The Fated Sky: Astrology in History [Hardcover]

Let me begin by saying that I think one should have a basic knowledge of astrology before attempting to read this book if he wants to really understand all of it, because there are many sample horoscope readings that would be unintelligible otherwise. The author provides a glossary at the back of the book, but I think it's only somewhat helpful. I've had a lifelong interest in astrology and have been casting and interpreting charts for more than 30 years, so this is not a problem for me. But Benson Bobrick has shown me what a charlatan I am! I had no idea that astrology had undergone so many changes in its history and that most of the astrology practiced today is vastly different from that of Ptolemy and Copernicus. According to this book, the sun sign was not nearly so important prior to the popularization of sun-sign astrology by Alan Leo in the early 20th Century. The 20th Century also brought about "psychological astrology" and the rules became less strict. A lot of wishy-washiness has come into modern astrology as a result. (No wonder I'm so lousy at prediction!) In a rather stunning demonstration Bobrick has blind readings done of Hitler's chart. The reading from the modern psychological perspective depicted a peaceful lover of the arts. The one read according to Ptolemaic rules was dead on. Bobrick seems to be calling for a return to the rules of the ancients and I think he presents a good case.

In THE FATED SKY Bobrick traces the history of astrology from its nebulous Mesopotamian beginnings to the present day. For me the most interesting episodes concerned the 16th Century Milanese astrologer Giralomo Cardano and the 20th Century American Evangeline Adams. I want to read more about both of them. I am puzzled at the exclusion, save for one brief mention, of the Rosicrucians. Before computer software I used the Rosicrucian Ephemerides and Table of Houses. I know they also provided astrology classes and published other astrological materials. He also neglects the two leading popular American astrology magazines and the work of astrologers like Doris Chase Doane who collected reliable data on time changes throughout the world and Lois Rodden, who "rated" the reliability of the birth time. I think their contributions have been significant.

I wish the author had included for the general reader an appendix or preface outlining the basic principles of astrology with a chart showing the houses and their individual meanings, as well as capsule meanings of planets and signs. I found this an excellent book that has caused a shift in my perspective on astrology. Perhaps other astrologers may feel the same way. Four stars.

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 and Juan Carlos the King of Spain. Both women are mentioned in passing, but it would have been fascinating to hear more from them on their role as royal astrologers of the present day.

Since I am an avid astrologer, most gratifying was reading many stories of people who have been similarly captivated by this sacred science. One person was so enraptured by astrology that for two years he completely dedicated himself to learning, even taking his meals in study. For those who have experienced even just a spark of a similar yet perhaps less monastic passion, get thee immediately to The Fated Sky.

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.