A Mundane Astrology Bibliography

1
What are people's thoughts on the best books on mundane astrology available?

You can focus on ancient, medieval or modern. Any first language. The books dont have to be available in English.

Equally, the chosen books dont have to be exclusively about mundane astrology. They just need to be books you have found very helpful in mundane work.

I have a few ideas for a suggested shortlist myself but I thought I would let some members take a crack at this first.

Mark
Last edited by Mark on Thu Jan 26, 2012 10:37 pm, edited 2 times in total.
As thou conversest with the heavens, so instruct and inform thy minde according to the image of Divinity William Lilly

2
Ok as there is no mad rush of ideas I will get the ball rolling.

I intend to select books from three historical periods:

a) Up to 1800
b) 1800-1950
c) 1950-Present

I fully accept there is a clear bias to English language astrology during the renaissance/early modern period. Feel welcome to make other suggestions.

Mundane Astrology Books-Up to 1800

1 Tetrabiblos by Claudius Ptolemy (2nd Century CE)

2 Apotelesmatics (The Compendium) by Hephaistio of Thebes (4th Century CE)

3 On Historical Astrology: The Book of Religions and Dynasties (On the Great Conjunctions) by Abu Ma'shar ( 9th century CE)

4 The Book of Instruction in the Elements of the Art of Astrology, Al Biruni (11th century CE)

5 Book of the World by Ibn Ezra (12th century CE)

6 The Book of Astronomy by Guido Bonatti (13th century CE)

7 England?s Prophetical Merlin by William Lilly (1644)

8 Christian Astrology by William Lilly (1647 & 1659)

9 Annus Tenebrosus, or the Dark Year by William Lilly (1652)

10 Astrology Restored by William Ramesey (1653)

11 De Cometis by John Gadbury (1665)

What other suggestions do people have for this early period?

Mark
Last edited by Mark on Tue Sep 13, 2011 8:50 pm, edited 2 times in total.
As thou conversest with the heavens, so instruct and inform thy minde according to the image of Divinity William Lilly

3
1. The Thousands of Abu Mashar. Reconstructed by David Pingree. Warburg Institute, 1968. Includes some material on mundane time lord systems.

2. The Astrological History of Masha'allah. trans E. S. Kennedy and David Pingree. Harvard University Press, 1971. 978-0674050259. A real tough slog but it forces one to get dirty with Jupiter-Saturn conjunctions computed in the sidereal zodiac. Also a helpful reminder of the limits of accuracy of computing planet zodiac positions when these techniques were developed. Not for those who fear mathematics.

both 1 and 2 are long out of print but available through interlibrary loan

3. Ptolemy's Geography: An Annotated Translation of the Theoretical Chapters. by J. Lennart Berggren and Alexander Jones. Princeton University Press, 2000. 978-0691092591. Helps to put Ptolemy's choreography into the perspective of cartography of Ptolemy's era. Somewhat tangential, would not put in top 10, but would put in top 20. book is between $30-$40 depending whether or not one buys it used. Includes a couple of nice full color plates of early maps.
Dr. H.
World Class Research in Medieval Predictive Astrology
www.regulus-astrology.com

4
Thanks for your suggestions.
both 1 and 2 are long out of print but available through interlibrary loan
Hopefully Benjamin Dykes will soon offer us a new more affordable/accessible translation of The Thousands of of Abu Mashar!

I believe he will also be offering a new translation of On Historical Astrology: The Book of Religions and Dynasties (On the Great Conjunctions) by Abu Ma'shar. I put this on my list although like most people I cannot afford to buy the extortionate Brill edition of this. A new translation should make this important work within the budget of the average student.

I had thought of listing the Geography of Ptolemy too but I have yet to study it. I have heard how useful it is to explain Ptolemy's system of dividing the world up by climes and astrological triplicities set out in the Tetrabiblos.

Please keep your suggestions coming. I suggest we continue to list traditional sources for now.

