Foundations of Astrology: Medieval & Renaissance

The Medieval and Renaissance periods were times of both preservation and profound transformation in the history of astrology. After the decline of the Roman Empire, much of classical astrological knowledge was safeguarded and expanded upon by Arabic and Persian scholars. Thinkers like Al-Kindi, Masha'allah, and Abu Ma'shar translated and synthesized Hellenistic texts, fusing them with philosophical insights from Islam and the broader ancient world. Their work not only preserved astrology but elevated it into a respected intellectual discipline across the Islamic Golden Age. By the 12th century, these texts were reintroduced into Europe through Latin translations, sparking a revival of astrological study in the West. During the Renaissance, astrology flourished alongside astronomy, medicine, and the arts. Astrologers such as Guido Bonatti and later William Lilly produced detailed manuals for chart interpretation, emphasizing techniques like planetary dignity, horary astrology, and timing methods. Astrology was practiced by scholars, doctors, and clergy alike, seen as a bridge between the divine and earthly realms—a cosmological lens for understanding health, fate, and the soul's purpose. This era matters because it shaped the structure and technique of traditional Western astrology, much of which still informs modern practice. Spiritually, it reflected a worldview in which the cosmos was alive with order and meaning, and human life was interwoven with celestial rhythms. Revisiting this period allows astrology students to appreciate their craft as part of a long lineage—one that has survived through devotion, adaptation, and a deep belief in the symbolic language of the stars.