should never meddle with her affairs. Every attentive observer perceives that in all bodies, whether organized or not, each part or member is interested, and indefatigable in contributing to the preservation of the whole; that were it not the judicious tendency of all substances towards each other, so as to form one common centre of gravity, this globe would instantly be shattered to pieces; and that to prevent this catastrophe, a stone or any other substance left at liberty, rushes towards the centre, or as it is vulgarly termed, "falls to the ground." We come now to the choicest morsel of the whole, namely, their "Astrological aphorisms," the major part of which will be found in a work of theirs, called "Companion to the Almanac," containing a choice collection of Apophthegms, a smart philippic or two against "Moon and Star Men," and "The Nonsense of Astrology," and an oblique hint at the means by which they acquired all this knowledge, which it seems was through having "intelligence and good sense, as lords of their ascendants." At page 23, we are told, "that the revolution of the heavenly bodies produces the appearances of the seasons and NOTHINg more. At page 24, the "SEASONS are left to shift for themselves, and the "Celestial Bodies exert no other influence than that of GRAVITATION upon the earth; and at page 27, they are all, except one, turned out of office, in consequence of the discovery, that "being all much more remote from the earth than the Moon, they have NO INFLUENCE WHATEVER upon the changes of the Seasons, or upon anything that in any way affects the comfort or the ordinary pursuits of mankind.” If any one can reconcile this discordant trash, I should be happy to find myself in the list of his acquaintances. Where were Intelligence and Good Sense" that they did not happen to be "Lords of the Ascendant" upon this occasion ? I fear we have lost even the Sun in the conflict. He is much more remote from the earth than the Moon," being 400 times her distance-he is one of the OUTS. 66 I need not insult the reader's understanding by any comment, but pass onward, or rather backward to the story of their conversion, which the reader may find at page 21, and as this is a very curious document, I shall insert the passage, verbatim. "That the different Phases of the Moon have SOME connection with changes in the atmosphere is an opinion so UNIVERSAL and POPULAR, as to be on THAT ACCOUNT ALONE entitled to attention. No observation is more general, and on no occasion perhaps is the almanac so frequently consulted as in forming conjectures upon the state of the weather, the common remark goes no further than the fact that changes from wet to dry, and from dry to wet, happen at the changes of the Moon; when to this result of universal experience we add the philosophical reasons for the existence of Tides in the Aerial Ocean, we cannot doubt that such a connection exists, and that the Moon exerts considerable influence upon the currents of the air according to her position. The subject, however, is involved in GREAT OBSCURITY, and is one which can only be elucidated by long and careful observation." (See page 269.) In This is what I have been endeavoring to prove and elucidate in this book, as the foundation of the science of Astrology, or what the Society calls the "Nonsense of Astrology," and when we reflect that "The Society" themselves, like the man who had been talking prose all his life and did not know it, have been Astrologers all the time, without having the wit to discover it, the thing seems scarcely credible; but we find the whole is justly attributed to that noted Enchantress," UNIVERSAL AND POPULAR OPINION," who with all the persevering malignity of a fairy, seems never to have quitted those poor victims of her delusions one moment from that of their birth to the present hour. 'Twas she, who in disguise of the scholastic dogmas, and popular prejudices, first taught them to deny, without having a single fact to disprove the truth of Astrology, and then in the garb of "UNIVERSAL AND Popular OPINION," compelled them to believe in it, leaving them to extricate themselves from the horns of the dilemma as well as they could. addition to these calamities, they are, through some fatality, always in the wrong, like all other persons who meddle with things they know nothing about, even when they happen to take the right side of a question. The weather does NOT change with the Moon, but four or five days before it, and the period is the longer the nearer the Moon is to the Apogee. That the subject is "involved in great obscurity," is owing to meddlesome persons like themselves, who are like the tailless fox in the fable, continually exerting themselves to persuade others into their own condition. It is strange they cannot be persuaded to stick to their LASTS, and remain within the very limited sphere for which nature designed them. Really, men like those who are merely the echoes of others opinions, without possessing one original idea of their own, whose minds are so superficial and unreflecting as not only to be incapable of perceiving Astrological truths, but even the nature and tendency of their own