The Origin of Zodiac Signs

The zodiac signs that we know today are actually quite modern. It is only in the early modern era that these signs were ascribed as symbols representing the twelve divisions of the ecliptic which has been around since the Hellenistic period. In its earliest origins, the zodiac symbols come from Babylonian astronomy. The zodiac symbols each are one of the twelve divisions of "celestial longitude". Celestial longitude is simply a system used to represent the locations of the planets and space matter in the Solar System.  Each sector was thirty degrees and could be used for predictions of the locations of the planets. However, Babylonian techniques were novice as the evolution of astronomy progressed. Thus, constellations began to be used . Each of them were given the current names we see today of the zodiac signs. The zodiac signs and representations we know today were developed by astronomer Ptolemy Each sign can be depicted by a figure, most of the time an animal. Throughout Grendel, each chapter is representative of one of these zodiac signs and helps crucially in understanding the novel as a whole. Gardner uses them as a "motif" in a sense. Each zodiac sign has a corresponding color, planet ,season, and element. The following is a comprehensive table of  the signs and their appropriate meanings for personal knowledge and to refer to as reference in my reading of Grendel.

Aries

• Element: fire, Planet: mars, Symbol: the ram
• acting first and thinking second, a child
• the heroic ideal is the cycle of life
• chapter: 1

Taurus

• Element: earth, Planet: Venus,Symbol: the bull
• strength, steadfastness, possession, dangerous,material security, acquiring wealth
• heroic ideal is care and love for living things
• chapter: 2

Gemini

• Element: air, Planet: mercury, Symbol: twins
• versatile, duality, rapidity
• heroic ideal is value in poetry and art
• chapter: 3

Cancer

• Element: water, Planet: the moon, Symbol: the crab
• tenacity, protection of vulnerabilities, hard exterior, soft interior
• heroic ideal is the home
• chapter: 4

Leo

• Element: fire, Planet: sun, Symbol: lion
• feline nature, strength
• heroic ideal is knowledge
• chapter: 5

Virgo

• Element: earth,Planet: mercury, Symbol: virgin
• harvest, prosperity
• heroic value is heroism
• chapter: 6

Libra

• Element: air, Planet: Venus,Symbol: scales
• balance, harmony
• heroic value is balance and marriage
• chapter: 7

Scorpio

• Element: water, Planets: mars, Pluto, Symbol: scorpion
• transformation, rebirth, consciousness
• heroic value is loyalty
• chapter: 8

Sagittarius

• Element: fire, Planet: Jupiter, Symbol: the centaur
• philosophy, paradox, duality,ambitions
• chapter: 9

Capricorn

• Element: earth, Planet: Saturn, Symbol: sea goat
• spiritual wisdom, no satisfaction of the individual ego
• chapter: 10

Aquarius

• Element: air, Planets: Saturn, Uranus, Symbol: the water bearer
• detachment, mental energy
• chapter: 11

Pisces

• Element: water, Planets: Jupiter, Neptune, Symbol: the two fishes
• intuition, knowledge, self-fulfillment and heroism, balance in struggle
• chapter: 12