Astrology and Western Society from the First World War to Covid-19

Astrology and Western Society from the First World War to Covid-19
Author: William Burns
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 285
Release: 2023-11-12
Genre: History
ISBN: 3031404866

This book gathers contributions on the topic of astrology in the West during the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, from 1914–2022. It is the first collection exclusively devoted to a period that has been mostly neglected by historians of astrology, who have mostly devoted themselves to the ancient, medieval and early modern periods. Uninterested in vindicating or debunking astrology, contributors consider its cultural impact, its relation to historical events, and the ways in which it has changed in the last century. The broad range of subjects on modern Europe and the US include the relation of astrology with indigenous thought, interwar Polish astrology, and the relation of American astrologers to COVID. A bibliography of studies of modern astrology on a global basis is also included. This collection is a thoughtful contribution to the history of astrology and the sociology of belief as well as carrying significant implications for twentieth and twenty-first century history broadly.

The Astrologer

The Astrologer
Author: James Parris
Publisher: The History Press
Total Pages: 321
Release: 2021-06-01
Genre: History
ISBN: 0750997796

In the darkest days of the Second World War, with Europe falling under German occupation and Britain facing invasion, a 36-year-old refugee from the Nazis, Louis de Wohl, made a curious offer to British Intelligence. Based on the widely-held belief that Hitler's every action was guided by his horoscope, de Wohl claimed he could reveal precisely what advice the Fuhrer's astrologers were giving him. Rather than being dismissed out of hand as a crank, Churchill could see de Wohl's worth for himself. He was subsequently made an army captain and quartered in the Grosvenor House Hotel, from where he passed detailed astrological readings to the War Office and Naval Intelligence, before being transferred to work for the SOE in the United States. Was it possible that senior military and naval intelligence officers could take the ancient and arcane practice of astrology seriously? And was de Wohl genuine or merely a charlatan? In The Astrologer, author James Parris examines the evidence, including recently released files, and reaches remarkable conclusions about this bizarre aspect of the war.

Psychological Warfare and India

Psychological Warfare and India
Author: Dr Arunkumar Bhatt
Publisher: Lancer Publishers
Total Pages: 382
Release: 2015-03-16
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 817062133X

Wars are born in human mind. Great military leaders belonging to all times and cultures have always tried to influence the minds of their foes and friends alike to facilitate their own victories by making their enemies hesitant. The minds concerned could be influenced with a variety of overt and covert actions that send right signals to the target audiences. In the words of Allied Supreme Commander of the World War II, Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, these actions are: anything from the singing of a beautiful anthem to the most extraordinary kind of physical sabotage. This is Psychological Warfare and the most preferred action is communication. Dr. Arunkumar Bhatt, who being a defence journalist knows nuances of communication and unfolds here this soft-kill strategy and its tactics. He traces the history of the psychological warfare to establish how steadily its importance has grown. It became a war winning factor in the Great War and its role further expanded in the World War II. The Psywar as it has come to be known among many names has not looked back since then. The advances in science and technology, revolution in communication and information technologies have greatly enhanced the range and effectiveness of the psychological warfare in terms of both, time and space. The Revolution in Military Affairs has been further sharpening the Psywar weapons. Dedicated Psywar units and even commands backed by elements in formation staff are in the vogue. The Psychological Warfare has now found a place among ‘war by other means.’ It is recognised as a command function and is factored in planning at all levels. It is so important that the decision to deploy the psy-weapons is taken at the top echelon of the high command and this is done much ahead of the breaking out of hostilities. Where does India that has a poor strategic culture and still poorer awareness about its security, stand vis-à-vis Psywar? Indian culture has instances of the Psywar. It was being practised in the ancient period. Kautilya recommends it strongly. Different invaders used it. The British practised it in an institutionalised fashion to rule India. India did counter the British psywar but in a rather ‘irregular’ way. India used it successfully in some of the post-independence wars but the country needs to do much more to protect itself against Psywar attacks and to use it effectively to enhance its own security in the present day multi-threat scenario. This is an attempt to table a calling attention motion before the nation.

Collected Articles, 1922-1938

Collected Articles, 1922-1938
Author: Hermann Beckh
Publisher: Temple Lodge Publishing
Total Pages: 656
Release: 2023-06-09
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1915776023

This newly-edited collection of 72 essays provides a unique overview of Hermann Beckh’s notable – and largely overlooked – writing career. Whether in the realm of theology, philosophy, the arts, astrology or esoterica, the articles gathered here, mostly previously unpublished in English, are rare signposts to a Christian initiation grounded in the Rosicrucian tradition and the path of St John’s Gospel. Presented in chronological sequence over a 16 year period – from 1922 to 1938 – and supplemented with biographical notes and introductory material by Neil Franklin and Alan Stott, this volume provides firm ground for a fuller appreciation of Beckh’s prolific output. Hermann Beckh, Ph.D., one of Europe’s few authorities on Tibetan texts, became a founding member of The Christian Community and an inspiring teacher in the Stuttgart Seminary. Collected Articles is a powerful culmination to his Collected Works in English translation. This body of work is a major source of contemporary spiritual research, providing a vital accompaniment to the better-known contributions by Friedrich Rittelmeyer, Emil Bock and Rudolf Frieling, all of whom – not without some reverential awe – expressed their admiration for their esteemed colleague, ‘the Professor’.