ideas. —men like those, should be put under some kind of surveillance, and not allowed to go about filling their own empty phials with other men's compositions, which they have not the skill to analyze, and forcing their contents, dregs and all, down the throats of every one they meet. If they must become teachers of Astrology, (though of this I do not see either the necessity or the possibility,) they should become Wards in Chancery, and pursue their studies under proper tutors provided for them. I think, however, they had better remain as they are, or rather as they were before they became "MOON AND STAR MEN. Pikes like these should remain at home in their native rivers, and not venture to sea. They may shine at the BAR or in the SENATE, where great pretensions and small intellect are much oftener "LORDS OF THE ASCENDANT" than “INTELLIGENCE AND GOOD SENSE," and where, if we may credit Lord Chesterfield, a knowledge of any subject in question, is no more essential than a knowledge of " Celtic or Sclavonian," and where he boasted of delivering, with unbounded applause, a lecture on Astronomy, while at the same time he was an UTTER STRANGER to that Science. In their own spheres they may be GIANTS, but I am really serious when I assure them they are mere PIGMIES in Astrology. THE PLANET NEPTUNE Persons Described by Neptune. There is less known of the influence of the planet Neptune, in describing the appearance of the native, than any of the other planets, except the asteroids. The personal description of Neptune in the twelve signs comes very near a combination between the planet Uranus and Venus, and any one reading the description in the twelve signs of the Zodiac of both these planets and combining them in his mind, will come very near the personal description of a Neptune person. Also, if the student reads the conjunctions, squares, oppositions, sextiles and trines of Uranus and Venus, and combines the two in his mind, he will have a very good description, physically, mentally and morally, of the d,,, * and A of Neptune to all the other planets. A Neptune person is generally near or above the medium height, inclined to be full built rather than slender, slightly dark complexion, with brown or dark brown hair, rather full face, broad high forehead, quick eyes, rather prominent nose, and of a somewhat commanding appearance; they very often look older than they are; a Uranus person looks older than they are, but a Venus person generally looks younger. Of color Neptune governs a much darker blue than Venus. The influence of Neptune in a horoscope is, in some cases, very marked, especially if it is in the ascendant, the 10th or the 7th house; it is most evil in these houses. In the 7th house it causes very unhappy marriages, unless the Sun in a woman's and the Moon in a man's horoscope, makes a good aspect of Venus or Jupiter for marriage. Neptune's evil directions or transits tell with a vengeance, and if it happens to be transiting over, or in evil aspect to two or three planets in angles, the native feels it in a marked degree, especially if those planets are superior planets, and in fixed signs. Some authors intimate that Neptune is more evil in its transits or directions than either Saturn, Mars or Uranus, as it is so long in transiting or going over any particular part of the horoscope. Neptune travels a little more than 2 degrees and 14 minutes a year; therefore, any person having the Moon 16 degrees, the Sun 20 degrees in any sign, and Saturn, Mars or Uranus 18 degrees in the opposite sign, and Neptune coming in evil aspect to those positions, the evil inflence will be felt for four or five years. The sickness caused by Neptune is chiefly of a nervous tendency and of a depressive nature. Neptune in the Twelve Houses. Neptune in the 1st house gives a well made person, a rather full face and forehead, eyes generally a dark blue, full and bright, heavy eyebrows, much hair, clear complexion, short and thick neck In disposition they are void of fear, daring, and of a restless nature; practical, ingenious, intuitive, jealous of those they love, fond of dress and display, worldly wise, and if in, given to criticising and being criticised. Males who have Neptune in the ascendant are said to be effeminate and debilitated; if Neptune be afflicted, they are given to dissolute habits. IN THE 2D.-Wastes his wealth through profligacy; and his finances are uncertain. IN THE 3D.-Long residence in a place, and unexpected removals. IN THE 5TH.--Speculations turn out "air castles," and his pleasures and associates are of a low order; the native's children are liable to watery diseases and a poor constitution. If in in the 5th, he has a craving for drink, which leads to dissolute vices and depraved habits. IN THE 6TH.-Causes the native to be inclined to study medicine, but is not fortunate with servants, small animals, keeping boarding-house. IN THE 7TH.-The marriage partner is a most undesirable one, and events inimical to marital felicity are apt to suddenly occur. IN THE 8TH.-Denotes a peculiar death; if Neptune is afflicted, causes a short illness, watery in character, or may be drowned. IN THE 9TH.