Cosmic symbolism

by Sepharial

The student will not proceed far before he comes up against the problem of Calendarics. He will find it impossible to understand and follow the works of the ancients without some notion of the equilization of Eras, and it will become imperative, if he would check the statements made in their works, as he should do, that he undertake the task of converting ancient into modern calendars. He may even find it necessary to know the names of the Assyrian, Egyptian, Greek, Indian and Chinese months. It is all involved in the process of his study. He will certainly require to know what are the Eras of the Hegira, the Salivahana, the Olympiads, and the Kali Yuga.

Keen on the track of this ancient lore he may elect to study the primitive Chinese language, and the noble Sanskrit of India, the more perfectly to acquaint himself with the traditions of these peoples and to study their ancient presentment of the science of Astrology. He may conveniently follow up the record through the Greeks and Latins.

Assuredly he will need to acquaint himself, at least superficially, with the anatomy of the human body, its physiology, pathology and hygiene. In the allocation of faculty to environment he will come into touch with sociology and will discriminate between the planetary occupations cited by Ptolemy and those that enter into the complex of modern life. In connection with the questions of marriage and progeny, the study of eugenics and gynecology will claim his attention. The study of character as revealed by the planetary dispositions at the moment of birth will bring him into touch with the profound and as yet only partially developed science of Psychology.

Cosmogony will inevitably hold his attention while studying the effects of planetary action in the world at large, and seismology and meteorology are branches of mundane astrology that cannot be overlooked by any thorough student. For the argument comes easily to hand that if the planets do not affect the world at large they cannot affect us as denizens of the world.

From this by no means exhaustive category of subjects directly connected with the study of Astrology, it will be seen that it entails a liberal education and one, moreover, that cannot be matched by the curriculum of any of our schools or colleges. So that, whether we regard Astrology as a science, a philosophy or an occult art, it is certain that its pursuit, if carried out consistently, cannot fail to improve the mind of all who engage in it.

But as Laotze has said, the virtue of everything is in its use. If Astrology has no practical advantages to offer us it will at best only secure a place of academical repute. Those who have followed it out into the broad issues of life will, however, be able to affirm that in infancy, youth, adolescence and old age, Astrology is adequate to the needs of all as a source of guidance and information. From the very outset of life we are faced by considerations of health, questions regarding the continuance of life, matters connected with education, the development of special faculty, and all those problems that vex the parental mind. Then later on we have to decide upon the choice of occupation, and later still on the all-important question of marriage. Then come the host of considerations hedging the welfare of the average man, questions regarding business affairs, travelling, partnerships, alliances, and the final disposition of one’s affairs. There are also the financial problems to be dealt with, matters of investment and of speculation—for it is never wise to speculate unless you know—and on the domestic side of life we have a multitude of problems which can easily be imagined but are difficult to recite.

In all these matters Astrology is found to be consistently useful as a guide and system of foreknowledge. Let me take some practical illustrations of the value of foreknowledge. The Russo-Japanese War and its outbreak in the Korea was foreseen and specifically predicted by me from the Eclipses of 1893. The fact that thousands of persons are directly or indirectly concerned in the appreciation or depreciation of the commercial interests and Government securities of those countries will point the practical value of this piece of intelligent anticipation.

The Hispano-American War of 1898 was predicted and the corner in wheat coinciding with the outbreak of that event was foreseen. Was this of any value to those whose business it is to anticipate the price of commodities and to arrange their shipments accordingly? Was the fall in Consols in 1899 on the outbreak of the Boer War of no consequence to trustees and financiers? Consols were then at 112 and they fell to 88. My statement to the Daily Mail twelve months before the event was that Consols next year would, on account of war, be as much below par as they were then above it. These are not isolated predictions carrying with them a fictitious value as spasmodic evidences, but they form part of a coherent and consistent system of forecast which has been available to the public for many years and of which many have taken advantage.

Judged by the test of fact and utility it will be seen that Cosmic Symbolism as developed in the science of Astrology is everywhere and in all directions abundantly justified in its claim to a patient and dispassionate investigation at the hands of competent critics, and universally it will be found to answer the common problems of life and to throw a flood of light upon some of the more recondite mysteries of our being.

In this work I have sought to be rather suggestional than informing, to stimulate rather than to satisfy curiosity, and to entice the reader to a consideration of some few ideas which arise out of the study of the Universe as Symbol. In this I trust I have been successful.