Astrology through History

Astrology through History
Author: William E. Burns
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
Total Pages: 412
Release: 2018-07-20
Genre: Body, Mind & Spirit
ISBN:

Alphabetically arranged entries cover the history of astrology from ancient Mesopotamia to the 21st century. In addition to surveying the Western tradition, the book explores Islamic, Indian, East Asian, and Mesoamerican astrology. The field of astrology is growing rapidly, as historians recognize its centrality to the intellectual life of the past and sociologists and anthropologists treat its importance in a number of modern cultures. Despite the historical and cultural significance of the subject, most reference works on astrology focus on instructional techniques and are written by astrologers with little or no interest in the history of the topic. This book instead offers an objective treatment of astrology across world history from ancient Mesopotamia to the present. The book provides alphabetically arranged entries by expert contributors writing on such topics as horoscopes, court astrologers, Renaissance astrology, and comets. While it considers the Western tradition, it also treats Islamic, Indian, East Asian, and Mesoamerican astrology. In doing so, it explores the role of astrology in shaping science, literature, religion, art, and other defining cultural traditions. Sidebars offer excerpts from various historical texts, while entries provide suggestions for further reading.

Accessory to War: The Unspoken Alliance Between Astrophysics and the Military

Accessory to War: The Unspoken Alliance Between Astrophysics and the Military
Author: Neil deGrasse Tyson
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Total Pages: 622
Release: 2018-09-11
Genre: Science
ISBN: 039328543X

“Extraordinary.… A feast of history, an expert tour through thousands of years of war and conquest.” —Jennifer Carson, New York Times Book Review In this far-reaching foray into the millennia-long relationship between science and military power, acclaimed astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-author Avis Lang examine how the methods and tools of astrophysics have been enlisted in the service of war. Spanning early celestial navigation to satellite-enabled warfare, Accessory to War is a richly researched and provocative examination of the intersection of science, technology, industry, and power that will introduce Tyson’s millions of fans to yet another dimension of how the universe has shaped our lives and our world.

The Language of the Stars

The Language of the Stars
Author: Hermann Beckh
Publisher: Temple Lodge Publishing
Total Pages: 602
Release: 2020-11-16
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1912230534

‘Astrology is a concern of the Christ and the work of Michael.’ – Hermann Beckh During the brief window between the two World Wars, the Rev. Prof. Hermann Beckh led research at The Christian Community Seminary in Stuttgart. In those precious years he published on music, the gospels and the ancient Mysteries. By 1930, in his Contributions to the Priests’ Newsletter, he had produced the most far-reaching account of the cosmic order ever written. The typescript of this great work was destined to gather dust in the Berlin Archiv, however, until it was discovered in recent years. Published here for the first time, it is the crowning masterpiece to Beckh’s Collected Works. The translated and annotated text is accompanied by Rudolf Frieling’s in-depth application of Beckh’s principles of the cosmic starry order to the Creed of The Christian Community, and by a number of appreciations and relevant book reviews. Through ever-deepening meditation guided by Rudolf Steiner, and his vast knowledge of Tibetan, Sanskrit, Pali and Avestan sacred texts – scarcely to be equalled in Europe at the time – Beckh came to the first-hand realization that human and cosmic life was ordered. He perceived directly that this cosmic order was: good, as originating from the World-Will; true, as from World-Thinking; and beautiful, as from World-Feeling. All three could be personally experienced in disciplined consciousness that could enter dream, sleep and pre-natal life. This, then, was Beckh’s method and inspiration, as shown in this extraordinary work. ‘The time will come when Beckh’s “Christened” star-knowledge, which signifies a basic overturning of today’s decadent astrology, will be appreciated for its significance.’ – August Pauli

The End That Does

The End That Does
Author: Cathy Gutierrez
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 296
Release: 2014-12-18
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1317488806

Millennial movements have had a significant impact on history and lie behind many artistic and scientific views of the world. 'The End that Does' tracks the interplay of the arts, sciences, and millennial imagination across 3000 years. The volume presents essays ranging across the study of ancient ritualistic sacrifice, utopian technology and the American millennial dream, science fiction, and the apocalypse of the tabloids. The End that Does will be invaluable to any student or scholar interested in the history of millennialism.

Astrology Disproved

Astrology Disproved
Author: Lawrence E. Jerome
Publisher:
Total Pages: 264
Release: 1977
Genre: Body, Mind & Spirit
ISBN:

Employs scientific reason and skepticism to uncover the erroneous premises and methods of astrology, and cites the dangers accompanying an irrational faith in the discipline and its practitioners.