Mark
As thou conversest with the heavens, so instruct and inform thy minde according to the image of Divinity William Lilly

5
Hello,

I am quite happy to find that I have all of the books listed by Mark and Regulusastrology! (except for De Cometis).

Anyway, there is another arabic astrological book that deals with astrology which is very close to Ptolemy (even the table of contents!).
Kushyar Ibn Labban's Introduction to Astrology. Edited and Translated into English by Michio Yano.

It is interesting to see that although this book follows Ptolemy closely, it also has sections on houses, Lots and horary/electional astrology!

The book has the arabic language side by side with the English translation (just like Abu Ma'shar's and MashaAllah's books listed in the previous posts). This makes it easy to check the translation and get the arabic astrological terms. I spotted a translation mistake in this book which is made possible only when we have both languages printed.

6
I am quite happy to find that I have all of the books listed by Mark and Regulusastrology! (except for De Cometis).
I envy your library Astrojin!
Kushyar Ibn Labban's Introduction to Astrology
I appreciate this might be a fuller discussion of traditional astrology. However, does this text contribute anything distinctive on mundane astrology techniques not mentoned by Ptolemy?

Another book that Margherita has mentioned a few times here is Cardano's Commentary on the Tetrabiblos. A pity its not been translated from Latin.

De Cometis is just one of a large number of medieval and renaissance texts that discuss comets. Its the last astrological work on the subject in English. I only listed it as its easier for English speakers to follow than the numerous Latin texts on the subject. I should have mentioned Tycho Brahe too. The most accessible source is this article which also contains a translation of his work on the Comet of 1577:

http://www.jstor.org/pss/230882

Mark
As thou conversest with the heavens, so instruct and inform thy minde according to the image of Divinity William Lilly

7
Hello,

From Mark:
I appreciate this might be a fuller discussion of traditional astrology. However, does this text contribute anything distinctive on mundane astrology techniques not mentoned by Ptolemy?
Not really. But it is a good introduction to materials in Ptolemy as well as others (because the book did cover things that Ptolemy didn't cover). It is a relatively easy reading (compared to Ptolemy) and this book was translated into chinese later and used as by many chinese muslim astrologers.

8
Mark wrote:
I am quite happy to find that I have all of the books listed by Mark and Regulusastrology! (except for De Cometis).

Another book that Margherita has mentioned a few times here is Cardano's Commentary on the Tetrabiblos. A pity its not been translated from Latin.
Not exactly, in Italian we have the comment to the second book, translated by an University Professor (and astrologer), Ornella Pompeo Faracovi .

I found it very useful for earthquakes and comets, because you know how Ptolemy is, he does not explain anything, but Cardano does.

I think that Hali Ridwan comment to Tetrabiblos could be interesting too for mundane (and the rest). For example Ridwan makes the point that Sun eclipses last 12 years.

margherita
Traditional astrology at
http://heavenastrolabe.wordpress.com

9
Hi Margherita,
Not exactly, in Italian we have the comment to the second book, translated by an University Professor (and astrologer), Ornella Pompeo Faracovi.
Thanks. Of course I was being a parochial anglophile again. :)
I think that Hali Ridwan comment to Tetrabiblos could be interesting too for mundane (and the rest). For example Ridwan makes the point that Sun eclipses last 12 years.
Ok. Is this translated into a modern European language?

Realistically if we listed all the texts that have still to be translated from Arabic or Latin this thread is going to become impractically long. I know I suggested anything goes in my first post but I would like to tighten this up to books available in modern languages if people dont mind. I do want to also get into more modern astrological books later too.

Mark
As thou conversest with the heavens, so instruct and inform thy minde according to the image of Divinity William Lilly

10
One subject I should have addressed in early mundane is astrological weather prediction. It is of course covered in medieval texts like Guido Bonatti's Book of Astronomy. Weather prediction is also discussed in works of Al Kindi, Masha'Allah and Abu 'Mashar.

