CS402: Classical Studies in Astro-Meteorology
Lee says this about weather in Astrology of Sustainability, Chapter 1 (2011: Schiffer Press, Atglen, PA)
“From this need and desire for information about the year, astrometeorology developed. Thus, as Bos and Burnett point out, the history of weather can be understood as astrometeorology.1 Weather forecasting was a huge component of the early parapegmata, the compendia of events associated with different phases of the moon, or the solar months. Weather predictions often included signs of rain, or wind – where the word “signs” is reminiscent of both biblical usage and also of astrology itself. If you care to consult Pliny’s Natural History on-line (primarily Books 17-18), you will find a compendium of these types of signs, or predictions.
“Whether by days, months, or the 28 stars used by the Arabs, weather patterns were observed, and typical expectations developed. Thus, one can see weather prediction as establishing a base of seasonal patterns overlaid by deviations from the norm. Astrology, scapulimancy, or other divinatory signs were means to add communication with the gods into the equation.
1Kindi, Gerrit Bos, and Charles Burnett. Scientific Weather Forecasting in the Middle Ages : The Writings of Al-Kindi : Studies, Editions, and Translations. Sir Henry Wellcome Asian Series. London; New York; New York: Kegan Paul International ; Distributed by Wiley, 2000, p 2.
While many astrologers are not surprised that astrology has an early history in weather prediction, most astrologers do not know that there was a massive work on weather prediction in the 17th century: John Goad’s Astrometeorologica. This work is not easy to find, but Lee is including scanned pages from it in this remarkable course.
The course is presented in two formats: either as a Correspondence Course, or as a series of weekend Intensives. Thus, it is possible to do a mixture of in-person and by-mail work.
Syllabus:
- Introduction to the Philosophy of Astrometeorology and Our Samples
- First Crack at the Moon: Lunations
- The Moon, Part 2
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Sun, Mercury, and Venus
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Mars with Sun, Mercury, and Venus
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The Aspects of Saturn to Inferiors & Cold as a Concept
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The Aspects of Jupiter to Inferiors . A 19th Century Chapter on Astro-Meteorology
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Saturn and Mars. Wars and Pestilence
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Jupiter and Mars. Earthquakes & Distempers
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Jupiter and Saturn
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The Masterpiece
Required Reading:
* These items are available through the Marion March Electronic Research Library at Kepler College.
+ Provided as part of the course
Aristotle. Meteorology, c. 350 BCE.
* Cock, William. [Meteorologia, or, the True Way of Foreseeing and Judging the Inclination of the Air and Alteration of the Weather in Several Regions … By William Cock …]. Early English Books, 1641-1700 / 310:05: [London : Printed for Jo. Conyers at the Black Raven in Duck Lane, 1670], 1671.
+ Goad, J. Johannis Goad Angli Astro-Meteorologica Sana: Sive Principia Physico-Mathematica, Quibus Mutationum Aeris, Morborum Epidemicorum, Cometarum, Terr*-Motuum, Aliorumque, Insigniorum Natur* Effectuum Ratio Reddi Possit. Opus Multorum Annorum Experienti^a Comprobatum. microform. prostant venales apud Samuelem Tidmarsh juxta Bursam regalem in vico vulg`o dicto Cornhill, Londini, 1690. English language text provided as part of the course.
* Digges, Leonard. A Prognostication Euerlastinge of Righte Good Effecte Fruictfully Augmented by the Auctour, Contayning Plain, Briefe, Pleasaunte, Chosen Rules to Iudge the Weather by the Sunne, Moone, Starres, Comets, Rainebowe, Thunder, Cloudes, with
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