Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1881-05-20

EARTHQUAKES, WARS AND FAMINR-DARk
DAYS FOR EUIorE, But BETTER PROS
FEET FOR THE UNITED sTAES.
From the Providence Journal.l
Aslrnlogy is not dead, rs Is proved Dy
the publication of two astrological alma
macs in London, which have been regular
ly issued for more than 80 years. each
claiming circulation of over lio,OoO
Astrology is older than astronomy, and
was originally considered the higher, the
real science. Men, in the carly ages
when superstition reiGned, were lar more
interested i'll predicting future events,
especially the fortunes of the human race,
from the positions Of the heavenly bodies,
than they were in studying the paces and
motions of the stars themselves. 1t Is diffi-
cult to realize in this enlightened age the
important part played by astrology III the
affairs of the earliest civilizations at the
yery dawn of history Astrology, under
various names, exerted a reslstless iniiu-
ence in political and domestic affairs, and
no event however trivial, was allowed to
take place unless it had hand in Its de-
tails. Men of science, i'll later times, de-
voted themselves to this delusiye art.
Ptolemy. the astronomer, was believer,
and even the wise Kepler could not with
stand the euthralment, for though he saw
its weakness rs a science, he full believed
that there was connection between the
position Of the planets and the quantities
of those born under them. Faith III as
trology received its death blow when the
system Of Copernicus was fully establls IL
ed. For when it WAS found that the earth
was a''planet, revolving like the other
| planets around the sun, 1t was absurd to
suppose that the brother and sister orbs
made n specially of influencing the des-
tiny of the dwelers on this comparative
lv insignificant globe. Jupiter, for in
stance, would hardly occupy himself with
mundane affairs when thirteen hundred
worlds like ours would be swallowed up
in his huge bulk. The fascinating science
had. however, attained such hold on the
imacinations of men that it was not easily
laid aside Some of the early Christian
fathers cultivated it i'll modihed form,
and many jealous Catholics and church,
men were counted among its adherents.
Astrology had an immense membership,
numbering among its disciples all the ma
tions of antiquity, except the Greeks. as
well as many learned men and Christians
Of the succeeding centuries. No Chris
tian country now processes any beiief III
its occult arts, though 1t still holds sway
among oriental nations and Mohamme-
dams. Such, however. is the craving for
everything relating TO divination and su-
perstition among the ignorant in all coun-
tries, that numerous books on astrolOSy
continue to be published and meet with
ready sale, though their object is to set
forth the claims of this pretended science
as one to be believed and followed by all
men. The astrological almanacs follow IN
the same track, and give forth their ab-
surl prophecies and assertions with the
solemnity and earnestness of ancient deal
ers in the occult arts. They are probably
gotten up by those who have no belief Ill
the science, but who, by the aid of shrewd
guessing, the assistance gained from
modern scientific dlsc"v, ii,s and an as
pect of reverent faith, manage TO impose
on the ignorant and unwary. Their pre-
dictions are as reliable as the weather
guesses in the modern almanacs, and less
likely TO prove correct.
Tue approaching conjunction Of Jupi-
ter and Saturn seems to have revived an
interest in the ancient science. This
event is the stronghold of modern astrolo-
gers, and around its event cluster their
most frightful predictions. The con-
functions of the two planets, occurring
every 20 years, is Il comparatively mid
event. But their conjunction Ill the sign
Of Taurus, which we are shortly to wit
ness. is more ominous of evil than any
planetary contiguration that will occur
for ages. Zabdirs almanac runs wild
with fearful forebodings concerning 1t.
!; d. last conjunction of these bodies Ill
Taurus ,at..lr,,l IN l1I6. the year of the
second crusade against the Turks, when
$50. 600 of the combatants We're slam
Ireland was the scene of anarchy and
civil war, and pestilence, earthquake and
famine desolated the other countries,
which. like ASIA Minor ami Ireland, are
ruled by the sign Taurus. These dire
events are about to recur around the
great con JUNCTION, and wars, earthquakes
and pestilence will be the doom of coun-
tries ruled by this unlucky sign. Cabul,
where the conjoined planets are exactly
setting, Is to be visited with an earth
quake. Dark days are i'll store 10; Great
Britain, for Mars, being III the seventh
house and in opposition to Uranus, her
navy will be engaged i'll many battle.
The eastern question will write the future
history of Europe in letters of blood and
flame Persia will feel the dire influence
of war, and insanity, epidemic cholera
ana failure of crops are to follow III this
train of wars and earthquakes. There Is
IL bright side, however, to the British
picture, for the horoscope Of the queen is
preeminently fortunate, and Ill conse-
auence of this rebutting influence, her
mighty power will be made secure and its
I. L.. l..I
States is only mildly afflicted by the reign
ing planetary powers, Tor she has little 10
do with ill-boding Taurus. She lis prom
ised rising revenue and generally
prosperous and successful state OF aifnirs.
though the solar eclipse of the 2Ith OF
Nav threatens brain troubles and malig-
nant fevers for Utah, as well as All over
throw Of Mormon ascendancy. This
country seems, therefore, to have little to
do with the dreadful evils that menace
the countries across the seas. Its mhabl-
tants may bless their lucky stars for beng
SO gently let off in this momentous year,
while they sympathetically watch the
coniunctions III the heavens and the
doomed nations of the earth ruled by the
malignant aspects of the stars. We have
said nothing Of Russia, for her evil star
rose ut the commencement of astronomi-
cal spring when the planet Mars rushed
through her ruling sign, and foreshadow-
ed IL season of suffering, discord, lnsur-
rection and bloodshed for her people
Astrologers came near making a lucky
hit for they prophcsicd personal danger
for the czar about the 9Th Of March. If
they had said the 18th, the date of
assassination, the coincidence would
have been noteworthy. Danger will
not end with the great conjunction ot
the 22d, for the planets seem determined
to keep near each other, and every time
they meet, disastrous results follow Ill
some quarter of the globe. The ruling
soyercigns of Europe have a pitiful pros
pect before them. Their horoscopes are
given, and the i'll -boding fate that hangs
over them will not make their subjects
anxious to assume the crown, ia they
| must Mt the same time feel its thorns.
Astrologers have spent their strength IN
forebolings concerning this disastrous
wear. and memorable events thus far
chance to accord with their productions.
But intelligent observers Of the political
condition of Europe would have drawn
| similar picture of the events shadowed
| e l. . I.a lI stnIpntA ii