Arabic System of Anwaa and Lunar Mansions
In the traditional Arabic astrological system, the moon was seen to move through 28 distinct manazil (singular: manzil) during the normal solar year, each manzil lasting, therefore, for about 13 days. One or more manazil were then group into a nawaa (pluaral anwaa) which were tied to a given weather pattern. In other words, the yearly pattern was divided in the following manner : A year was divided into anwaa, each of which was made up of one more manazil, which were associated with a dominant star or constellation. These stars and constellations were sometimes, but not always, connected in some way to constellations in the Zodiac. Moreover, as the anwaa' repeat on a regular, solar cycle, they can be correlated to fixed points on the Gregorian calendar.
The following table is a breakdown of the anwaa and their position on the Gregorian calendar.
| Manzil | Associated Nawaa | Significant Stars/Constellations | Zodiac Constellations | Begins on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheratan | Al Thuraya | Sheratan in Aries | -- | 17 May |
| Pleione | Al Thuraya | Pleione in the Pleiades | -- | 31 May |
| Albatain | Al Thuraya | Albatain in the Pleiades | -- | 13 June |
| Al Tuwaibe' | Al Tuwaibe' | Aldebaran | -- | 26 June |
| Heka | Al Jawzaa/Gemini | Heka in Orion | Gemini | 9 July |
| Alhena | Al Jawzaa/Gemini | Alhena in Gemini | Gemini | 22 July |
| Murzim | Murzim | Canis Major | -- | 4 August |
| An Nathra | Kulaibain | An Nathra | -- | 17 August |
| Alterf | Suhail | Alterf in Leo | Leo | 30 August |
| Dschuba | Suhail | Dschuba | Scorpio | 12 September |
| Azzubra | Suhail | Example | Example | 25 September |
| Assarfa | Suhail | Example | Example | 8 October |
| Auva | Al Wasm | Auva | Virgo | 21 October |
| Simak | Al Wasm | Spica | -- | 3 November |
| Syrma | Al Wasm | Example | -- | 16 November |
| Az Zubana | Al Wasm | Acuben | Cancer | 29 November |
| Akleel "The Crown" | Murabaania | Corona Borealis | -- | 12 December |
| Qalb al Akraab | Murabaania | Antares | Scorpio | 25 December |
| Shaula | Murabaania | Shaula | Scorpio | 3 January |
| Al Naam | Ash Shabt | Ascella and Nunki | Sagittarius | 16 January |
| Al Baldaah | Ash Shabt | Example | Example | 29 January |
| Saad Al Thabib | The Three Saads | Saad Al Thabih | -- | 11 February |
| Saad Balaa | The Three Saads | Saad Balaa | -- | 26 February |
| Saad Al Saud | The Three Saads | Saadalsud | Aquarius | 11 March |
| Saad Al Akhbia | Hameemain | Sadachbia | -- | 24 March |
| Almuqaddam | Hameemain | Almuqaddam | -- | 6 April |
| Al Muakhar | Al Tharaeen | Pollux | Gemini and Aquarius (in the Arab system) | 19 April |
| Alrescha | Al Tharaeen | Alrescha | Gemini and Aquarius (in the Arab system) | 2 May |
The dates above are approximate; notice that there are 2 days missing from a solar year in the table above.
Read more about this topic: Lunar Mansion
Famous quotes containing the words system, lunar and/or mansions:
“[Madness] is the jail we could all end up in. And we know it. And watch our step. For a lifetime. We behave. A fantastic and entire system of social control, by the threat of example as effective over the general population as detention centers in dictatorships, the image of the madhouse floats through every mind for the course of its lifetime.”
—Kate Millett (b. 1934)
“A bird half wakened in the lunar noon
Sang halfway through its little inborn tune.”
—Robert Frost (1874–1963)
“To thee, fair Freedom! I retire
From flattery, cards, and dice, and din:
Nor art thou found in mansions higher
Than the low cot, or humble inn.
‘Tis here with boundless pow’r I reign;
And ev’ry health which I begin
Converts dull port to bright champagne;
Such Freedom crowns it, at an inn.”
—William Shenstone (1714–1763)