
The Original Zodiac
What Ancient Astrology Reveals About You
Graham Phillips(Author)
Bear & Company (Publisher)
Will be published approx. on 18. December 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
208 pages
978-1-59143-541-9 (ISBN)
Description
Discover the world's earliest known system of astrology
* Explores ancient Mesopotamian astrology, which originated with those who created Goebekli Tepe, and details the system's eighteen zodiac signs
* Shares the author's decades-long research to decipher the meanings and characteristics behind each of the original eighteen signs
* Shows how the original zodiac can enrich and expand our understanding of astrology, personal relationships, and our sense of self and destiny
Today the zodiac is divided into twelve signs through which the sun appears to travel in a year. A person's sign can influence their personality, physical characteristics, and fate. However, in ancient Mesopotamia, the first zodiac was divided into eighteen signs-different from the Western and Vedic systems in use today. The Original Zodiac reveals, for the first time in more than 4,000 years, this earliest known system of astrology.
The original Mesopotamian zodiac offered very different birth signs, including the Serpent, Swan, Crane, Horse, Wolf, and Eagle. This zodiac was recorded on a clay tablet that is now housed in the British Museum, cataloged as BM 86378, but there is no written record of how these signs were interpreted. Now, after decades of intensive research, Graham Phillips reveals the meanings of these mysterious signs and their relevance for our times.
To determine what traits might be shared by those born in each sign of the original zodiac, Phillips comprehensively surveyed hundreds of volunteers from diverse backgrounds. He measured each participant's likes, dislikes, hobbies, habits, employment, health information, and other pertinent aspects of their lives and identities. Not intended to replace or challenge our traditional understanding of astrology, his findings offer an original system to enrich our current knowledge of the personality, character, and destiny of those born in each of its enigmatic signs.
* Explores ancient Mesopotamian astrology, which originated with those who created Goebekli Tepe, and details the system's eighteen zodiac signs
* Shares the author's decades-long research to decipher the meanings and characteristics behind each of the original eighteen signs
* Shows how the original zodiac can enrich and expand our understanding of astrology, personal relationships, and our sense of self and destiny
Today the zodiac is divided into twelve signs through which the sun appears to travel in a year. A person's sign can influence their personality, physical characteristics, and fate. However, in ancient Mesopotamia, the first zodiac was divided into eighteen signs-different from the Western and Vedic systems in use today. The Original Zodiac reveals, for the first time in more than 4,000 years, this earliest known system of astrology.
The original Mesopotamian zodiac offered very different birth signs, including the Serpent, Swan, Crane, Horse, Wolf, and Eagle. This zodiac was recorded on a clay tablet that is now housed in the British Museum, cataloged as BM 86378, but there is no written record of how these signs were interpreted. Now, after decades of intensive research, Graham Phillips reveals the meanings of these mysterious signs and their relevance for our times.
To determine what traits might be shared by those born in each sign of the original zodiac, Phillips comprehensively surveyed hundreds of volunteers from diverse backgrounds. He measured each participant's likes, dislikes, hobbies, habits, employment, health information, and other pertinent aspects of their lives and identities. Not intended to replace or challenge our traditional understanding of astrology, his findings offer an original system to enrich our current knowledge of the personality, character, and destiny of those born in each of its enigmatic signs.
Reviews / Votes
"Graham Phillips brings current scientific evidence for astrology together with a rediscovery of the original zodiac in this fascinating and thought-provoking book. Relatable, accessible, and intriguing, it opens new windows into ancient wisdom that we today sorely need." * Lynn Picknett and Clive Prince, authors of When God Had a Wife * "Graham Phillips adds a whole new dimension to the world of Goebekli Tepe by showing that behind all the incredible carved art and animal reliefs lies a cohesive system that could well be the beginnings of astrology as we know it. This is an important addition to the ancient mysteries bookshelf." * Andrew Collins, author of Karahan Tepe and Goebekli Tepe * "This thoroughly researched book reveals, for the first time to the modern world, the earliest known form of astrology and its zodiac, with roots in the world's oldest known temple complex, Goebekli Tepe. A groundbreaking work." * Deborah Benstead, author of The Inward Revolution * "For decades Graham Phillips has consistently produced remarkable, fresh insights into subjects of perennial interest such as the Ark of the Covenant and the Holy Grail. To give us something new on the zodiac and astrology that combines recent scientific research with ancient history is worthy of note. To make it compellingly readable makes it all the more so." * Paul Weston, author of Aleister Crowley and the Aeon of Horus and The Michael Line, the Qabalah and * "Having known Graham for more than 30 years, I can say he is one of the most conscientious and thorough researchers in the esoteric history world. If he says there are grounds to consider a new, groundbreaking theory or concept, you can take it to the bank. Graham Phillips is always ahead of the curve and has been for years! He is a true pioneer of esoteric history, research, and exploration." * Mark Ryan, author of Hold Fast and coauthor of The Greenwood Tarot and The Wildwood Tarot *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Rochester
United States
Publishing group
Inner Traditions Bear and Company
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
19 b&w illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 226 mm
Width: 149 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
334 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-59143-541-9 (9781591435419)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
10/2025
Simon + Schuster LLC
€11.86
Available for download
Person
Graham Phillips is one of Britain's bestselling nonfiction authors. A former radio journalist and broadcaster for the BBC, and founder of Strange Phenomena magazine, he is a historical investigator of unsolved mysteries. The author of many books, including The Templars and the Ark of the Covenant, The Lost Tomb of King Arthur, The End of Eden, and Atlantis and the Ten Plagues of Egypt, he lives in the Midlands of England.
Content
New Evidence for Astrology
The Original Zodiac
THE ANCIENT SIGNS
Spider March 21-April 9
Orox April 10-May 3
Mouflon May 4-May 21
Vulture May 22-June 10
Gazelle June 11-July 1
Serpent July 2-July 20
Crayfish July 21-August 10
Lion August 11-August 30
Swan August 31-September 20
Crane September 21-October 11
Scorpion October 12-November 4
Horse November 5-November 24
Goat November 25-December 12
Wolf December 13-December 23
Fish December 24-January 14
Swallow January 15-February 7
Eagle February 8-March 1
Fox March 2-March 20
Acknowledgments
Notes
Bibliography
The Original Zodiac
THE ANCIENT SIGNS
Spider March 21-April 9
Orox April 10-May 3
Mouflon May 4-May 21
Vulture May 22-June 10
Gazelle June 11-July 1
Serpent July 2-July 20
Crayfish July 21-August 10
Lion August 11-August 30
Swan August 31-September 20
Crane September 21-October 11
Scorpion October 12-November 4
Horse November 5-November 24
Goat November 25-December 12
Wolf December 13-December 23
Fish December 24-January 14
Swallow January 15-February 7
Eagle February 8-March 1
Fox March 2-March 20
Acknowledgments
Notes
Bibliography