Later English language texts on weather prediction include:
Prognostication Everlasting of Right Good Effect (1553) an early English Almanac written and published by Leonard Digges, the father of the astronomer Thomas Digges.

One especially noteable later text is Astro-Meteorologica, or Aphorisms and Discourses on the Bodies Celestial,their Natures and Influences (1686) by John Goad.

I understand Goad was influenced by Johannes Kepler and attempted to adopt a more empirical approach to Astro-Meteorology.
As thou conversest with the heavens, so instruct and inform thy minde according to the image of Divinity William Lilly

11
This thread seems to have gone a bit quiet so I think its time to move on to our next historical phase: 1800-1950

Here are some mundane books that come to mind as important in this period in English speaking astrology. I would welcome other suggestions. Any important texts in other languages in this period eg French, German, etc would also be most interesting too. I am also just becoming more aware of literature on mundane astrology in Indian astrology.

Can anyone recommend any other books from this period?

1 Dictionary of Astrology, James Wilson (1819)

2 The Text Book of Astrology, A.J. Pearce (1879 Vo1), (Vol II 1911)

3 Raphael's Mundane Astrology or the Effects of the Planets and Signs, Upon the Nations and Countries of the World (year?)

4 Mundane or National Astrology, H.S.Green (1911)

5 Weather Predicting by Astro-meteorology, H.S.Green (1912)


6 The Arcana or Stock and Share Key, Sepharial (1920)

7 Theory and Practice of Eclipses, Sepharial (year ?)


8 The Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian Robson (1923)

9 The Theory of Geodetic Equivalents in Relation to Mundane Astrology: Including Many Remarkable Proofs and Striking Prophecies, Sepharial (1924)

10 The Earth in the Heavens: Ruling Degrees of Cities, How To Find And Use Them, Lorne Edward Johndro (1929)

11 The Stars: How and Where They Influence, Lorne Edward Johndro (1929)

I was tempted to include works that looked at predictive systems that are used in mundane astrology such as transits, progressions, primary directions, radix system etc. However, I decided these were not specific enough in regards mundane astrology. I do include eclipses though as their use seems more predominant in mundane astrology.

Mark
As thou conversest with the heavens, so instruct and inform thy minde according to the image of Divinity William Lilly

1800-1950: additions

12
Mark has asked me kindly for some input for the 1800-1950 section. I'm using Mark's list as a starting point and am not going to directly repeat those books in it.

But on the basis that it contains works on financial astrology and astro-meteorology as well as political astrology, I have followed this example in my method of selection. I have excluded all journals and almanacs (most of which, during this period, by their nature tend to have some mundane and astro-meteorological content) but included stand-alone pamphlets as well as books.

To save time and assure bibliographical accuracy, I have used my own collection catalogue to derive the following shortlist of additional suggestions, which therefore excludes works lacking from my private collection, though during this period the lacks are relatively few among works in English and French since I have specialised in collecting the 19th and 20th centuries in these languages, but they are sure to be more numerous among works in German.

Some titles are included only provisionally pending proper checks on their contents. These are indicated thus in the text. If anyone is more familiar with these books and would care to comment that would be helpful to all reading this strand.

1. Zadkiel ?Zadkiel?s Legacy, Containing a Full and Particular Judgment on the Great Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter on the 26th of January, 1842? Sherwood and Co., London, 1842

2. Simmonite, William Joseph ?The Astro-Philosopher and Meteorologist?, Simpkin, Marshall, & Co., undated (advertisements suggest c. 1847)

3. Bowron, John S. ?Observations on Planetary and Celestial Influences in the Production of Epidemics and on the Nature and Treatment of Diseases? John S. Taylor, New York, 1850
NB: Clearly only the epidemics part is relevant here.

