Astrological Notices for February 1792

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This is the third in a series of B’s astrological predictions – the sequence is a sign that these were intended to become a regular feature of the Magazine. Gilbert is emulating the standard format of contemporary almanacs such as Moore’s Vox Stellarum.

The Conjuror’s Magazine, 1: 6 (January 1792) p.173.

ASTROLOGICAL NOTICES FOR FEBRUARY 

CALCULATED FROM THE CONJUNCTION OF SUN AND MOON, ON JANUARY 23.

THIS new moon, as well as the last, confirms, in a remarkable manner, the prognostics of the winter quarter. It shews that events undertaken are advanced a step, after a short apparent stop, and going on to completion very shortly. Persons by attending minutely to the incidents or conduct of their lives, will best verify these predictions. It is in minutes lines the accuracy of Astrology is to be traced. This is an excellent period for curious researches. The number of configurations, with Leo ascending within these few years, is astonishing. The winter ingress, the present Moon, commence with Leo and the Georgian 1 ascending on the cusp.—Next spring he is on the cusp of the tenth.

A malignant disease from the trine of Sun and Moon to Mars proceeds with swift fury. The seeds have been springing since early in August last. The little influenza already visible, is only a very near fore-runner. The ascension of 16° Sagittarius the last moon, was decisive for bringing into action this plague:—Medicine will aid its effect. There is nothing but submission and flight for safety. Its sudden beginning will surprize even those who expect it—they will put their foot on it before they are aware. Persons and places under the fiery signs Sagittarius, Leo, and Aries and Gemini, and Cancer, must succumb to fate. In England, religious persons, houses, and things, suffer from the same cause and concomitantly.

Yet there is a better fate in a corner for some.

B


Notes

  1. [EDITOR: ‘The Georgian’ is the planet now know as Uranus. It was discovered by Herschel in 1781. Sir William Herschel named the planet he discovered on March 13, 1781 ‘Georgium Sidus’ after King George III, and other names proposed were ‘Hypercronius’, ‘Minerva’, and ‘Herschel’. More to the point here is the way this newly discovered planet was integrated into astrological lore. This suggests a dynamic adaptability that is not generally associated with the development of what is viewed by outsiders as a fossilised geocentric belief system that resists new astronomical discoveries. The planet is important to Gilbert. As will be seen from his Introduction on the Truth and Importance of Astrology, published in the March 1792 number (where he spells it ‘Georgean’) he identified it with the star seen by the Magi that augured the birth of the Messiah. See also G’s article on the Georgean Planet in CM 2: 24, p.518 where he claims it is ‘Omnipotent’, and associates it with French Republicans and the newly discovered metal, Platinum. For Gilbert the discovery of this planet is a sign of the new millennial age of revolution which has as great a spiritual importance for humanity as the birth of Christ. See also his notes to The Hurricane.] ↩︎