The Spiritual Legacy of the Phoenicians: Ancient Wisdom, Symbols, and Mysticism

The Spiritual Legacy of the Phoenicians: Ancient Wisdom, Symbols, and Mysticism

The Phoenicians—the great seafarers and traders of the Eastern Mediterranean—were more than just master navigators and merchants. They were keepers of ancient spiritual traditions, influencing civilizations from Egypt to Greece, Carthage to Mesopotamia. While much of their history has been overshadowed by the empires they traded with, their esoteric legacy still echoes in symbols, beliefs, and practices that have survived across cultures. From the origins of the Evil Eye to the earliest translations of 'As Above, So Below,' the Phoenicians were instrumental in shaping mystical thought, blending Canaanite, Aramaic, and Mesopotamian traditions.

🧿 The Origins of the Evil Eye: A Phoenician Concept?

The Evil Eye (Phoenician: “Phoinika”) is one of the most widespread protective symbols in the world today, seen in Greece, Turkey, the Middle East, North Africa, and even Southern Europe. But where did it come from?

Historians believe the Phoenicians carried the belief in the Evil Eye wherever they sailed, traded, or colonized. The superstition centers around the power of envious or malicious gazes to bring harm, and amulets were crafted to ward off this energy. The Phoenicians’ extensive trade routes spread this concept, reinforcing its use in regions far beyond its origins.

Interestingly, some scholars suggest that the Egyptian Eye of Horus, a well-known protection symbol, may have been influenced by earlier Phoenician traditions. The connections between Phoenician seafarers and Egyptian priests suggest a cross-cultural exchange of mystical symbols.

🪬🖐️ The Hand of Tanit: The True Origins of the Hand of Fatima & Miriam, Hamsa

The Hand of Fatima (Hamsa), widely known in Islamic and Jewish traditions as a protective talisman, can trace its origins back to the Phoenician goddess Tanit. Tanit, the supreme deity of Carthage (a Phoenician colony in modern Tunisia), was a powerful feminine force associated with protection, fertility, and divine wisdom. Her symbol—a raised hand—was used as an amulet for divine blessings and warding off negativity.

Later, as Phoenician beliefs merged with Jewish, Arab, and Berber traditions, Tanit's hand became the Hand of Miriam in Judaism and the Hand of Fatima in Islam, yet its Phoenician roots remain undeniable.

♀ The Symbol of Tanit: From Goddess to Sacred Feminine Icon

The triangular symbol often associated with Tanit—a circle (head) over a triangle (body) with raised arms—is one of the earliest feminine divine symbols in history. This same shape would later reappear in Greco-Roman iconography, influencing depictions of Venus, Aphrodite, and even the virgin archetype of Mary in later Christian traditions.

🌙 Astarte, Ishtar & The Birth of Aphrodite

The Phoenicians venerated Astarte (Ashtart), their version of the Mesopotamian goddess Ishtar (Inanna), a deity of love, war, fertility, and power. Astarte’s influence can be seen in the later Greek Aphrodite, Roman Venus, and even Juno, all of whom inherited her themes of love, beauty, and divine femininity.

Some scholars even suggest that early Phoenician influences on the cult of the Virgin Mary reflect a spiritual lineage going back to Astarte and Tanit—a powerful, divine feminine force that continued across different cultures and religions.

💃 Belly Dancing: A Ritual from the Ancient Priestesses of Astarte

Many assume that belly dancing (Raqs Sharqi) is purely Middle Eastern, but its origins may lie in the ancient priestess rituals of Ishtar and Astarte. Ancient carvings show women performing sacred dances, and historians believe that early forms of belly dancing were used in fertility and spiritual ceremonies, particularly in Canaanite, Phoenician, and Mesopotamian temples.

The fluid, circular movements mimicked the cycles of nature, lunar phases, and the goddess herself, celebrating the power of creation and the divine feminine energy.

🔮 The Aramaic Connection: The True Origins of Mystical Teachings

The Phoenicians spoke a dialect closely related to Aramaic, the language that later became dominant in the region. This is crucial because many of the earliest esoteric texts, including mystical incantations and early astrological writings, were first recorded in Aramaic before being translated into Greek, Arabic, and Latin.

One of the most famous examples of this is the Emerald Tablets, which contain the foundational principle of Hermetic wisdom:

“As Above, So Below” – The First Known Version Was Aramaic

Before it appeared in Greek Hermetic texts, the phrase was found in Aramaic inscriptions in the Eastern Mediterranean, aligning with the Phoenician presence in esoteric knowledge. This simple but profound statement bridges the cosmos and the material world, reinforcing astrology’s foundational belief that the movements of the stars reflect human life.

✨ Abracadabra: An Aramaic Spell from the Phoenician Era

One of the most well-known magical words in history, “Abracadabra,” is not gibberish—it comes from Aramaic (A’bra K’dabra) and translates to “I create as I speak.” This ties directly into Phoenician mystical traditions, where words held power, and sacred inscriptions were carved into talismans for protection, healing, and manifestation.

🔭 Astrology: The Phoenicians’ Celestial Legacy

The Phoenicians played a key role in spreading early astrological knowledge, serving as the link between Mesopotamian and Egyptian astrology, and later Greek interpretations.

Ancient leaders across the Mediterranean relied on astrologers to predict omens, guide political decisions, and plan military strategies. Astrology wasn’t just a personal tool—it was used to shape the fate of nations.

🌊 A Legacy That Still Lives On

The spiritual knowledge of the Phoenicians was never lost—it simply evolved and merged into different traditions. Their symbols, deities, and mystical wisdom are still alive today, hidden in protective amulets, sacred dances, astrological calculations, and spiritual texts.

But their influence wasn’t only spiritual. The Phoenicians invented the first known alphabet, wrote poetry, brewed some of the earliest forms of beer, and developed advanced plumbing systems. Through their vast trade networks and Carthaginian colonies, they revolutionized sailing, navigation, and maritime technology, forever changing how civilizations connected across the seas.

As a descendant of the Phoenicians, I am continuing this ancient legacy through my astrology practice—blending esoteric wisdom, celestial insight, and mystical traditions that have shaped civilizations for thousands of years.