volume 2

"sheep"
INTRODUCTION. XXV
which are within the halo. The influence uf
the Moon on sheep and cattle upon earth is thus
described: "Thy word, O Moongod, maketh sheep-
fold and cattle-pen to flourish." When a tarbam, i.e.,
smaller halo, was seen to surround the Sun with the
gate, i.e., interruption, opposite the south, it was
thought that a south wind would blow ; but this has
been the experience of all observers of the weather,
for the direction of the interruption indicates that wind
and rain will come from that quarter.^ It is well known
that Sun-halos are usually seen in the west or south-west
when the Sun is low on the horizon, and the lower
portion of the halo is cut off by the gloom
of the horizon.
In European countries" storms usually come from
those quarters of the sky, and this is also true for
Mesopotamia. It is interesting to note that a tablet
(K. 2Co)
from the interruptions of a halo which correspond to
is inscribed with omens which are derived
the four cardinal points. From the presence of
planets or constellations within the halo of the Moon,
numerous omens are derived. The words, "When
the Sun stands within the halo of the Moon." would at
first sight appear to prove that the word tarbasit does
not mean "halo," but we learn from the notes written
by the astrologers {see No. 176) that by the word
"Sun" we must understand the "Star of the Sun,"
i.e., Saturn, and we now know that the omen for the
Sun in such a case would be given just as if the
^
"^
Cf. Theophrastus, ed. Wood, p. 64.
Abercromby, Weather, p. 36.