Book Review: Astrology since Antiquity: A History of Western Astrology
Patrick J. Boner
ASTROLOGY SINCE ANTIQUITY A History of Western Astrology, ii: The Medieval and Modern Worlds. Nicholas Campion (Continuum, London, 2009). Pp. xx + 371. $29.95 (paperback). ISBN: 978-1-84725-224-1.Johannes Kepler - not known for philosophical timidity or fabulous wealth famously described astrology as foolish whose wise mother, astronomy, would go hungry without her. 'The salaries mathematicians are seldom small, complained, mother certainly starve if daughter did earn anything. Yet Kepler's famous grumble features a telling twist. From rowdy foolishness that rang in his ears, regarded very source astronomy. If no one had ever been hope learn future things from heavens first place, he wrote, so you, astronomer, never clever think course should be made glory God (GW, iv, 161.10-23).In this survey, reveals another layer criticism suffered by seventeenth-century scholars such Kepler. real disapproval, argues, derived what were seen the abuses ordinary (p. 140), those middle lower class astrologers who roused ire their elite contemporaries. Consisting mainly university-trained philosophers theologians, high end century dramatically reduced numbers. Although has largely excluded educated discourse since, argues we continue recognize cultural relevance even present.Campion opens volume discussing an earlier collapse fifth century. He soon turns revival Carolingian Europe, where encounter renewed appreciation intellectual discipline. explores meaning medieval technology power, arguing rediscovery ancient authors thirteenth century, especially Aristotle, arrived on back demand astrological texts 44). mission reform removing Arabic 'superstitions' returning Ptolemy, tells us, recalls critical reception Babylonian Greece. This launch long dispute over difference between artificial natural forms divination continues divide today. By eighteenth judicial become common target claimed it submerged beneath mass ... bizarre ridiculous connotations 191). notes although these elements found place popular culture, ridicule religious scientific authorities last three centuries marks modern astrology, after which world was essentially material 180).According Campion, leading campaign continental astrologers, Tycho, Kepler, Galileo, arsenal philosophy to notion underlying order 155). At once reformers revolutionaries, exclusively work however, leads us ask how might relate efforts many other areas interest. result is incomplete impression turn history coupled with vague scolding historians have done best ignore its forgotten riches. …
Journal for the History of Astronomy