Prefatory Remarks To The Candid Reader

My Bookseller tells me the demand for those my papers increases daily”.

Addison.

In again reverting to the interesting subject of planetary influence, I cannot but express my warmest and most grateful acknowledgments, for the kind support (ana I might, without vanity, subjoin applause,) which my writings have uniformly received, from the liberal and enlightened of almost every class of readers.

Scarcely has the Sun rolled thrice through the vaulted heaven, since the author first boldly adventured his writings upon the ocean of public opinion; but securing them in the bark of truth, they have had the proud satisfaction of stemming the torrent and weathering the gale, with calm and placid serenity: while hundreds of their more dazzling and adventurous contemporaries, who set sail with them, crowded with the full canvass of favorable criticism, and swelled with the fair wind of ephemeral applause, have been engulfed in the Lethe of public contempt; or after striking against the rocks of candid and impartial (but to them fatal) inquiry, have at last, wearied with the perils of their disastrous voyage, perchance, arrived at the desired haven of particular patronage – merely to be consigned to ” the tomb of all the Gapulets”, where ” their names are no more remembered”, and their merits are blotted for ever from the world of standard literature. – -Neither has the success of the author’s writings been confined to England, nor to the British dominions; but “the Astrologer” has reached the burning plains of fertile India; and has even set at defiance the mighty waters of the vast Atlantic, reaching even the shores of the new world; – where the phalanx of prejudice, so usually arrayed against every thing meritorious out of “the track of custom”, has failed to stop its extraordinary career. – For these victorious exertions in “the science of the stars, the author himself claims nothing praiseworthy. – Truth only, invincible truth, has been the magic talisman, at whose display these grand advantages have been gained!

In the present volume, I have studiously avoided recording any thing which might be deemed superfluous, and at the same time, have been equally careful to refrain from omitting any thing of real utility in a scientific way. This the reader will at once perceive, in the Perpetual Tables of the Sun’s right ascension; by which a “Theme of Heaven”, or horoscope, may be cast, for any time, either part, present, or future, with singular facility, and without any reference to the celestial globe, the planisphere, or even the Ephemera. The table of the ” Planetary Dignities,, will at once evince the superiority of my system, over the systems of former sidereal authors; in which the brevity and consequent facility in becoming acquainted therewith, is only to be equaled by its experimental certainty. The nature and properties of ” the Planetary Orbs”, the “Celestial Signs”, and of “the Houses of Heaven” are the result of a most sedulous enquiry for a series of years, into this part of nature’s secrets; added to which, they are enriched with many valuable discoveries from original and costly manuscripts; but at the same time they are entirely divested of the superstitions and absurdities of the dark ages, – Those absurdities which have hitherto been the reproach of Astrology, but for which the ancients may be well excused, without impeaching their candor; since the vacuum in the system, which the discovery of Herschel supplies, might well be supposed to lead to the adoption of many erroneous rules, by those persons who found the science itself to stand the united test of reason and demonstration.

Enough of Astronomy is given to render the Newtonian system of the universe intelligible to general readers, which, being described in as popular a manner as the subject would permit, it is presumed will be an extra attraction to the work, and may cause it. to become a source of scientific information, even to the most casual enquirer; clearness and precision herein having been most particularly the author’s chief aim, in which he trusts he has succeeded sufficiently to merit notice.

In the latter part of the work, where the author has treated of “the Doctrine of Nativities”, etc. his rules for ascertaining the particulars of individual fate, are, he presumes, superior to what any other author has given; being founded on a true philosophical attention to cause and effect, the result of actual observation, and therefore far more valuable than if they were the mere assertions of a former writer. The author likewise requests particular attention to his important discovery relative to the method of foreknowing those particular times of life, which are likely to prove more fortunate, or more remarkable than others, by the theory of ” Celestial Periods;” a discovery which, after years of unremitting and patient labor, he feels proud in submitting to the notice even of the most erudite student in the art; as thereby may be perceived many hidden beauties in this sublime science, which would otherwise have, escaped observation, while the peculiar simplicity, yet elegance, of the theory, and the demonstration it affords, will amply repay the student for the trifling pains he may take in acquiring it.

Next to the foregoing, may be mentioned, the easy rules which the author has laid down for finding and equating the various Celestial Arcs of Direction, in nativities, whether primary or progressive – the method of solving Horary Questions; and the brevity but perspicuity of the theory he has given, for foreseeing the destinies and revolutions of kingdoms, thrones, and empires, which constitute what is termed State Astrology. Being deduced from the actual position of the heavenly bodies at the instant of any eclipse, comet, solar ingress, or other celestial phenomena. These, with various other subjects of importance, will be found to render the principal part of the book most peculiarly interesting and replete with select instruction in the different branches of the Astral science.

