ABSTRACT
But not only individuals, peoples and kingdoms are also subject to particular stars, or to stars which govern the existence of their kings. They increase or decrease according to the perpetual impulsion given from on high; th~ histo.ry of their disasters and prosperity in the past IS regIstered on the face of heaven, and that. of their future disasters or prosperity is equally clearly written for those who can read the record. Astrologers. have been working at this science for many centuries, and their observations, accumulated from age to age" now enable us to know the special character and virtueof each of those luminous points that brighten our nights; to calculate without many chances of error the numerous aspects they bear in relation to each other; to decide which amongst them exercise the most authority over human affairs, at what moment this anthority is the strongest, and when it becomes weaker or disappears altogether. The signs which are visible in heaven, in addition to the regular phenomena, also play their part in this divination by the movements of the celestial bodies. The sun and moon do not wrap themselves in bloody vapours or hide their faces behind the clouds without some reason for doing so. When they eclipse themselves or suddenly appear inflamed with unendurable brilliancy, when fires burn on the horizon and, upon certain nights, the stars seem to detach themselves from the heavens and to fall upon the earth, these prodigies are warnings which the gods send to nations and to kings before great crises. Happy is the man whose eyes are clear-sighted to perceive them, whose intelligence is quick enough to understand them, who has the prudence and presence of mind to regulate his conduct by their predictions!
