| Details | | Publication Date: | 1997-09-30 | | Illustrator: | Raymond Miller Barrett Jr. |
| Size | | Length: | 243 pages | | Height: | 9.5 in | | Width: | 6.5 in | | Thickness: | 1.0 in | | Weight: | 20.8 oz |
Publisher's Note
"Providing not only conceptual analysis of the major sun signs, but also timelines and charts to aid the student's understanding of the Zodiac, this volume provides much needed historical background which relates the Zodiac to art, philosophy, science, and religion; to major personalities, and to historical material such as the Bible". Joe Hester Director of Gifted Programs Catawba County School District Newton, North Carolina "I am tremendously impressed with the prodigious amount of research [Snodgrass+ undertook in this much-needed objective examination of the zodiac all the way from ancient times up to Nancy Reagan....[The author+ presented these facts in a highly readable format... her easy style made it a most agreeable experience....[This+ examination of each of the 12 signs in historical, artistic, literary, sociological, and religious perspective was nothing short of astonishing....[A+nyone working in the areas of the history of ancient (and modern) divination would find this extraordinary work immensely helpful". Robert E. Bell author of Women as Classical Mythology "Mary Ellen Snodgrass has an extraordinary range and grasp in this work, moving easily among classical references in astronomy, astrology, mythology, art, literature, science, and history. Her discussion of zodiacal lore around the world is extensive and learned, but remains accessible enough for the serious student; and her profiles of the 12 signs go immeasurably beyond the cliches. Throughout the book, Snodgrass maintains a scholarly distance with both insight and wit". Michael Spooner Director, Utah State University Press) A unique reference guide to the influence of the 12 zodiacal signs onhistory, mythology, religion, psychology, literature and language, art, advertising, and commercial products.
The zodiacal signs impact art, advertising, literature, history, mythology, psychology, health, and language with their evocative imagery, symbols and scientific and religious lore. This fact-filled reference guide pulls together applications of the zodiacal signs in those fields and others. Each sign is explicated in a separate chapter which discusses its origin and importance in diverse cultures, including its history, artistic applications, traditions, literary and religious interpretations, psychological significance, and application to notable historical and contemporary figures. An organized overview with cross-references and indexing allows the zodiac to be studied from numerous points of view. Artistic representations of each of the 12 houses accompany the text.
Industry Reviews
Traditionally considered superstition, astrology has nevertheless had an impact on the human experience since ancient times. Snodgrass (Encyclopedia of Utopian Literature, ABC-CLIO, 1995), the author of numerous award-winning reference works, relates belief in the influence of the stars on art, philosophy, science, religion, psychology, literature, and mythology from 2750 B.C.E. to the present. Introductory chapters provide a zodiacal overview, while the main portion of the book tackles each sign individually, discussing origin, symbolism, and associated character qualities. An historical time line, solid bibliography, and constellation profiles are appended. This objective, thorough presentation of the cultural implications of astrology is an excellent addition to available histories (e.g., History of Western Astrology, Boydell, 1987) and is recommended for the practitioner, researcher, and informed reader. For libraries in search of a good ready reference on the history of astrology. Kelli N. Perkins, Herrick P.L., Holland, Mich.
Moore
Gr 9 Up Brimming with astrological, astronomical, historical, cultural, and mythological information, this systematic, wide-ranging study lacks only a sufficiency of illustrations to keep it from being the last word on the subject, at least for small and midsized reference collections. After brief descriptions of zodiacal variants from other parts of the world, plus chapters on the historical foundations of astrology and its pervasiveness in the arts and sciences, Snodgrass treats each sign to a full workover: major stars in each, mythological background and symbology, commonly accepted character traits of those born under its influence, and thumbnail biographies of select prominent people who exemplify those traits. No fewer than five appendixes, including a nice table for hypochondriacs titled "Zodiacal Pathology," precede a large, if not exhaustive, bibliography and index. Except for direct quotes, which are frequent and generous, Snodgrass seldom cites her specific sources. Though her writing style is distinctly flowery ("The nightly shift of the sidereal mosaic has supplanted the boisterous stories of Chiron and Hercules with a resplendent serenity"), the absence of pictures, aside from a stylized image of each chapter's head, turns parts of the discourse into recitations of abstract facts. Nonetheless, though not a reference tool for professional astrologers, this is detailed enough to give researchers from any other field a solid grounding in one of humanity's most ancient lines of inquiry. John Peters, New York Public Library
Lopate
A unique compendium of astronomical and astrological information focusing on cultural associations with the zodiac. . . . There is an unannotated bibliography and an introduction, but surprisingly few illustrations. Well researched and clearly presented, the work's strength is in its collection of numerous cultural and literary associations with zodiacal signs (doubters might remember the LC subject heading, 'Astrology in literature'). Most useful for general collections and those supporting the humanities.
Annotation copyright H.W. Wilson Company.
Beatty
[Snodgrass], the author of numerous award-winning reference works, relates belief in the influence of the stars on art, philosophy, science, religion, psychology, literature, and mythology from 2750 B.C.E. to the present. . . . An historical time line, solid bibliography, and constellation profiles are appended. This objective, thorough presentation of the cultural implications of astrology is an excellent addition to available histories (e.g., History of Western Astrology, 1987) and is recommended for the practitioner, researcher, and informed reader. For libraries in search of a good ready reference on the history of astrology.
Annotation copyright H.W. Wilson Company.
Beatty
Brimming with astrological, astronomical, historical, cultural, and mythological information, this systematic, wide-ranging study lacks only a sufficiency of illustrations to keep it from being the last word on the subject, at least for small and midsized reference collections. . . . Snodgrass treats each sign to a full workover. . . . No fewer than five appendixes, including a nice table for hypochondriacs titled 'Zodiacal Pathology,' precede a large, if not exhaustive, bibliography and index. Except for direct quotes, which are frequent and generous, Snodgrass seldom cites her specific sources. Though her writing style is distinctly flowery, . . . the absence of pictures, aside from a stylized image of each chapter's head, turns parts of the discourse into recitations of abstract facts. Nonetheless, though not a reference tool for professional astrologers, this is detailed enough to give researchers from any other field a solid grounding in one of humanity's most ancient lines of inquiry. . . . Grade nine and up.
Annotation copyright H.W. Wilson Company.
Peters
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