Astro-Nicity by Lulublue by Lulublue

The following is the Preface to the Third Edition of "How to Judge a Nativity" by Alan Leo

"Since the issue of this series of Astrological text books, many students have expressed their desire to have a Short History of Astrology, with a list of the famous names of those who are known to have been its sincere students. This, not merely to satisfy idle curiosity, but to add more weight and dignity to the science and to meet the sceptical minds of those who in this present day of uncertainty and doubt require evidence of this kind; and also, where necessary, to relieve the anxiety of those who have more faith in traditions and historical data than belief in original and first hand thought. For such as these the following remarks are made in this edition.

THE HISTORY OF ASTROLOGY.

Astrology has undoubtedly been known to all nations throughout the world from time immemorial and its history appears to be coeval with that of the earth, since it can be traced through every existing nation and through them again to the great nations of the past whose glory and splendour we are only just beginning to realise.

Through Egypt and ancient Chaldea; through Japan and ancient China, and from Thibet to early Hindustan we find Astrology has passed round the globe always retaining the same symbology, the same zodiac, and also the same ancient traditions. Who invented it? NO ONE KNOWS.

Egyptian history is full of Astrological lore, and there is now very little doubt that it was the religion of the Chaldeans. From Clemens Alexandrinus we learn that: ‘The Egyptians follow a certain peculiar philosophy of their own, which may be best declared by setting down the order of their religious processions. First therefore goes the Precentor, carrying two of Hermes his books along with him; the one which containing the Hymns of the gods, the other Direction for the kingly office. After him follows the Horoscopus, who is particularly instructed in Hermes his Astrological books, which are four. Then succeeds the Hierogrammateus, or sacred scribe, with feathers upon his head, and a book and rule in his hands, to whom it belongeth to be thoroughly acquainted with the Hieroglyphics, as with Cosmography, geography, the order of the Sun, and Moon, and five planets, the chorography of Egypt and description of the Nile,’ etc.

The whole of the Egyptian philosophy was evidently based upon Astrology. The existence of Egyptian Astrologers in the time of Joseph is beyond question, and in those days there is no doubt that Pharaoh had faith in his wise men, or astrologers, to interpret his dreams.

‘In our own Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, we find abundant evidence of the knowledge of the Science of Astrology. Knowing as we do that the Chaldeans were the great teachers of historical times, and that their religion, science and art was Astrology, we can readily understand that Abram living in Ur of the Chaldees, Isaac married to a Chaldean wife, Jacob, who lived 21 years in Padam Aram, and his sons brought up by Chaldean mothers, were all thoroughly acquainted with the ideas and terms of Astrology. In those times, the twelve signs of the Zodiac were the twelve typical things, and so we find Joseph in his dream likening himself and his family to the Sun, Moon and twelve Stars (or Zodiac). Likewise, Jacob blesses his twelve sons, and in those blessings we find a very striking analogy to the characteristics of the twelve signs of the Zodiac.

“If we take the account written by Moses, an Initiate, of the Creation, Fall, Flood, etc., we find that it sets down for the people the traditions of the faith as received from Mesopotamian sources and couched in astrological terms. For example: ‘And God said Let there be Lights in the firmament of heaven…and let them be for signs, and for seasons and for days and for years.’ (Gen. I.) Again ‘And God made two great lights, the greater light to rule by day, and the lesser light to rule by night.’ (Gen. I.)

“Later we find the Israelites soon after leaving Egypt being met by Balaam, a Chaldean of Pethor, an Astrologer and prophet in communication with the angel of the Lord who had been engaged by Balak the enemy of Israel to curse Israel. (Numbers xxii.) The Chaldean custom on such ceremonial occasions, was to build altars and sacrifice to the seven planets. Thus we find that Baalam three times built seven altars, on each of which he offered sacrifices and then prophesied of the Star which was to arise out of Jacob.