4. Pearce, Alfred John ?The Weather Guide Book? Recent facsimile reprint of original printed by J. Clay, Farringdon St., London, undated (but [1864])

5. Benner, Samuel ?Benner?s Prophecies of Future Ups and Downs in Prices: What Years to Make Money on Pig-Iron, Hogs, Corn, and Provisions? Third Edition ? Robert Clarke & Co., 1884

6. Pearce, Alfred J. ?The Text-Book of Astrology Vol. II: Mundane Astrology, Astro-Meteorology, Medical Astrology, Elections, and Horary Astrology? Cousins & Co., London, 1889
Note: Vol. I from 1879 is on natal astrology. The 2nd edition from 1911 had all the original parts of Vol. II heavily truncated or cut altogether and is therefore a poor substitute. All later printings to date have been reprints of the 1911 edition.

7. Dimbleby, J. B. 'All Past Time by Six Astronomical Lines: Authenticated by the British Chronological and Astronomical Association, and the only Complete Record of Time Published. Containing a Classification of All Eclipses and Transits from Creation, Continued in Teams to those now seen, Together with the New Use of the Zodiacal Circle, Showing All Past Years of the World, With Tables of the Kings of Babylon, Assyria, Egypt, Judah, Israel, Persia, and Roman Emperors of the First Century, on A.M. Years for Comparison' Stated Ninth Edition - E. Nister, 28, Paternoster Row, London, E. C. / The Author, 1, Gordon Road, Wanstead, London, E., 1897

8. Allen, Frank T. ?Astrology and Socialism or the New Era: a Review and Forecast? [Self-Published], Brooklyn, N. Y., 1902

9. Johndro, L. Edward ?War or Peace: a Mathematical Analysis of the Astrological Evidences of War with Japan? The Quality Print Shop, 1911

10. Sepharial ?The Silver Key: a Scientific Guide to Speculators? W. Foulsham & Co., Ltd., London, undated (but COPAC gives 1913)
NB: There was a later 'Revised Edition', also undated but probably only a few years later, that was truncated (reduced) from the original.

11. Sepharial 'An Astrological Survey of the Great War, Being an Examination of the Indications Attending the Outbreak and the Presumptive Effects of the Conflict' W. Foulsham & Co. Ludgate Hill, C.E., London, undated (but 1914)

12. Sepharial 'The Great Devastation: a Prophecy of the Times that are Coming upon Europe, Astrologically Interpreted' W. Foulsham & Co., Ludgate Hill, E.C., London, undated (but 1914)

13. P?llner, Otto 'Astrologische Bibliothek Band VII: Mundan-Astrologie' Astrologisches Verlagshaus, Leipzig, undated (but 1914) (R?bkes 958; she gives 1920 as estimated date but records indicate it was six years earlier than that)

14. Leo, Alan ?When the War Will End: a Scientific Prediction? Newspaper Publicity Co., undated, but one of the two essays in it is dated 1915

15. Whitty, Michael (ed.) ?An Astrological Symposium: the Predictions of Ten Prominent American Astrologists on the War? Azoth Publishing Company, 1917

16. Barlet, F. Ch. ?l?Astrologie et la Guerre? Editions de la Sir?ne, Paris VIIIe, 1918

17. Sepharial 'The Law of Values: an Exposition of the Primary Causes of Stock and Share Fluctuations' Ballantrae Reprint, no place stated, undated reprint of original published by unspecified publisher (but Foulsham), undated (but 1918)

18. Nodon, Albert ?Essai d?Astrom?t?orologie et ses Applications au Prevision du Temps? Gauthier-Villars et Cie, Editeurs, Paris, 1920

19. Weston, Prof. ?Forecasting the New York Stock Market, Being a Treatise on the Geometrical or Chart System of Forecasting in which is Explained the Principles of the Art, and, in this Lesson No. 1, Giving a Demonstration With the Price Curve of Potatoes in U. S.? Undated recent reprint of original, apparently self-published, Washington, D.C., [1921]

