DRAWING DOWN THE MOON & AGLAONICE OF THESSALY

This research paper was originally presented for Demetra George’s certification program in Hellenistic astrology. Aglaonice of Thessaly is one of the earliest recorded women associated with astronomical knowledge in the ancient Greek world.

The essay examines her association with predicting lunar eclipses and the tradition of “drawing down the Moon.” Using Greek and Roman literary sources, it explores how references to this practice may reflect early knowledge of eclipse prediction, as well as a tradition of astral magic.

This research became the foundation for my 2026 UAC lecture, Drawing Down the Moon: Eclipse Prediction & Astrology’s Lost Histories, which expanded the investigation into the women of Thessaly and the history of eclipse prediction.

I was honored to have Demetra George reference this research in her conversation with Chris Brennan on an episode of The Astrology Podcast, “Heliodora and the Early History of Women Astrologers.”

Read the full research paper here.

Watch the full episode below.