“In the prophetical books we find frequent mention of the Star worship of Israel. Zephaniah speaks of ‘Them that worship the hosts of Heaven upon the housetops.’ Isaiah speaks of the multitude of Astrological consultations. Jeremiah speaks of the ‘cakes to the queen of heaven.’ These prophets and others utter warnings against the use of the lower side of Astrology, but those who understood the higher tteaching not only used it but defended it. Of these the accounts given in the books of Ezekiel and Daniel give wonderful examples. The Book of Daniel is a remarkable instance of the assimilation of Chaldean knowledge by a faithful Jew, and we find Daniel’s proficiency immediately attributed to God. ‘As for these four children God gave them skill in all learning and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.’ In Daniel’s visions there are several references to Astrological ideas, and in the Apocalypse in the New Testament, we find many allusions to the Astrological visions of Daniel and Ezekiel.

“In no part of the Christian Scriptures do we find Astrology mentioned disapprovingly, and nowhere is the study of Astrology forbidden though we do find warnings as to its proper use. On the contrary we find from the Song of Deborah and Barak a victory attributed to the courses of the Stars for in Judge v.we read ‘They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera.’

“Coming to the New Testament, the story of the Magi, those of the Birth of Christ, and of the Events accompanying the Crucifixion, show that the people of that time had a star lore which perfectly harmonised with their theology, and therefore could not fail to look for Astrological accompaniments to such great events as the Birth, Life, and Death of the Messiah. Chaldean learning was also diffused among the early Christians, and it has been said that the writer of the Apocalypse must have been an Astrologer of the Chaldean school, who used terms with which Asiatic Christians were familiar, and who could turn to the books of Ezekiel and Daniel for confirmation to convince his Hebrew readers. The Book of Revelation which has been the greatest of all puzzles to theologians and divines has been said to be a great horoscope of the World’s Destiny and to contain within this vast horoscope the smaller horoscopes of the nations.”

Long before the Christian era astrology was known, not only as a science but also as a religion. Zoroaster, the greatest legislator of the Magi or wise men of Chaldea was also an Astrologer. Zoroaster means a ‘Son of the Stars.’ Belus who reigned over Babylonia was for some time reputed to be the founder of the science of the stars, his wisdom in this direction being so great. There is now no doubt that Astrology was more studied and understood in Chaldea than in any other country in the world, and there is now abundant evidence that the Chaldeans were star or sun worshippers and believed in the spirits and intelligences ruling over the stars. Calisthenes who accompanied Alexander when he conquered Babylon found that astronomical calculations had been made for many thousands of years of the past dating as far back as the great Atlantean flood.

In ancient Persia there were many celebrated astrologers whose fame still lingers, one of these Gjamasp was surnamed Al Hakim – the Wise. He was a brother of King Gustasp, and is said to have predicted the coming of the Messiah. Dr. Thomas Hyde in his account of the famous Persian doctors writes of him as follows: - Of these, the sixth was Gjamasp, an Astrologer, who was counsellor to Hystespis. He is the author of a book entitled 'Judicia Gjamaspis'in which is contained his judgment on the planetary conjunctions, and therein he gave notice that Jesus should appear; that Mohammed should be born; that the Magian religion should be abolished, etc.

Major-general Sir Thomas Malcolm, in his History of Persia writes:-‘They (the Persians) study astronomy chiefly for the purpose of becoming skilled in Judicial Astrology; - a science in which the whole nation from the monarch to the peasant has the greatest faith.’

From Egypt Astrology was carried into Greece. As early as the thirteenth century before the Christian era, the position of the stars with regard to the circles of the spheres was established with great exactness, and it has been said that during the century when the Egyptians were measuring and observing the heavens for astrological purposes, the Greeks were ruthless barbarians.

One of the earliest and most famous of the Astrologers of Greece was Anaximander, the friend and disciple of Thales. He was born 610 B.C. and introduced the sphere, sundials and geographical charts brought from Egypt. He taught that the fixed stars were centres of other Solar systems perhaps more extensive and glorious than our own. He also regarded the planets as the homes of great intelligences.

Pliny tells us that Anaximander was an able astrologer and foretold the earthquake which overthrew Lacedaeomon.

Of Thaales it is stated by Seneca, that he was an astrologer, and that foreseeing there would be a dearth in that region of the country, where olives were principally cultivated, bought them up and enriched himself at the expense of those who would not believe him.

