The legacy of antiquity is intricately woven into modern life and is often reflected in language. Astrology, once regarded as a guiding force in human affairs, continues to leave its imprint on contemporary vocabulary. This influence is sometimes evident, as in the names of the days of the week, and at other times more subtle, as seen in terms such as “disaster,” “consider,” and “desire.”
The etymology of the word “disaster” is deeply rooted in ancient astrological beliefs. It reflects a worldview in which misfortunes were believed to correspond to the positions and movements of celestial bodies— a notion that gradually evolved into the modern secular understanding of catastrophic events.
The term originated in the late Middle Ages and has linguistic roots in both Latin and Greek. It is derived from the Latin prefix dis-, meaning “apart” or “away from,” and astro, meaning “star,” which traces back to the Greek astēr (ᾰ̓στήρ) and astron (ᾰ̓́στρον), both signifying “star.” Thus, the Latin and later Italian term disastro originally conveyed the idea of being “ill-starred,” “separated from a star,” or “under an unfavourable star,” emphasizing the ancient belief in astrology.
The word “consider” also originates from an astrological perspective. In ancient times, people frequently looked to the stars for guidance in decision-making— a practice that, over time, transformed into the concept of thoughtful contemplation.
This term entered Middle English around the 14th century, deriving from the Latin verb consīderāre, which is composed of the prefix con-, meaning “with” or “together,” and sīdera, the plural of sīdus, meaning “star” or “constellation.” Thus, consīderāre originally meant “to observe the stars,” implying deep reflection and examination, as individuals attentively studied the heavens to discern omens or gain insight into the future.
Another term with similar astrological roots is “desire,” which originates from the Latin word dēsīderāre, composed of the prefix de-, meaning “away from” or “without,” and sīdera, as seen in the term “consider.”
Dēsīderāre originally carried the meaning of “to long for something that is absent” or, symbolically, “to be away from the stars.” In ancient thought, celestial bodies were regarded as sources of guidance, and to be “without the stars” suggested a sense of longing, loss, or yearning for something beyond reach. This word entered Middle English in the 13th century, retaining its connotation of yearning or passionate longing for something unattainable or distant.
These subtle traces of astrology in our everyday language reveal how ancient wisdom continues to shape our modern consciousness through the very words we use.