Mazzaroth: Or, the Constellations (By F. Rolleston). [Followed By] Mizraim; Or, Astronomy of Egypt

by Frances Rolleston

Modern biblical dictionaries and commentaries designed for a popular readership tend to shy away from any reference to the word Mazzaroth, let alone attempt to interpret it. This is scarcely surprising, for the word is obscure and it occurs only once in the Bible; twice, if it is equated with Mazzaloth. Traditional sources tended to interpret the word as meaning the constellations, specifically those forming the zodiac. But there was no universal agreement; others accepted that the word referred to the zodiac, or even identified it with the star Sirius. The idiosyncratic ideas expressed in the four parts of Mazzaroth, and its appendix Mizraim, are all based on solid research -- misapplied, perhaps, in light of Rolleston's steadfast Christian outlook, but fully documented and with sources quoted at length. The whole work provides the reader with an amazing compendium of obscure material on ancient mythology, symbolism, and etymology, with comprehensive biblical references and a wealth of learned and detailed footnotes. Much of the information is set out in a tabular form that inevitably reminds the reader of S. L. MacGregor Mathers's book of correspondences that we know as 777. And this may not be coincidental. Mazzaroth may have been passed over by reviewers when it appeared, but it was not ignored by esoteric scholars, even though they were not its intended readership. W. Wynn Westcott possessed a copy and loaned it to the Golden Dawn library, where it was certainly read by F. L. Gardner (he includes the book, albeit misdated, in his Bibliotheca Astrologica) and most probably by Mathers when he compiled 777. It is a valuable resource that fully deserves its rescue from oblivion, just as its neglected author deserves our praise. Rolleston (1781-1864) spent her life studying the sky and the scriptures

Paperback

First published February 1, 2001

About the author

She is known almost exclusively for her book Mazzaroth: the Constellations, yet her exemplary life is probably more deserving of recognition than those of better known Victorian women.

Reviews

[Jean Hoefling · Rating 5 out of 5]

A head-exploding 19th century book written by a British linguist and scholar that explores the origins of the Zodiac signs deep into the time of Adam, Seth, and Enoch, of antediluvian fame, and how the early signs (intended to communicate God's plan for redemption of humanity) were transmitted into the planispheres of other great and early civilization. This dates the "message in the stars" as far earlier than the Greeks, which popular belief often claims are its originators.