star worship

Star worship, or astral religion, primarily existed among ancient civilizations in Mesopotamia and influenced religions worldwide. These cultures developed sophisticated astronomy and astrology, associating stars and constellations with deities and myths. While knowledge of stars was widespread, true worship was rare, often limited to specific regions or cultures. For instance, in parts of Africa, stars were seen as indicators for hunting and agriculture rather than objects of worship. The planet Venus was significantly personified, notably as the Mesopotamian goddess Inanna-Ishtar, whose influence extended to later iconography. The Pleiades star cluster held importance in various cultures, often marking agricultural seasons or being depicted as mythical figures.1