20. Grimm, A. M. ?Astrologie und Politik: Europas Zukunft: die Nachsten 50 Jahre im Lichte der Astrologie? Uranus-Verlag, Max Duphorn, Bad Oldesloe, 1925

21. Cheiro ?Cheiro?s World Predictions? The London Publishing Company, 1928
? - need to check this is proper mundane astrology and not clairvoyance. I believe so but with Cheiro it pays to check

22. Brahy, Gustave-Lambert ?L?Astro-Dynamique: son Role possible dans l??tude de la Conjoncture ?conomique et Financi?re? ?ditions de l?Institut Central Belge de Recherches Astro-Dynamiques, Avenue Albert 107, Bruxelles, 1932

23. Langham, James Mars ?Planetary Effects on Stock Market Prices, with Indications for 1933 ? 1934 ? 1935: an Impartial Record of the Effects of Certain Planetary Positions and Aspects on Stock Market Prices, with Rules for Future Application as an Aid in Speculation? The Maghnal Publishing Co., Brentwood Heights Station, Los Angeles, Cal., 1932

24. Ingalese, Richard ?Cycles and Signs of the Times: an Extemporaneous Address by Richard Ingalese at the First Temple and College of Astrology, 661 Walker Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, February 22, 1927 (Reported by a Student)? [Third Edition] - J. F. Rowny Press, Santa Barbara, Cal., 1933
?: I have not read this yet and as a slim pamphlet it will take me some time to find, but it sounds from the title to be likely to be mundane-focused.

25. Parchment, S. R. ?Astrology: Mundane and Spiritual? Rosicrucian Anthroposophic League, 1933
NB: This was later reprinted by the American Federation of Astrologers, probably in the 1960s, but the AFA reprint rather misleadingly carries only the date of the original printing.

26. Urania ?Examples in Equinoctial Changes: Mundane Astrology? Publisher Not Stated, undated but internal references suggest probably 1933 or early 1934. Believed probably the work of Frederick White late in his career.

27. Bartolet, Sam ?Eclipses and Lunations in Astrology? Llewellyn Publications Ltd., 1937
?: Have not checked this in a while but it would appear from the title to be likely to be mundane-focused.

28. Lasson, Leon 'Astrologie Mondiale: Ses Bases Rationnelles; La Loi des Grands ?v?nements Historiques; Quinze ans de Paix sur l'Europe' ?ditions de la Revue "Demain", Avenue de Sumatra 4, Bruxelles, undated (but 1937)

29. Boudineau, Andr?, ed. ?Astrologie? Cahier no. 6: Astrologie Mondiale ? Chacornac Fr?res, 1938

30. Hall, Manly P. ?1939 Astrological Predictions for the U. S. A.? No publisher stated, 1938

31. Hall, Manly P. ?1939 Astrological Predictions for the World? No publisher stated, 1938

32. Langham, James Mars ?Cyclical Market Forecasting Stocks and Grain: a Complete Course of Instrution in an Original and Proven System? Undated reprint of edition first published by unspecified publisher, without date, but the foreword specifies six years after Langham's title above was first published, thus presumably 1938

33. Privat, Maurice ?1940: Pr?dictions Mondiales: Ann?e de Grandeur Fran?aise? ?ditions M?dicis, Paris XXe, 1939.
NB: One of several mundane forecast books by the author around this period.

34. Trarieux d?Egmont, Gabriel ?Essai de Pr?visions sur la Guerre? Ernest Flammarion, 1939

35. Bayer, George 'Stock and Commodity Traders' Hand-Book of Trend Determination: Secrets of Forecasting Values, Especially Commodities Including Stocks' Undated reprint of original published by unspecified publisher, itself undated (but [1940])

36. Kerneiz, C. ?La Chute d?Hitler? ?ditions Jules Tallandier, Paris, 1940
NB: Predicts Hitler's downfall based chiefly on personal astrological analysis; but in view of his position in the world at that time, I felt the context was sufficiently mundane for this title to be relevant to the list.

