The Origin of the Zodiac.
New York: Castle Books, 1968. Reprint. Hardcover. Octavo. 240pp. Buff paper-covered boards. Black titling to spine. Index. B/w plates (some fold-out). The book has been elsewhere described as offering a "lively account of the birth and growth of astrology, a well-known scholar and practicing astrologist examined the nature, philosophy, and mythology of the zodiac in the ancient cultures of Mexico, Tibet, China, India, Greece, Rome, Babylon, and Egypt. Taking an objective position between skepticism and belief, Mr. Gleadow explored the controversy between those using the tropical zodiac (measured from the sun’s spring equinox) and those who favor the sidereal or constellation zodiac. The text is enlivened by many anecdotes, illustrations, and tables, including lists of Chinese hsiu, Indian nakshatras, and Egyptian decans (all groups or clusters of stars that may form a constellation). Also included is an intriguing chapter on zodiacal gems and birthstones, as well as an extensive bibliography and detailed notes on sources." The author, Rupert Seeley Gleadow (1909 - 1974) was a Cambridge educated British lawyer and author, with an interest in astrology - he wrote "The Astrology of Everyday Life" (1940) and "Origin of the Zodiac" (1969) - and a work on the psychology of magic. A little modest shelf-wear, lacking first blank (if it had one) one inch strip excised from top of half-title page, presumably to remove a previous owner's name, pages heavily tanned, otherwise a tight, clean VG copy in VG dust jacket (dust jacket is slightly darkened with several short chips and tears, price-clipped, now protected by removable mylar sleeve). Item #70355
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