The Newtown bee., 1879-06-25
Astrology and Astrologers.

The origin of astrology IS involved in obscurity. It may probably ba att tributed to the Chaldeans. The Hindoos and Chinese have always attached the greatest importance to it, and the Arabs sedulously cultivated the art, as well as the astronomers who fourished in Egypt before and after the first century. The alchemists and astrologers of Greece claimed that Hermes (alias Mer- cury), the inventor of many notable things in art, science and mechanics, was the especial patron of their art. Hence the term "Hermetic writings" applied to practical science and philoso- phy. The word astrology means liter ally the doctrine or science of the stars, but is especially taken to signify the art of foretelling future events, and the good or evil fortune likely to befall any person during his lifetime from the aspect of the heavens and the relative position of : the planets and other heavenly bodies at the time of his birth
 In ancient times astrologers had m-ny perils, as the following instance will show: "Dost thou know where thou wilt pass Chrislmas?" asked Henry VII. G488) of an astrologer. He could not tell. Whereupon the kings grace, which did love merry jest" made answer, "Then I am wiser than thou, for I know that thou will spend Christ mas in prison." Gailcazzo, Duke of of an astrologer who foretold him that he would die early. C And how long do you expect to live?" he inquired of the astrologer. My lord, my star promises me long life" '' Never trust Tn your star, man; you are to be hanged this moment" And the duke took good care that his own prediction should be fulfilled. Heggiage, an Arab general Was more courteous in the expression of when an astrologer, by way of comfort ing him. assured his excellency that the illness from which he was suffering would terminate fatally. 'Since you have said it," replied the general, cit must be so, and 1 have so great a con j fidence in your skill that I should be glad to have the benefit of your advice i in the next world. You will, therefore, ! be so kind as to go there first and await mediately decapitated.
 Indeed, the wonder is that astrologers | should so often have been fools. Few seem to have the presence of mind of Trasulus, who once saved his neck with commendable readiness ofwit. Tiberius, when living in exile in Rhodes, whither he had been banished by the Emperor Augustus, loved to while away the time { by consulting diviners. The interview usually took place on lofty eminence overlooking the sea, and if the diviner, 1 by some foolish answer, conv icted him. self of ignorance or trickery, some slaves were in attendance to pitch him head foremost over the cliff into the waves below. It chanced ona certain day that i Trasulus had been invited to one of these charming seances. ''Tell me" said Tiberius, with a serious look, how long do you expect to llveP" Trasulus, who was not fool, appeared to be ab- sorbed in mysterious calculations then, suddenly, with an expression of alarm that was not altogether feigned, he ex- claimed that he was menaced at that very hour by a great danger. Satisfied with the answer, Tiberius embraced him, and from thenceforth Trasulus be- came of the number of his friends.
 The following is brief sketch of tho outlines of astrology it's leadiiieeh diie heavens eanal above and below were divided by imag- mary circles, drawn through it's north and south points, into twelve equal parts. which were called the twelve houses of heaven. They were numbered, in order, fromthe division in the east immediately below the horizon which contained the part of the heavens about to risein view
 
 remain immovable. so that every part of the heavens passed through each house 1 successively once in twenty-four hours The term horoscore was given to the point of the elliptic about to rise The first house was called the ascendant; it was the strongest, and also known as the house of life; the second was tine house of riches; the third. of brethren :; the fourth, of parents and relatives the fifth, of children; the sixth, of health {; the seventh, of marriage; the eighth, of death; the ninth, of religion the tenth, of dignities; the eleventh, of friends the twelfth of foes. To each division one of the heavenly bodies was assigned as it's lord, who was most powerful in his own house. The position of a planet in any house was its distance from the boun- diary circle, or catsp, of the house meas ured on the zodiac; and the part of the zodiac which chanced to be in each house was point which especially de- manded the attention ofthe astrologer in his consideration of the aspects of the various divisions. The relative position of the heavenly bodies in the different called theme, and to cast the nativity of any one was to form plan of the heavens in the manner above indicated, at the moment of birth The decline of astrology may be dated from the time of Copernicus, who revealed the cardi- nal fact that the earth is merely one planet, rolling with others around the sun.
 cOrOner'S illrv once upon a lime