high value in astrology, as they created words just to convey astrological ideas.
Here, we will look at etymology in relation to astrology; the names of the planets, signs, days of the week, mythological creatures associated with the planets, etc... can give more insight into the ancient science.
Days of the Week
Did you know that the days of the week are named after the 7 classical planets in Hellenistic astrology? This is evident not only in English, but in the Romance langauges as well. See below:
Sunday: Day of the Sun
Latin: dies Solis (solis meaning Sun)
Spanish: Domingo (from the Latin dominicus, meaning lord or master)
French: Dimanche (from Latin dominicus)
Monday: Day of the Moon
Latin: dies Lunae (Lunae means Moon; think of the word lunar)
Spanish: Lunes
French: Lundi
Tuesday: Day of Tyr or Tiw
(Germanic deity equivalent to Mars, the Roman god of War)
Old English: Tiwesdæg, Middle English: Tewesday
Latin: dies Martis (day of Mars)
Spanish: Martes
French: Mardi
Wednesday: Day of the Woden
(Germanic deity equivalent to Mercury)
Old English: Wōdnesdæg
Latin: dies Mercurii
Spanish: Miércoles
French: Mercredi
•
Thursday: Day of Thor
(Germanic deity equivalent to Jupiter, king of the Roman gods)
Old English: Thunresdaeg; German: Donnerstag
Latin: dies Jovis
Spanish: Jueves
French: Jeudi
Friday: Day of Frigg
(Germanic deity equivalent to Venus, Roman god of Love)
Old English: Frīġedæġ
Latin: dies Veneris (day of Venus)
Spanish: Viernes
French: Vendredi
Saturday: Day of Saturn
(associated with Saterne, Roman god of agriculture)
Old English: Frīġedæġ
Latin: dies Veneris
Spanish: Viernes
French: Vendredi
March: from Martis, referring to Mars
–Spring Equinox and Aries
– Beginning of Roman Year
April (Aprilis): from aperire “to open”
May (Maius): from Maia, Roman deity
June (Iunius): from Iunonioius, “sacred to Juno", a Roman deity (from Latin meaning youth)
–Summer Solstice and Cancer
–Beginning of 2nd quarter
July: named after Julius Caesar
August: named after Augusts Caesar
September: from Latin septem, seven
–Autumnal Equinox and Libra
–Beginning of 3rd quarter
October: from Latin octo, eight
November: from Latin novem, nine
December: from Latin decem, ten
–Winter Solstice and Capricorn
–Beginning of 4th quarter
January (Ianuarius): month of Janus, Roman deity (from the Latin Ianus, meaning door or gate)
February (Februarius): Latin februa, Indo European f(w)erso, fume, smoke “month of cleansing via burning ritual”
–Spring Equinox and Aries
– Beginning of Roman Year
April (Aprilis): from aperire “to open”
May (Maius): from Maia, Roman deity
June (Iunius): from Iunonioius, “sacred to Juno", a Roman deity (from Latin meaning youth)
–Summer Solstice and Cancer
–Beginning of 2nd quarter
July: named after Julius Caesar
August: named after Augusts Caesar
September: from Latin septem, seven
–Autumnal Equinox and Libra
–Beginning of 3rd quarter
October: from Latin octo, eight
November: from Latin novem, nine
December: from Latin decem, ten
–Winter Solstice and Capricorn
–Beginning of 4th quarter
January (Ianuarius): month of Janus, Roman deity (from the Latin Ianus, meaning door or gate)
February (Februarius): Latin februa, Indo European f(w)erso, fume, smoke “month of cleansing via burning ritual”