ASTROLOGY OF TODAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21295, 23 September 1932, Page 6

ASTROLOGY OF TODAY

ALMANACS' LARGE SALES t'OLD MOORE" AND "RAPHAEL" QUAINT SURVIVALS OF PAST Alchemy has been dead for nearly a couple of centuries, but its ancient partner, astrology, is still going strong, even in New Zealand. Not many • people, it is true,, can cast . horoscopes or use an ephemeris, but "Old Moore's Almanac," according to a statement on its title-page, has an annual certi- . fied net gale of two and a-half millions. "Raphael's Almanac," a higher-priced work, published by the same London house, also seems to have an enormous circulation. The appearance of both works each year is eagerly awaited, state Auckland booksellers. They have their regular readers, some of whom com 9 in repeatedly to inquire for them and purchase copies with obvious joy. In the main these are middle-aged and elderly people; young New Zealanders are less interested in the fate of nations and what will happen a year hence. Sales of the almanacs received a fillip last year, it seems, because one or both was said to have predicted the Hawke's Bay earthquake. At least one bookshop had to cable two or three times for extra supplies owing to the rush oi advance orders and inquiries. " Beware of False Prophets." The two publications make quaint reading in this scientific age. "Old Moore, ' is stated to be published under the original copyright dating back to 1697, and readers are urged to ask for the original astrological edition, otherwise they may "lave foisted upon them "a trashy colour,ble imitation," to the compiler# of vhich "Astrology, as a Science, is quite inknciwn." "Raphael's Almanac, .or the .Prophetic Messenger and Weather Guide," claims ,an existence of 113» years. The prophet himself, described as "the 'Astrologer of the 19th Century," candidly' admits that he has not been on the job all that time. "No, esteemed and honoured reader," he writes in 'his 113 th. annual address, "we personally are not quite so old as these works, yet we are old enough to have sson many changes; old enough to realise that_ a new earth and a new heaven are opening before us." It appears, amid a good deal of highlydecorated language, that the world is !just entering upon an " etheric wave age of great changes, in which the dominant forces are those of Saturn and Mars. • "The Cosmic orbs are weaving their pattern of Destiny. The destruction of the old must mean anguish and suffering, end so my pictures and my messages to you for this eventful year are sometimes sombre and' shuddering with human tragedy,' yet would I show you that golden thread which holds a subtle, hidden reason for all things and leads man eternally onward to his great and noble Destiny." Advice for Punters Each month has its list of predictions, a curious mixture of the general and the particular, great and small. British politics and economics are prominent ; so are . the weather, convulsions of nature, epidemics, accidents and' calamities, strife and violence. "Old Moore" agrees with Bis fellpw-prophet at many points, but inclines inore to the sensational. He .takes a particular interest in deaths and illnesses of royalties and notable people, in divorce cases and racing. Throughout the season he obligingly gives fortunate colours arid numbers each month for the benefit of the sporting fraternity. In March "the signs shows that feminine successes will be noted in the world of sport, a*nd some of the spring races, the Grand National, Lincolnshire Handicap and the City and Suburban Handicap may be won' by a woman owner." "The position of Uranus will give rise to a sensational society divorce case" in November and "a domestic murder in South-east London will arouse keen public resentment." In September: "The planetary positions are adverse for Royalty. The Prince of Wales is under evil influences this month and will be obliged to cancel a proposed journey." Influences in New Zealand "Raphael" has a section devoted to next year's events in different countries. Strangely, he predicts nothing at all about Canada and South Africa, but Australia and New Zealand are in for a bad time. The Dominion "is now under the combined rays of Neptune, Mars and Saturn, and their influences are "very sinister and ■ unfortunate for this part of the earth." The seer promises bad weather and disease, heavily afflicting sheep and fruit (farming. In the North Island there* are likely to be "terrific earthquakes and hurricanes of wind." The trade outlook is not good and there will be "extreme forms of Bolshevistic disturbances" and, in the large cities, "wild doings and violent crimes." To the sceptical reader it may well seem lhat while studying the stars, "Raphael" lias also' kept his weather eye on the jnore sensational London press headlines for guidance as to New Zealand's future. His predictions for Australia also " repeat the dose" of recent years. Great minds sometimes think alike, and ?' Old Moore" not only agrees with his Colleague about the New Zealand earthjquake, but puts it down for February, ;when Italy will be likewise afflicted. He [has a severe one for Japan about August 03Fulfilled Predictions The timorous may be reassured to find lhat "Raphael's" list of fulfilled predictions for 1932 is not impressive. Only a dozen are cited, although others are hinted aft The severe earthquake in [Nicaragua aYid Honduras is claimed as a dulfilrnent of a prophesy that these two countries would be " devastated" bv such a calamity, but the New Zealand earthquake is not mentioned this year. Few but devotees of astrology will marvel at the fulfilment of sucli prophecies as >" Gambling and racing will be greatly 0n the increase"; "We shall hear much controversy regarding the pleasures of the people"; and "There will be astonishing crimes involving violence, and of the jnotor or even aeroplane type." One is led to imagine that the influence Of the planets operates sometimes like a shrapnel barrage and sometimes like a pea-rifle. It is said on one page to affect the destiny of whole nations; on another certain days and hours of the day are recommended as propitious for planting garden crops, setting hens or fishing for trout. The heavenly bodies seem to take an almost embarrassing interest in Royal personages. Referring to one of the latter, an explanation of his horoscope states that Saturn is bad for his health and even names certain parts of his anatomy as specially endangered. Altogether, the almanacs are very like something from the 17th century, dressed Su modern language. It is interesting to speculate whether, amid the progress of science and the spread of education, such curious survivals will still be found 60 years hence.