The Mandaeans : Gnostic astrology as an artifact of cultural transmission

A small community of Gnostics called the Mandaeans survived in the Persian Gulf region from the 2nd century CE into the present day. The Mandaeans are the only culture that has practiced both Gnosticism and astrology continuously for 1800 years. Mandaean astrology is a unique synthesis of Babylonian, Hellenistic, Arabic, and Jyotisha (Indian) systems. Astrological interpretations are recorded in the Sfar Malwasia (The Book of the Zodiac), a book used exclusively by Mandaean priests for the benefit of the Mandaean community. Analyses of the astrological techniques employed by the Mandaeans Illustrate the cultural influences that converged during the early centuries of the Common Era. "The Mandaeans: Gnostic Astrology as an Artifact of Cultural Transmission” is the first study to consider the historical development of astrology using the Sfar Malwasia to demonstrate cross-cultural transmission. This is an abridged edition of the MA thesis written by Maire M. Masco in 2012. The thesis discusses the genethlialogical and mundane astrological techniques found in the Mandaean “Book of the Zodiac.” Table of Contents..............2 Abstract.................................7 1 Introduction to Mandaean Studies.................................13 1.1 Scholarly Treatment................13 1.2 The Translator, Lady Drower...........................................20 1.3 Historical Evidence.................22 1.4 The Mandaean People and their Religion.....................32 1.5 Gnosticism.........35 1.6 John the Baptist and Baptism..........................................41 1.7 Mandaeans and Islam.............42 1.8 The Contents of the SfarMalwasia...................................44 1.9 The Astrology in the SfarMalwasia..................................48 1.10 The SfarMalwasia'. Description and Dating.................53 1.11 Summary of Mandaean Studies........................................57 2 Analysis of Mandaean Genethlialogical Astrology... 61 2.1 The Ascendant.61 2.2 Topical Houses in Mandaean Astrology.......................69 2.3 Decans as an Astrological Artifact..................................74 2.4 Astrological Physiology and Melothesia........................80 2.5 Women’s Horoscopy..............84 2.6 Planetary Order........................87 2.7 Planetary Strengths..................88 2.8 Summary.............90 3 Analysis of Mandaean Mundane Astrology.................93 3.1 Mundane Astrology................93 3.2 The Sassanians and Transmission...................................96 3.3 Creation and Destruction Stories....................................99 3.4 The Akitu and other Annual Festivals.........................105 3.5 The Dehwa Rabba: The Mandaean New Year.......109 3.6 Comparing the Akitu and Dehwa Rabba...................112 3.7 The Sfar Malwasia: Part I and II......................................115 3.8 Essene Calendars of Qumran, Jubilees, and Shem. 119 3.9 Mundane Timing Techniques........................................123 3.10 Tajik Astrology of the Indo—Iranians..........................126 Conclusion......................131 Appendix A: Maps........133 Appendix B: Sample Horoscopes from the SfarMalwasia....137 Bibliography....................143