37. Brahy, Gustave-Lambert ?Fluctuations Boursi?res et Influences Cosmiques? Deuxi?me Edition Revue et Consid?rablement Augment?e - Les Editions de la Revue ?Demain?, Paris / Bruxelles, 1941

38. De Surany, G.-B. ?Manuel d?Astrologie Mondiale? ?ditions des Cahiers Astrologiques, Nice, 1941

39. Drew, Marion Meyer ?101 Headline Horoscopes? [Self-Published], Beacon, New York, 1941
? - another I have not read recently enough to remember its specific contents and would need to locate to check; the title suggests to me horoscopes cast for mundane news events, and Drew was no stranger to mundane astrology forecasts in magazines, but this might be deceiving

40. Horicks, L. et Michaux, M. ?Trait? Pratique d?Astrologie Mondiale? ?dition des ?Soir?es Astrologiques?, 1941

41. Harwood, P. J. ?When the War Will End: An Astrological Almanac of Important Dates and Events Showing the Course and Conclusion of the War? Third Edition ? P. J. Harwood, 1941

42. Bayer, George ?Turning Four Hundred Years of Astrology to Practical Use and Other Matters? undated reprint of original published by unspecified publisher, 1943

43. Spencer, Katharine Q. ?The Zodiac Looks Westward? David McKay Company, 1943
NB: Despite the unpromising title, this is a text-book of mundane astrology by a mundane specialist who wrote mundane forecasts for magazines in the 40s

44. Harwood, P. J. ?Astrological Prophecies of War and Peace; Dates of Important Happenings 1944-1947? P. J. Harwood, Corona Press, Ovingdean, Brighton, Sussex, 1944

45. Barbault, Andre ?Astrologie M?t?orologique, suivie de Contribution a l?Astrologie Agricole? ?ditions Niclaus, 34 rue Saint Jacques, Paris (5e), 1945

46. De Chambertrand, Gilbert ?Les Causes Cosmiques de la Guerre de 1939? ?ditions Adyar, Paris 7e, 1946

47. Morin de Villefranche, tr. Hi?roz, Jean ?L?Astrologie Mondiale et M?t?orologique de Morin de Villefranche: Traduction Int?grale du XXV? Livre de l?Astrologia Gallica: ?Des Constitutions Universelles du Ciel?? Les ?ditions Leymarie, 42 rue Saint-Jacques, Paris, 1946
The first translation of Book 25 of the Astrologia Gallica (1661) into a modern language.

48. Kerneiz, C. ?Terre et Cosmos: Base et M?thodes d?Astrologie Mondiale? Adyar, Paris, 1947

49. Tyler, J. Ross 'Financial Astrology' D.G. Nelson Publisher, undated (but OCLC gives 1947)

50. De Boulainviller, Henri, ed. Simon, Madame Ren?e ?Astrologie Mondiale? ?ditions du Nouvel Humanisme, Garches, 1949
This was a new edition of a text from a few centuries earlier

51. Bradley, Donald A. ?Stock Market Prediction: the Planetary Barometer and How to Use It? Llewellyn Publications Ltd., Los Angeles, California, 1948

52. Dutt, Fakir Chandra ?Market Forecasting? A. Basu, 1949

53. Johnson, Maxwell O. ?Cycles in Weather and Solar Activity? Paradise of the Pacific Press, Honolulu, Hawaii, 1950


Also please note:

Raphael 'Raphael's Mundane Astrology, or the Effects of the Planets and Signs upon the Nations and Countries of the World' W. Foulsham & Co., undated (but OCLC suggests 1910) - No. 3 on Mark's list, but I thought I should add the year.

And the year of publication of Sepharial's 'Eclipses' was 1915.

Also note that there were other books on the fixed stars published in these years but I have not included them because the fixed stars are a broader topic than mundane astrology alone.