The Fated Sky: Astrology in HistorySimon and Schuster, 2006 M11 14 - 384 pages From ancient times to the present day, astrology has captured the imagination -- is it possible that human fate is influenced by the stars? Astrologers throughout the ages have advised the powerful, from popes to presidents to royalty, and their influence can be seen as a hidden history behind the great events of the past. In The Fated Sky, historian Benson Bobrick writes the first serious history of astrology and takes a fascinating look at its origins and impact on human events. Astrology is the origin of science itself, as astronomy, mathematics, and other disciplines arose in part to make possible the calculations necessary in casting horoscopes. In earlier times, it was a science that won the respect and allegiance of the greatest thinkers and rulers of the ancient world, and eventually claimed adherents among the great astronomers of the scientific revolution -- Copernicus, Kepler, and Newton among them. Statesmen such as Churchill and de Gaulle consulted astrologers, and St. Thomas Aquinas thought astrology not incompatible with Christian doctrine. It is even said the Incas submitted to the Spanish conquistadors without a fight because their arrival coincided with an astrological prophecy. And astrology permeates our cultural consciousness, from references in the Bible and Shakespeare to expressions such as "ill-starred" or "lucky stars." Rich in historical anecdote and astrological lore, The Fated Sky shows us that while the true power of astrology may be open to debate, the belief in its power has been -- and continues to be -- an enduring and intriguing influence on history and the history of ideas. |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 20
Page 186
Sorry, this page's content is restricted.
Sorry, this page's content is restricted.
Page 187
Sorry, this page's content is restricted.
Sorry, this page's content is restricted.
Page 189
Sorry, this page's content is restricted.
Sorry, this page's content is restricted.
Page 190
Sorry, this page's content is restricted.
Sorry, this page's content is restricted.
Page 192
Sorry, this page's content is restricted.
Sorry, this page's content is restricted.
Contents
Section 1 | 1 |
Section 2 | 3 |
Section 3 | 15 |
Section 4 | 27 |
Section 5 | 61 |
Section 6 | 77 |
Section 7 | 121 |
Section 8 | 150 |
Section 11 | 219 |
Section 12 | 239 |
Section 13 | 241 |
Section 14 | 266 |
Section 15 | 297 |
Section 16 | 311 |
Section 17 | 323 |
343 | |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
according ancient appeared Arab ascendant asked aspect astrology astronomy became began beginning believed birth body born called Capricorn cast celestial century chart Church comet conjunction course court death Decline died direct Earth eclipse example explained fall fate first fixed followed Fortune four gave give Greek hand head heavens History horoscope hour Ibid idea influence Italy John Jupiter Kepler king known later learned light Lilly lived London looked lord marked Mars mathematics means Mercury months Moon native nature noted once opposition Persian person planetary planets political position practice predicted question quoted rising Roman ruled Saturn seemed square stars tells things Thomas thought tion took turn University Venus whole wrote zodiac