Astrology: A History

by Peter Whitfield

This scintillating history traces the key role astrology has played in the mainstream of Western intellectual life for more than two millennia. Peter Whitfield brings together research from ancient, classical, medieval, and modern times--and then relates astrology to the religion, philosophy, and science of each period. The unique historical manuscripts and works of art that illustrate the text, many drawn from the superb collections of the British Library, show how Western astrology evolved among different cultures and reconciled itself with many different belief systems. This lucid, thoughtful, and stimulating work--the first serious, comprehensive history of astrology--gracefully illuminates a significant chapter in the history of ideas. 180 illustrations, 130 in full color, 208 pages, 8 1/2 x 11"

Genres: Astrology, History, Nonfiction

208 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2001

Reviews

[Wendelle]

This is a learned introduction to the use of astrology by different civilizations, which was very interesting. For example, Babylonians had the ummani, the class of diviners who read the messages of the gods that were transmitted in the heavens and were used to guide the king's decisions. In contrast, Greeks used astrology as a way of learning the influences of celestial bodies on human fates. Babylonian gods could be propitiated and prevailed upon; stars in Greece, obviously could not, so Greek conception of astrology was more of a fatalistic, unchallenged power. In Rome, astrology was more of a source of political fear, intermittently banned by emperors for fear of its use of forecasting and drumming up support for political rivalries. This was quite an interesting book to read.

[G · Rating 5 out of 5]

In an age of science, is there still room for a form of astral symbolism, drawn from the esoteric beliefs of ancient civilisations?

Older than the first religions even, astrology has fascinated many societies throughout the course of history. When Christianism came to power, astrology was contradicting its core belief, that christians are rewarded or punished based on the way they conduct their lives. While astrology viewpoint is that people lives is written in the stars and there was not much to do about it to change this. Therefore, Christianism banned and prosecuted severely the astrologers, and did its best to find flaws to the science. Some of them true critics is why twins born at the same time have different destiny.

Some astrologers predicted the year of death of the their ruler king, which brought them an instant death sentence. But then astrology was scoring some points and alluring adepts. When the last planets from the solar system were discovered in the 17th century (Uranus, Neptune and Pluto), the world of astrology was collapsing entirely. Nowadays, astrologers are considered more or less delulus

Very well documented account, highly readable and great illustrations.