allusion to Taurus), crabby(an allusion to Cancer), etc. Throughout the centuries peo-
ple have drawn parallels between the zodiac and many other 12-fold divisions—such as
the Twelve Labors of Hercules, the Twelve Disciples, and the Twelve Tribes of Israel.
The popularity of sun-sign astrology (the kind found in the daily newspaper) has kept
these ancient symbols alive in modern society, and even such prominent artifacts as
automobiles have been named after some of the signs (e.g., the Taurus and the Scorpio).Sources:
Cirlot, Juan Eduardo. A Dictionary of Symbols.London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1971.
Gettings, Fred. Dictionary of Astrology.London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1985.
Tester, Jim. A History of Western Astrology.New York: Ballantine, 1987.Zodiac
[752] THEASTROLOGYBOOK
The zodiacal calendar, this one adorns the Bracken House in London. Reproduced by
permission of Fortean Picture Library.