The Fated Sky: Astrology in History

by Benson Bobrick

Book Overview

From ancient times to the present day, astrology has captured the imagination -- is it possible that human fate is influenced by the stars? Astrologers throughout the ages have advised the powerful, from popes to presidents to royalty, and their influence can be seen as a hidden history behind the great events of the past. In The Fated Sky, historian Benson Bobrick writes the first serious history of astrology and takes a fascinating look...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743268954
• ISBN13: 9780743268950
• Release Date: November 2006
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.2" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Exceptional

Bobrick does what most other texts of this nature fail to do: take an even-handed approach to the subject. Too many books dealing with the history of astrology take a dismissive viewpoint, as if current thought and 'science' is all that we really need to know, and astrology is but an amusing antique. Far from it! This book sets the record straight, to some extent. It's aimed at the general reader, and aquits itself well on this count. Bobrick presents a clear and easy to follow history of the astrological tradition, clearly pointing out some of the notable high (and low) points. Bobrick is wise to remind readers that what passes for 'astrology' today is a pale imitation of what has gone before. Modern astrology, from about 1900 onwards, is a dumbed-down shadow of the art as was practised for thousands of years beforehand. This book is an excellent overview of those thousands of years, and reminds us of the rich heritage astrology has to offer. My only quibble is that some astrological knowledge is assumed - some terms are often not clearly explained. I've studied the subject for many years, so was not a problem.

On The Shoulder of Giants

Even one as convinced as I of the validity of astrology can turn cynical in the light of the sad state of the art these days. Oh there are good astrologers, but then there are also the legions of bad ones who want to poison the craft with their new-age theory du jour, psychobable, etc. When I first moved to my present location, I made an appointment with an astrologer and upon arrival at the session discovered that she had cast the chart for the wrong time of birth. Did she apologize and reschedule the appointment? No! She explained that "everything happens for a reason" and proceeded with the interpretation. Ok, ok, such is a particularly egregious example. In "The Fated Sky" we are reminded that such poseurs have always blemished the astrological profession; however, in bolder relief is the fact that astrology has been practiced and/or advocated by many of the paramount intellectual figures in Western History: Plato, Ptolemy, Kepler, Goethe, Brahe, Ficino, etc. Even one of the father sof the Englightenment, John Locke, had some sympathies for the practice. In fact, to coin a term, as regards astrology, we "stand on the shoulders of giants". Present-day astrologers would do well to review the works of the "giant" astrologers of antiquity and the Renaissance. Certainly astrology needn't remain static. I am not recommending a "fundamentalist" version of astrology. However, this history makes obvious that the competency of most contemporary astrologers pales in comparison with those of their Medieval predecessors. We are also reminded of our debt to the Medieval Muslim/Arabic world (centered in Bagdad, Iraq) for preserving and progressing NOT ONLY astrology but also many other fruits of classical antiquity - such as Aristotle's works- that had been lost during the european Dark Ages. The author claims that this survey of Western Astrology does not attempt to prove or disprove, however, one gets the feeling from the reading of this book that the historian Bobrick, faced with the evidence offered up by so many intellectual luminaries, feels partial in favor of astrology. If you are knowledgeable of astrology, "The Fated Sky" will provide you with an exciting overview and raise the question of traditional vs modern astrology. The book may be interesting to those new to astrology, however, as others have pointed out, neophytes may get booged down by the sections that use specialized terminology.

A Wealth of Detail, a Good Case for Science

Anyone who's been annoyed -- or unconvinced -- by the simplistic sun-sign predictions and facile characterological generalities that dominate astrological interpretation in our time, should read Bobrick's history. With his usual eye & ear for the telling anecdote, he summons a wealth of fascinating detail, beginning with the science's earliest known history. And -- I don't use the word "science" lightly -- he makes an excellent case for astrology's scientific basis, showing how the accuracy of classical astrological prediction refutes the "astronomy school's" easy dismissal of its sister study of the stars as flummery. Astrology was found nearly everywhere in earlier centuries, including the halls of the Church. Among many interesting stories is his explanation of the three Wise Men of the New Testament, and the fabled star that led them to Bethlehem. While a knowledge of astrological terms is to some extent assumed, the glossary in the back is helpful. An iconoclastic look at an ancient study, which has become so diluted in recent centuries that Bobrick's book makes one long, at least in this arena, for the good old days.

Astonishing History

The history that unfolds between the covers of The Fated Sky is truly fascinating. I picked up this book because I was familiar with some of Bobrick's other works: Angel in the Whirlwind, Labyrinths of Iron, East of the Sun. And was completely surprised and delighted. Only a remarkable historian like Bobrick would dare tackle a subject as tricky and controversial as this. But with the care and circumspection that is the trademark of all his works. He not only shows respect for the history of science as well as the occult, but brings his subjects brilliantly alive. What a great read! This astonishing book deserves the Pulitzer Prize!

One of the best books on astrology

Simply put, this is one of the best books on astrology I have ever read. As a professional astrologer, I've read many! Everyone who calls themselves a student of the craft should read it. For traditional astrologers, it is an absolute must. And for anyone interested in the role astrology has played in culture it is a darned good read. Why? Written by a historian (not an astrologer), The Fated Sky covers the entire course of Western astrology - from origins in Greece to developments in Arabic countries; back to Europe, and its height in the medieval centuries and Renaissance; its downfall in the so-called enlightenment, and its revival in the present day. Though there are other histories of Western astrology in print, this is the best. All along the way are tales of all the colorful characters who were masters of this sacred science. Even skeptics will be impressed by the long list of distinguished rulers who sought advice from astrologers - virtually every Roman Emperor, popes, cardinals, and the royalty of Europe such as Catherine de Medici, Queen Elizabeth, the Danish royal family ... the list goes on and on. The names of famous intellects and artists who knew of astrology is even more impressive: Plato (tutored by an astrologer in his old age), Ptolemy, St Thomas Aquinas, Copernicus, Kepler and Shakespeare all were not just aware but deeply versed in the science of the stars. Benson Brobrick is not an astrologer, yet he has presented a very thorough and fair account of astrology. His work is suitable for both advanced astrologers and curious skeptics alike. Realizing that many readers will fall into the latter category, his frame of reference is that like it or not astrology has played a tremendous role in the history of the West. For this reason alone it deserves attention and study. He documents astrology's influence with so many authentic examples of documented predictions, some quite stunning in detail, that anyone reading with an open mind will be tempted to investigate further. While modern astrologers may be a bit put off by the traditional emphasis, the stories of people who predicted death of themselves or others to the day or warned of calamity to kings years in advance make us aware of the true potential and historical role of astrology. For centuries the power of astrology was the ability of its practitioners to predict. Kings didn't see astrologers to get a description of their psychological complexes; they wanted to know what was going to happen. To his credit Brobrick talked to contemporary astrologers and quotes Robert Zoller and John Frawley, two of the foremost traditional astrologers alive today. My only criticism of the book is that Brobrick ignored or was not able to talk to two astrologers - both women - who advised rulers in the late 20th century. Joan Quigley advised the Reagans, and Elizabeth Tessier, who had fought for the right to get a PhD in astrology at the Sorbonne (a first), advised both Francois Mitterand