Through twelve of these Constellations, mostly contained within a belt
of 16 degrees in width, and within which the planets appeared to
revolve, the ancient astronomers inscribed a central line representing
the Ecliptic, or apparent orbit of the sun, which they divided into 360
degrees; and quartering these to denote the seasons, they named the
cardinal points the Summer and Winter Solstices, and the Vernal and
Autumnal Equinoxes; the former referring to the longest and shortest
days of the year; and the latter to the two periods when the days and
nights are equal. An abbreviatory sign having been attached to each of
these constellations, the great celestial belt containing them was
called "the wheel of the signs," or "a wheel in the middle of a wheel,"
as designated by that old Astrologer, Ezekiel the Prophet, in chap. i.
and 16th verse. But for the reason that, with only one exception, the
forms of living things, either real or mythical, were given to them,
this belt, ultimately, wad designated as the Zodiac; or Circle of
living Creatures, see Ezekiel, chap. i. Constituting the essential
feature of the ancient Astronomy, we present, in our frontispiece, a
diagram of the Zodiac, as anciently represented, to which, as well as
to Burritts' Celestial Atlas, our readers will be necessitated to make
frequent reference.

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Recent researches among the ruins of ancient cities have developed the
fact that several centuries before the beginning of our era the
astronomers had invented the telescope, and discovered the true or
heliocentric system of nature; but for the reason that religion had
been based upon the false, or geocentric system, it was deemed prudent
not to teach it to the masses. Hence, hiding it away among the other
secrets of the Esoteric philosophy, the knowledge of it was lost during