Anaxagoras, also an astrologer, who said that he preferred a grain of wisdom to heaps of gold, was preceptor to Socrates and Euripides and gave the greater part of his life to the study. Many fulfilled predictions are related of him.

Pythagoras also practised Astrology; Plato was learned in it, so also were Porphyry and many other intelligent Greeks.

Proclus believed in it, and Hippocrates the father of the art of Medicine declared that the man who did not well understand Astrology was rather deserving to be called a fool than a physician.

Coming down to the Roman empire we find a long list of great men who were firm believers in Astrology and amongst them are Propertius, Pliny, Galen, Macrobius, Virgil, Horace, Nigidius, Figulus, and Cicero,

In Arabia Astrology flourished for many centuries and all the eminent men of the time appear to have been believers in Astrology. The sixth Caliph Mamoonorrasheed appears to have had many ancient works on Astrology translated into Arabic. Then we have the famous Albumazar of Bulah, a pupil of Alkurdi a Jew who was a professor of Judicial Astrology at Baghdad.

Amongst the great names of intelligent men who were renowned Arabian astrologers we find Messahala, Albategnius, Alfaganus, Hely, Holy Aben Rodoan and Alphero. No one can go through the histories of China, India, Siam or Ceylon without being struck with the facts that Astrology has flourished in all ages before the materialistic period of our times. Even Dr. Brewster had to admit that in China from the days of King Fohi, about two thousand seven hundred and fifty two years before Christ, astronomy was solely studied for astrological calculations, and that their Emperors were chosen on account of their attainments in Celestial Philosophy.

So far as Indian history is concerned we may go back three thousand one hundred and two years B.C., and the Tirvalore Tables, used solely for Astrological purposes. It is even stated that the religions of the Siamese and the Buddhists have been founded upon astrology. Coming down to our own times we find such a remarkable list of names of those who actually openly confessed their belief in astrology that it will probably be as well that a list is now given of more modern astrologers. Roger Bacon, Cardan, Nostrodamus, Tycho Brahe, Lord Napier, Kepler, Cornelius Agrippa, Valentine Naibod, Bishop Robert Hall, Sir Edward Kelly, Dryden, Sir George Wharton, Placidus de Titus, Sir Christopher Heydon, George Wichell Astronomer Royal, Vincent Wing, William Lilly, Dr. Salmon, Flamstead, Le Duc de Volney, George Digby, Earl of Bristol, Elias Ashmole founder of the Ashmolean Museum, Culpeper, Milton, Dr. Dee, Dr. Starkey, Dr. Partridge, Dr. Moore, Sir Richard Steele, Colley Cibber, Guido Bonatus, Emerson, Worsdall, Sir Kenelm Digby, Sir Robert Holburn, Mr. Blake, Sir Thomas Greasham, Rt. Hon. W. Pitt, Wilson, Melancthon, Sir Matthew Hale, Lord Bacon, Archbishop Usher, Dr. Richard Garnett of the British Museum and a great many others whose names may not be mentioned. Indeed there are very earnest and loyal students of astrology, but from what has been said in this brief sketch it will be seen that if some devoted student with the time at his disposal could go through the world’s history it would be found that there has always been a universal belief in Astrology, and quite sufficient evidence to establish the truth of the statement that Astrology is in a word the history of the world.

ALAN LEO"

Unfortunately Alan Leo does not go into the many women who have been proficient in astrological knowledge. I consider Alan Leo one of the major astrologers of the recent past and I study his works, although they can be considered somewhat esoteric along with Helena Blavatsky of the Theosophists thought. I can't shake the notion that Leo's (Alan Leo, of course) can be a bit chauvinistic and don't seem to give women the credit they should. Additionally, the bulk of Alan Leo's writings were from the period before the modern feminist movement and it was not unusual to ignore women's contributions, from the 1960's back through time. I consider the millions of people burned at the stake during the 'witch burning times' to possibly have had some knowledge of astrology. Many ladies of the courts of the European countries were knowledgeable in astrology and it was kept to those in power to ensure their advantage during battle and in maintaining their hold on the throne.