-Peculiar religious views; fond of occultism, mesmerism, astrology, and kindred sciences. IN THE 10TH.-Great success, with sudden reverses of fortune. IN THE 12TH.-Danger of imprisonment, or confinement of some kind; shrewd and dangerous enemies. The Aspects of Neptune. IN GOOD ASPECT H.-Fond of making explorations, interested in spiritualism, or an investigator of occult science. IN GOOD ASPECT .-Speculation, financial success, good hearted. IN GOOD ASPECT 2 -Causes the native to meet with unexpected good fortune by speculation, inventions, etc. AFFLICTING 2.-Denotes that the native will live upon charity at some period in life, but afterwards become wealthy. IN GOOD ASPECT .-Fond of the study of palmistry, physiognomy, also ability for physician or surgeon. IN EVIL ASPECT .-Liability to accidents and changes. IN EVIL ASPECT .—In a male's nativity it gives large animal propensities, low associations, also disappointment in courtship or marriage. With females, they are liable to lose their virtue early in life, or be untrue to their marriage vows, young females are liable to assault, etc. IN GOOD ASPECT.-Makes the native refined, fond of paintings and music, and of the occult. IN GOOD ASPECT.-Quick, impressional, practical, ingenious, of good judgment, intuitive and shrewd, very sensitive, and a good judge of human nature. IN EVIL ASPECT -- Makes a clever deceiver, shrewd, and a good judge of human nature, glibness of tongue. It gives imaginative complaint in the head, excitement, fear, hysteria, nervousness, and in some cases pretended ailments. It also makes pretenders, and if Uranus afflict Neptune, bogus astrologers and clairvoyants. IN AOR -Fond of travel, and desirous of change, will take unexpected journeys and travel to foreign parts. THE HOROSCOPES OF PRESIDENT CLEVELAND AND OF EX-PRESIDENT HARRISON. Some time in the beginning of October, 1888, a reporter of "The New York World" was sent to nearly all the Astrologers and Clairvoyants in New York City to try and find out what they had to say about the then-coming Presidential election. He was also sent to consult me, but instead of asking my opinion on the Presidential election, he had me cast his own horoscope. When I had finished reading it, he said he would like to ask me one question, which was that he had bet considerable money that Mr. Cleveland would be elected; should he win his money? I showed him the horoscope of Mr. Cleveland, and told him that Cleveland would be defeated in the coming election; that near the end of October, Cleveland would have a very evil aspect in his horoscope, which would give him a black eye, and would prevent his election. Just about the above-mentioned time, Lord Sackville West, British Minister to Washington, wrote a letter to an Englishman out West, advising all Englishmen to vote for Cleveland, as his election would benefit England. This was one of the means of Mr. Cleveland's not being elected in 1888. On account of Lord Sackville West's indiscretion he got his walking papers to go home. The above was published in "The New York Sunday World” on the 14th of October, 1888. The reporter also published in the same paper that I charged him five dollars for reading his horoscope, but I was the only one of the Astrologers in New York who gave him anything for his money. That was rough on the other Astrologers, but I suppose the reason he made that statement was because they did not charge him enough for reading his horoscope.* I advised him to hedge on his Cleveland election bets, if he did not wish to lose all his money. On the 10th of July, 1892, appeared the following horoscopes of President Cleveland and ex-President Harrison, in the "New York Sunday Journal." I reprint them verbatim. At the end of the horoscopes I shall make a few further remarks. *Charles A. Dana, in "The New York Sun," advises his readers never to pay an Astrologer more than twenty-five cents for casting and reading a horoscope. Mr. Dana is a great stickler for personal freedom of the buyer and seller, not only of labor but of every kind of product. He always insists in labor strikes that if there are men or women willing to do the work at a lower wage, that the strikers have no business to interfere; that every one should be left free to ask what he deems proper for any specific work, and the buyer to offer what he deems proper. In this case it is not the Astrologers who are on a strike for higher wages, but what is termed a "lockout." But if Mr. Dana is determined to fix the fee of Astrologers at twenty-five cents, why not fix it for all other professional services? Why does he not tell his readers not to pay more than twenty-five cents to a lawyer for pleading a case in court, nor more than twenty-five cents to a minister for preaching a sermon on Sunday, nor more than twenty-five cents to a doctor for a professional visit to a patient? Why pin all Astrologers down to twenty-five cents, unless he brings all other professions down to the same level? Mr. Dana may say he does not believe in Astrology, yet there are people just as wise as he who do believe in it, and consider that an Astrological reading is worth as much as the fee given to a lawyer or a doctor. |