Pythagoras maintained that the world is actuated by a divine soul; and when we come to examine that miraculous sympathy in nature, so admirably manifested between the heavenly bodies ana the amazing body of water surrounding our earth, which is incessantly agitated by sympathetic influence, we are involuntarily brought to think of the doc-trine of this ancient sage. No fact in philosophy is more indisputable, than that which assures us of the influence of the Sun, Moon, Planets, and Stars, on the Earth and its inhabitants. The continual and periodical change in the weather – the constant and the variable winds to which particular climates are subject – the phenomena peculiar to the several seasons, and many other effects that might, were it necessary, be pointed out; are proofs which render the existence of such planetary influence unquestionable. There is, however, one means more visible, than either of those before mentioned, by which the reality of Astrological influence may be exemplified, and pretty well estimated; and that is, the alternate ebbing and: flowing of the sea, or the theory of the tides; which, even the greatest incredulity in celestial philosophy, is compelled unequivocally to allow, is produced entirely by the Solar and Lunar agency.

The phenomena exhibited in this department of nature, is so analogous to those operations on which Astrological doctrines rest, that it cannot be too closely examined into; and the more scrupulously it is brought into comparison with atmospheric fluctuations, the more these will be understood, and (it is presumed) the science of Astrology venerated. – Those persons who have taken the trouble to examine with attention the immediate influence of the luminaries upon the waters of the ocean, will, no doubt, come to this inference; namely, if those bodies do thus compel so gross a mass of matter as the ocean, to periodically toss and roll in a manner contrary to its own nature, which is inert repose; so must their respective influences operate to disturb and alter, the state of every sort of matter whatsoever, sensible and insensible, that is connected with the earth. – For it is a conspicuous axiom in the Newtonian theory, “That every particle of matter in the universe is, endued with a sympathetic energy or influence, by which it is capable of communicating imperceptibly with every other particle throughout the system of nature.

The whole surface of the human body, when moderately corpulent, is about fourteen feet square; and the presage which occasions the rise and fall of the mercury in the thermometer shows, by its variation, that at one time, when the air is most heavy, such a body sustains a pressure externally of 33,905lb; while, when the pressure is the lightest, the pressure on the same body is not more than 30,624 lb; and consequently an increase or decrease of weight equal to 3,281 lb may be externally acting on the body of a person; and which change he may suffer every few hours, as the fluctuations of the mercury evidently proves.

Now we well know that this vast external pressure, could not be sustained unless it were properly counterbalanced by some adequate means of resistance within the said body; and some internal means of accommodating itself to these fluctuations of the atmosphere, which are sup-plied by the Author of Nature to every animal body. Yet that equilibrium which is necessary to ease, is constantly being disturbed; and agitations, which may be compared to the ebbing and flowing of the sea, are constantly being experienced by every living animal. In a body that is robust, and has all its members perfect, pulsation or the natural vibration of its organs will soon effect composure; but where any member or organ is out of order, the free and necessarily rapid circulation of the internal matter is obstructed, and pain, or unpleasant sensations, are the consequence, nor will these cease until a perfect equilibrium between the internal resistance, and external force, has been restored. – Now the human body cannot be materially affected, without the mind partaking at the same time of those effects, whether agreeable or painful, from which it is plainly demonstrated, that the combined or contrary influences of the planets are constantly operating, to produce certain effects on the body and mind of every living being on the face of the earth, in a manner comparatively similar to the phenomena of the tides of the ocean; and that the lives and actions of men, and the fate of individuals and nations, are thus subject in a greater or lesser measure to planetary control.

Therefore (in the words of Ptolemy, that “Prince of Philosophers”) “what therefore hinders, but that he who exquisitely knows the motions of the stars, and of the Sun and Moon, and is not ignorant of the times, nor the place, nor any of the aspects, and is further well skilled in their natures, and their efficient powers. – What I say, hinders any man thus furnished from knowing, both naturally, and suitably, the effects of all these mixed together, so that he may be able to foretell, in every season, the proper state of the air; as that it will be hotter or moister, which he may foreknow by a manifest aspect or ray of the stars and Moon to the Sun? – and as it is possible for him that is very well skilled in these matters before mentioned, to foretell the qualities of the seasons, what hinders but he may likewise predict concerning every man ? for, from the state of the ambient at the time of the constitution of each, it is easy to know in general the quality and temperament of each person born; that such he shall be in body, and such in mind, and the future events, advantageous or disadvantageous, foreknown by the state of the ambient. – Therefore it is apparent that a presage is possible to be deduced from these, and such like, of the heavenly causes”.

