Medieval horoscopes

As an (elder) Millennial, my generation loves a horoscope - while the generation that followed us, Gen Z, are markedly more sceptical about astrology. Most of my undergraduate students now are Generation Alpha, though, and if the TikToks I see promoted to me are anything to go by, this latest generation is possibly rediscovering astrology alongside plaid and side partings.

While I certainly wouldn’t base my life choices on my horoscope, astrology has a long and illustrious history. In the Middle Ages, it was considered a serious subject of study, and informed political decision making and medical treatment. There’s a good introduction to the topic on the Getty Museum website here.

This week students studying my Medieval World first year module have been looking at medieval belief systems. In class we took a quiz to find out which of the four humours governed us, and I also asked students to write me a medieval horoscope. With their permission, I am sharing a few examples here. The students did a great job capturing the breezy tone of modern horoscopes while incorporating appropriate medieval beliefs about star signs, which influenced decisions about the best time to sow crops, get married and go on journeys, as just a sample of their significance.

Advice for a Virgo farmer: For now is time to plant and sow in preparation for autumn harvest- ensuring to nurture these well. It is also a high opportunity to achieve one’s desires, whether it be moving villages to attain the most fruitful crop or indulge in intercourse with a widow (for virgins bear too small offspring). Do not quarrel with neighbouring peasants over land or personal queries (even if they insist you bathe or fashion a new tunic).

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Advice on a king’s birthday: After blowing out the last candles on your cake, you’ll segue from focusing on your royal duties to travelling east. With the energizing Sun, it is time for bloodletting to keep that kingly body healthy. Start all things that last a short time but avoid fighting and holding court days or anything that requires Earth to keep the country ruling supreme. You deserve it, my king!

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Horoscope for a Knight: Aquarius: January 20th-February 18th: It will be neither be looked down upon nor praised for you to wage war with your neighbouring lords and knights, quarrelling over their four-legged possessions for yourself (farm-animals) and making a profit of them. You should not practise the art of using a bow, for no good will come out of it and your newly learnt skill will escape you like a stick flowing down a river. It is important that a suitor be found, for this time of year is ideal for marriages to take place.

All the submitted horoscopes were really fun to read and showed great engagement with the class themes.

Dr Rachel Moss
Senior Lecturer in History