The Sorcerer's Companion: A Guide to the Magical World of Harry Potter (12 page)

During the Middle Ages, universities in England, France, and Italy taught astrology, and most European kings and queens employed court astrologers to cast their horoscopes and advise them on the best days for taking action. In Renaissance England, Queen Elizabeth I chose the mathematician and astrologer John Dee to select the date for her coronation according to the planetary influences. In France, the famed astrologer Nostradamus (see
Prophecy
) performed similar functions for Queen Catherine de’ Medici. And although the Church was generally hostile to astrology, Pope Urban VIII hired an astrologer in 1629 to perform magic rituals to counter the anticipated ill effects of a series of eclipses.

European royalty often consulted astrologers before making important decisions. This is said to be a portrait of the great French astrologer Nostradamus
. (
photo credit 3.2
)

At the same time, however, the scientific revolution was under way. In 1542, Copernicus stated that the sun, not the Earth, was the center of the solar system. This seemed to threaten the very basis of astrology, since the planets supposedly radiating their influence down on Earth were, in fact, not circling the Earth at all. In the seventeenth century, other scientific discoveries followed, and serious-minded people for the most part turned away from astrology. Yet even as astrology lost prestige, astrological almanacs became immensely popular and people began to keep track of their own good and bad days without the aid of a professional. Indeed, the monthly and daily predictions found in magazines and newspapers today are part of a tradition that began with those almanacs centuries ago.

Got the flu? The word “flu” is short for “influenza,” but when someone in the Middle Ages said they were sick from “influenza,” they certainly weren’t talking about a virus. The word originally meant “influence,” and referred strictly to the astrological influence of the stars and planets. People believed it was this influence, not germs, that made them sick. The word “disaster” likewise comes from astrological beliefs and is a combination of
dis
, meaning a “negative quality,” and
astron
, meaning “star.” When a calamity happened, the cause was often attributed to
dis-astron
, or a bad star.

Astrology today occupies a peculiar position. Although it retains none of the intellectual respectability it once had, its popularity is vast, and many people take astrological advice as profound truth. Still, skeptics abound. In fact, several of the most skeptical people we can think of happen to be students at a certain school of witchcraft and wizardry.

Thousands of years ago, ancient sky watchers observed that as the sun and planets moved across the sky each year, they always traveled along the same narrow path around the Earth. This pathway, which the Greeks named the zodiac, was divided by astrologers into twelve equal sections called “signs,” each associated with a constellation—Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, or Pisces—and a time of year. Astrologers use the position of the sun and planets within the zodiac to make predictions and to determine the personalities of people born under different signs. The characteristics associated with each sign were developed thousands of years ago but have been elaborated over the centuries. Here are some of the basics:

ARIES THE RAM
(March 21 to April 19): People born under the sign of Aries are characterized as energetic, enthusiastic, direct, independent, creative, and impatient. Because rams “ram” their way forward, Aries are also said to be aggressive, determined, and quicktempered.

TAURUS THE BULL
(April 20 to May 20): As might be expected from a bull, those born under the sign of Taurus have reserves of strength and stamina and can be stubborn, too. But they are also thought to be reliable, warm, patient, artistic, and dependable.

GEMINI THE TWINS
(May 21 to June 20): Geminis are held to be versatile, lively, curious, clever, and articulate, but often superficial. Like Castor and Pollux, the mythological twin brothers for whom the constellation is named, Geminis are said to be devoted to their families.

CANCER THE CRAB
(June 21 to July 22): Cancers are considered to be intuitive, sympathetic, moody, tenacious, family-minded, imaginative, and domestic. Like the crab, they may be hard on the outside but soft on the inside.

LEO THE LION
(July 23 to August 22): Leos are described as confident, dramatic, self-reliant, generous, outgoing, and proud. Like the king of the jungle, they can be dominating, brave, and demanding of attention.

VIRGO THE VIRGIN
(August 23 to September 22): Virgos are considered analytical, attentive to details, diligent, shrewd, and critical, and have a tendency to be perfectionists. Associated with the image of a maiden, Virgos can also be modest and prudent.

LIBRA THE SCALES
(September 23 to October 22): Libras are said to be stylish, good-natured, idealistic, romantic, and intelligent, but often indecisive. The constellation of Libra is visualized as a scale, and Libras are said to be balanced in their thoughts and emotions and to weigh things carefully.

SCORPIO THE SCORPION
(October 23 to November 22): Scorpios are considered passionate, intense, secretive, magnetic, powerful, and vindictive. Like their arachnid namesakes, Scorpios can be quick and bold and strike when the time is right.

SAGITTARIUS THE ARCHER
(November 23 to December 21): The constellation Sagittarius is depicted as a centaur pulling a bow, and Sagittarians are said to love the outdoors, sports, and animals. Honest and philosophical, they are also thought to be restless, adventurous, and high-spirited.

CAPRICORN THE GOAT
(December 22 to January 19): Like goats, Capricorns are said to be stable, dependable characters who can nonetheless leap over dangers and butt away things in their path. They are also described as ambitious, well organized, disciplined, practical, and materialistic.

AQUARIUS THE WATER-BEARER
(January 20 to February 18): Aquarians are described as original, visionary, friendly, and idealistic, but also detached and obstinate. Traditionally pictured as a figure holding a water jug, the image is said to symbolize helpfulness and altruism.