As to the absurd and foolish idea that it is superstitious, unlawful, or sinful, to study Astrology, a moment’s reflection will convince to the contrary; since it will be manifest, from the perusal of this volume, that every problem is calculated merely by an arithmetical process, devoid of any thing resembling divinations. Likewise the consequent prediction is deduced there from in a demonstrative and strict mathematical way, according to a certain chain of causes, which for ages past have been found uniformly to produce a correspondent train of effects. – Where then consists its sinfulness or its superstition? Since the whole system is founded on the result of actual observation. – If Astrology, which foretells future events by the courses of the stars, is sinful or unlawful, so were the labors of the late celebrated astronomer Herschel, who nightly pored over the starry heavens with his optic instruments, ” gauging the Firmament” as he expresses it, in search of discoveries. – And alike unlawful are the present labors of the astronomer royal. – For be it re-numbered, that the Astrologer’s horoscope is nothing more than a celestial map, chart, or picture, of the heavens, for a certain hour of the day, erected on paper, judged according to long established rules, which can-not be of itself either meritorious or unlawful; since the map or picture of the heavens so east and erected, as well as the stars and planets placed therein! does certainly exist in the heavens at that time, whether the Astrologer erects his horoscope or not. – And by predicting from the said configuration of the heavenly bodies, the Astrologer does but verify and fulfill that passage of the saeretl scripture which positively declares, that the stars and planets were created expressly for the benefit of man, the terrestrial lord of the creation; and that they were placed in the firmament for “Signs” of that which afterwards should come to pass.* Therefore, the same vindictive and bigoted spirit which would persecute or contemn the Astrologer for contemplating the heavens, and declaring, in deference to the actual conviction of his mind, that the stars have power over all sublunary affairs, would, in the dark ages, have sentenced Galileo to the stake, or banished the immortal Newton from the dwellings of civilized man!

To those persons, whether critics or otherwise, who judging from mere hearsay, and following the base track of slavish custom, would proceed to pronounce the condemnation of Astrology, without investigating its theory, or hearing aught in its defense, (contrary to the inimitable policy of British jurisprudence, which in every case wisely endeavors to sound the mysteries, and hear the merits of whatever is brought before the public tribunal,) the author would just ask, were an illiterate ploughman, or an ignorant cobbler, each of whom were ignorant of the theory of letters, to deny in toto, the laws of vision, the problems of longitude, parallax, refraction, or any of the more intricate theories of modern science, would they not instantly laugh him to scorn, for declaring his absurd denial, of that which his ignorant understanding would not lead him to comprehend? Certainly they would; and therefore let me impress on the minds of these gentlemen, that however learned they may be in other respects, yet if they deliver their unqualified veto against the doctrines of Astrology, without having first analysed and well examined its truth or falsehood experimentally, without proving by the application of its rules to their own horoscopes, that the influence of Saturn was not evil, nor that of Jupiter benevolent; or in a similar way, demonstrating by facts, the actual fallacy of the science, they are acting equally as absurd and ridiculous, as the ploughman or cobbler aforesaid, which must be self-evident to every one. – Therefore, let those who wish to explode our system, first remember the saying of Plato.

And until they have cast their own horoscopes, or proved from some nativity, or theme of heaven, that there is no truth in Astrology, the author can easily bear with their reproaches; and whatever pompous assertions they may bring forward, upon perusing this work, the author thereof, as a believer in tike system he vindicates, from experience, will still have the best of the argument, in the opinion of every unprejudiced person.

Neither should the occasional failures of its professors, afford any argument against the science itself; since men do not condemn the scriptures, merely because heresies, and heretical schisms, have arisen there from; nor do they deny the art of the physician, through his own inefficiency, nor explode the whole science of chemistry, merely because the chemist fails in some of his analytical experiments. – Why then should Astrology alone, which of all other sciences claims the most serious and undivided attention, become the butt of incredulity, through the sins of its professors?

* I am well aware that it is quite unfashionable, at present; to quote scripture in support of my theory, bat for the better proof of what I have advanced as above, let the candid and impartial reader consult Gen. i. 14, 15. Deut. xxxiii. 14. Psalm xix. 1. and xix. 3. Judges v. 20. Job xxxviii. 31. Amos v. 8. Job ix. 9, 10. Wisdom of Sol. vi. 22. Ecclesiastics xliii. 6′, and numerous other passages of holy writ, where the influences of the stars is recorded.

In looking deeply into the sympathies of nature, which we are constantly experiencing, we can hardly quarrel with those who have ascribed to them an agency more than we can comprehend. We see a gift of foreknowledge strongly implanted in the badger, the hedgehog, the fox, the hare, and almost every animal with which we are acquainted. – We see also that birds and reptiles have a surprising forecast: and who can fail to perceive effects constantly working between the heavenly bodies, and the bodies and souls of mankind- – whether their exists an ethereal effluvium that is communicated from one body to another, and which produces those strange sympathies we are witnessing, is not to be declared : –

“Nil sine magno Vita labore dedit mortalibus”.

Horace.

We know they are produced; and being able to connect them with what we term “planetary influence” is sufficient to show, we have sound and sufficient ground-work for forecasting the effects incident to known causes – and this is all the Astrologer contends for in the “BOOK OF THE STARS”

Throughout the whole of the present treatise, the utmost care has been taken to facilitate the student in the knowledge of each Astrological problem. No obsolete or difficult tables are inserted therein, (merely to puzzle the reader, as too many writers have heretofore been guilty of,) and when to these considerations, are joined, the important diagrams – the judiciously selected horoscopes – and the elegant engravings which adorn, while they illustrate the work – the author confidently trusts it will appear evident, that neither labor, pains, nor expense has been spared to render the present volume the most valuable treatise on Astrology, that the English nation has yet produced – and more worthy of popular support than any work of the kind that has preceded it.