In the practical application of “Celestial Dynamics” the primary principles of Astronomy and Astrology must be fully understood, and as no really reliable practical Manual at a reasonable price has ever been issued in America upon this subject, combined with the fact that owing to the United States postal and revenue laws, European works are almost inaccessible to American readers, who cannot afford to pay prohibitive prices. It is to be hoped that these facts alone are a sufficient apology, if any be needed, for the appearance of a work in this, the last decade of the Nineteenth Century, professing to deal seriously with the rules and elementary principles of Ancient Astrology. As a matter of fact, there is nothing in the present work that can be called original, more than is embraced perhaps in the style and method of presentment, because the matter subjected to the reader’s notice is but the Alphabet of that Science of the Stars which gave to Chaldea its grandeur and to Egypt its wisdom. An Alphabet of Celestial knowledge which is coeval with the history of man and whose origin is lost within the depths of prehistoric time. The writer’s chief effort has been to present the subject to the young student in the simplest form possible,and to convey to his mind the technical details of an exceedingly interesting study in a pleasing manner, free from all the unseemly personalities so frequently found in astrological authors. At the same time the subject is treated in a thoroughly practical manner to enable the student to realize the extent of his undertaking. It is vast, and requires a mind that is equally great for its full realization. At the same time it will, when once mastered, amply repay him for the time and effort devoted to its acquirement. Each subject has been rendered as brief and concise as possible, and all imaginary rules and considerations, no matter upon what authority they rest, from Claudius Ptolemy to the present day, have been ignored. The lover of truth, and the Scientific investigator has little use for “The part of Fortune,” or, “Dragon’s head and tail.” They want facts, and these facts mixed with as little theory as possible. With this we close, remembering the words of a well known critic, “The Preface is an Author’s opportunity to unload his egotistical cant.”
The Author.
In 2025 this blog will feature serialized excerpts from The Language of the Stars (1892) and Celestial Dynamics (1896) by which time he is living not as Burgoyne but as Norman Astley. In 2024 I will finish the Tour Through the Zodiac series with weekly entries on Taurus and Gemini. KPJ